Fantasy Inspirational Real Wedding stories

Rustic-Eclectic Wes Anderson-Inspired Beach Wedding at The Ritz Carlton in Dubai

Elis Bechir and Raffy Etyemezian’s love story began in the heart of Dubai, where the two first met at a rooftop lounge overlooking the Arabian Gulf. What started as a few chance meetings quickly evolved into something deeper. The pair found joy in each other’s company, often sharing lighthearted ...

This Castle Destination Wedding in Slovakia Beautifully Celebrated Multiculturalism

Sitting together at the same dinner table during a luxury wedding summit, sparks flew between strangers Arianna Grijalba and Peter Kiral. However, it wasn’t until the next day at a pool party that Arianna’s friend encouraged her to talk to Peter. The conversation quickly revealed Peter’s incredib...

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...

Non-Traditional Couples, Take Note: A Moody Celebration at 74 Wythe in Brooklyn, New York

Friends for six years before their romantic relationship began, Erin Tonkon and Brent Bettes both hail from Dallas, Texas, and spent significant parts of their lives in California and New York. As Erin recalls, "We both ultimately didn't meet until we lived in New York," where their friendship de...

A Multi-Day Jewish-Indian Fusion Wedding Amongst the Redwoods in San Gregorio, California

Karly and Hriday's mutual friend, who would later play a pivotal role as their wedding officiant, decided to invite the two strangers on an epic, multi-couple date. They met, hit it off and the rest, as they say, is history. After deciding to spend the rest of their lives with one another, they s...

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...

An Earthy, Laid-Back SoCal Wedding at The Old Rancho Wedding Estate in Carlsbad

“I know a lot of people knock ‘love at first sight,’” Caroline Baratz says, “but we know it to be true.” She and Dan Sansa met amidst the buzz of Harlem at a little hole-in-the-wall bar. The bride fondly remembers the moment she first laid eyes on him. “When I saw Dan crossing the street, I had t...

A Bright and Boisterous Beach Wedding at The Cape in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

During the middle of the pandemic, many sought entertainment and solace online. This was true for Darsie Williams Maddox and Alex Maddox, whose love story began on Bumble in November 2020. Darsie recalls the instant she met Alex, "It just felt like meeting an old friend!" This sentiment laid the ...

A Stylish LA Couple Celebrated Their Wedding With a Cozy Escape to The St. Regis in Aspen, Colorado

"It was a total setup," Lauren Berghoff laughs about the day mutual friends invited her and Jack Winthrop to a beach day in Malibu. Little did they know, this orchestrated meeting would mark the beginning of a lifelong love. Fast forward to a chilly evening in Aspen, where Jack planned a moment t...

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...

Art Inspired This Wedding of Two Photographers at Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown, Connecticut

A decade ago, Kaylyn Leighton and Joe Sinthavong crossed paths as photographers at a fashion start-up. "What started out as a friendship blossomed into the deepest connection we would ever know," Kaylyn fondly recalls. Their love story reached a magical turning point in Versailles during a foggy ...

An Intimate, Fantastical Treehouse Wedding at The Emerald Forest in Redmond, Washington

Chloe Smeby and Joseph (JD) Torres share a love story that blossomed within the disciplined corridors of the military, where their paths first crossed. Chloe recalls, “My husband and I started out as just friends.” Their friendship, rooted in that innocent camaraderie, grew quietly over the years...

Dark Detail Lovers—This Fall Wedding at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum Is for You

There's nothing like pure serendipity on a getaway weekend. Jake Parrick fondly recalls, "We met in Nashville during the 4th of July weekend, and it was attraction (love, if you will) at first sight." The sparks flew between Jake and Ethan Campbell. When Ethan decided he wanted to pop the questio...

Pastels Abound at This Celestial-Inspired Wedding at Newcastle Golf Club in Seattle, Washington

After meeting through a mutual friend during their university days, Haoyan and Yilan struck up a relationship that would end up being lifelong. When it came time to plan their nuptials, the bride and groom offered a shared passion for the wedding aesthetic. "We both majored in Physics, so we pick...

Exclusive: Modern "Bridgerton" Vibes Filled Sean Taylor's Ornate Wedding at Dover Hall in Richmond, Virginia

Sean Taylor and Eric Carlstrom’s love story almost didn’t happen. “We had multiple missed connection moments and finally reconnected on Tinder years later,” Sean details. It was as though destiny was giving them a second chance to find each other. Their relationship faced its first major hurdle w...

The Legend of Zelda Inspired This Couple's Magical Wedding at Cielo Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California

Sometimes, the hallowed halls of your university are an idyllic place to form a love connection. Peyton Pierce reminisces on the start of her relationship with Mathew (Mat) Paton, "We met in college at what Mat would like to say was a party, but it was really a sorority fundraiser." Sparks flew o...

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...

Experience Detroit at a Wedding With Art Deco Details at The Fisher Building

Martha Maytham and Jen McCain first locked eyes at the Wayhome Music Festival on a balmy summer day in 2016. “Our paths almost crossed several times over the years,” Martha notes. “But, as fate would have it, we wouldn’t meet until the festival.” Three years after their first encounter, Jen poppe...

Prepare to be Royally Wowed by This Opulent, Maximalist Wedding at Dover Hall Estate in Richmond, Virginia

Kelly McLean and Corey Mahoney go way back. “Corey and I were high school sweethearts,” Kelly shares. “Our connection was so instantaneous and organic that we were only friends for a few weeks before we decided to date.” It was at Barboursville Vineyards, one of their favorite spots in Charlottes...

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...

A Garden-Inspired Coastal Wedding With Chinoiserie Elements at Blue Heron Landing in Stevensville, Maryland

Elizabeth (Liz) Jaramillo and Adaye Russom’s first phone conversation lasted hours—there’s nothing like a clear, telltale sign to kick-start a relationship. After six-and-a-half years, Liz knew exactly what Adaye was looking for in a proposal. “The pomp and circumstance of big proposals, although...

Feel the Island Breeze at This Couple’s Bohemian Wedding at Olowalu on Maui, Hawaii

Sometimes, you must wait for the right time to fall in love. Jewels and Khang Nguyen first met as teenagers through mutual friends, then again as young adults. Though they dated for a while, they broke up, and it would’ve seemed their story was over. “We grew apart, then we grew up,” Jewels notes...