Gabby Thomas’s husband is Spencer McManes, an entrepreneur and former college football player. The Olympic sprinting champion and McManes married in October 2026, celebrating their wedding on October 30 at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Their relationship began in 2022, and McManes proposed in March 2025 in Austin, Texas. Their wedding marks a new chapter for Thomas following her historic three-gold-medal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Olympic champion Gabby Thomas is married to Spencer McManes, an entrepreneur and former Yale University quarterback. The couple celebrated their wedding on October 30, 2026, at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, following an earlier civil marriage ceremony in Austin, Texas.
The wedding marks an important personal milestone for Thomas, who became one of the most celebrated American athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics after winning three gold medals. While her performances on the track have made her internationally famous, her relationship with McManes has also attracted considerable attention.
Their love story began in 2022 through social media, developed through a first date in Austin, and eventually led to a romantic rooftop proposal in March 2025.
The couple’s wedding was particularly memorable for its beachfront setting, personalized details and unexpected rainy weather. Their story offers a glimpse into the personal life of an athlete who balances international competition with relationships, education and ambitions beyond professional sports.
Who Is Gabby Thomas’s Husband?
Gabby Thomas’s husband is Spencer McManes, an American entrepreneur and former college football quarterback.
McManes attended Yale University, where he played quarterback for the Yale Bulldogs football team. He graduated in 2017 with a degree in political science and government.
Although Thomas is internationally recognized for her achievements in athletics, McManes has developed his professional career in business and entrepreneurship.
He is also known as the founder of Kaviva, a non-alcoholic kava beverage brand.
His relationship with Thomas brought him into the public spotlight, particularly during the Paris Olympics, when he supported her athletic journey and celebrated her achievements.
Despite the attention surrounding their relationship, McManes has maintained his own professional identity rather than building his public profile solely around his wife’s sporting career.
Spencer McManes: Quick Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Spencer McManes |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Yale University |
| Degree | Political Science and Government |
| College sport | Football |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Profession | Entrepreneur |
| Business | Kaviva |
| Wife | Gabby Thomas |
| Wedding | October 2026 |
There is limited independently verified public information about McManes’s exact age, date of birth and personal finances. Those details should not be presented as confirmed without reliable documentation.
How Did Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes Meet?
The love story between Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes began in 2022, with an Instagram follow and a direct message.
In a November 5, 2026, wedding feature published by Vogue, Thomas and McManes shared details about how their relationship started.
The couple had mutual friends, but they had not initially met in person. Thomas followed McManes on Instagram, and he quickly sent her a direct message.
Their online conversation eventually led to a first date at a speakeasy in downtown Austin, Texas.
Interestingly, their first date lasted approximately three hours. They talked about everyday interests, including pizza and the television series Game of Thrones.
Thomas later reflected on how an ordinary social media interaction developed into a lasting relationship.
The story is particularly interesting because neither person’s professional career was the original reason for their connection. Their relationship developed through shared interests, conversations and time spent together.
Their First Date in Austin
Austin became an important location in their relationship.
The city was where they went on their first date, where they later became engaged and where they established their home base.
Their connection also developed through a shared appreciation for food, travel, friends and everyday experiences.
According to their Vogue interview, pizza was one of the interests that helped bring them together.
This small detail became a recurring theme in their eventual wedding celebrations.
When Did Spencer McManes Propose to Gabby Thomas?
Spencer McManes proposed to Gabby Thomas in March 2025 during a surprise rooftop celebration in Austin, Texas.
He planned the proposal around a staycation that appeared to be an ordinary celebration of the beginning of Thomas’s track season.
However, the occasion had a special purpose.
McManes arranged flowers and candles on a rooftop overlooking the city. He also received help from Thomas’s friends, who assisted with the preparations before hiding so they could witness the surprise.
Thomas did not initially realize that a proposal was coming.
In her Vogue interview, she explained that she was genuinely surprised, even though there had been a few clues surrounding the arrangements.
After the proposal, the couple celebrated with close friends over dinner at J. Carver’s, one of Thomas’s favorite restaurants in Austin.
