Love, Law School, and a Non-Traditional Wedding: How Alexa and Owen Crafted Their Dream Day
Imagine meeting your future spouse during your first week of law school, but not actually clicking until you bond over criminal justice reform and healthcare policy. That’s exactly what happened to Alexa Yarnell and Owen Huelsbeck, whose journey from Loyola Law School classmates to husband and wife is as unique as their wedding day itself. But here’s where it gets controversial: their wedding broke all the traditional rules, and it’s sparking conversations about what a modern celebration of love can—and should—look like.
It all started in 2019 at Casey’s Irish Pub in downtown Los Angeles. Owen was smitten with Alexa from the moment they met, but she was more focused on her recent move from New York and the start of law school. ‘I wasn’t looking for romance,’ Alexa admits. Yet, fate had other plans. Over the semester, their paths crossed in unexpected ways—like when Alexa would stop by to help Owen and a mutual friend solve the New York Times crossword puzzle. ‘It’s amazing how often Broadway musicals pop up in those clues,’ she laughs, recalling their shared love for theater. Their connection deepened when Alexa joined the Criminal Law Society, where Owen was already a member. A congratulatory text turned into hours-long conversations about their passions, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Their relationship weathered the pandemic, with Owen even driving 18 hours from Tacoma, WA, to LA for their first date. ‘He saved the wine bottle from that night,’ Alexa shares. ‘And later, I stepped on the glass at our wedding—a full-circle moment.’ Fast forward to March 2023, when Owen proposed on the beach at Three Arch Bay in Laguna, a place where they’d studied for the California Bar together. But here’s the twist: Alexa had already bought a ring to propose to Owen, wanting him to have a physical symbol of their commitment too. ‘Now we both stack our rings,’ she says. ‘It’s become a tradition among our friends.’
Their wedding weekend in Montecito, held in the fall of 2025, was a celebration of their unique bond. It kicked off with a welcome dinner at Bettina’s, followed by a s’mores and charcuterie campfire party. And this is the part most people miss: they created a custom crossword puzzle for their guests, connecting everyone through shared experiences and fun facts. ‘It was a big love fest,’ Owen says. The next day, they hosted separate bachelor and bachelorette ‘parties’—surf lessons for the guys, a Princess Diaries-themed slumber party for the ladies. ‘It was perfectly us,’ Owen reflects.
But the wedding itself? Anything but traditional. Alexa was adamant about not walking down the aisle. ‘I’m not comfortable with that level of attention unless I’m performing or arguing a case,’ she explains. Instead, she walked into the ceremony at San Ysidro Ranch with Owen by her side, a decision that felt authentic and meaningful. Their intimate guest list of 31 allowed them to focus on what truly mattered: connection and warmth. ‘We hired a moving company to transport all the custom pieces we sourced,’ Alexa admits. And her dress? A 2020 Oscar de la Renta gown her dad picked out, which she describes as ‘daring, unique, and like a second skin.’
Bold Question for You: Do non-traditional weddings like Alexa and Owen’s challenge outdated norms, or do they risk losing the ‘magic’ of time-honored traditions? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
