Cynthia Gonzalez and Adam Charles
the venue. Lazy S Hacienda
the photos. Photography by Mark and Jenna
Cynthia and Adam shared a high school biology class, but it wasn’t until a spontaneous 4 a.m. donut shop run and a Twitter DM years later that everything truly began. “From that moment on, we were inseparable,” Cynthia said.
After a decade of shared milestones—college graduations, moving in together, buying their first home, and becoming dog parents—their 10-year anniversary felt like the perfect time to take the next step.
The proposal took careful planning (during what Cynthia thought were pickleball nights) with help from a very trusted inner circle. Adam proposed at Texas Discovery Gardens in a beautiful, intimate setting, surrounded by their closest family and friends.
“It was everything we hoped for,” Adam said.
Made with Love
Each table was adorned with traditional Mexican-style tiles, personally painted by Adam, tying into the wedding’s festive aesthetic. “It was such a creative way to carry the theme through and make each table special,” shared Cynthia.
Dear Diamond
Diamonds from Cynthia’s grandmother’s wedding band were repurposed into a new, single band of sparkling gems. “It was such a special way for me to honor the love and 50+ years of marriage of my grandparents,” she shared.
Piñata and Doilies
A custom piñata, handcrafted by a friend, served as the gift card receptacle, complemented by the bride’s grandmother’s crocheted doilies on the memorial table. “Every detail was intentional and filled with meaning,” said Cynthia.
The Love Story
We met in high school and shared a biology class, though we didn’t talk much back then. It wasn’t until three years later, after a spontaneous 4 a.m. trip to a local donut shop and a follow-up Twitter DM, that everything truly began. From that moment on, we were inseparable. Together, we’ve celebrated major milestones: graduating college, moving in together, buying our first home, and becoming dog parents. After a decade of growing side by side, our 10-year anniversary felt like the perfect time to take the next step, get engaged, and start the journey toward marriage and forever together.
The Proposal
The proposal took careful planning with help from a very trusted inner circle. Adam originally planned to propose at the Dallas Arboretum, but a last-minute discovery about a major event there forced us to pivot. Wanting something more private, we found the perfect spot at Texas Discovery Gardens. Leading up to the day, what Cynthia thought were pickleball nights were actually planning sessions. On top of that, we were also prepping the house for her 30th birthday, so things were hectic. I suggested a brunch that morning, suspicious since we had never been near the fairgrounds for brunch. I quickly called it a “private picnic,” and somehow, she went along with it. Despite the stress and curveballs, we pulled it off. I proposed in a beautiful, intimate setting surrounded by our closest family and friends. It was everything we hoped for.
The Wedding Venue
Adam and I always thought that when the time came, we’d skip the big wedding and elope somewhere beautiful. But when the moment arrived, we knew there were important people in our lives who wouldn’t be able to travel, and having them with us mattered more than anything. We still wanted the feeling of being away from home, and Lazy S Hacienda gave us exactly that. I found the venue online and immediately booked a tour. From the moment Mamie and her amazing team welcomed us, we felt completely at ease. Before we even left, we knew it was the one, and sure enough, it was the first and only venue we visited. The entire space had a home-away-from-home feeling that we instantly connected with. Its stunning Mexican architecture felt deeply personal and meaningful, especially to me, as we wanted to honor our Mexican culture in a way that felt natural. It was truly unlike any venue we’d ever seen, and it gave us the perfect backdrop to the perfect day.
The Vibe
We really wanted our wedding to feel personal, welcoming, and unforgettable. We’re always hosting at our home, so creating a space where our guests felt comfortable and cared for was so important to us. Our goal was to make everyone feel like they had traveled to a destination wedding, and Lazy S Hacienda brought that feeling to life effortlessly. The atmosphere was exactly what we envisioned: relaxed, beautiful, and full of life. Our overall essence was casual yet elegant, nothing too formal but still thoughtful and refined. From the small details to the overall flow of the day, we focused on creating moments that made a big impact.