How Long Were Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes Engaged?
The couple announced their engagement in March 2025 and married in October 2026.
Their engagement lasted approximately 19 months.
During this period, Thomas continued competing internationally while also preparing for her wedding.
In a July 2026 interview with the Associated Press, Thomas discussed balancing wedding preparations with her athletic schedule.
She explained that making time for important things was a matter of prioritizing what she cared about.
Her comments offered a glimpse into how she approaches both professional commitments and personal relationships. KSL News+1
Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes Wedding: What Happened in October 2026?
The biggest development in the couple’s relationship came in October 2026, when Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes officially became husband and wife.
Their wedding celebrations included two important occasions.
1. Civil Marriage Ceremony in Austin
Before their destination wedding, Thomas shared photographs from a courthouse ceremony in Austin, Texas.
On October 26, 2026, she posted photographs showing the couple outside the Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse.
Her caption read:
“Mr. & Mrs. McManes🤍 Can’t wait to meet you at the altar.”
The photographs confirmed that the couple had completed a civil marriage ceremony.
The announcement attracted considerable attention among athletics fans and entertainment publications.
2. Destination Wedding in Cabo San Lucas
The couple subsequently celebrated their wedding on October 30, 2026, at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
In its November 5 wedding feature, Vogue published an extensive account of the celebration, including photographs and comments from both newlyweds.
The couple wanted the event to feel like an extended celebration rather than a single formal evening.
They invited family and friends to stay at the resort and enjoy several days together.
The wedding incorporated personal details representing their shared experiences, including:
- Their relationship and travels together.
- Their family and close friends.
- Their two dogs.
- Their shared appreciation for pizza.
- Their connection to Austin, Texas.
The ceremony took place on a beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The Rainy Wedding That Produced a Rainbow
One of the most memorable moments of the wedding was the weather.
According to Thomas, it had been raining throughout the day. However, the rain stopped just as the ceremony began, and a rainbow appeared behind the couple as she approached the altar.
The unexpected rainbow became a memorable backdrop for their wedding photographs.
Thomas was escorted down the aisle by both her mother and father, while her grandfather officiated the ceremony.
She later described feeling grateful and excited as she looked around at the family and friends who had travelled to celebrate with them.
Although the weather forced the reception indoors, it did not prevent the celebration from continuing.
The guests enjoyed an energetic evening featuring hip-hop, classic songs and country music.
The couple’s wedding was a personal celebration rather than simply a high-profile celebrity event.
What Did Gabby Thomas Wear at Her Wedding?
Gabby Thomas wore three custom outfits designed by Israeli fashion house Galia Lahav for her wedding celebrations.
Each outfit was selected for a different part of the event.
1. The Ceremony Wedding Dress
For the ceremony, Thomas chose a romantic lace gown with a basque waist.
The design featured a dramatic silhouette, sleeves and a veil, giving it a classic and elegant appearance.
She explained that she had initially expected to choose a simpler dress but changed her mind after trying on the Galia Lahav design.
The dress made her feel like a princess and reflected the romantic atmosphere she wanted for the ceremony.
2. The Reception Dress
For the reception, Thomas changed into a second Galia Lahav outfit.
The dress had a more glamorous and striking appearance, designed for dinner, dancing and the evening celebration.
It also included a bustle that allowed her to move comfortably during the couple’s choreographed first dance.
3. The After-Party Dress and Sneakers
For the final part of the wedding, Thomas selected a shorter Galia Lahav dress called the Hazel.
She paired it with custom New Balance sneakers.
The footwear was a meaningful choice because New Balance had been her partner throughout her running career at Harvard.
The combination reflected her personality: elegant bridal fashion alongside the practical footwear of a professional athlete.
It also allowed her to dance freely throughout the evening.
What Did Spencer McManes Wear at the Wedding?
Spencer McManes selected a white tuxedo jacket paired with black trousers.
He explained to Vogue that he wanted to wear white for the occasion because it was an opportunity to wear a distinctive formal outfit.
His groomsmen wore traditional black tuxedos.
