Wedding Day

Ceremony

Theresa’s Place

Reception

Wow! Our day has come and gone in a blink of an eye! It meant so much to both of us to have all of you there with us! Words cannot describe how much it made our hearts happy! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting us, encouraging us, and for making our day that much more special! We love you all and we can’t thank you enough! 

Our Wedding

Our story from Gaby's point of view.In early January of 2022; I remember I was co-teaching a Spanish class at the Sheriff's academy and Chris was a student in the class. For one, he walks into class late, and I remember him walking in with this "swag" as if he thought he was all that. LOL. He was wearing a baseball cap, t-shirt, jeans, and boots (his usual style that is unique to him and that I love). Yes, I did check him out even though he walked in like he was all that. LOL. We really didn't talk nor interact much in this class other than me asking him and another female deputy if they needed help with the material. After that, we did not interact until one day there was a pursuit in his district, a deputy keyed up advising he was involved in a major accident, and I noticed on the map that Chris was mapping near that deputy. I called him from our work phone to ask about the deputy's condition. After that, we actually did not cross paths again in person until one day that I was having lunch at a burger place with a mutual friend of ours, Chris walks into the same burger place and comes over to say hi to our friend. They are carrying on a conversation and then Chris starts complaining about dispatch. I told him to let us Watch Command supervisors know because if we are not aware of it then how are we going to address an issue that needs to be addressed. I remember I told him, "Take my number and let me know when there are issues." Little did I know, he already had my number saved from the time I taught that Spanish class that he was late to and where he fell in love with me at first sight. LOL. That is all it took. After that he slid into my DM's and our conversations began to grow. We started texting daily and then eventually planned to go to an Astros game with a group of friends and in April of 2022 is when our friendship blossomed. We started going to Astros games (Astros are part of "OUR" story too), going to the casino, hanging out, and talking on the phone like every day for hours at a time as if we were in high school again. Our friends around us thought we were "something" way before we wanted to admit that we actually liked each other and way before we actually started dating. I guess they saw something in us that we tried so hard to deny. One thing I will say that I love about our friendship and relationship is that it all felt so natural and effortlessly from the beginning. We could talk for hours and make each other laugh as if we had known each other for years. He did not officially ask me to be his girlfriend until November 14, 2022; why did it take him so long to ask? I don't know because quite honestly, I am amazing! We have definitely had our ups and downs, like every couple. We are not perfect, and we do not claim to be perfect. But we have not and will not give up on us and our relationship. We continue to grow together as a couple and as individuals. That is what makes us, us! I found my better half, my travel partner, my best friend when I least expected to and I would not change that for the world. Our story from Chris' point of view:When I think of our story, I do not think of typical romance or love stories. Even our first phone call from one to the other wasn't traditional. Once we had become formally introduced to each other, life went on until I bumped into her eating at a place, we both enjoy. I saved her number in my phone for the second time and life went on again. Our first phone call; we were both working, I was chasing a suspect after a friend had crashed on a pursuit. While running I answered her call, I enjoyed hearing her voice. I don't know why I thought it was a good idea to talk while running but I enjoyed it. The first time we hung out, was just as friends. Some-how she knew I loved baseball, so she invited me to go to an Astros game with her and some of her friends. In less than nine innings something inside me had changed. I felt like I had known her for forever. Our conversations were effortless, and we never had awkward moments or ran out of things to say to each other. Something inside me felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. The part of me that I did not know was missing was there. At the time, part of me was intrigued by the feeling and the rest of me was terrified of it. We quickly began to hang out weekly which turned into almost daily. She went from being a stranger, to being my best friend. I started waking up to check my phone to see if she had said good morning or had text me again since the last text. On days we didn't hang out, I would stay up late just to speak to her on the phone regardless of what time I had to be up in the morning. Easiest way to explain it is when we would speak my life felt complete and I was at peace. When we would hang out, people would always ask how long we had been together and complimented how happy and good we looked together. I would get annoyed and tell them we were just friends and to mind their business. I would remember she said we were just friends, so I ran with that and used it to convince myself daily that she didn't like me. That made it easier to tell myself I didn't have feelings for her, but I think knew I was lying to myself the entire time. Everything was always so natural, our friendship was never forced, our conversations never got old and no matter how many hours we hung out or talked it never seemed to be enough. I suppose that's what everyone could see from the beginning. During the hours we weren't talking, I would find myself debating if she had feelings for me or not. I came up with some pretty irrational and crazy opinions to justify telling myself she didn't. If she didn't have feelings for me, I would never have to admit that I somehow went from becoming her friend to loving her. On May 30, 2022, I was no longer able to lie to myself. I went to get another tattoo, and she sent me a text asking for the address and told me she was going to come. I felt the need to make sure I wasn't crazy and asked my tattoo artist the most childish question ever and he threatened to charge me double for my tattoo for asking. I said, "Hey bro if a girl who swears she doesn't have feelings for you decides to come watch you get a tattoo, because she apparently has nothing better to do in her life today, she likes you right"? His actual response doesn't matter but what does matter is she actually showed up and even brought me Gatorade in case I got thirsty. While she was there, she brought peace and comfort that I had not felt since before the war. I still struggle to put what I felt into words. Easiest way to put it, I felt complete, and I knew I wanted to feel that way for whatever time I have left in life. By the end of the day, I knew she was the woman I wanted to marry and spend the rest of my life with. I waited to ask her to be my girlfriend until November 14 of that year, mostly because boyfriend/girlfriend was never what I wanted and a childish title to me. I knew then I wanted what I am finally accomplishing now, a wife. I am sure her reasoning of why it took me so long to ask will be different. Now fast forward a few years; I am still the happiest and most content I have been in my life. I have a beautiful family; we still travel every chance we get. Life isn't always perfect, but every second is beautiful and worth it with her. I feel pretty blessed I still have my best friend and travel partner, have the family I always wanted, and we are blessed with a house that is pretty cool as well.

