Elvira Flores & Dane Peterson
Our Story
Our story actually started over 10 years ago in a medium sized city in Mexico, called Xalapa. My oldest brother, Brandon, went there one semester with my sister-in-law Shannon to study and learn Spanish. They lived with a wonderful family that not only took in foreign students, but students from around Mexico. A couple of the Mexican students happened to be my fiancee and her sister, Merlhy. Brandon and Elvira got along great and he took her in as his little sister, of whom he had been bugging me about ever since, saying, "Dane, you need to meet this beautiful girl." After 10 years of telling me about this magnificent Mexicana, our day finally came and we met at a thanksgiving celebration in 2008. She was studying in Colorado and working as an Au Pair and I recently had become single, so the timing couldn't have been more perfect. In the following 5-6 months Elvira and I kept close contact via emails, texting and phone calls and founded a strong connection from the very beginning. To this day we both believe there is something magical about my Uncle's cabin in Ft. Collins, because my spring break of that year I took a road trip to Colorado with a friend, and Elvira and I's romantic relationship began. I knew that I had found true love. Only a few months is all it took and I proposed to Elvira on August 4th on Coronado Island off of San Diego.
Some might call this encounter fate or just pure luck, but I am convinced that this was all a part of God's sovereign plan for our lives.
Our Wedding
Elvira and Dane are going to get married in her small Catholic church in her town of PlatГіn SГЎnchez in the state of Veracruz Mexico. Words cannot express the excitement and anticipation for this wonderful day. Some traditions and customs you may not be aware of will include the following:
A lazo: similar to a unity candle this piece of cloth will be wrapped around our bodies by either Elvira's parents or grandparents to symbolize our unity as Husband and Wife (we will actually use the same lazo used by Elvira's parents in their wedding)
Coins: At some point in the ceremony, Dane will place fake coin pieces into Elvira's hands to symbolize Dane's new role of being Elvira's provider, and Elvira being the caretaker of the money Dane provides. ( We realize that times have changed and both will work to provide, but it's still a time honored tradition )
We want to thank everybody who will be involved in this wonderful day and of course thank all of our parents who have been a part of raising us and supporting us through the years.
Our Reception
The reception will take place just a few blocks away from the Church (actually directly across the street from Elvira's home). We have chosen the best reception hall in PlatГіn and you will be pleasantly surprised by its modern look, cleanliness and clean-accessible bathrooms. (We know that there were a few worried about this aspect of bathrooms)
The music will include a live band and possibly a mariachi to start off the evening. There will be excellent food and drink, the meat being provided by Elvira's dad's nearby ranch. We hope for those of you coming will come prepared to eat, drink and dance the entire evening.
Travel Arrangements
For those of you making the trip to our wedding please notify Dane as soon as possible.
The easiest and most efficient way to get to PlatГіn will be to fly into Mexico City in the late afternoon. You will be met by Dane and other well-traveled family members who will guide you to the appropriate bus station and from there take an overnight bus to PlatГіn. The bus ride will take just under 8 hours to arrive and these are comfortable, luxury buses, with bathrooms and movies. For those who have an adventurous spirit, you will have the time of your lives experiencing the rich culture of Mexico and seeing the incredible landscape that is Elvira's home.
We understand that this will be a complicated task for most of you and please know that there are no hurt feelings for not being able to make it. We thank you for your support.
A Special Message From Us
We just want you all to know how important you have been in our lives and how much it means to have your support in this marriage. We will look to all of you for guidance in the years to come and know that this day is a culmination of your prayers and encouragement over the years. THANK YOU!
(P.S. for those of you who cannot come to our wedding in PlatГіn, please look forward to more details including a 2nd celebration in Kearney, Nebraska.)