However, McManes added a personal detail by giving each groomsman a bolo tie instead of a traditional black bow tie.
The decision had family significance.
His great-grandfather had passed down a bolo tie to him, and it had become a regular part of his formal wardrobe.
By incorporating the accessory into the wedding, McManes included a small piece of family history in the celebration.
Who Is Spencer McManes Outside His Marriage to Gabby Thomas?
While many people first learned about Spencer McManes through his relationship with Gabby Thomas, he has his own background in education, athletics and entrepreneurship.
His Yale University Football Career
McManes attended Yale University and played quarterback for the university’s football team.
He graduated in 2017 with a degree in political science and government, according to his publicly reported biography.
His time at Yale is an interesting connection to Thomas’s academic background.
Thomas attended Harvard University, meaning both members of the couple have connections to two well-known Ivy League institutions.
Although they attended different universities and competed in different sports, their academic and athletic experiences became an interesting part of their relationship story.
His Business Career
After graduating from Yale, McManes worked in consulting before moving into customer success and business-related roles.
He eventually relocated to Austin, Texas, where he developed his entrepreneurial interests.
His professional journey later led him to establish Kaviva, a non-alcoholic kava beverage company.
What Is Kaviva?
Kaviva is a beverage brand founded by Spencer McManes in 2023.
The company focuses on non-alcoholic kava-based drinks.
Kava is a plant traditionally used in parts of the Pacific Islands and is associated with beverages consumed in social settings.
McManes developed the brand around the idea of offering an alternative to conventional alcoholic drinks.
His entrepreneurial work provides another dimension to his professional identity beyond being an athlete’s husband.
For readers interested in his background, it is important not to confuse his company’s business activity with independently verified personal wealth. No reliable public financial disclosure establishes his individual net worth.
Who Is Gabby Thomas? A Look at Her Olympic Career
To understand why Gabby Thomas’s wedding attracted so much attention, it is worth looking at her achievements as an athlete.
Gabby Thomas, whose full name is Gabrielle Thomas, is an American track and field athlete specializing in sprinting events, particularly the 100 meters and 200 meters.
She was born on December 7, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thomas attended Harvard University, where she studied neurobiology and global health. She later completed a master’s degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
Her academic achievements are particularly notable because she balanced demanding university studies with elite-level athletics.
Gabby Thomas’s Three Gold Medals at the Paris Olympics
Thomas achieved one of the biggest milestones of her sporting career at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
She won three gold medals:
- Women’s 200 meters: She won the individual final in 21.83 seconds.
- Women’s 4×100-meter relay: She helped the United States win gold.
- Women’s 4×400-meter relay: She contributed to another American gold medal.
Her victory in the 200 meters was especially significant because she became the first American woman to win the Olympic event since Allyson Felix in 2012.
She had previously won a bronze medal in the 200 meters and a silver medal in the 4×100-meter relay at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
According to Team USA and World Athletics, Thomas is a three-time Olympic champion and five-time Olympic medalist. Team USA+2
Her achievements have established her as one of the leading figures in international women’s sprinting.
How Does Spencer McManes Support Gabby Thomas’s Athletic Career?
McManes has been a visible supporter of Thomas throughout their relationship.
He has attended competitions and celebrated her achievements, including her historic performance at the Paris Olympics.
Their relationship has also developed alongside the demands of professional athletics.
Elite sprinting requires extensive training, international travel, competition preparation and recovery. Having a supportive partner can be valuable when balancing those commitments with personal life.
Thomas has also spoken about making time for the things that matter to her.
In her July 2026 Associated Press interview, she explained that wedding planning was manageable alongside her athletic schedule because she prioritized the things she cared about.
This perspective offers an interesting look at how the Olympic champion approaches life beyond competition.
What Have Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes Said About Their Wedding?
The most detailed public account of their wedding comes from their November 5, 2026, interview and photographs published by Vogue.
Both Thomas and McManes discussed the planning process, their personal preferences and the significance of the celebration.
Thomas explained that she wanted wedding planning to be an enjoyable experience shared by both partners.
