2025 February Featured Bride

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""Do what truly makes you happy or what you want. It's what we did, and we both have no regrets." Join us as we delve into their heartfelt story, from a serendipitous meeting outside Insomnia Cookies to a surprise rooftop proposal in Austin. Their experience offers inspiration and insights for couples planning their own special day."

Angel and Gabriela Otero

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOVE STORY!

How did you meet?

We both transferred to Texas Tech for our junior year in Fall 2017, and we matched on Tinder! The first time we met each other was outside of Insomnia Cookies. The first time we spent time together we had dinner at iHop and talked for hours!

How did you know he was “The One”?

GABRIELA’S ANSWER: I knew a few months after we started officially dating! Angel asked me to be his girlfriend twice before I finally said yes. I stayed in Lubbock that summer to work and take classes. He put in so much effort to make me feel loved and cared for while we were apart. He is incredibly patient, kind, and funny.

Once I met his family, I had no doubt he was who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. He knows me better than anyone and loves me for who I am. He’s the man I prayed for.

ANGEL’S ANSWER: For me, it was taking her home and seeing her interact with my family. Watching her with my nieces and nephews, I knew she would make a great mother one day. This is what led me to ask her to begin dating for the third time.

As for marriage, it was actually moving in and seeing our dynamic work together and loving her in every emotion she has. That’s how I knew she was the one.

How did he propose?

He proposed on the rooftop of the J.W. Marriott in Austin, Texas, at sunset. It was absolutely perfect, and I was completely surprised. My sister-in-law (who ended up being my Maid of Honor) always likes to mention that she knew I had no idea what was going on when I showed up to the hotel in OVERALLS. Let me explain.

I worked for a non-profit at the time and we were handing out candy to kids at a Trunk or Treat event. I had overalls and Minnie Mouse ears on most of the day. Angel volunteered to help me work the event which I thought was really sweet.

The cover-up for the proposal was that we were at a hotel to model for Jasmine’s (my sister-in-law’s) clothing boutique, Happy J. She had a dress and heels waiting for me. Her friends were there to “model” too, and I was just excited to be part of it. Little did I know my life was about to change for the better in that dress and heels.

Describe your wedding planning process

What planning tools did you use?

Once we hired some of our key vendors, we took full advantage of their lists/recommendations and this helped us narrow it down. I read tons of reviews and asked friends and family for recommendations as well.

We used the Knot for our registry and wedding website. I had a Google spreadsheet I created myself that I used for most everything (budget, guest list, addresses, etc.).

Did you hire a planner or day-of coordinator?

Yes, we had a 45-day package with Sweet August Events that included day-of coordination with Kenzie Klamm. This option was perfect for us because I had done the majority of planning myself, but I needed someone to help me tie up loose ends, coordinate last minute with vendors, and manage the schedule the day-of.

Did you have a specific theme?

We had no specific theme. It was important to us that our wedding day felt like it was our style, and we definitely achieved that with the bright colors, modern feel, and beautifully lit venue. We asked all of the guests to wear black, and it looked so chic in the photos.

Where did you save the most?

Definitely our signage (the menus, drink signs, vintage phone sign, ceremony programs, ceremony sign, cocktail hour sign, etc.) because my mom handled it all for us. We designed everything together. It’s always fun when we get to collaborate on projects together. She’s so talented and can bring any vision to life.

Where did you splurge?

Our photographer was a splurge. Hunter is worth every penny. She’s been with us since the proposal, and she took our engagement photos as well. I know we’ll be hiring her for years to come.

Why did you choose your venue?

The natural light and modern feel was exactly what we were looking for. It felt like us!

Did you incorporate any special traditions or sentimental details in your ceremony or reception?

We had a Catholic wedding ceremony which was very meaningful to us because I grew up Catholic and Angel became Catholic earlier in the year on Easter. It was amazing to receive the sacrament of marriage together and to feel God’s blessing on our relationship.

Before the reception I gave all my bridesmaids letters to let them know what it meant to me that they had taken the past two years to be by my side supporting and loving me throughout the wedding planning process.

They also were wonderful to celebrate our engagement party, my bachelorette weekend, and bridal shower. I love my girls so much, and wanted them to know how much I appreciated them standing by my side on such a special day.

At the reception we had a thank you for all of our guests written on the back of the menu. We’ve been together a long time, and our guests are the people that have loved and supported us through college, all of our moves, career changes, etc. We wanted them to know they were invited for a reason, and we appreciated each and every one of them.

We also had a vintage phone that the guests left voicemails on instead of a guestbook. It was amazing to hear our loved ones’ voices during the reception and listen to their well wishes. It really transported us right back to our wedding night. We will treasure that forever!

What was your most stressful decision?

The coordination of the ceremony at the church was overall the hardest. We were doing our best to honor tradition and still incorporate what we wanted for our day. The cathedral has a lot of rules that aren’t communicated to you until you do your walk-through a week or two before the wedding which was disappointing.

What turned out to be your best decision surrounding the big day?

