Ariana & Garrett: From Track Meets to Wedding Vows
- hiddengemofgruene
- Aug 7
- 5 min read
How did you and your fiancé meet?
Garrett and I first met in high school through mutual friends. Although there were no sparks back then, fast forward to 2021, and that's when our story began. I was coaching in Jourdanton at the time, and Garrett was an athletic trainer in Pleasanton. We noticed each other at a track meet but didn't interact. Once I got home, I couldn't stop thinking about Garrett, so I messaged him on Snapchat, saying, "You couldn't say hi?" The rest is history, marking the beginning of our love story.
How was the proposal? We want all the details!
Garrett and I have a tradition of opening our gifts as soon as it hits midnight on Christmas. After we finished unwrapping everything and were cleaning up, Garrett mentioned he forgot to bring out one of his gifts. He went into the other room, came back, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. It was the best Christmas gift I could have ever asked for!
Did you have your wedding planned out since you were a little girl?
I never had all the details planned out; I just always knew I wanted a pink-themed wedding and a big, poofy dress. So naturally, that’s exactly what I had… a beautiful pink wedding and the big, poofy dress of my dreams!
How did you find the Hidden Gem of Gruene?
While in college, I worked at a local gymnastics gym with Joey’s sister, Karen. Through Karen, I met Joey, and thanks to good ole social media, I saw them both share posts about the Hidden Gem. I always kept the venue in the back of my mind, knowing I’d reach out when the time was right.
With so many beautiful wedding venues to choose from, what attracted you to the Hidden Gem?
I always knew I wanted to get married in New Braunfels, and when I discovered the location of the Hidden Gem and realized how close it was to Gruene, I knew we had to see it in person. The moment we toured the venue, we fell in love. From the beautiful entry door to the stunning staircase and the spacious backyard, everything about it captured our eyes and hearts. The Hidden Gem was the first and only venue we toured, so you could say it was love at first sight!
Who were your favorite vendors to work with?
All of my vendors were incredible, but I absolutely loved my makeup artist, Laura Gorman with Love, Lipstick & Lashes. She was so sweet and incredibly responsive throughout the entire process. My bridal party couldn’t stop praising her, not only for her talent but also for her wonderful bubbly personality. She truly was amazing! I also loved our DJ, Daniel Sanchez from At Last Entertainment. When people say the DJ sets the tone for the wedding, they’re absolutely right! Daniel brought such great energy and kept the dance floor packed all night long!
What did you love the most about the Hidden Gem of Gruene?
There’s so much to love about the Hidden Gem of Gruene, but what truly stood out were the owners, Joey and Katie. Their kindness, professionalism, and genuine care made the entire experience amazing. From their incredible support leading up to the wedding to their calm and organized presence on the big day, they went above and beyond to make everything perfect. We’re so happy to be a part of the Hidden Gem family!!
Did you stay at our on-site lodging? If so, what did you think about it?
Yes, we did! We loved the Hidden Gem of Gruene Resort. My husband and I stayed in the Luxury Cabin, which was stunning and incredibly spacious. We also rented seven condos for our family and wedding party, all of which were stylish, roomy, and well-kept. It was perfect being able to walk to and from the venue. The location, just minutes from Gruene’s attractions, which was a huge plus. We had a great stay and will be back!
What was the Best moment that you will always remember from your wedding?
ALL OF IT!!! But if I had to choose one moment I would have to say it was walking down the staircase being introduced as Mr & Mrs McDermott. It was such a special moment walking down holding my husband’s hand, surrounded by all our friends & family, and seeing everything come together so perfectly. It was such a special moment to take it.
What is one piece of advice that you would give a future bride when booking a venue?
My advice to future brides picking a venue is to go with what feels right for you and your partner. It’s easy to get swayed by other people’s opinions on the venue or location, but your wedding day is all about the two of you. Trust your gut and choose a place that feels like the perfect fit for YOUR day.
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Thank you all so much for reading our blog. As a locally owned wedding venue, we take great pride in creating an experience for all of your guests. That’s why customer service and attention to detail are amongst our top priorities at the Hidden Gem of Gruene. From our friendly and knowledgeable Venue Hosts to our Security and Vendors that represent our venue, we strive to always give you the best of the best. Our venue hosts are more than just hosts; they are actually professional and experienced wedding planners who truly understand the logistics of how a wedding and event should flow. Our team comes with a lot of experience in local & destination weddings. Our vendors are vetted and only make the vendor list after completing 30 plus successful weddings here at the Hidden Gem of Gruene. Because we understand the “how to” in weddings, we know what the couples are truly looking for. When it comes to guest experiences, we understand how important safety and convenience are for our couples’ guests. Most of our couples have family traveling from hours away to states away. That is where our onsite resort makes the Hidden Gem of Gruene the perfect destination wedding venue in the Texas Hill Country. The convenience of having your wedding and lodging in the same place is why couples love saying their “I Do’s” at the Hidden Gem of Gruene. To book your next tour of our Texas Hill Country Wedding Venue, make sure to contact us today. For all your wedding inspiration for your dream destination wedding venue, make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, & Pinterest! Keep an eye out for our stories! Lots of behind-the-scenes & your perfect chance to get to know the entire team! Creating unforgettable moments, one beautiful wedding at a time.
Your dream wedding starts here, Joey and Katie Medellin Hidden Gem of Gruene
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