Our Story

Photos

Trinidad, who is also a Marine, started his “death sentence” with the county at the same time as me. We both thought we had escaped all the politics that we dealt with in the Marine Corps but quickly discovered the county was 10 times worse. At that point, we were committed and just held on for the ride. Almost 9 years later, we still have each other’s back. I can count on him, whether work related or not, & he can count on me.

Trinidad Hernandez

In 2020, I had the privilege of having Roy as my direct supervisor. Since then, we have developed a close friendship in and out of work. Regardless of the time of day, Roy has always been there to listen, give advice, & provide support. Roy has always been a strong role model who I look up to and who holds me accountable for my own actions whether I like it or not. 

Roy Lee

Joshua is not only a fellow Marine, he’s a colleague and a friend. We can relate to each other on a work basis but most importantly when it comes to family. Joshua has family values that I strive to immolate and that I respect as a man. Joshua is a loyal friend and his positive attitude have helped me and motivated me when I needed it the most. 

Joshua King

Eric is like a brother to me, not only because I’m going to marry his sister. Since the first day I met him, he made me feel welcome and part of the family. I can relate to Eric because of his strong work ethic, his desire to do better for him & his daughter, but most importantly for the love that he has for his daughter Athena. I know that if me and my family ever needed anything, I could count on him. 

Eric Palacios

Ricardo, who we refer to as Junior is like a little brother in more ways than one. I’m marrying his sister and he’s also a Marine. He welcomed me and made me feel like family since day one. We can reminisce on our Marine days and tell stories about the past. Junior is always in a good mood & always willing to help. Minus costing me money on fishing gear, he’s a good fishing buddy to have. 

Ricardo Campos Jr.

Dante and I served together in the Marine Corps and went to combat together; we have shared some of the happiest and darkest day of our lives. Even though we’re not blood, he’s someone I consider a brother for years now. We may not talk to each other everyday or talk often but I know that I can count on him just like he can count on me. 

Dante Bickham

My little twin and favorite broke best friend! My pride and joy. The one who I am blessed to call my son. My son is my constant motivation to keep improving and fight for better days during the bad days. He puts a smile on my face regardless of how bad of day I had at work. The little guy thinks he needs me but it’s really the other way around, I need him! 

Christopher Riley Jr.

My first born and one of my favorite best "broke" friends. I can't even describe how much she changed my life for the better. Being a teenage mother was truly a blessing in disguise. She has been one of my best motivator, supporter, and back bone in some of the toughest moments of my life. Her and her sister are the true definition of loving someone to the moon and back. I am blessed to be her mom and I cannot imagine my special day without her by my side. 

Bethany Hernandez

My "baby" girl and my other best "broke" friend. The one that temporarily gave me grey hairs, (LOL) but also taught me how to stay positive and move forward through some of the toughest moments in my life. It has always been the 3 of us, we grew up together and have had each other's back. There is nothing I would not do for her and her sister. Like I said before, her and her sister are the true definition of loving someone to the moon and back. I am blessed to be her mother and I cannot imagine my special day without her by my side. 

Brianna Hernandez

Adriana and I are so much alike in more ways than one, even the first time we met we were dressed alike & people thought we were sisters. Since then, we have been inseparable & each other’s support system. As single mother’s, we faced many of the same challenges together but I knew I could count on her just like she could count on me! I was her maid of honor for her wedding (but unfortunately, I was not able to make it because COVID tried taking me out but did not succeed) & I can’t imagine my special day without my bestie next to me too.