The Photography
Capturing the small, beautiful details of the day from every angle and every emotion was really important to us. We were looking for a light, airy, and natural photo style that felt timeless and true to who we are. Just as importantly, we wanted to work with someone who could make us feel at ease, since we’re not the most comfortable in front of a camera. Mark and Jenna were a whole vibe in themselves. After browsing their website and social media, we instantly loved their energy and work. On the wedding day, they were everywhere, capturing every meaningful moment and so attentive and energetic.
The Dress
I found my dress at Elizabeth Scott Bridal in Burleson, and it was actually not one I had chosen myself; it was picked by the boutique’s owner. It ended up being the very last dress I tried on, and the moment I stepped into it and saw the reaction from my mom and grandmother, I knew it was the one. It had the perfect amount of detail, nothing too overwhelming, but beautiful, classy, and elegant, exactly what I envisioned.
The Accessories
The two most meaningful pieces I wore that day held deep sentimental value. One was a diamond bracelet that my great-aunt had given my mom years ago. The other was a diamond necklace given to me by Adam the morning of the wedding.
The Bridesmaids
I chose an earthy terracotta color for the bridesmaids, which paired perfectly with our neutral, earthy-tone palette. I wanted each of them to feel confident and comfortable, so I let them choose their own dress styles to reflect their individual personalities. My Matron of Honor wore a soft taupe color to complement the overall look while still standing out. The mix of tones and styles created such a beautiful, cohesive vibe that felt effortless and elegant.
The Groomsmen
Adam chose a classic navy-blue suit for himself and the groomsmen, creating a clean and timeless look. To help him stand out, he wore a champagne-colored tie, while the groomsmen wore a rust terracotta tie to coordinate with the bridesmaids. It was the perfect way to tie in our color palette, and the contrast against the navy suits looked incredible.
The Wedding Rings
Adam designed my engagement ring on his own, a classic single oval diamond set on a simple gold band. It was timeless, elegant, and perfectly everything I had dreamed of. For my wedding band, I wanted something equally meaningful. We used diamonds from my grandmother’s wedding band to create a new, single band of diamonds. It was such a special way for me to honor the love and 50+ years of marriage of my grandparents. To stick with the gold theme, Adam went with a sleek, solid gold band.
The Hair and Makeup
For my hair, I wanted a timeless, elegant updo with a bit of texture. Something that didn’t feel too polished but still comfortable and true to me on the day. When it came to makeup, my goal was to keep it natural while enhancing my features. I didn’t want to feel overly done. The final look was soft, effortless, and exactly what I envisioned.
The Stationery
With our stationery, we wanted to incorporate elements of Mexican cultural art in a way that felt authentic. The name cards and menus followed our terracotta color scheme but included subtle touches of Mexican Talavera design, tying everything together. One of our favorite details were the table numbers, traditional Mexican-style tiles that Adam painted himself. It was such a creative way to carry the theme through and make each table special. We also added personal touches to our gift card and memorial tables. Instead of a traditional gift box, we used a handmade piñata created by a close friend, and our memorial table featured white doilies lovingly crocheted by my grandmother. Every detail was intentional and filled with meaning.
The Florals
The florals were especially meaningful to us because we completely trusted our florist, Luis from Jo.An Floral Design, to do what he does best. From the moment we met him, we were drawn to his vibrant energy and his down-to-earth personality. We gave Luis full creative freedom, and he brought to life his ideas in the most incredible way and truly transformed the space with his floral designs and table settings. Every arrangement was stunning, but the head serpentine table was the real showstopper. A gorgeous focal point with pops of color that tied the whole room together. Our guests couldn’t stop talking about the florals, and neither could we. It was beyond anything we imagined.
The Morning Of
The morning started off calm for both Adam and me. I was surrounded by my mom, grandmother, and my girls, and we soaked in every moment of getting ready together. It was relaxed, full of laughter, and I truly felt at ease. Meanwhile, Adam was with his groomsmen in the groom’s suite, enjoying the morning his way, playing virtual golf and watching March Madness. It was the perfect start to our day.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony was more beautiful than we could have imagined. One of our best friends officiated, which made it feel incredibly personal and true to us. We had a saxophonist play as guests arrived, during the processional, and for our exit; it added such a unique and romantic touch. The weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, and the outdoor ceremony space brought all our friends and family together to witness this next step in our journey. It was simple, meaningful, and completely us.
