MINERAL WELLS, TX LGBTQ+ WEDDING

We’re Hayli & Gabby and we’ve been together 2 years! You can find us in Lubbock, Texas… crafting, spending time with our fur babies, or antique shopping! Currently Hayli is pursuing her real estate license and Gabby is busy working as an anesthesiologist. We are busy planning our future, goal planning, and enjoying the married life!

What is the first thing you remember about the other when you first met? Where were you? Paint the scene for us.

Hayli: We met the first time at an LGBT Christian Event in Dallas. I was living in DFW at the time and I remember rushing to get there after I had gotten off of work and being so nervous. I was bummed that I wasn’t more put together as I would have liked to be and was worried of what she was going to think of me. I remember walking into the church and seeing her and my mind just froze and I couldn’t think or feel anything for the rest of the night😂 it was a feeling I have never felt before and I was determined to figure out why this women made me completely blank.

Gabby: I was on a high of realizing there are actually Christians out there that love God and love gays! It was awesome. And Hayli came in time for the final worship session of the first night. It couldn’t have been more perfect. She was so beautiful even though I was in conference casual.

What are you favorite qualities in each other:

Hayli: Gabby is so affectionate, thoughtful, funny, and takes the absolute best care of me. I feel like the most important person in the world with her.

Gabby: To be perfectly honest, Hayli’s best quality is making me remember to take care of myself. The fact that she is funny and pretty and smart and kind are all wonderful and admirable, but she has the kindness and strength to remind me to take care of me.

How did the proposal go down?

Gabby: I was originally going to propose at a Pink concert that got cancelled, but the ring was burning a hole in my pocket and I decided to do it early.

I was planning on just taking her up to the top of the dock at our family lake house and asked my mom to get some flowers and she went over the top and set this whole stage and kind of ruined the surprise aspect but it was still fun.

Bonus: I “hid” the ring in my pocket and definitely scratched but her and me with that rock before I fished it out and presented it to her.

If you could go back & relive just one part of your wedding what would it be?

Hayli: Turning the corner and seeing her for the first time.

Gabby: getting to take pictures with my new wife. There was so much rush so we didn’t miss anything. I wish we could have gotten more time to breath and enjoy each other in our fancy dresses. Also, when I saw her the first time I was mad because I didn’t have my glasses on so she was blurry so yea…

Was there a memory from your wedding that sticks out more than others? Serious. Funny. BOTH.

Our favorite part was when we told the schedule to take a flying leap and chilled on the couch with our feet up after the ceremony and the first batch of pictures. It was so nice to just chill and we highly recommend other people planning that in their ceremony.

When you were a kid did you find yourself dreaming about a wedding? Tell me about it...why or why not?

Hayli: as a little girl I definitely had thoughts and dreams of my wedding. As I started getting older and noticing there was something different about me I didn’t think about it as much. Once I figured out I was lesbian I had no thoughts of a wedding as it wasn’t legal in Texas at the time.

Gabby: I always dreamed about a big white wedding in the church I grew up in. Once I came out, I was asked to not volunteer anymore at the church I grew up in, much less get married there. So that crushed that dream. Fortunately I found a different affirming church and the head minister from that church is actually who married us. So even though it wasn’t in a church, I still got my big white wedding.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to other couples planning their wedding?

Hayli: Speak up to things that are important to you and remember that it is you and your partners wedding. Be willing to compromise with each-other and not let anyone else “make you” do something you don’t want to on your day.

Gabby: what she said. And find a good photographer!

If you could change one thing about your wedding what would it be?

Hayli: either the date ( it was hot) or the schedule we had after the ceremony.

Gabby: definitely the schedule after the ceremony. Or the weather. Like Hayli said.

Top 3 things that you feel make a marriage last?

Hayli: couples therapy! We started when we were dating and will continue to stay in it. Even if our relationship isn’t falling apart, it creates a safe place for us and helps us create a solid foundation.

Communication

Understanding and compromising

Gabby: same. Definitely having that safe space to bring up issues that are tough is important even if it’s not with a professional counselor.

Why'd you choose Steph to document your wedding day? 🖤📸

Hayli: She’s fam! And after experiencing our wedding with her and Jro, I can’t think of anyone else I would have wanted there! They absolutely made our day so so special and went way above and beyond!

Gabby: because she did such a great job with my cousins wedding and I knew she’d do a great job with ours!