Bright Inspirational Real Wedding stories

A Bold and Tropical Colombian-Inspired Backyard Wedding in Phoenix, Arizona

“We met the modern way — by swiping right!” The connection between Shalayne Pillar and Andrea Murillo was instant, and for their first date, Andrea planned a perfect surprise. “Andrea knocked it out of the park by taking me to a plant-themed speakeasy for happy hour,” Shalayne recalls. “We ended ...

A Colorful Indian Wedding Featuring Dazzling Desert Hues at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort

It was an ordinary day, with a group of first-year students on a library tour of UCLA’s campus. Taylor Munuz, always quick with humor, cracked a joke. Alina Ahmed recalls, “Taylor made a joke (that was actually pretty funny), and I happened to be the one who laughed the loudest.” Taylor turned to...

A Vibrant "Havana Nights"-Inspired Wedding at The Bath Club in Miami Beach

A simple swipe on a dating app led to something extraordinary for grooms Frank and Alex. “Sparks flew for us, igniting a connection that transcended screens and pixels,” Alex recalls. Their bond only grew stronger, evolving from late-night conversations to shared dreams and adventures. Twelve yea...

Comedian Naomi Ekperigin Weds in Laid-Back Nuptials at The Fig House in Los Angeles

Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman met over a decade ago while taking improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City; the beginning of the perfect rom-com if we’ve ever heard one (and very fitting, as Naomi is a stand-up comedian in addition to being an actress, writer an...

A Bright, Floral-Forward Wedding With Jamaican Infusions at Martin's West in Baltimore, Maryland

Over two decades ago, two people had a chance encounter that would act as a jumping-off point for true love to grow. Latoya Francis-Williams recalls, “We met when I walked into the best Jamaican restaurant in town.” Donovan Cunningham, the charismatic owner, “took pride in getting to know every p...

Disco and Carnival Vibes Filled This Vibrant Pink Wedding at 501 Union in Brooklyn, New York

Molly Sprick and Andrew Reid’s story began at George Mason University, where the world of theater brought them together. “Andrew was a playwriting major, and I was close friends with many of the theater students, so our meeting was inevitable,” Molly recalls. Their first encounter happened in the...

One Couple's Luxurious Multi-Day Destination Wedding at Penha Longa Resort in Portugal

Kanishka Patel and Rajat Malik's love story began as serendipity and crescendoed in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. "It was a dreamy escape to Santorini, Greece, where the azure Mediterranean Sea provided a stunning backdrop to our love story," Kanishka reminisces. The proposal w...

A Lush, French-Inspired Garden Wedding at The Foundry in Long Island City, New York

Allyson Shurmur and Pierre-Adrien Villenave’s love story began in the heart of Philadelphia, where their paths crossed while Pierre attended the University of Pennsylvania and Allyson worked at the university’s hospital. Sparks flew, leading to their memorable first date in a quaint bar in Center...

Pastel Blue and Purple Set an Enchanting Tone at This Wedding at Cactus Moon Lodge in Dripping Springs, Texas

The unlikely beginning of Mikaela Volpicelli and Britton Gammons’ love story unfolded in the heart of San Diego. Mikaela recalls, “He was my neighbor. I essentially got hollered one day off his balcony, and the rest was history.” This serendipitous moment marked the start of an undeniable connect...

This Eclectic Wedding Had a 420 Bar at The Holly Farm in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California

During a romantic getaway in Marin County, Bill and Katy embarked on an adventure that would forever change their lives. Katy recalls, "We hiked out to a secluded beach on a perfectly sunny day in February and picnicked on a private dune." The serene beauty of their surroundings and the joy of th...

A Jungle-Inspired Wedding With Balinese Details at Valentine DTLA in Los Angeles

Ariana Chomitz and Owen Finnegan were both young when they met in Washington, DC. Their paths diverged, but fate brought them back together. “Years later, he reached out and confessed out of nowhere that he still thought about me, and I admitted that I felt the same way,” Ariana explains. Their l...

