Rehearsal Dinner

La Fonda on the Plaza

Welcome Party

La Terraza at La Fonda on the Plaza

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Spring

Our Wedding

While we have told many people that we met through our shared dorm our first year of college at Northwestern University in 2015, this is not really the case. Rather, we met in the first few weeks of classes, sitting next to each other on a dark bus heading back to campus after going to see a comedy show at Second City. Our conversation flowed naturally, but we never got a good look at each other’s faces. We later officially met through events at our dorm and were encouraged to talk to one another by a mutual friend, Braylan. After about six months of distant glances and small talk during social events, Gabe decided to make his move during our dorm’s formal. Seeing Mattie finally alone across the room, Gabe came over and began a conversation. More substantial than any of the small talk we had before, our conversation flowed for the rest of the night and continued in Mattie’s suite until early in the morning.

Our first trip together to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in July 2016

Hoping to continue their conversation, Mattie looked for Gabe in all of the common areas of the dorm and the dining hall, but she couldn’t find him for days. Thankfully, Braylan, our mutual friend, shared Gabe’s room number and work schedule with Mattie, so she would know when he would be at the dorm. After nearly a week of searching for him, Mattie finally mustered up the courage to knock on his door. While the conversation began awkwardly, Gabe asked Mattie if she would like to go out that coming weekend, on April 8th, 2016. On our first date, which Gabe planned at Naf Naf Grill (a Mediterranean Chipotle-style restaurant), Mattie was unsure if they were even on a date given the informal setting. Either way, Mattie was happy to make a new friend and wanted to see where the night would take them. After talking more and sharing about our families, it was then that we realized that we had heard these stories before. We realized our first time meeting was on that dark bus in the fall of 2015, over six months prior to our first date. It was a fun revelation to know that we had met each other in such a way at the very beginning of the school year.

An unseasonably warm day on Northwestern's Lakefill in January 2017

After dinner, we went to a student theater performance on campus that Mattie had wanted to see. We had a wonderful time, but Mattie still didn’t know if this was a date or not. During intermission, Mattie didn’t want to guess anymore and turned to Gabe and plainly asked if we were on a date. Gabe was surprised by the question but answered affirmatively and Mattie responded by saying “ok, good to know.” From there, we were largely inseparable. We texted and talked nearly every day and grew with each other during the rest of our time at Northwestern.

Graduating Northwestern in June 2019

After graduating from Northwestern, Gabe finished his master’s degree in December of 2019 and soon followed Mattie to Boston as she pursued her PhD at Harvard University. We went from being long distance to always being together as the Boston area went into Covid lockdown just six weeks after Gabe moved to the area. We worked through any challenges that were thrown our way and eventually decided to move to our own apartment after living with roommates for three years. In September of 2022, we finally had our own space together and were able to welcome our new family member, our small dog named Billy Boy, who will be the flower dog in our wedding!

Family trip with Billy Boy to West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, the easternmost tip of the United States. Fourth of July, 2024

In February 2025, Billy had leg surgery after tearing a ligament. Unable to leave him alone for several weeks after that, we decided to spend Valentine’s Day at home. Gabe made a delicious multi-course dinner with fresh pasta and freshly shaved black truffle while Mattie baked a chocolate raspberry cake. Despite Gabe’s multiple attempts to get Mattie to dress up, she was committed to her sweatpants since she was at home. Gabe gave Mattie little gifts throughout the day, such as chocolates and tea. Toward the end of the night, Gabe said that Billy also had a gift for Mattie and pulled out a ring box from the bed Billy was laying in nearby. Gabe proposed then and there at home, which surprised Mattie greatly. She said yes! While we had gone ring shopping nearly a year prior, Mattie had only tried on rings and said what parts she liked, which Gabe used to create a custom design from a jeweler in Boston. Mattie now regrets not putting on a nice dress at Gabe’s suggestion.

Gabe prepares dinner on Valentine's Day 2025. Mattie is glowing post-proposal!

We are so excited to begin the next stage of our journey together as it has been ten years since our first date, seven years since moving in together, four years since getting a dog, and now over a year since getting engaged. After moving to Chicago in August 2025, our adventure continues: two weeks before our wedding we’ll celebrate Mattie receiving her PhD in American Studies from Harvard, and two months after our wedding we move to South Bend, Indiana as she begins her postdoc at Notre Dame.

Throwback to Gabe's first trip to New Mexico, March 2018: Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque.

We cannot wait to share this moment with you all in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We have had many people ask us why we chose New Mexico, when we could have gotten married in Chicago (where Gabe grew up) or Washington State (where Mattie grew up). We chose New Mexico because of the special meaning it holds to Mattie, as her father’s side of the family lives there and has been located in northern New Mexico for hundreds of years. She spent her summers as a child staying with her extended family in Santa Fe, Los Lunas, Española, and her grandmother’s village, Cañones. While never having held an address in New Mexico, Mattie is a product of the state and the distinct New Mexican culture that gets passed down over generations. Gabe, having visited the state to meet Mattie’s family, fell in love with New Mexico at first sight. It is for these reasons that we hope you will celebrate our marriage with us in Santa Fe, New Mexico!

