Wedding

Summer

This is not our wedding website. Please visit www.wheredreamslead.com/martinandgaby to find booking details to our wedding. If you are on this website to send a gift, please click 'gifts' above and you'll find the honeymoon fund. 

Our Wedding

Martin and Gaby's love story begins at a Panera Bread in Fairfax, where Gaby started working at just 15 and a half years old. She joined an amazing work team, where she got to know Martin’s mom and worked closely with his younger brother, Juan. About a year later, on a busy Sunday shift, a new face walked in—Martin.Gaby, already known as a fast and hardworking team member, was placed to work side by side with Martin during brunch. With a line out the door, Martin looked completely lost at the food ordering kiosk (he now claims he was faking it). Teenage Gaby, easily annoyed, quickly took over, telling him to step aside and focus on slicing bagels and grabbing drinks and pastries she needed. She bossed him around all shift long.The next day, still irritated, Gaby asked Juan about "that annoying kid," not realizing he was Juan’s brother. Martin eventually made his way onto the regular schedule, and week by week, he continued to tease and annoy Gaby—but always with a friendly smile and a great sense of humor.At the time, both were in other relationships, so there was no romantic interest. Still, as they spent more time working together, a friendship began to grow. In the summer of 2012, after a team meeting, Gaby—excited to enjoy her new car and the upcoming senior year—invited Martin to a party with coworkers. He agreed, but said she’d have to ask Juan for a ride. Juan declined, saying he had to help their mom at another Panera.Later that night, Martin told Gaby he was having a get-together at his house and invited her to stop by after her party. She got his number. The first party was a flop, so she and a couple friends left early and headed to Martin’s. His house was dark and quiet, but he told them to head to the backyard. There they found a circle of chairs and Martin alone—his “party” had apparently ended early. The girls found it funny and stayed anyway. That night became the first of many sweet, unexpected memories.The next day, Gaby and Martin started texting—and didn’t stop. They discovered shared interests in music, sports, humor, and even the way they saw the world. A bond was forming. Though still in relationships with other people, they only saw each other at work, but their connection was undeniable. By the end of the summer, Martin broke up with his girlfriend. Gaby, in a longer relationship of three years, wasn’t ready to make that move yet.Then came a night under the moon on a quiet soccer field—just the two of them, talking openly about their feelings. They shared a kiss, hidden under their shirts, convincing themselves it didn’t "count." They laugh about it now.When school started again, texting became harder, so they began writing notes to each other in a shared notebook—passing it back and forth each day. A few weeks later, Gaby ended her relationship. Martin kept asking her to be his girlfriend, but she said no several times, needing time to heal.Then, on New Year’s Day, after they each celebrated with family, Martin asked her one more time—this time sitting in his car, parked on Darwin Drive. And finally, Gaby said yes.From that day on, their journey truly began. They grew up together—navigating heartbreaks, healing from past trauma, forming new habits, and discovering who they were as individuals and as a couple. They partied, made friends, lost friends, started new jobs, ended old ones, struggled financially, succeeded, and faced every challenge side by side.They stayed together through foolish decisions, through the grief of losing loved ones, and through the isolation of the pandemic. They survived the distance when Gaby left for VCU, with Martin visiting almost every weekend. They both landed career jobs, got their first apartment, and welcomed a dog into their lives.Then, on Gaby’s 30th birthday, while celebrating in Tulum, Mexico—Martin, sweating from nerves and battling food poisoning—still got down on one knee after dinner and asked Gaby to marry him.And she said yes.

Better Together

Our Story

Photos

Estefania and Gaby met in fifth grade, and from the very beginning, Estefania became the kind of best friend who shaped Gaby in all the best ways. She taught her how to be a better daughter, sister, student, and friend. Estefania has always been a guiding light—a positive influence whose values, strength, and unwavering honesty have deeply impacted Gaby’s life.

She is Gaby’s Matron of Honor because Gaby trusts her heart, her moral compass, and her ability to offer honest, thoughtful perspectives—even when they’re hard to hear. Walking down the aisle without Estefania by her side wouldn’t feel right. She’s not only a best friend, but also a passionate, empathetic, and endlessly supportive soul who has been there through it all.

Estefania 

Ingrid and Gaby first met in fourth grade but didn’t become close until sixth, when they quickly became like sisters. Inseparable throughout middle/high school, they spent nearly every weekend together, creating all the crazy teen memories. Ingrid taught Gaby what loyalty truly means, and that real friendship is about showing up, being honest, and loving one another through every high and low.

Ingrid is Gaby’s Maid of Honor because she is the most loyal, confident, fierce protector, and empathetic person Gaby knows. She has an unwavering ability to hype Gaby up and instantly make her feel more confident in herself. Ingrid has never hesitated to stand up for Gaby and, in doing so, taught her how to stand up for herself. 

Gaby couldn’t imagine walking down the aisle without Ingrid by her side—cheering her on, holding her up, and fiercely guarding her heart, just like she always has.

Martin and Gabriela

Martin and Gabriela

M&G

Wedding

This is not our wedding website. Please visit www.wheredreamslead.com/martinandgaby to find booking details to our wedding. If you are on this website to send a gift, please click 'gifts' above and you'll find the honeymoon fund.