Gabby Thomas’s Rainy Cabo Wedding with Spencer McManes

Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes said “I do” on October 30, 2026, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The ceremony took place at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa, directly on the sand with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop.

It had been raining all day.

“Right as our ceremony began, the rain cleared, and a vibrant rainbow appeared behind us just as I reached the altar,” Gabby told Vogue.

The couple had booked the venue before either of them had ever set foot in Cabo.

“It all worked out,” Gabby said.

Their love story started with an Instagram follow.

Gabby Thomas is a track and field Olympian and three-time gold medalist.

Spencer McManes is the founder of Kaviva, a non-alcoholic beverage brand.

They had mutual friends, but it wasn’t until Gabby followed Spencer back that he made his move.

“He slid into my DMs almost instantaneously,” Gabby remembered.

What began as a direct message led to a first date at a speakeasy in downtown Austin.

They 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 said.

Spencer proposed nearly two and a half years later, in March 2025.

He did it 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 explained.

“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 said.

“When I say I did not see it coming, I truly didn’t.”

Celebrating the start of her track season wasn’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,” she said.

After the proposal, the couple celebrated with an intimate dinner at J. Carver’s, Gabby’s favorite spot in Austin.

A year and a half later, they exchanged vows in Cabo.

“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 said.

The couple approached wedding planning with an easygoing attitude.

“I really wanted the process to be a fun, shared experience between the two of us,” Gabby said.

“Every decision felt natural and organic.”

Instead of worrying about what would look good to everyone else, she imagined herself on the day.

“What would that Gabby really value and appreciate?” she asked herself.

Since they are both “pretty chill,” they hired a wedding planner from About Love to help with logistics.

“We focused on what made sense for us and what would keep us happy—and relaxed—on the day,” Spencer added.

“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.

She had one dress for the ceremony, one for the reception, and one for the after-party.

“I went dress shopping over a year ago in Austin to get a feel for my personal style,” she said.

“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.”

She 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 said.

His groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos.

Spencer introduced an unexpected heirloom element: bolo ties.

“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,” he explained.

“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.

“I spent time with their founder, Michelle, to find a color that felt right,” Gabby said.

“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,” Gabby said.

“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.

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 said.

“The best way to describe it is grateful, excited, and completely anchored in the moment.”

Having her 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,” she said.

“Gabby completely stole the show,” Spencer said.

“We locked eyes for the entire ceremony.”