Santa Fe anchors northern New Mexico, where Mattie's family has lived for hundreds of years. Her grandma hails from Cañones, while her grandpa is unsurprisingly from Cordova.

Photo Gallery

1, 2, and 3. Engagement photoshoot in Harvard's Arnold Arboretum, May 20254. Gabe's first trip to Washington! Chihuly Gardens in Seattle, March 20175. Tandem bike ride down the Lakefront Trail in Chicago, July 20176. Garfield Park Conservatory, November 20187. Touching the "good luck" foot of the "John Harvard" statue during Mattie's admit visit, March 2019 (ask us why this is not a good idea)8. Chicago Botanic Garden, August 2019. So beautiful, we became members upon moving back to Chicago 6 years later!9. Plymouth Rock, August 202010. Boston, May 202111. Joliet, Illinois, August 202112. Snowshoeing around Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, February 202213. Moving into our (tiny) first apartment together. Somerville, Massachusetts, September 202214. Visiting Mattie's maid of honor Katherine in Vienna, September 202215. Massachusetts beach day, May 202316. Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland, July 202317. Solar eclipse from Coaticook, Quebec, April 202418. Our favorite Chicago activity: the river boat architecture tour, May 202419. Enjoying a winery in Mattie's hometown of Wenatchee, Washington, July 202420. Taj Mahal in Agra, India, November 202521. Leaning Tower of Pisa, December 2025

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Dress Code

With the wedding taking place in the hotel, you can't stay any closer! La Fonda is a historic hotel located in the heart of Santa Fe. While the cut-off date for making reservations with the room block was May 11th, you should still find general availability with the link below. Overnight parking is $30 a night in La Fonda parking garage.

About a 12 minute walk away from the wedding venue, our room block at the Hilton Vacation Club provides spacious accommodations for around half the rate of La Fonda. Each one bedroom suite can sleep four guests between a king bed and sleeper sofa. Suites also contain full kitchens and come with free parking. The cut-off date for making reservations with the room block was April 28th, 2026, but depending on the dates you need, you may still find availability with the link below.

Hilton Vacation Club Villas de Santa Fe

If you're still in need of a hotel room, there are many other options right around the Plaza and throughout Santa Fe. We've included a link here to El Sendero Inn, similarly priced to Hilton Vacation Club and only one block from La Fonda. You'll also find lower rates for hotels farther out in Santa Fe, especially along Cerrillos Road.

Other hotels

Santa Fe Regional Airport is much smaller than Albuquerque Sunport, with flights only to Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. But if you're flying in from Chicago and only staying for the weekend, the once-a-day nonstop flight on American Airlines is certainly a convenient option. If you do not rent a car, you will need to take an Uber or Lyft to your accommodations, as the airport is not serviced by public transportation, and Santa Fe no longer has taxi services.

Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF)

Because of the limited flight options at Santa Fe Regional Airport, we recommend most guests fly into Albuquerque International Sunport instead. The airport is only an hour drive away from the heart of Santa Fe.

ALBUQUERQUE International SUNPORT (ABQ)

If flying into Albuquerque, we recommend three main ways of getting to Santa Fe:1. Rent a car: For those of you who would like to travel around New Mexico before or after the wedding, we highly recommend renting a car to get to the magnificent sights of the state of enchantment.2. Take a shuttle: The <a href="https://nmshuttle.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NM Shuttle</a> will take you from ABQ airport directly to your hotel in about 75 minutes for $63. Reservations are required, so be sure to book ahead.3. Hop the train: For our public transit loving friends, we recommend taking the <a href="https://www.riometro.org/184/Train" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rail Runner</a>. Albuquerque offers a <a href="https://data.cabq.gov/transit/Maps/50-wkday.pdf/view" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free shuttle</a> from the airport to the Rail Runner station at Alvarado Transportation Center in downtown Albuquerque. The Rail Runner costs $9 and takes around 90 minutes to arrive at the Railyard district, an area filled with art galleries and local markets. This terminus is about a 15 minute walk to La Fonda or a 5 minute drive with Uber/Lyft.

Getting to Santa Fe

Travel

Santa Fe

Founded in 1610 and nearly 7,000 feet in elevation, Santa Fe is both the oldest and highest state capital in the United States. Its stunning adobe architecture is backdropped by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, providing ample historical, cultural, and natural sites. In addition to the many art galleries, shops, and restaurants you'll find around the historic city center, here is a small sampling of our favorite spots in and around Santa Fe.

