Roosevelt Library Social Club

Rehearsal

Rehearsal Lunch

Wedding Ceremony and Reception

Ceremony

Reception

Celebrate our next chapter inside a former public library, transformed for a bookishly elegant fall evening. Surrounded by history and romance, we’ll begin our story. To preserve the intimacy of our historic space, this will be an adults-only celebration.

Our Wedding

For Alex and Jennifer, literature is their love language. Their pens first crossed paths in 2011 when their time as journalists for the San Antonio Expess-News overlapped. Little did they know that in 2014 they'd begin working together closely at St. Mary's University, when Jennifer began leading the School of Law communications, and Alex began telling the story of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology. Fittingly, their romance first turned the page during bookish discussions late into the evening at a nearby Barnes &amp; Noble cafe. Now, Alex is the author of four poetry collections, a collection of short stories and his debut novel, "The Dream Life of Larry Rios," published in October 2025. Jennifer oversees magazines, media relations and storytelling at St. Mary's University. They were engaged on Dec. 23, 2025, along the banks of the Guadalupe River, where they have spent many happy days hiking. But none of these accomplishments compares to the story they continue to build together.

A literary love affair

Our Story

Photos

Bridal Party

Diane Bulpett

Katie Sheckells

Melanie Skaggs

Jennifer McInnis Fadel

Francisco Vara-Orta

Groom's Party

Robert "Aaron" Salinas

Andy Salinas

Mike Salinas

Will Rodriguez

Raul "Sonny" Salinas III

Anndria Quiroz

Marcus Salinas

Wedding Party

Ultimate Formal Attire Shopping Guide

25 Hand-Picked Formal Guest Dresses

Tux vs. Suit: What's the Difference?

Formal, bookishly elegant attire: think dark suits or tuxes, floor-length gowns or elevated cocktail dresses in rich fall tones, jewel tones and luxe fabrics — like you’re attending a candlelit gala in a grand old library. The primary wedding color is black with splashes of cream, dark green and pale pink.Black-tie optional, at a glance:- A black-tie-optional dress code means you have the option to wear black-tie attire (an evening gown or a tuxedo) but can instead wear formal attire (a suit or long dress).- Appropriate attire options for a black-tie-optional dress code include full-length gowns, long formal dresses, dressy jumpsuits and pantsuits, tuxedos and suits.- As with a black-tie dress code, it's generally best to avoid wearing colors that are too bright or light to a black-tie-optional wedding.

Dress Code

Q + A

The bridal party plans to stay in this recently renovated hotel, which is owned by Marriott and is close to the wedding venue. This luxury hotel in downtown San Antonio is near the Riverwalk and the Alamo. It includes a spa, pool, cabanas and oversized balcony rooms overlooking a historic garden. The Plaza offers excellent dining options and shares amenities with the Kimpton Santo next door, including additional restaurants and bars. You can visit <a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/satkd-plaza-san-antonio-hotel-and-spa-autograph-collection/overview/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the hotel's website</a> for an overview of the amenities. Though this hotel does not offer self-parking, guests in the room block will receive a 20% discount on valet parking and spa services. The hotel is located next to the historic King William District (Southtown), which is also home to extensive dining options, boutiques and art galleries. <a href="https://book.passkey.com/e/51219237" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">You can book via this link as part of the room block.</a> Please book before the cut-off date: Sept. 28, 2016.

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection

This hotel offers a lower price point while also being on the River Walk and within walking distance of the primary hotel. All guest rooms include a corner sleeper sofa. The hotel offers free breakfast and self-parking. You can visit <a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/satkd-plaza-san-antonio-hotel-and-spa-autograph-collection/overview/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">t</a><a href="https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-place/en-US/satzr-hyatt-place-san-antonio-riverwalk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">he hotel's website</a> for an overview of the amenities. <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/shop/rooms/satzr?location=Hyatt%20Place%20San%20Antonio%2FRiverwalk&amp;checkinDate=2026-10-17&amp;checkoutDate=2026-10-20&amp;rooms=1&amp;adults=1&amp;kids=0&amp;corp_id=g-lswb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">You can book via this link as part of the room block.</a> Please book before the cut‑off date: Sept. 18, 2026.

Hyatt Place San Antonio/Riverwalk

The San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is an international airport. It is in Uptown Central San Antonio, about 8 miles north of Downtown. It has three runways. While it may be tempting to fly into Austin's airport, Texas is a very large state and flying into Austin will add 1.5 hours to your incoming time (if everything goes perfectly).