Rather than organizing the event around what other people might expect, she focused on the details that would make the day meaningful to them.
McManes also explained that they wanted to incorporate their family, friends, dogs, travels and shared interests into the celebration.
Thomas described the wedding as an unforgettable experience and expressed gratitude for the people who travelled to celebrate with them.
These comments provide direct insight from the newlyweds rather than relying solely on outside speculation.
Why Gabby Thomas’s Marriage Matters to Her Fans
Gabby Thomas’s marriage is a personal milestone, but it has also attracted interest because of her international sporting achievements.
There are several reasons readers are interested in her husband and relationship.
A new chapter after Olympic success: Thomas married following one of the most successful periods of her professional athletics career.
A relationship that began online: Her love story with McManes started with an Instagram follow and a direct message, making it relatable to many people.
Two different athletic backgrounds: Thomas competed in track and field at Harvard, while McManes played football at Yale.
Their shared life in Austin: The city has played an important role in their relationship, from their first date to their engagement and civil marriage.
A personal wedding celebration: Their Cabo wedding incorporated family traditions, personal interests and meaningful details rather than focusing exclusively on celebrity attention.
Their story also highlights that professional success and personal relationships can develop alongside one another.
What Happens Next for Gabby Thomas and Her Husband?
Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes have entered married life following their October 2026 celebrations.
There has been no announcement of a major change to their professional or personal plans following the wedding.
Thomas remains an active professional athlete, and her sporting ambitions continue to include international competitions and the possibility of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
She has also expressed interest in women’s healthcare as a potential future career direction, drawing on her academic background in public health.
McManes continues to have his own entrepreneurial interests through Kaviva.
For now, the couple’s wedding represents an important personal milestone rather than a change in Thomas’s sporting identity.
Fans can continue following their professional activities and occasional public updates through their social media accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Gabby Thomas’s husband?
Gabby Thomas’s husband is Spencer McManes, an American entrepreneur and former Yale University football quarterback. He is also the founder of the non-alcoholic beverage brand Kaviva. The couple married in October 2026.
2. When did Gabby Thomas get married?
Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes celebrated their wedding on October 30, 2026, at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They also shared photographs from an earlier civil marriage ceremony in Austin, Texas.
3. How did Gabby Thomas meet Spencer McManes?
Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes began their relationship in 2022 after connecting on Instagram. Their first date took place at a speakeasy in downtown Austin, where they reportedly spent three hours talking.
4. When did Spencer McManes propose to Gabby Thomas?
Spencer McManes proposed to Gabby Thomas in March 2025 in Austin, Texas. He arranged a surprise rooftop celebration with flowers and candles, with assistance from Thomas’s friends.
5. What does Spencer McManes do for a living?
Spencer McManes is an entrepreneur and businessman. He founded Kaviva, a non-alcoholic kava beverage brand, in 2023. He previously played college football at Yale University and graduated in 2017.
6. Did Spencer McManes play football at Yale?
Yes. Spencer McManes played quarterback for the Yale Bulldogs football team. He graduated from Yale University in 2017 with a degree in political science and government.
7. Where did Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes get married?
The couple celebrated their destination wedding at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They exchanged vows on a beachfront setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
8. What wedding dress did Gabby Thomas wear?
Gabby Thomas wore three custom Galia Lahav outfits. Her ceremony dress was a romantic lace gown with a basque waist, followed by a glamorous reception dress and a shorter after-party outfit paired with New Balance sneakers.
9. Does Gabby Thomas have children?
As of November 6, 2026, there is no publicly confirmed announcement that Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes have children.
10. How many Olympic gold medals has Gabby Thomas won?
Gabby Thomas has won three Olympic gold medals, all at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She won the women’s 200 meters, 4×100-meter relay and 4×400-meter relay. She also won a silver and bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
11. How old is Gabby Thomas?
Gabby Thomas was born on December 7, 1996. She is 29 years old as of November 6, 2026, and will turn 30 in December 2026.
12. Are Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes still together?
Yes. They married in October 2026 and publicly celebrated their wedding through photographs and an exclusive feature published by Vogue on November 5, 2026.
