Cyndra Arellano's dream wedding finally became a reality Wednesday the 14th of December, as she married her long-time beau Antolin Gomez.
Close to 100 gathered at Tennessee Gardens Event Center to watch the couple became husband and wife at the venue, with video cameras capturing key moments of their big day. Videographer was Rachel Hood and Photographer Thomas, from Thomas Herron Photography.
Footage from the wedding will be used to help create a pilot for "Down and Out Weddings," for a new reality show looking to showcase well-deserving brides and grooms who have experienced various roadblocks in their way, to walk down the isle.
Arellano won the wedding of a lifetime thanks to show producers and vendors who picked the woman out of four bride-to-be’s who entered a search to find a "down on their" luck bride.
Her daughter, Michaella, entered the mom of nine into the running after hearing about the contest through an article published in the paper, said show producers. Michaella stepped in and submitted her mother’s name to show producers, and on November 29th the vendors voted Arrellano as their bride to give this “dream wedding” to.
Michaella told vendors about her mom's story and how even though she had gone through heartbreak and even losing everything in the San Bernardino house fire in 2003, her mother stayed positive.
“Since winning”, Michaella said "This whole time Mom’s been so excited in anticipation for this moment, I can't wait to see her walk down the isle.”
Before walking down the isle, Arellano and her bridal party made the final touches on their makeup and dresses with each one commenting on how excited they were to see Arellano’s wedding dress for the first time.
As Arellano walked into the room, Michaella remarked, "You look beautiful, Mom."
Arellano and Gomez met approximately 11 years ago, after a chance meeting at a local club. The two began dating shortly there after.
The couple had previously planned a wedding, but when plans fell through, Arellano and Gomez planned to elope in Las Vegas.
The wonderful reception, also provided by Michelle Faraj, owner of Tennessee Gardens Event Center of Redlands, served a wonderful dinner with 2 entrees, prime rib and chicken, with baked potato, mixed vegetables, rolls and a wonderful salad. Then the wonderful wedding cake for dessert. At the reception several of Arellano’s children told the show’s producers of some of the sacrifices their mother made over the years, Carlos, one of her son’s who is in the military said, “you haven’t even heard the half of all my mom has been through, she can write a book”. All of Arellano’s children that were there thanked the show’s producers and the vendors for this wonderful gift they gave to their mom and Antolin.
D'Arca Formal Wear of San Bernardino provided Arellano with her wedding dress and tuxedos for the groomsmen.
Arellano was also pampered by Amanda @ Seasons Salon Spa of Redlands before her big day.
"My favorite part (has been) the makeup and hair because I just see a whole new me," she said. "I am very grateful to everyone and just having fun with it."
Additional vendors who provided services for her big day included Sandi @ Redlands Tennessee Florist, Michelle's Custom European Bakery, Miguel & Marty @ The Rose of Sharon Salon, XLS Limousine from Rancho Cucamonga provided the limo to whisk the bride and groom away to their bridal suite, provided by Country Inn & Suites of Redlands. Country Inn & Suites provided the lovely Champagne 2-story suite with a Jacuzzi for the couple.
The Hamby Strings and Joel Rendo with D.J. Audio d'Elegance provided the music. Rev. Ron Perry from “A Minister On Location”, officiated the service and also Mr. Perry along with Joel Rendo emceed the reception.
Mr. & Mrs. Antolin Gomez plan to honeymoon in Las Vegas and will reside in Redlands.
Contact information and more information on the show can be found online at www.downandoutweddings.com.