The Reception
The reception was top-notch, exactly what we envisioned. We had the most incredible DJ, Nate Acosta with DNA Events and Services, who brought nonstop energy and kept the party going all night long. Our goal was for our guests to eat, dance, and truly enjoy the night, and that’s exactly what happened. From the moment the dance floor opened, it was full, and it stayed that way. Seeing everyone having such a great time made all the planning and effort so worth it.
The Planning
Our wedding planning journey truly wouldn’t have been what it was without Layne Perenchio from Maxwell and Gray. Layne, our event manager, made the entire process smooth and stress-free. She handled all communication, managed contracts, and took care of every detail with ease. Macey helped source all of our decor, and together they created a mood board that brought our entire vision to life. Any challenge that came up along the way, Layne handled with professionalism and care. Because of her, the day of the wedding was completely stress-free, and we were able to be fully present, knowing she had everything under control.
The Cake
Dessert was a fun mix for us! We showcased a beautiful cake from Bittersweet Bakery, which we saved to enjoy the next day with our immediate family. For the wedding night, we served a raspberry-filled cake from H-E-B that everyone loved. We also incorporated some cultural favorites with a churro bar from our caterers, Blue Mesa, and a variety of Mexican sweet bread from La Tapatia, a local bakery in Grand Prairie. It was the perfect balance of personal, meaningful, and deliciousness!
The Food
The food was absolutely perfect! We were originally referred to Blue Mesa Grill in Fort Worth, and after just one tasting, we knew they were the ones. Their hospitality was a 10/10, as they were warm, welcoming, and made the entire process seamless. The food was exactly what we had envisioned: unique, flavorful, and true to our style. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the food. From appetizers to dinner to desserts, everything was perfect. It was everything we hoped for and more!
The Favorite Moment
Our absolute favorite moment was the private dinner we shared just after the ceremony. It was a moment we’ll never forget. The nerves had settled, we had just walked through cocktail hour and seen all our guests, and then it was just the two of us. We got to sit together, take it all in, and enjoy the amazing food and every detail we had planned leading up to that day. It gave us a quiet, meaningful pause to reflect, connect, and soak it all in before heading back out to celebrate the night away with our closest loved ones.
The Unexpected
If anything unexpected happened that day, we wouldn’t even know, because Layne handled everything so flawlessly. The entire day ran so smoothly and felt so perfect, there’s truly nothing I would change. I have absolutely no complaints, just gratitude for how seamless and stress-free everything was.
The Honeymoon
We wanted a week on the beach where we didn’t have to think about a single thing, and that’s exactly what we got. We spent our honeymoon at Secrets in Riviera Cancun, and it was absolute paradise. We soaked up the sunshine, sipped margaritas, and truly got to unwind and enjoy our first week as newlyweds.
The Advice
If there’s one investment I’d recommend to every couple, it’s hiring an amazing wedding planner, specifically Maxwell and Gray! I truly don’t think our day would have been as seamless without Layne. She made the entire process feel effortless and allowed us to be fully present. Beyond that, enjoy every part of planning. As stressful as it can be, there’s something so special about putting your day together. Be present and soak it all in; you’ll never get that feeling or those beautiful moments back again.
The Vendors
BRIDAL SALON Elizabeth Scott Bridal
BEER BURROS Sweet Ass Servers
VENUE Lazy S Hacienda
PLANNING AND DESIGN Maxwell + Gray
PHOTOGRAPHY Mark and Jenna
FLORAL Jo.An Floral Design
CATERING Blue Mesa Grill
CAKE Bittersweet Bakery
DESSERT La Tapatia Bakery
ENTERTAINMENT Mariachi Amatitlán, Richard Palomino, DNA Events
RENTALS Grand Events
HAIR AND MAKEUP Brite Beauty
SUITS The Black Tux
SEATING CHART Wall Letters in Love by Dani
TRANSPORTATION Weatherford Transportation
DRINK SERVICE Liquid Love Co.
AUDIO GUESTBOOK Memories Out Loud