Events during our wedding weekend

June 12th-21st: <a href="https://currentsnewmedia.org/festivals/currents-2026-art-technology-festival/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Currents 2026 Art and Technology Festival</a>. Come see the festival where Gabe's <a href="https://www.santafenewmexican.com/pasatiempo/art/making-waves-ozge-samanci-and-gabriel-caniglia-s-you-are/article_2a5546ec-e467-5dae-a64e-1694a2671926.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">You Are the Ocean</a> was exhibited in 2018! <a href="https://currentsnewmedia.org/events/currents-2026-art-technology-festival-opening-night/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The opening night</a> runs from 6pm to 11pm on Friday, June 12th. June 14th at 11am: <a href="https://www.santafefiesta.org/events/vespers-knighting-and-coronation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">First Novena Mass</a>, Knighting and Coronation at the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. Before the wedding, head across the street from La Fonda to witness the beginning of <a href="https://www.santafefiesta.org/history/history-of-fiesta-de-santa-fe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fiesta de Santa Fe</a>, an annual tradition since 1712. The mass will be followed by <a href="https://www.santafefiesta.org/events/procession-to-rosario-chapel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a procession</a> at 1pm. Many more local events can be found on the <a href="https://www.santafe.org/visiting-santa-fe/calendar/?view=grid&amp;sort=featured&amp;filter_daterange%5Bstart%5D=2026-06-12&amp;filter_daterange%5Bend%5D=2026-12-31" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Santa Fe Tourism site</a>.

Museums

At <a href="https://www.museumhill.net" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Museum Hill</a>, you can visit four museums and the Santa Fe Botanical Garden all in one location. We especially recommend the <a href="https://www.museumfoundation.org/museums/museum-of-indian-arts-and-culture/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Museum of Indian Arts and Culture</a> and <a href="https://www.museumfoundation.org/museums/museum-international-folk-art/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Museum of International Folk Art</a>. The <a href="https://www.okeeffemuseum.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Georgia O’Keefe Museum</a> is conveniently located right off the Santa Fe Plaza, a must-see for fans of her modernist paintings. For super-fans, head 50 miles out to Abiquiú to see her <a href="https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/homes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home and studio</a>.

<a href="https://meowwolf.com/visit/santa-fe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Meow Wolf</a> is a well-known immersive and interactive art museum founded in 2008, well before the nationwide trend of "Instagram museums."

Historic Sites

The following sites are all a quick walk from La Fonda on the Plaza: • <a href="https://www.lorettochapel.com/visit-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Loretto Chapel</a>, especially famous for its wooden spiral staircase built without nails or supports.• <a href="https://www.sanmiguelchapelsantafe.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">San Miguel Chapel</a>, the oldest church in the United States.• <a href="https://www.cbsfa.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi</a>• Palace of the Governors: While home to the <a href="https://www.nmhistorymuseum.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Museum of New Mexico</a>, the main draw is the <a href="https://portal.nmhistorymuseum.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Native American Arts Market</a> that takes place around the Palace daily. Note that photos of the market are not allowed.• <a href="https://www.oldesthousesantafe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oldest House</a>, dating back to the 13th century. Across the street from San Miguel Chapel, touring it only takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Greater New Mexico

It doesn't take long to understand why New Mexico is known as "The Land of Enchantment." Its consistently beautiful weather, incredible scenery, and unique culture provide so many opportunities for exploration. It's the reason we highly suggest renting a car: so you can see why Mattie grew up loving this state and why Gabe has fallen in love with it. Here are some of our favorite sites farther out in New Mexico.

<a href="https://skycityacoma.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Acoma Pueblo or “Sky City”</a>: While lesser known and farther from Santa Fe than Taos Pueblo, we highly encourage you to visit Acoma if you have time. Perched hundreds of feet on top of a mesa and dating to 1100, there's nowhere else quite like it. They're also famous for their beautiful painted pottery.

<a href="https://www.holychimayo.us/welcome-center" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">El Santuario de Chimayó</a> is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in North America, a tradition Mattie’s family has participated in. When you visit, be sure to bring a small vessel with you. The church is known for its holy dirt that has healing properties, and you can take a small amount of dirt from the altar.

<a href="https://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bandelier National Monument</a> is famous for its cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans. In addition to ample archaeological sites, it contains over 70 miles of hiking trails.

<a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/kktr" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument</a> is open by reservation only, but contains incredibly unique, conical volcanic formations that are worth a visit.

<a href="https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">White Sands National Park</a> is potentially the most beautiful natural site Gabe has seen. The largest white sand dunes in the world, it's a long but absolutely worthwhile drive from Santa Fe.

<a href="https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carlsbad Caverns National Park</a>: Descend 750 feet from its natural opening to the "Big Room," North America's largest cave chamber. The drive between Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands takes you on a scenic route through the Sacramento Mountains.

Albuquerque area

• <a href="https://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Petroglyph National Monument</a> contains hundreds of well-preserved petroglyphs nestled around gentle hiking trails.• <a href="https://www.nuclearmuseum.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Museum of Nuclear Science &amp; History</a> is a great stop for history and science buffs. Oppenheimer!• <a href="https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/balloonmuseum/plan-your-visit-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Balloon Museum</a> for a deep dive into hot air balloons, including New Mexico's famous annual festival.• <a href="https://sandiapeak.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway</a> climbs around 4,000 feet for impressive mountaintop views of Albuquerque.

The number of things to do and see in New Mexico exceeds what we have room for here. If you have questions about anything not on the list, don’t hesitate to reach out! We also highly recommend taking a look at the much more comprehensive list from the <a href="https://www.newmexico.org/places-to-visit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New Mexico tourism site</a>.

Mattlyn & Gabriel