Save this story Save Story Save this story It all started with an Instagram follow. Track and field Olympian Gabby Thomas and Kaviva non-alcoholic beverage brand founder Spencer McManes had mutual friends, but it wasn’t until Gabby followed Spencer back that he made his move. “He slid into my DMs almost instantaneously,” the sprinter and three-time Olympic gold medalist remembers. What began as a direct message soon led to a first date at a speakeasy in downtown Austin, where the two spent three hours talking about everything from pizza to Game of Thrones .
“Looking back, it’s wild to think our story started with a phone notification that could’ve just been a fleeting message,” Gabby says.
Spencer proposed nearly two and a half years later, in March 2025, on an Austin rooftop overlooking the city. “I had planned a staycation for us to celebrate the start of her season, as I had done the previous two years,” Spencer explains. “Gabby’s friends were a huge help getting the flowers and candles set up on the rooftop, and then they hid as I walked her up.”
“I was so surprised,” Gabby remembers. “When I say I did not see it coming, I truly didn’t. Celebrating the start of my track season isn’t out of the ordinary, so it was the perfect cover. Looking back, though, I’ll admit there were clues leading up to it—like my friends’ RAV4s parked outside the Airbnb and someone leaving the front door open to set up the flowers… but I was none the wiser!” Following the proposal, the couple celebrated with an intimate dinner alongside close friends at J. Carver’s, Gabby’s favorite spot in Austin.
A year and a half later, on October 30, the couple exchanged vows at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “It was important to us that the celebration felt like one big, ongoing party, where our friends and family stayed at the resort together,” Gabby says. “We actually booked the venue before either of us had ever set foot in Cabo—and it all worked out!”
The couple approached wedding planning with an equally easygoing attitude. “I really wanted the process to be a fun, shared experience between the two of us,” Gabby says. “Every decision felt natural and organic. Instead of worrying about what would look good to everyone else, I imagined myself on the day: What would that Gabby really value and appreciate? Since we’re both pretty chill, we hired wedding planner [TK Name] of About Love to help so we could focus on the personal touches that meant something to us.”
“We focused on what made sense for us and what would keep us happy—and relaxed—on the day,” Spencer adds. “We made sure to weave in the things that matter most, from the cities we’ve explored together and our dogs to our family, friends, and, of course, pizza.”
For the festivities, Gabby wore three custom looks by Galia Lahav—one each for the ceremony, reception, and after-party. “I went dress shopping over a year ago in Austin to get a feel for my personal style,” she says. “I was expecting to fall in love with a simple silhouette, but once I put on my Galia Lahav lace basque-waist gown, I knew it was the one. I felt like a princess. It was romantic, elegant, and dramatic. I added sleeves and a veil, which gave it a Victorian-esque vibe.” She accessorized with Maria Elena earrings and Jimmy Choo ballet flats.
Spencer opted for a white tuxedo jacket paired with black trousers. “I wanted to wear white for the occasion because I probably won’t get to wear a snazzy white dinner jacket again,” he says. While his groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos, Spencer introduced an unexpected heirloom element: “I wanted to help my groomsmen stand out from the sea of suits, so I surprised them with bolo ties to wear in place of black bow ties,” he explains. “My great-grandfather passed down his bolo tie to me, and it has become a staple in my wardrobe for weddings and black-tie events. I thought what better way to honor my groomsmen than to give them each a bolo tie for our wedding.”
The bridesmaids wore dresses by Austin-based brand Revelry—a nod to the Texas city the couple calls home. “I spent time with their founder, Michelle, to find a color that felt right,” Gabby says. “We landed on honey beige, which was stunning. The women chose their own silhouettes; it was important to me that while they matched in color, they showed up authentically as themselves. I didn't want rigid rules around how they wore their hair, their jewelry, or even their shoes.”
