AN ICONIC KENTUCKY WEDDING DAY
Mary Claire and John’s love story began in high school through mutual friends, but it wasn’t until they both ended up at the University of Kentucky that they had more than just casual encounters. Still, it wasn’t until Mary Claire moved to Nashville that they truly reconnected. One weekend trip to Knoxville for a UK football game and magic—they finally exchanged numbers.
Fun fact: During that trip, Mary Claire casually told her bridesmaids, Anne Alyse and Carli, that she was thinking about asking John to her office Christmas party. Carli’s immediate response? “Don’t just invite him—date him!” And on the flip side, one of John’s best friends, Ashton, was telling him the same thing about Mary Claire. Little did they know, their friends were right!
John had kept the proposal a secret from everyone—Mary Claire’s family, included! He’d spoken to her dad months earlier, but didn’t share a word with her. So when he got down on one knee, it was a total shock—and a moment filled with tears, laughter, and joy! He knew exactly what he was doing when he proposed during their annual Christmas lights trip to the Opry Hotel. It was a tradition that Mary Claire had no idea would turn into the most memorable moment of their lives.
Mary Claire and John’s wedding day was nothing short of iconic—celebrated at the historic Seelbach Hotel, a true gem of Louisville’s history. To honor their Kentucky roots, they had a Churchill Downs bugler serenade them, filling the air with that unmistakable Kentucky charm. The details throughout the day—like nods to the Derby and their shared love for their home state—were a beautiful tribute to their heritage. The couple made sure their Kentucky love was felt in every detail of the day, from the venue to the little nods to their shared home. It wasn’t just a wedding; it was a celebration of their story and their roots.
When Mary Claire and John look back on this time, they’ll remember the joy of celebrating with the people who matter most to them. And let’s be real, their friends and family have been instrumental in their story, especially when they pushed them to take that leap into love<3
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