Adriana Meras

My sister, who has always been there for me and my daughters. I know that I can count on her for whatever I need and she would be there. She loves and has always treated my daughters as her own. Just like sisters, we have had our ups and downs but if there is not a time where you are disagreeing or arguing with a sibling, then are they really your sibling? No matter what, we will always be there for each other and support each other. I am blessed to have her as my sister and also cannot imagine my special day without her by my side. 

Iris Palacios

One of my favorite cousin-in-laws. She may not be blood but she is family. Lorena is someone that I look up to, in  more ways than one. She has always been a supporter and motivator who has always wanted the best for me and my daughters. I love seeing her and my cousin William dance, I think they dance so well and I pray that my marriage is blessed just like theirs. She does not know how much I appreciate all her kind gestures throughout the years and how she has been a positive influence in my life. 

Lorena Garcia

One of my other favorite cousin-in-laws and a wanderlust just like me. Even though she has recently been traveling more than me and does not take me with her, I still love her. Gloria may not be blood but she is also family. She has also been a positive influence for me and someone that I look up to when it comes to marriage and family. I pray God blesses our marriage and our family just like he has blessed theirs. 

Gloria Garcia

Perla, who I in a loving way refer to as my "Bia Bia", has been a part of my life for over 20 years now. I met her when we worked together at an attorney's office. We have been through so much together and she has been one of my biggest supporters and encourager. Not only that, she has been one of my favorite travel buddies. We have laughed, cried, and prayed together. She has always made me feel like family and she has always been family to me.  

Perla Puente

My cousin Lucy! God made us cousins because he knew our mothers could not handle us as siblings. LOL. Everyone has that one crazy cousin in the family, she is mine and I am sure I am hers! I can always count on her for a good laugh and a good time. We may not get to see each other often but I know she is someone I can count on just like she can count on me too.  

Lucy Romero

For the longest time it was only my 2 daughters the "babies" of our immediate family. Then in 2022, we were blessed with my niece Athena. I jokingly refer to her as "cry baby" because she sure is a "daddy's girl" but we love this little girl (even Lil'Chris defends her and tells me not to call her that). Hopefully she will be able to walk down the aisle throwing the flower petals without crying and wanting her daddy. LOL.  

Athena Palacios

My oldest niece and one of Lil’Chris’ closest cousin and good friend. She’s brought lots of smiles and laughs to our family since she was born. She’s always smiling and loves to be playful. We are excited to have her be part of our wedding and hopefully our niece Athena can follow her lead. Lol. 

Rhiannon Perkins

Wedding Party

Q + A

Best Western Plus The Woodlands

Hyatt House The Woodlands / Shenandoah

Fairfield Inn & Suites Houston The Woodlands

Travel

This location has great atmosphere with a variety of food truck options.

The Food Zone Grand Texas

Great shopping and dining options.

The Woodlands Mall

Lake Conroe is the perfect spot for rest and relaxation, or an exciting adventure.

Lake Conroe Beach Park ( Lake Conroe Park )

A great location for some fun in the water.

Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures

Cute little miniature golf course.

Longview Greens Miniature Golfing

Main Event Shenandoah

Things to Do

Registry

Update as of October 20, 2025: We’re so grateful for everyone’s love and excitement for our big day! Our final headcount has been submitted, so we’re sadly unable to make any changes or add guests who didn’t RSVP. Thank you so much for your understanding and support.

We have added our Amazon wedding gift registry to our website. https://www.amazon.com/wedding/share/chrisandgabyriley

Update as of November 11, 2025: Dear family and friends, Please note that there is ongoing construction on the northbound feeder road of the North Freeway heading toward SH 242. We recommend allowing extra travel time, as traffic delays are expected. T-minus 3 days — we can’t wait to see everyone soon! Thank you again for all your love and support! ❤️

Update as of November 17, 2025: WOW! OUR DAY HAS COME AND GONE IN A BLINK OF AN EYE! IT MEANT SO MUCH TO BOTH OF US TO HAVE ALL OF YOU THERE WITH US! WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW MUCH IT MADE OUR HEARTS HAPPY! FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US, ENCOURAGING US, AND FOR MAKING OUR DAY THAT MUCH MORE SPECIAL! WE LOVE YOU ALL AND WE CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH!

Christopher & Gaby

Christopher & Gaby

Travel

Best Western Plus The Woodlands

Hyatt House The Woodlands / Shenandoah

Fairfield Inn & Suites Houston The Woodlands