Adam & Gloria

Destination Wedding | Palm Springs, CA

 

Adam & Gloria’s destination wedding in Palm Springs was one to remember! Classic, elegant and traditional all rolled up into one gorgeous wedding day!

Of course we love it when our couples share how they met, along with their proposal, and their favorite palm springs wedding moments. Get ready to ohh and ahh friends, it’s the sweetest love story!

Lost at Stagecoach

Little did Gloria and Adam know that when they lost their friends at a country concert, they’d find each other.

The two were trying to find their friends at Stagecoach California’s Country Music Festival in Indio after separating from them at the crowded event, which draws thousands of people.

It was May 1, 2011 and Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker were the headliners.

While both looked around for their friends in the VIP section, Adam tried to impress Gloria with his dance moves while Carrie Underwood sang. Adam further tried to impress Gloria by introducing himself as “Adam Chesney,” brother of Kenny Chesney. Gloria didn’t believe him but thought he was cute. Adam invited her to dinner later that week. They had sushi at Okura. Soon after, he invited her to San Diego to watch his beloved Brewers play the Padres.

That was the beginning of their relationship.

The Proposal

Knowing that Disneyland is a truly magical place and one of Gloria’s favorite places to visit, Adam waited until a trip home last April to California to propose.

They took Gloria’s nephews Tadeo and Mateo to Disneyland. When they got on “It’s a Small World,” Adam took out a ring and told Gloria, “We’re surrounded by princesses and I want you to be my princess for the rest of our lives.” He proceeded to propose. (She said yes.)

Favorite Wedding Moments from the Bride

I was sitting in a shuttle outside Our Lady of Solitude Church in Palm Springs while the wedding party lined up and the procession started. Those 15 minutes seemed to last forever and sitting alone in the shuttle, I started to get nervous thinking about all the eyes that would be on me when I walked into the church.

Adam said he was feeling relaxed before the ceremony. But he said that when the doors opened and he saw my silhouette, his heart started beating fast.

We incorporated the “arras” tradition into our ceremony. This is a Spanish custom where the priest blesses 13 coins the bride and groom present to each other, vowing to take care of each other. When I was receiving the coins from Adam, I dropped one. One of my aunts gasped loudly as if a curse had been placed on us. Heads started to turn as people looked at each other. The Priest’s eyes widened with shock. I couldn’t help but laugh. I guess my nerves had gotten the best of me.

Adam picked up the coin for me and the Mass continued. Adam said funny things to me during the ceremony and I started feeling the nerves going away. Throughout the day, people kept making fun of Adam for dropping the coin. Nobody seemed to realize I was the one who dropped it. It turned out to be one of the funniest moments of the day.

During the presentation of the flowers to the Virgin Mary, my nephew Raul Antonio and the mariachi band walked to the front of the altar and Raul Antonio sang “Ave Maria.” I told myself I’d be strong during this part of the Mass. Adam & I walked up near the altar where a picture of my late mom was displayed along with a lantern and single rose. We grabbed the rose. As I stood there and looked at her picture, the emotions started to take over. The tears started to flow as I felt my mother’s presence with me on that special day. We took the rose and a rose bouquet to a statue of the Virgin Mary and prayed. I am certain her spirit was with us that day.

We had a blast joining two cultures and two families from very different backgrounds. Adam’s family from Wisconsin told me they enjoyed experiencing aspects of the Mexican culture we included in our wedding. My family enjoyed hearing his family’s Irish prayer and learning about life in the rural Midwest. All day and night, we felt the love of our closest family and friends and despite little details that didn’t go as planned such as dropping the coin, being behind schedule, and at least one wardrobe malfunction, it was the most fun and amazing day of our lives.

 

Three years ago, Gloria & Adam adopted Bubba, a poodle-shih tzu mix, from a shelter. They moved to Raleigh, NC almost two years ago. They enjoy hiking with Bubba, visiting family in Wisconsin and California and spending time with friends.

Brock and I were blessed to have been a part of their destination wedding in Palm Springs. It was an honor and a joy to see so much love abound from their family and friends. Thank you Gloria and Adam for entrusting us to capture your wedding day! We loved every moment!

Vendor Team:

Wedding Venue: Our Lady of Solitude Church

Reception: Classic Club

Photographer: Erica Mendenhall Photography

Wedding Planner: Lola Kent Weddings & Events

Florist: Blooming Events Florist

Cake Artist: Exquisite Desserts

DJ: NXT Ent

Hair & Makeup Artist: Karl Vasquez

Wedding Dress: New York Bride & Groom of Raleigh

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Grooms Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

PhotoBooth: Party Life Photo Booth

Mariachi: Mariachi Victoria