A Rustic Wedding at Lake Guntersville State Park and Lodge in Guntersville, Alabama

Riley Hauser (22 and a marketing assistant) and Cory Corcoran’s (24 and an operations manager) relationship had a rather unexpected start — it all began with a dare. “I was with a group of fellow UAB dance team members doing a 25 Days of Christmas challenge and everyone had a dare to complete,” says Riley. “Mine was to kiss a stranger. I was very shy and decided I was just wasn't going to do it. While in the restroom, my friends found Cory and explained the situation to him. When I walked back out to meet everyone, he came over and kissed me.” The unique event set a two-year relationship and an eventual walk down the aisle into motion. After two years together, Cory popped the question, making a surprise trip to Riley’s hometown and proposing on the dock at Santa Rosa Beach with her whole family present. For their wedding the couple decided to keep things close to home, hosting the affair at Lake Guntersville State Park. “Family and friends from out of town were able to stay at the wedding location. The Lodge at the state park is breathtaking with dark wood, vaulted ceilings and stone columns, plus the terrace overlooking the lake is a spectacular view,” says Riley. The couple went for a rustic theme to play up the natural setting, looking to wood elements, lush greenery and lanterns to bring their vision to life. Details like a cowboy boot groom’s cake, mistletoe accents at the sweetheart table and writing their own vows allowed the couple to put a personal twist on the day.