Breana and Joey marked their 12-year partnership with a wedding that rejected traditional expectations, merging gothic aesthetics with deeply personal elements. Their vision—dark, sophisticated, and far removed from conventional white-dress ceremonies—embodied a relationship built on authenticity rather than convention. “We wanted it to feel like a gothic vampire ball; classy and elegant without being boring or too camp,” Breana said. The couple avoided performative grandeur, opting instead for a ceremony that aligned with their quiet, commitment-focused bond.
Their red wedding gown was a deliberate departure from tradition, crafted with Joey’s direct involvement from the beginning. There were no hidden surprises, every detail was collaborative. The same designer who created Breana’s dress also made the matching cape for Joey, ensuring their outfits formed a unified look. Before the main event, they exchanged vows in a private moment, a choice that felt organic given their long-standing connection. Joey’s best woman, Jessica, a high school friend, stood beside him, reflecting the mixed-gender dynamic of their wedding party.
Music played a key role from the start, though not as originally planned. The string trio began with Across the Stars from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones instead of the intended Stolen by Dashboard Confessional. The unintended shift worked to their advantage: Breana’s father, a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast, walked her down the aisle. “It was a happy accident and I wouldn’t have changed it,” she said. Their New Mexican roots influenced other touches, including mariachi performances during the cocktail hour and a beer burro named Blackjack, serving Dos Equis. The donkey became an unexpected star, with Breana’s aunt later calling it the best part of the day.
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The couple’s first date, watching Evil Dead at the cinema, inspired their favors: bags of red popcorn in black movie-style boxes, each tied with a printed ticket detailing their shared history. Breana designed and assembled everything herself. The evening concluded with a surprise: a 1964 Impala lowrider for their grand exit, a tribute to Joey’s passion for classic automobiles. Keeping the reveal a secret required careful planning, but the moment left him overjoyed.
For Breana and Joey, the wedding was never about adhering to expectations. It was a celebration of their life together, surrounded by loved ones, many of whom had never met before. Yet the atmosphere remained charged with energy. “It’s YOUR special day,” Breana concluded. “It’s all about you and your partner. Other people will always have opinions, but it’s your choice whether or not you decide to care what they say or think.
We really felt the love all night. It was amazing to have all our family and friends together in one room celebrating us. Even though we’ve been together for so long, a lot of our family and friends hadn’t met each other yet, so we loved bringing everyone together for a night. Everybody got along great and had so much fun. The energy was electric.”
