Jayson Mendoza of Claremont and Romer De Los Santos, II of San Diego were married on April 26, 2008 in the Treetops Restaurant at the San Diego Zoo.

In a Catholic ceremony, the priest officiated a full wedding Mass, uniting the two gentlemen who have been a couple for 5 years. Mr. Mendoza, the son of Jose and Robin Mendoza of Claremont, and Mr. De Los Santos wore white, formal Filipino barongs and black pants for the special occasion. White and purple/pink orchids were chosen for the flowers, matching the wedding décor of white, purple, pink and green. Diamonds adorned the couple’s white gold wedding rings.

The grooms each selected a maid of honor to support them on their wedding day. Wearing a long, fuchsia, silk gown and carrying white orchids, Silverlake resident Diana Mendoza attended her brother, Mr. Mendoza. Wearing a mid-length white gown with green accents and carrying white orchids, Los Angeles resident Karen Barilla stood by her friend, Mr. De Los Santos.

Gaby Ray, cousin to Mr. Mendoza, joined the wedding party as flower girl.

Mr. Mendoza grew up in Claremont, attending Vista Elementary School, El Roble Intermediate School and Claremont High School, from where he graduated in 1996. At CHS, he was a founding member of the Safety Zone, “or whatever the burgeoning gay club there used to be called,” he said. He was also active in the school’s Chamber Singers under Ms. Carter, going on to join the Citrus Singers under Ben Bollinger’s direction.  Currently a massage therapist, he owns Blue Aura Massage in San Diego.

Mr. De Los Santos attended Pierce College and currently works as a biomedical engineer.

At the wedding reception, also held at the Treetops Restaurant, the wedding party and guests enjoyed a 5-course meal, an open bar and plenty of dancing. Newlywed Mr. Mendoza and 2 back-up singers—his cousins, Nick Sarando and Damon Jones—performed several song and dance numbers for the guests and, in particular, for the other newlywed, Mr. De Los Santos. Their final number was “Countdown to Love.”

Mr. Mendoza and Mr. De Los Santos enjoyed a honeymoon at Walt Disney World. They now reside in a condo in San Diego.

This wedding ceremony celebrated their new domestic partnership, however, they will soon become legally married under the newly passed California law.