The ceremony unfolded directly on the sand with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop. “It had been raining all day,” Gabby recalls. “But right as our ceremony began, the rain cleared, and a vibrant rainbow appeared behind us just as I reached the altar.”
Guests took their seats along the draped aisle under soft, overcast skies that lent an ethereal quality to the setting. “Walking down the aisle escorted by both my mother and father, there were so many emotions,” Gabby says. “The best way to describe it is grateful, excited, and completely anchored in the moment. Having my grandfather officiate made it that much more personal. I spent most of the service gazing into Spencer’s eyes, but I remember pausing to look out at everyone who had traveled to celebrate with us—and just being overwhelmed with love.”
“Gabby completely stole the show,” Spencer says. “We locked eyes for the entire ceremony. It was unforgettable.”
After the vows, the newlyweds stole a quiet moment to take sunset portraits along the water. “It was misty and wet on the beach, but we embraced it,” Gabby says. “We even filmed a few TikToks with the wedding party before sending everyone off to cocktail hour.”
Before making their grand entrance into the reception, Gabby slipped into her second Galia Lahav look—a design she had initially tried on as a ceremony contender and couldn't stop thinking about. “It was flashy, sultry, and unexpected, which was exactly the vibe I wanted for dinner and dancing,” she explains. “I had a bustle added so I could execute our choreographed first dance effortlessly and hit the Dougie all night long.”
The dance floor remained packed from the opening track to the final send-off. “Even though weather forced us to move inside at the last minute, our guests brought incredible energy,” the bride says. “It was a diverse crowd, and the playlist reflected that—a mix of hip-hop, throwback classics, and a little country, but mostly heavy on hip-hop. Everywhere I looked, someone was smiling or dancing. There was truly nothing like it.”
Just before the late-night saxophonist took the stage, Gabby changed into her third and final ensemble: Galia Lahav’s playful, short "Hazel" dress, paired with custom New Balance sneakers. “It was flirty, fun, and let me dance completely freely,” she says. “I felt like the life of the party.”
Reflecting on the weekend, Gabby adds: “I feel like the luckiest person in the world. Not just because rain is good luck, but because the people in that room made it the best day of our lives. There wasn't a single second where we weren't smiling, dancing, or celebrating. We’re just so grateful.”
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 1/78 Impromptu dinner with my bridesmaids after our boat plans were canceled due to weather. The best, most spontaneous night of the weekend. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 2/78 Change of plans never slows us down—my girls and I stay laughing. Walking into dinner together on night one. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 3/78 One thing about my friends and I… we’re gonna dance. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 4/78 Welcome party was magical. Rainbows were in the sky. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 5/78 Candy is a must… if you know me, you know I have the biggest sweet tooth. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 6/78 Our welcome greeter, Pancho, with a beautiful welcome sign custom-made locally. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 7/78 Enjoying a moment alone together on the gorgeous beach. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 8/78 With my girls at the welcome party. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 9/78 Obsessed with our custom Minted items like these drink stirrers featuring our puppies Rico and Nala. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 10/78 Stealing a kiss on the beach. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 11/78 Details of my welcome dress by LivKhai. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 12/78 Moments from the beach. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 13/78 A little drizzle didn’t slow us down. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 14/78 Our crew is all smiles, rain or shine. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 15/78 Caught snuggling. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 16/78 Getting ready morning of my wedding. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 17/78 My wedding Jimmy Choos and our custom Minted stationery suite. We carried the black-and-white theme from our save-the-dates and invites through to our decorations and Spencer’s suit. The envelope has a Cabo backdrop, and we had palm trees and seashells imprinted on the stationery. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 18/78 I chose flats because we were on the beach, I’m already tall, and wanted to be comfy all night—no stumbling over here! —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 19/78 My MOH helping me with final touches. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 20/78 My feet have taken me far in life. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 21/78 My wedding scent was Bella Blanca by Oscar de la Renta. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 22/78 Custom dress by Galia Lahav. Our portraits were inspired by the Victorian design of my dress. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 23/78 With my bridesmaids in their cute matching Revelry pajamas, singing and dancing together while getting ready. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 24/78 Rooftop with my girls. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 25/78 Filming TikToks, per usual. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 26/78 Reflecting before the ceremony. Earrings by Maria Elena. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 27/78 Dress details. I worked hand in hand with Galia Lahav to create my dream dress. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 28/78 The veil was everything. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 29/78 I loved my simple clean glam. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 30/78 Portrait before the ceremony. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 31/78 With my beautiful mother, Jennifer, moments before the ceremony. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 32/78 With my brother and dad hyping me up pre-ceremony. —Spencer
