In 1988, Pérez met Grammy-winning Mexican American singer Selena. Two years later, Selena's family hired him to play in her band and they quickly fell in love. At first her father did not approve of the relationship and went as far as firing Pérez from the band. However, he eventually came to accept the relationship. On April 2, 1992, Selena and Pérez married in Nueces County, Texas and Selena legally added Pérez's surname to her own.