This Wedding Artfully Blended Bold and Simple Details at Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina

"We met on Hinge after I saw a photo of Jamison's dog, Kaya (who was the flower girl at the wedding)!" Cara Del Duca describes the kick-start to her romance with Jamison Blazick. Being two adventurous spirits, their first date was no ordinary one. Cara remembers, "We met for a day-long adventure ...

Disco Cowboys, Prepare to Swoon Over This Retro Wedding at The Addison Grove in Austin, Texas

A chance encounter at a local dive bar in Kenmore, Washington, sparked the beginning of Nikki Lang and Dustin Bowman’s forever. Fast forward to a magical moment at Disney World, where Dustin planned a surprise that would forever change their lives. “He proposed in a secluded enclave at the France...

Who Doesn't Love Pastels? A Colorful, Dance-Focused Wedding at Shinola Hotel in Detroit

In the warm embrace of a Northern Michigan summer soirée, Amy Beck and Gus Navarro discovered a magnetic connection that felt like destiny. “That first night, we figured out how much we were drawn to each other playing apples to apples,” Amy explains. Their playful spirits were a perfect match, a...

A Desert Wedding With Midcentury Modern Touches at the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage, California

A simple swipe on a dating app can lead to great things. Andrew Rohrlich recalls, "Being the eager beaver that I am, I asked Danny if he wanted to get coffee later that day." That coffee date with Danny Lewis marked the start of a lasting connection. "I literally felt sparks fly when Danny walked...

A Sustainable Wedding Embracing Nature at Pie Ranch in Pescadero, California

"We met while studying sustainable agriculture in Santa Cruz, California, in 2016," Leigh Gaymon-Jones recalls. Her connection with Beth Burzynski steadily grew over time, nurtured by the shared experiences, living and working together for a year and a half, and they began dating. Then, during a ...

Bright Colors and Impeccable Food Left Guests in Awe at This Wedding in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

For Paige Chenault and Stephen Lohoefer, friendship laid the foundation for lifelong love. “We were friends for years first. True friends!” Paige laughs. As destiny would have it, Stephen, the pastor of Paige’s church, ran into Paige, the founder of The Birthday Party Project, on a walk around th...

Mustard Yellow Is the Star at This Boho Desert Wedding at the Parker in Palm Springs, California

"It was truly love at second sight," Camille Johnson laughs. She first crossed paths with Gary Johnson during their teen years. "Needless to say, that was not the beginning of our story." They reconnected eight years later at a mutual friend's birthday party in Harlem, NY. Gary explains, "We spen...

We Can't Get Over This Carefree California Wedding With Desert Accents at the Vintage Ojai Rancho Inn

Friendship blossoming into a romance is a rare thing that should be celebrated. When Emma Claffy and Brett Fairless met at an ad agency in Los Angeles, they clicked immediately. "We were friends for a year," Emma explains. At some point, the pair decided to head out on a first date. "We bonded ov...

This Wedding at Basilica Hudson in Upstate New York is a Masterclass in Rocking Bold Colors

Brittany Hicks and Manny Sevillano’s love story is a testament to the power of friendship, laughter and dance. Their journey began in college, where they had many mutual friends but didn’t know each other very well. They reunited in New York City after graduation and quickly became close friends,...

Calling All Wes Anderson Fans—This Quirky Wedding at The Cracker Factory in Geneva, New York, Is for You

Jenny and Steve Manganaro’s love story began with a serendipitous introduction by the bride’s cousin and his wife. What started as a simple friendship became a romance transcending geographical barriers. The pair remained committed despite Steve’s relocation to Los Angeles to pursue his career in...

The Beauty of New Mexico Was on Display at This Colorful Wedding at La Posada De Santa Fe

Love can take us by surprise, and for Ashley Ford and Charlie Strauss, it was the pandemic that brought them together. “Charlie slid into my DMs asking what I was up to,” Ashley recalls, “and that’s how our love story began.” After moving back to Texas from New York City, Ashley visited Charlie i...

Every Color of the Rainbow Was on Display at This Clifton Inn Wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia

“Brian and I met at a conference for scientists,” reveals Emily Zboril about the start of her relationship with Brian Moy. “He told me about his dissertation work and handed me his business card! The rest, as they say, is history.” Brian proposed in San Antonio during a Christmastime drive. “He t...