The Betty Kelso Center

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Spring

Our Wedding

So what’s the story? 

If you ask Ray and Kitzia when they first met, you would likely get two different answers. Ray says they met in elementary school, while Kitzia says they met in middle school. No one will ever know who is right (Kitzia is probably right). Nonetheless, their story begins at St. Matthew’s Catholic School in San Antonio, TX. When Kitzia moved from Mexico and graced this country with her presence at the age of 6, she enrolled in St. Matts, where Ray had already begun building his legacy. (You can clearly tell Ray wrote that). Kitzia’s first memory of Ray is when she saw a young Ray devouring three donuts in the morning. This was odd to her because she had never seen someone eat donuts for breakfast in Mexico, but she knew she had to emerge herself in the culture so she and her sister started eating donuts for breakfast to “fit in.” Despite being one grade apart, Ray and Kitzia naturally remained in each other’s circle. From both participating in the Christmas pageant (Kitzia’s supporting role as an angel #4 to Ray’s leading role as Joseph) to both being in Student Council, Ray always remembers how he always thought the “pretty girl” of that grade was Kitzia, while Kitzia remembers how intimidated she was of him.

Now comes high school. Ray went to the prestigious, San Antonio leaders-producing, all-boys school that is Central Catholic High School, while Kitzia went to the ACTUAL college preparatory, academically rigorous all-girls school that is Incarnate Word High School. Kitzia remembers telling people that she knew the running back for Central and always felt pretty cool knowing Ray. Fast forward to Kitzia’s senior year, while Ray was finishing his freshman year at Texas A&amp;M University, they saw each other at a graduation party, which was Ray’s first attempt at getting Kitzia’s number through Twitter. Unfortunately, Kitzia didn’t have Twitter and Ray was unsuccessful :( A couple of months go by and Kitzia is starting her freshman year at Texas A&amp;M University, the best university known to man, where the next chapter begins.

Their paths crossed for the first time in college at the fraternity football tailgates where they saw each other from across the field and Ray called Kitzia over. Ray immediately felt cool that he knew the hottest girl at the tailgate and therefore, with a little liquid courage, professed his long-time crush for Kitzia as he started walking to the game. He said, “I’ve always had a crush on you,” and then walked away. Real smooth. Kitzia didn’t think much of it, laughed, and sarcastically said, “Okay Ray.” At the time, Kitzia was living at Northpoint Crossing, where they would later literally "cross" each other for the second time. She was studying in the study rooms and Ray was meeting up with his lab partner. Ray was on the phone with his lab partner, trying to find her in the building, but instead found Kitzia. They looked at each other and Ray made his way to Kitzia forgetting all about what he was actually there for. He asked her how long she was going to be there because he wanted to come study with her after meeting up with his partner. Hours went by and he came back. He was hoping she’d stay and she did. They talked for hours and realized how much they had in common. Ray went right to it and asked Kitzia to his fraternity formal in New Orleans, which was in FOUR months. She said, “Sure, I’ll be your fallback if you can’t find anyone else.”

Fast forward to December, Kitzia and Ray were going to Kitzia’s organization’s date party, but not together until Ray’s date canceled at the last minute and Kitzia’s “date” got sick so Kitzia asked Ray if he would go with her and he said yes. Kitzia remembers having so much with him and he remembers catching feelings pretty early on. The emotions were consistent on multiple occasions, but neither one was ready to admit what they felt as they knew they were serious feelings. Then comes Chili Fest, the perfect place to lay out feelings. Ray said his now famous line, “If you’re not the one for me, then I won’t ever find the one.” Again Kitzia didn’t think much of it and jokingly said, “Ray stop”, not knowing those words would remain in her head moving forward.

Sophomore year came around and Ray was a junior. They had been talking more seriously now for a few months and falling more for each other every day. Ray knew it was time to make things official and had a whole day planned on September 2nd 2016. Ray took Kitzia to Lake Bryan for a date followed by taking her to midnight yell. Kitzia had a feeling that he was going to make things official, and although that was in Ray’s plans, he was nervous because in his mind and in all reality, this had been a long time coming. Kitzia eventually rounded up the courage and asked Ray, “sooo what are we doing?”, he said, “All I know is that I don’t want to go another day without calling you my girlfriend.”

And they lived happily ever after! &lt;3

Our Story

Photos

Kassandra is the sister of the bride! They often get mistaken as twins and truly feed off each other’s energy. 

Kassandra Lugo 

Kitzia met Maddie when they ran against each other in a middle school track meet. They both went to Incarnate Word High School and were roommates at Texas A&M University. They truly became inseparable their freshman year and have been best friends ever since! Maddie took Kitzia to her first fraternity tailgate on September 12, 2015, which was the day Ray told Kitzia he had a huge crush on her. 

Madison Crawford 

Kitzia and Shan have been best friends since junior year at Incarnate Word High School and are celebrating their 10-year mark this year! Shan is from Cali, which Kitzia thought was so cool. Despite Shan attending the University of Texas, 
 the top rival of Texas A&M University, they made a point to visit each other throughout college. Shan actually told Kitzia to give Ray a chance and look at them now <3

Shannon Gallagher 

Kitzia met Ash in nursing school! They survived nursing school together and had an instant connection. They asked each other if they wanted to be friends and luckily, both said yes haha. 

Ashley Onyango 

Kitzia met Natalia at Incarnate Word High School! Natalia was a freshman when Kitzia was a senior. They both attended Texas A&M University and rekindled their friendship as she is now dating her little brother, Charlie!

Natalia Camacho 

Rena is Ray’s older sister! Kitzia met Rena at her kids' first birthday party when Ray introduced Kitzia to his family. Rena's daughter, Camila, is the flower girl, and her son, Henry, is the ring bearer. 

Rena Cortez 

Rebecca, “Becca”, is Ray’s older sister! Becca was a senior at Incarnate Word High School when Kitzia was a freshman, but officially met when she started dating her brother. They are both fitness instructors!

Rebecca Cortez

Sebastian Diaz 

James Flaherty

Jordan Braun

Charlie Corona 

Illan Kunik

Blake Gorris

Paul Escobar 

Wedding Party

Q + A

** IMPORTANT ** The NCAA Men's Final Four will also be in San Antonio on the same weekend so please book accommodations accordingly!

Near River WalkMake yourself at home in one of the 213 guestrooms featuring minibars and Smart televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with Egyptian cotton sheets. 50-inch flat-screen televisions with digital programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations, designer toiletries, and hair dryers.With a stay 

Hotel Valencia Riverwalk

Near AlamoMake yourself at home in one of the 629 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and iPod docking stations. Your pillowtop bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Wired and wireless internet access is complimentary, and flat-screen televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature designer toiletries and hair dryers

Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk

Near River WalkMake yourself at home in one of the 151 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed, and all rooms are furnished with double sofa beds. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair drye

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Antonio Downtown

Near Market SquareMake yourself at home in one of the 110 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature rainfall showerheads and complimentary toiletri

Ray & Kitzia

Ray & Kitzia

Q + A

What is the dress code?

Can I bring a guest/date?

Will there be an open bar?

Are kids invited?

Will there be parking?

What time should I arrive?

Do I have access to the gardens?