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 33/78 Ready for the first look! —Spencer
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 34/78 First looks! —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 35/78 So glad we took these beautiful portraits together. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 36/78 Meet the McManes. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 37/78 Still in love with my gorgeous ring. The dress sleeves felt so romantic and vintage to me. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 38/78 We certainly got our share of good luck rain just before starting the ceremony. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 39/78 My brother and groomsmen getting me ready to walk down the aisle. —Spencer
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 40/78 Bridesmaid with the calla lily—my favorite flower. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 41/78 Groomsman with the bolo tie I gifted them. —Spencer
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 42/78 My mother and father both escorted me down the aisle. That was important to me. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 43/78 Some of my best friends from Austin there to support us. —Spencer
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 44/78 Ocean views from our ceremony. In blue is my oldest grandfather. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 45/78 Receiving Gabby from her parents was emotional and exciting. —Spencer
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 46/78 My grandfather officiated the ceremony. It was very special. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 47/78 Our first married kiss. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 48/78 It’s time to celebrate! —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 49/78 Got the boys emotional—my father and brother. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 50/78 My dad and best friend got wet eyes too. —Spencer
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 51/78 Post-ceremony beach frolic with my bridesmaids. The skies cleared for a beautiful post-ceremony moment. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 52/78 The love and support of our closest people really made it the day of our dreams. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 53/78 I loved my dramatic train. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 54/78 A little shoulder carry from my husband. (He played rugby. This happens a lot.) —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 55/78 Post wedding portraits. Spencer’s tux jacket was by Jad Brothers. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 56/78 A post-wedding walk turned into…
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 57/78 A post-wedding sprint. Naturally. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 58/78 We have been laughing nonstop since date one. Truly one of the most joyous days of our lives. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 59/78 Catch me if you can! —Gabby
Expand Andrea Camarena 60/78 A post-ceremony portrait session. —Gabby
Expand Andrea Camarena 61/78 My veil brought the drama. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 62/78 More dramatic kisses. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 63/78 My mother, my little sister, and bridesmaids sharing a moment. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 64/78 Minted made these incredible custom napkins with copies of hand-written notes we’ve sent to each other over the years. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 65/78 Our reception entrance, in my second custom-made Galia Lahav gown. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 66/78 Perfectly executed dip. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 67/78 We took dance lessons so we could bust out moves straight from Dancing with the Stars . —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 68/78 Including a full flip. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 69/78 Our first dance transitioned into the Dougie. You’ll have to find my secret TikTok to get the lore. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 70/78 Details of my second gown. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 71/78 In addition to a traditional cake we had a Cinnamon Roll cake. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 72/78 Extra icing. Of course. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 73/78 We also did a traditional wedding cake with a small frosting boop. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 74/78 My brother and best man, Carter, brought the energy. —Spencer
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 75/78 Our late night bites included these custom pizza boxes featuring our pugs. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 76/78 Custom bridal pair of New Balances. They have been my partner since I ran at Harvard so it was an awesome touch to have these as part of my day. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 77/78 Spencer got his custom groom New Balances too. —Gabby
Expand Photo: Andrea Camarena 78/78 The final dress—my dance party look by Galia Lahav. Not my final drink. —Gabby
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Source: Lifestyle
