This San Diego Wedding Was a Celebration of Culture, Community & Queer Love

Chanel and Maria's wedding took place at Brick in San Diego and was chock full of cultural moments and exciting entertainment.

Love has a funny way of showing up exactly when it’s meant to. For Chanel and Maria, their story is one of serendipity, soul connection, and a whole lot of synchronicity. Although they officially met in 2021 through a mutual friend, their paths had been quietly crossing for nearly six years—attending the same university at different times, sharing mutual friends, and even unknowingly being at the same events like Atlanta Pride and in Costa Rica at the same time.

“We always say we were meant to meet at the exact time and place we did,” the couple shared. “Given all of our mutual connections it's hard not to believe the universe was at play.”

Their love story officially began on a beach day turned pseudo-date—an outing where they talked all day about life, love, and finding “their person.” What followed was a “proper date” and an inseparable bond that led to a heartfelt proposal years later, back at that very beach.

Wanting to offer their guests a vacation-like experience, Chanel and Maria chose to host their October wedding at BRICK in San Diego.The couple tied the knot on October 11, 2024, a date that held multiple layers of meaning. Not only was it National Coming Out Day, but it also marked the ten-year anniversary of Chanel’s grandmother’s passing. “We decided to use this date as a way to remember our ancestors and celebrate the big, loud, pride we have for all of our communities!”

From the start, the ceremony honored both the couple’s cultures and the people who paved the way for them. Guests were welcomed with instrumental renditions of R&B and Reggaeton. Important family members walked down the aisle carrying white candles, setting the tone for a sacred, heartfelt ceremony.

Each bride stopped at a beautifully crafted ofrenda, a traditional altar adorned with candles and flowers, to honor their ancestors. Chanel lit a blue candle for Yemaya, while Maria lit one for La Virgen de Guadalupe in memory of her mother and abuela.

Standing atop a stage to see all of their loved ones, Chanel and Maria exchanged vows that were—hilariously—nearly identical. “We even quoted the same Camilo song ‘Indigo’ without knowing,” they laughed. In place of traditional religious texts, they opted for a meaningful reading from bell hooks’ All About Love, delivered in both English and Spanish.

The reception was a vibrant explosion of pink and orange—a nod to the lesbian flag and to colors deeply rooted in both of their cultures. It was here that the unofficial theme came to life: “The Museum of Mucho Mucho Amor,” a tribute to queer Puerto Rican icon Walter Mercado. The colors brought so much warmth to the exposed brick and industrial style of the venue.

Guests received custom museum admission tickets featuring Atabey, and were welcomed into an immersive experience. A gallery wall paid homage to the couple’s relationship and their first official date, which was at a museum. Personal touches included custom nameplate settings, handmade Funko Pop figures of the couple, and a lounge area (“sala”) with their own coffee table books from home.

“We are proud to say that 90% of our vendors were owned and operated by women and/or queer people of color!” they shared. “We DIYed so many elements and focused on each individual detail, down to the printing of signage.”

One show-stopping feature was the altar/stage where they sat on a couch, not a sweetheart table, so they could see and interact with guests—just like they would at home. During the ceremony, it embodied a serene desert-cactus vibe. For the reception, it transformed into a high-energy celebration complete with a hand-painted 8×8 ft graffiti backdrop the brides created themselves.

Another unforgettable element? The ofrenda, framed by a massive arch of marigolds and roses in honor of their ancestors. “It brought us both to tears,” Maria shared. “Having it side by side with our own wedding altar allowed us to feel their presence with us on that day.”

Fashion was another intentional expression of identity and culture. Maria wore a traditional Mexican charro suit, cowboy boots, and a long braid with ribbon from Oaxaca. “It was always Maria’s dream to wear a charro suit for her wedding. She saw it as a way to tap into her unapologetic queer identity.”

Chanel wore an embroidered fit and flare gown with a plunging neckline, accessorizing with her mother’s veil, beaded gloves, layers of gold jewelry, and gemstone-dipped stiletto nails to reflect her Nuyorican roots.

Their menu showcased Puerto Rican and Mexican cuisine—from street food by Antoyitos Borincanos during cocktail hour to a fajita feast by Tapatio Catering for dinner. Entertainment included Bomba drumming by Batey Tambo and Bomba Liberte, mariachi from the all-female Mariachi Amapola, a salsa performance by Chanel, drag performance by Strawberry, and music from DJ Sizzle Fantastic that kept the dance floor full all night long.

And yes—there was even a karaoke afterparty, a beloved tradition in Maria’s family.

From their ancestors to their artistry, it’s safe to say Chanel and Maria’s wedding was a vibrant, heartfelt celebration of mucho, mucho amor.

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