In a delightful twist on wedding traditions, newlyweds José Contreras and Gabriela Hernández have captivated social media with their unconventional choice of attire. The couple, who tied the knot at San Francisco City Hall on 8 October, decided to don inflatable Tyrannosaurus rex costumes rather than traditional wedding garments, leading to a viral sensation that has caught the eyes of millions.
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Their whimsical decision was not only a statement of fun but also a reflection of Gabriela’s passion for dinosaurs. The couple, both in the auto finance sector, had been in a relationship for five years before opting for an elopement that was meant to remain a private affair until a planned Halloween celebration. However, fate had other plans, as the unique costumes were caught on camera by an onlooker, Río De Léon, who posted a video that has since garnered over 4.3 million views on Instagram.
De Léon recounted the spontaneous moment, explaining that he was admiring the beautiful architecture of the City Hall when he spotted the dinosaur-clad couple preparing for their photoshoot. “I started recording the space from above, and as I panned to the right, I saw them posing for pictures on the grand staircase,” he shared. Gabriela’s costume included high heels poking out beneath the T. rex suit, while José wore a bow tie, making a comical contrast to their prehistoric outfits.
Photographer Kate Rasskazova, who captured the enchanting moments, inadvertently kept the couple’s identities under wraps initially. Once the footage began to circulate, Rasskazova took to Instagram to share more about the couple’s extraordinary day, further driving interest in their story. “I’m so happy I got to photograph this couple. My son has been obsessed with dinosaurs for more than two years,” she commented, emphasising the joy and enthusiasm she felt being part of such a memorable occasion.
As the viral nature of their wedding became apparent, the couple expressed their amazement. “What started as a funny little surprise during our special day turned into something we never imagined,” José stated. The applause they received from across the globe was unexpected, yet heartwarming for both him and Gabriela. “Seeing so many people enjoy and laugh along with our dinosaur moment has been such an amazing experience!”
The couple had initially planned to wear their dinosaur costumes only for the photos and exchanged vows in more conventional attire. “It would have been too difficult to get married in the inflatable suits, especially on such a hot day,” José explained, indicating the practical challenges they faced. After the ceremony, they embraced their quirky theme fully, posing for several photographs that soon attracted passers-by who evidently found the scenario delightful.
Notably, their families were unaware of this unique wedding outfit choice, as the couple had kept their nuptials intimate. The plan had been to reveal their marriage at a Halloween party, where they intended to surprise friends and family by unveiling their costumes. Gabriela mentioned that José came up with a creative idea for a reveal video, implying this was all part of their intended playful announcement.
Much to their surprise, the couple found themselves at the centre of a viral phenomenon, admitting that they had no idea they were being filmed. “It was definitely a shock when we saw the video online. We had no idea someone was recording us!” they remarked. The loving and positive responses to their photos have been uplifting for the newlyweds, who have received messages of support from all corners of the world. Intriguingly, even family members sent them clips of the viral video without realising it featured José and Gabriela, exclaiming that it resembled something the couple would do.
Reflecting on the experience, the newlyweds conveyed their gratitude, noting, “We’ve received so much love and warm wishes from people all over the world. It turned out to be such a fun and memorable experience.” Their story serves as a reminder that celebrations of love can take many forms, and in this case, a T. rex costume may just be the sweetest tribute to the joys of individuality and humour.