Looks Of Love: Meet The Finalists

Drumroll PLEASE…. We’re elated to announce Terri & Dulce as winners of the 2025 Looks of Love Contest. With over 1,500 total votes on Instagram over the three days leading up to the winning couple’s announcement we are thrilled to see the Wed Society San Antonio audience rally behind their favorite love stories. It’s with gratitude we thank each couple for sharing their heartwarming stories and a huge congratulations to Terri & Dulce!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re thrilled to announce the finalists of Wed Society San Antonio’s annual Looks of Love contest! Over the past two weeks, our team has read and admired the many amazing love stories shared with us and have selected the Top 8 couples to enter our Instagram voting competition kicking off on Tuesday, February 11th! The winner will be announced on Friday, February 14th and will receive a special Hotel Emma date night – a $350 gift card valid at the hotel & restaurants.

Read each of the incredible Top 8 love stories below and tune in each day to @wedsociety.sanantonio to vote for your favorite couples. 👇🏼

Terri + Dulce

Photo: Christy Anna Photography

Picture Perfect Love

Terri and Dulce’s love story began like many modern romances—on Tinder—but their connection was anything but ordinary. Dulce had made a New Year’s resolution to go on five dates with five different people in hopes of finding her person. Terri, cautiously optimistic, had no idea she was about to be date number one and the last first date Dulce would ever need. 📷✨

Their love story began with an unforgettable first date, starting at SAMA and ending at Presa House art gallery. Rain poured down as they ran through the streets, sharing their first kiss and stretching what was supposed to be a short meetup into an eight-hour adventure.

One year later, they moved in together, blending their lives (and their pups, Ollie and Pickle) under one colorful, treasure-filled roof. Vintage stores, photo booths, and rainy days became their signature—because for Terri and Dulce, every outing is a date.

Marissa + Thomas

Photo: Stephanie Renae Co.

Second Chance Romance

The only thing sweeter than falling in love is falling for each other all over again. ❤️

Marissa & Thomas first met in 2014 in California, while Thomas was stationed there with the US Marine Corps. Their friendship quickly turned into an unexpectedly deep connection, but Thomas was soon discharged and returned home to San Antonio. The couple tried long distance, but their schedules made it harder than they ever imagined. They thought that was the end of their story. But four years later, fate (and a lovingly meddling sister) intervened.

In 2019, a nudge from Thomas’s sister and a little liquid courage brought them back together. When Marissa flew to Texas to be Thomas’s date for his best friend’s wedding, she saw him again and instantly knew. She shared, “The moment I saw him again, it was like time stood still—I ran into his arms, knowing I’d never want to let go again.” Thomas clearly agreed – a few months later, he drove across the country to bring Marissa home to San Antonio where they eloped at Gruene Hall.

Now, with their two little ones, the couple can finally say that they’ve found their forever—right where they’ve always belonged.

Marin + Matthew

Photo: Stella Shots Media

Dance Challenge Accepted

Marin & Matthew’s love story started with years of playful teasing and ended with an epic Thriller dance-off. He had a crush on her for years—she wasn’t convinced. But when Matt hit the dance floor and gave it his all, Marin had no choice but to say yes. 💃🕺

The two met at Texas Tech University, where their banter-filled run-ins at tailgates and parties became a regular thing. Matt’s crush on Marin only grew, but it wasn’t until a fateful night in 2019 that he finally made his move. After some not-so-subtle encouragement from friends, Matt walked across a crowded bar and confessed, “I like you, and I have for a long time.” Marin, ever the skeptic, wasn’t convinced.

Then, fate (and Thriller) intervened. Marin jokingly told Matt she’d agree to a movie date if he danced the entire chorus of Michael Jackson’s hit. To her surprise, he didn’t hesitate—busting out every iconic move, eyes locked on hers. When he returned, slightly breathless, and asked, “So, have you seen Joker yet?”—Marin was officially out of excuses.

That movie date turned into forever, proving that sometimes love isn’t about first sight—it’s about perfect timing, persistence, and the right dance moves.

Ale + Nathan

Photo: N Justine Photo

Hay There, Soulmate

Sometimes, love is just a swipe away. Other times, it’s been waiting right around the corner all along. For Ale and Nathan, it was both! 🐝👨🏼‍🌾

As a wedding florist, Ale had seen countless love stories bloom, but she chose to focus on her own growth before seeking romance. When she felt ready to look for love in fall 2021, she matched with Nathan on Bumble. From the start, their connection was effortless—deep conversations, constant laughter, and an undeniable spark. Within days, Ale knew this was something special and deleted the app to focus on Nathan. When they finally met in person, Ale’s heart skipped a beat. This beautiful angel is going to rock my world, she thought—and she was absolutely right.

Little did they know, fate had been weaving their love story long before they met. Nathan was a hay farmer in Natalia—just 0.3 miles from Ale’s dad’s ranch. Even crazier? Her dad had unknowingly been buying hay from Nathan’s farm for years! When Nathan invited Ale over for a bonfire, she realized each turn on the road was leading her closer to home in more ways than one.

Seven months later, she moved to Lytle to be with him. Two years after that, he proposed. Now, with two fur babies and a wedding on the horizon, their story is proof that love shows up when you’re truly ready for it… and sometimes, it’s been right there all along.