San Antonio International Airport

Travel

Explore the River Walk on foot or by boat tour and spot the Día de los Muertos Tradition Trail.

San Antonio River Walk: Downtown Area

Visit the Alamo, which has a great&nbsp;new <a href="https://www.thealamo.org/support/alamo-visitor-center-museum" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Visitor Center</a>.

The Alamo

The Tower of the Americas&nbsp;is a 750-foot-tall tourist attraction located in San Antonio, featuring an observation deck, revolving Chart House restaurant and the bar with the best view in town.

Tower of the Americas

Local flavor since 1883.&nbsp;Celebrating San Antonio history with food, fun and local retail.&nbsp;

The Park at Pearl

Encompassing stately neighborhoods, like&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kingwilliamassociation.org/kwa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the King William Historic District,</a>&nbsp;and artistic hubs, like the Blue Star Arts Complex, it’s filled with beloved restaurants and shops.

Southtown 

There are more missions than the Alamo! The San Antonio Missions are a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park has been a center of community since the early 1700s. Mission San José is Jennifer's favorite.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Missions

Explore more than 100 locally owned businesses that provide a unique marketplace experience and harken back to old Mexico.

Historic Market Square

Step inside the Briscoe Western Art Museum to experience the art and artifacts that bring the stories that shaped the West to life.

Briscoe Western Art Museum

The San Antonio Zoo is fantastic, and you can now feed the giraffes!

San Antonio Zoo

The Garden offers&nbsp;41 acres of greenery and plant life&nbsp;in the center of the city.

San Antonio Botanical Garden

Family owned and operated since 1917,&nbsp;Paris Hatters&nbsp;is world famous for their expertise in providing quality custom-fitted and custom-shaped hats.

Paris Hatters

A slightly elevated and somewhat elusive downtown public house&nbsp;where the best of the classics meet modern technique and genuine hospitality. The upstairs and downstairs are different vibes, so be sure to check out both floors.

The Esquire Tavern

The Sternewirth Bar is&nbsp;an upscale bar with an industrial aesthetic&nbsp;tucked inside the Hotel Emma at the Pearl.

The Sternewirth Bar

Great barbecue, convenient to downtown. But plan for extra time as there is often a line.

Pinkerton's Barbecue

A longstanding, well-loved Mexican restaurant in Southtown has a hip, new location.

Rosario's ComidaMex & Bar

The kitch does not stop at this TexMex classic in the Historic Market Square.

Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia

Ácenar is the only Mexican place Jennifer and Alex would recommend eating at along the downtown section of the River Walk.

Acenar Mexican Restaurant

Operating since 1917, this is the oldest restaurant in San Antonio. It's conveniently located near the River Walk. The root beer and the split pea soup are must-haves!

Schilo's German Deli

Known for its southern-style food, including Haute chicken, biscuits, and an oyster bar, Southerleigh Haute South also features a full bar, located in the Pearl.

Southerleigh Haute South

This Peruvian restaurant continues to get great reviews.

Leche de Tigre Cebicheria Peruana

Though we prefer the location off Blanco, the Dough location in Hemisfair is still a cheese-lover's paradise. The house-made burrata is incredible.

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

La Panadería’s approach to breadmaking includes&nbsp;a 48-hour fermentation process that results in artisan-baked goods unlike any other. The attention to detail at La Panaderia has made the bakery and café a staple in the Alamo City.

La Panadería Bakery Café

This food market includes a specialty grocer, four restaurants and five quick eateries under one cool roof in the Pearl.

Pullman Market

Itching for somewhere bookish to go? Go to Nowhere Books. Founded by bestselling author, Jenny Lawson (AKA&nbsp;The Bloggess), Nowhere Bookshop is an independent bookstore featuring new books, author events, unique gifts, and a&nbsp;coffee, wine and beer bar.

Nowhere Bookshop

Want to geek out with a good book? Stop by Book Nerd, one of San Antonio’s newest independently owned bookshops. Book Nerd is home to a handpicked selection of new fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, plus a fun assortment of board games, stickers, candles and other gift items. Jennifer and Alex also have <a href="https://bookshop.org/wishlists/5869ae693e76c4692f54f2da307e97a024dd78c8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a gift registry</a> here.

Book Nerd

If you time it right, you might be able to catch a San Antonio Spurs preseason game!

Jennifer & Alex

Jennifer & Alex

Wedding Party

Bridal Party

Groom's Party