Gold Canyon Golf Resort & Spa

Welcome Happy Hour

The Paseo

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Dinner and Reception

Join us for breakfast

Our Wedding

Q + A

Once upon a time, there were two people named Gaby and James, who worked together. They had always noticed each other, but it wasn't until they ran into each other after work at the grocery store that they started talking (James slid into Gaby's DMs). They quickly found out that they had a lot in common and soon started dating in secret. After a few months of keeping their relationship a secret, they finally came out to their family and coworkers who already suspected. As their love grew stronger, they discovered their shared love for travel, nature, animals, sports, tacos and reggae music. They even adopted a dog together, Tyson, who quickly became a cherished member of their little family. A year later they rescued their second pup named, Cheddar, who won their hearts over for his loyal soul. Whenever they face challenges, they find solace in each other's arms, with their dogs by their side. They knew that they had found something special and were grateful for every moment they shared together. Gaby and James can't wait to write the next chapter of their lives where they get married and celebrate with their favorite people.

Our Story

Photos

Wednesday, February 28th Welcome Party at Gold Canyon Resort from 4-7pm Thursday, February 29th Wedding ceremony starts at 4pm at The Paseo. The bus will be leaving from the Gold Canyon Resort at 3:15 to drop off guests at 3:30. Friday, March 1st Breakfast at Gold Canyon Resort from 9:30-11:30am at the resort’s restaurant, Kokopelli’s. After we will do a hike inside the Gold Canyon Resort around noon.

Itinerary

We hope you enjoy your journey to the desert! AirportPhoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the largest nearby and will have the most flights available. And it is only about 30-40 min away from Apache Junction. There is also Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport which is smaller and could be an option but only caters to a few airlines. Where to stay?The closest hotels to the venue are the Gold Canyon Resort and the Best Western in Gold Canyon. There are also a decent amount of airBNB's to stay in the area too but those are filling up fast. We recommend staying at the Gold Canyon Resort if you are planning to stay in a hotel. That is where the room block and shuttle will be. Uber or Rental CarIf you take an Uber/Lyft to the Gold Canyon Resort it will be around $60. Renting a car is worth it if you are thinking about exploring around, we highly recommend using Turo.comMore details below.

PLEASE READ We have a room block at this resort with reduced perice so if you want to stay here call them and mention the "Viloria/Tortora Wedding" when you call. You'll need to actually call the hotel to book you room, otherwise you won't get the reduced price if you book online. We hope you're able to stay through the weekend to enjoy the desert. We encourage you to book the room sooner than later to lock in your spot. By the way, your credit card won't be charged until you check-in. We will do our Welcome Party in this resort the day before de wedding, and we will also have a shuttle to the wedding from this hotel so it will be ideal if you stay here &lt;3 Accommodations/Rates:Patio Casita (King) $205++Patio Casita (QQ) $215++Spa Casita (K or QQ) $265++One Bedroom Suite (K or QQ) $375++ Check-in time is 4:00 pm and check-out time is 11:00 am.

Best Western Gold Canyon Inn & Suites

Keep in mind this one is not as close to our venue as the other 2 above but they have lower rates. You will need to Uber to the venue or Uber to the Gold Canyon Resort to get the shuttle from there.

SureStay Plus By BW Mesa Superstition Springs

Travel

Elvis Chapel

Walk down Main Street, explore the many shops and historic buildings. You can grab a drink or bite in the Saloon or de Cantina Cafe.

Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tours Inc.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Downtown Scottsdale - more commonly known as Old Town Scottsdale - offers boutique shopping featuring&nbsp;souvenirs, jewelry and art with a Southwestern flair, or luxury shopping at one of the country's best malls. A density of bars, lounges, restaurants and&nbsp;clubs offer myriad dining and nightlife opportunities within short distance of each other. And art fans can peruse the galleries of Main Street and visit the district's contemporary and western museums.&nbsp; Old Town Scottsdale has some of the best dining around town. If you're looking for some historic spots,&nbsp;the Sugar Bowl has been&nbsp;an Old Town Scottsdale rite of passage for dessert since 1958. Coffee lovers can get their kick at roasteries like Press Coffee or Cartel Coffee Lab.&nbsp;

Old Town Scottsdale

Visitors can stroll through five thematic trails to explore the fascinating beauty of the Sonoran Desert, from towering cacti and alluring succulents to brilliant wildflowers and lush trees. Scroll through the Garden's calendar so not to miss festive events and dazzling exhibitions. Delve deeper to learn about desert landscaping, nature art, cooking and wellness and more through the Garden's various adult and children's classes.

Desert Botanical Garden

Looking for great outdoor recreation just minutes from downtown and the airport? Take a hike around the red butte formations in Papago Park, including the iconic Hole-in-the-Rock Trail. Papago Park has been home to many different pieces of Phoenix&nbsp;history: it was a reservation for indigenous tribes, a fish hatchery during the Great Depression, a POW camp during World War II,&nbsp;and a VA hospital. Today, the park is home to The Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, golf courses, various museums, baseball fields, lakes, and Sonoran Desert plants and animals.&nbsp;

Papago Park

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 2.3-mile loop (Double Butte) and 825 feet&nbsp;out and back (Hole-in-the-Rock) What better way to ogle the uncanny red sandstone formations of Papago Park than hiking around (and inside) them? The smaller two of these beautiful buttes can be explored on an easy dirt loop that starts in the West Park parking lot, accessible from Galvin Parkway. Then, drive across the street to the park’s east side for a quick climb up rocky stairs to peek out from the cave-like Hole-in-the-Rock, a popular landmark (and prehistoric solstice-tracking tool) with views of an oasis and distant city skyline.

Double Butte Loop and Hole-in-the-Rock Trail in Papago Park 

Difficulty: Easy Distance: 2.3-mile loop (Double Butte) and 825 feet&nbsp;out and back (Hole-in-the-Rock) For an easygoing introduction to quintessential Sonoran Desert scenery, this trail is your pick. The flat, meandering path lets you take your eyes off your footing to scope out towering saguaros, tangled ocotillos, bristling bushes of cholla and the banded ridgeline of nearby Pass Mountain.

Blevins Trail in Usery Mountain Regional Park

Difficulty: Hard Distance: 4.6 miles out and back An opportunity to take a thumbs-up photo with this trail’s signature formation. To get there and enjoy the views, otherworldly upland boulder fields and desert flora along the way, you’re going to need to gain some elevation. The trailhead’s north side starts you out with a series of strenuous switchbacks. Once you’re up in the land of boulders, keep an eye out for rock climbers and enjoy the trail until you reach the Thumb itself.

Gaby + James