 

Kelby + Barret

Photo: Kendra Smith Photography

Summer Camp Sweethearts

For this couple, years and miles stretched between them, but never kept them apart. 🚌❤️

Kelby and Barret’s first met at a high school retreat, where Barret was the senior leader of Kelby’s sophomore camp group. After the retreat, life went in different directions, and they didn’t speak much—until one fateful day when a mutual friend reconnected them after Kelby’s final basketball game. Barret took the student fan bus to Abilene, skipping school, and ended up riding back with Kelby, sitting in front of her for the whole ride home. Their conversation lasted the entire night, and from that moment, they couldn’t stop talking.

Weeks later, Barret showed up in Kelby’s Snapchat quick add, and the messages started flying. They spoke every day, and soon enough, Barret asked Kelby out—but there was one problem. Kelby was 15 and Barret was 17, so her parents didn’t allow her to date until she was older. This didn’t stop Barret though—he endured months of “dates” with Kelby, chaperoned by her 13-year-old brother.

As Barret went off to college, they navigated nearly eight years of long-distance relationships, surviving the ups and downs of four colleges and countless visits during summer vacations and Christmas breaks. It wasn’t until Barret graduated with his Master’s degree in December 2024 that the long-distance chapter of their story came to a close.

But the surprise wasn’t over yet. In May 2024, Barret flew all the way to Madrid to propose to Kelby during her family’s vacation in Spain—proving that distance and time only made their love stronger.

 

Claudia + Austin

Photo: Moody Bleu Photography

Magic at the Movies

Sometimes, love finds you in the most unexpected places—and for Claudia and Austin, it was in the Kroger aisle during the pandemic. What started as a fleeting moment of recognition turned into a DM, and that single message kicked off a love story made for the movies.

Claudia and Austin grew up in the same town, Huber Heights, Ohio, but it wasn’t until after that chance encounter at Kroger that their connection truly sparked. The couple made eye contact in the grocery story, but didn’t really interact. Later, Austin remembered Claudia’s name & searched for her on Instagram. He sent a DM & they hit it off instantly. Just one month into their relationship, Claudia was offered a job in San Antonio, and the couple took a leap of faith. Austin followed her to Texas to see where this love would go.

Fast forward three years, and Austin knew it was time to make things official. In December 2023, he rented out a movie theater for the most perfect proposal—complete with a photographer, and a ring that had even more sentimental value: Claudia’s late great-grandmother’s ring.

It was a proposal that felt like a dream, a perfect blend of their favorite things, and a moment Claudia will never forget. Now, they’re looking forward to celebrating their love with their closest family and friends in 2025!

 

Briana + Trisdon

Photo: Brownie Photography & Production

A Disney Dream Come True

Sometimes, the stars align before you even know it. Briana and Trisdon had a chance meeting at Y100’s 8 Man Jam in 2018. Trisdon had just performed the National Anthem, and thanks to a mutual friend (now their best man!), the two were introduced and haven’t spent a day without talking to each other since. 💕

Their relationship quickly blossomed, but little did they know, their paths had crossed long before they connected at the concert. When Trisdon was a sophomore in high school, he harbored a quiet crush on Briana, then a senior, when he saw her in the halls. They later even realized that Briana had been Trisdon’s prom photographer without them noticing! They’d even attended multiple concerts with the same friends, but never connected until their timing was just right. It felt like an invisible string had always been tying them together.

Even though they felt a connection, they built the foundation of their love on friendship. But their friends never quite bought their famous line – “I swear we’re just best friends.” After a few months of getting to know each other deeply, Trisdon asked Briana to be his girlfriend, and they spent their first official date at Disney (kudos to Trisdon for an epic first date!). The magic of that first trip together was just the beginning and now they are looking forward to saying exchanging vows in October 2025!

We can’t get enough of their two engagement shoots. Locally, they took photos in front of the Majestic Theatre, where 8 Man Jam was hosted for years. Then, they went back to Disney for the most magical engagement photos!

 

Ashley + Bradley

Photo: Shy Laurel Photography

The Perfect Match

Ashley and Bradley may not have had love at first swipe, but Ashley sent one last message before she planned to delete Bumble and their spark caught fire. 🔥

They spent weeks getting to know each other over Facetime and phone calls before meeting in person for their first date at the Huisache Grill in New Braunfels. While waiting for a table, an older lady (on her third glass of wine) chatted with them, mistakenly thinking they were already a couple. It was then Ashley realized, “I really hope this goes that way.” Bradley, on the other hand, was thinking, “There’s no way this woman wants anything to do with me. She’s way out of my league.” Of course, he had it all wrong. The couple had butterflies throughout the night and couldn’t deny the spark between them.

But that first kiss moment? That didn’t come until date #3 when Ashley asked him to kiss her. A few weeks later, after spending a beautiful Thanksgiving with their families, Bradley whispered the first “I love you” and Ashley fell head over heels for her quiet, kind man.

Just over a year after their whirlwind romance began, Bradley got the approval of Ashley’s daughters and proposed at the gazebo in New Braunfels and surprised Ashley with an engagement party at the Huisache Grill – right where it all began.

Ashley and Bradley tied the knot at Harper Hill Ranch on April 27, 2024, and are now looking forward to a lifetime of love and adventure together!

Be sure to vote on our Instagram stories (@wedsociety.sanantonio) every day from Tuesday, February 11th to Friday, February 14th and cheer on your favorite couple!