Two things: (1) I decided early on that I wouldn’t let anything get me worked up. I had to go with the flow even if things went sideways, and they definitely did. However, nothing took away from how amazing the day was.

(2) Our Day-of Coordinator! I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy anything if I had to manage and direct everything myself.

Is there anything you would have done differently?

I definitely would have allotted more time for my bridal party to get ready. I had a large bridal party which was a lot of fun, but we ended up having to skip some things we planned on doing (like first looks with my dad and grandparents) due to how long everything took.

Tell Us About...

Your dress:

I bought my dress in Katy, Texas, when we were there visiting family. I had my mom, abuela (grandma), and sister-in-law there with me. It was either my third or fourth dress I tried on and the first one that made me truly feel like a bride!

I absolutely loved that it was off the shoulder and the white was so bright! We added the slit and took out tulle. As soon as I tried the dress on with my shoes, I was IN LOVE. It was exactly what I wanted.

Overall, I spent a lot of time in alterations, but it was well worth it to feel as beautiful as I did on our day.

The flowers:

I had a very specific vision for our flowers and Andrea pulled it off beautifully. I wanted lots of color and no greenery. It was what I was most excited to see for our reception and it didn’t disappoint.

I remember her bringing me my wedding bouquet while I was having my hair and makeup done. My jaw literally dropped and my bridesmaids were as in awe as I was. I couldn’t believe how stunning it was. She gave me exactly what I dreamed of!

The food:

We both knew we wanted pasta and the caterer sold us when we tried their garlic bread. It was fabulous!

The cake:

I’ve loved Gigi’s cupcakes since high school and they were one of the few vendors I knew we’d want when we began wedding planning. I’d taken Angel there a couple of times, and he was completely on board.

We had cupcakes for the guests and a small cake for us. We chose cheesecakes, cookies and cream, red velvet, and banana pudding flavors. They did our wedding cake as well which was their traditional “wedding cake” flavor with these gorgeous pearls on them. It was exactly what I had pictured!

Recap your big day for us

What made you laugh?

The groomsmen were supposed to have clip-on ties, but they were real bowties and they looked awful… nothing like the photos online! We ended up having our dads give Angel and the best man, Kevin, their bow ties and the rest of the guys went without.

What made you cry?

We did private vows and it was such a beautiful moment. It was one of the things I most looked forward to on our wedding day. I spent a long time perfecting my vows and Angel was worried his vows wouldn’t be good enough, but they were absolutely perfect. He made me laugh and talked about our future.

It was everything I needed to hear before walking down the aisle. Angel didn’t want to see me until I walked down the aisle so he was facing away from me, and it made coming down the aisle that much more special.

The speeches were also amazing. You could really feel the love in the room.

What were the most memorable moments?

Definitely our private vows, hearing the speeches, and Angel’s cousin accidentally dropping his beer bottle TWICE while we were all on the dance floor were some of our most memorable moments. We secretly swiped the cupcakes that Angel’s dad had the caterer wrap up for him because we almost didn’t get to try them!

Did anything unexpected happen?

The rooftop ended up being too hot for guests to comfortably have cocktail hour, and the mariachi ended up playing inside. The reception area and the decor was supposed to be more of a surprise, but since everyone was inside that didn’t exactly happen. It wasn’t a big deal, but definitely not in our plans for the day.

What’s the best advice you can give a bride and groom planning their wedding?

Before you ask anyone else for their opinions, sit down and picture together what you want for your special day. Get really clear on those details that are important to you and plan everything else around that. For the guest it’s just a day, but for the two of you it’s the first day of forever.

What did you look forward to most as Mr. and Mrs.?

We were most excited to finally be married and celebrate our love with all our family and friends. We couldn’t wait to get on the dance floor with everyone! Looking ahead, we’re also excited to travel together and grow our family when the time is right.

Local Vendors:

Wedding Venue: San Fernando Cathedral

Reception Venue: The Skyline

Planner: Kenzie Klamm

Officiate: Deacon Brad Wakely

Photographer: Edgerly Photography

Caterer: Spice of Life

Florist: Andrea Milo Blooms

Cake/Dessert: Gigi’s Cupcakes

Decor/Rentals: Meek & Wild Rentals

Bridal Shop: Fiancee Bridal Curves

Makeup Artist: VivaLaGlam – Jennifer

Hair Stylist: VivaLaGlam – Jennifer

Bartending/Beverage Service: The Skyline

Mariachi: Mariachi De Mi Rancho

DJ: Vegas Event Group

Social Media: Socials by Halle

Photo Booth: Lighthouse Photobooth

Marquee Letters: Alpha Lit

Wedding Music:

Processional: Variety of church hymns

Bride’s Entrance: Can’t Help Falling in Love Cover – Mariachi Instrumental of Kina Grannis

Recessional: Variety of church hymns

First Dance: Thank God – Symphony Version – Kane and Katelyn Brown

Father/Daughter Dance: My Wish – Rascal Flatts

Mother/Son Dance: Thought You Should Know – Morgan Wallen

Last Dance: Heaven – Kane Brown

Grand Exit: Crazy in love – Beyonce

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