With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re thrilled to announce the finalists of Wed Society Nashville’s annual Looks of Love contest! There’s truly nothing more heartwarming than reading a love story and seeing beautiful photos that capture the special bond between two people. Over the past two weeks, our team has read and admired the many amazing love stories shared to us and have selected the top 8 couples to enter our Instagram voting competition kicking off on Tuesday, February 11th! Keep on reading to get a jumpstart on reading the incredible love stories of these 8 couples and tune in each day to wedsociety.nashville on Instagram to vote for your favorite couples and love story. The winner will be announced on Friday, February 14th and receive a romantic stay at Gaylord Opryland Resort.
Claudia & Mikey
Onward Photography
“Claudia + Mikey met on Hinge when they were in college. On the second date, Mikey taught Claudia how to drive his stick shift car and they spent 5 hours just talking, that’s when they knew something was different. They fell in love over their mutual love for life, fitness and adventure. They love living in East Nashville together with their golden retriever. This December, they took a trip to Florida to spend time with Claudia’s family. On Mikey’s birthday, he proposed to Claudia on the beach during their morning run.”
Lexi & Matthew
Moody Mountain Photography
“While working at a small town bakery & coffee shop in my hometown of Paris, TN during my highschool years, I truly realized how much ‘love’ filled the walls. As a business that hired special needs individuals, the staff was sure to learn patience, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. There was one lady that I just really connected with. She worked as one of the bakers and was better known as ‘Mawmaw’ by all staff and special team members. Conversations arose while we were together icing cinnamon rolls, rolling cookie dough, assisting special team members at the cash register, etc. Soon enough, ‘Mawmaw’ knew my whole life story and I knew hers. Once she really got to know me, she consistently told me how much I reminded her of her grandson, how we would be a perfect couple, and just how precious we both were. Of course, I laughed and continued restocking the cookie trays. As my senior year was approaching, I gave ‘Mawmaw’ a 4×4 picture of me in my cap and gown as I considered her my grandmother too at this point. She ended up putting my picture on her fridge, which of course brought questions and stirred conversation when her grandson came to visit;) We went to highschool together, but never talked. Fast forward a few months later, her grandson slid up on my Snapchat story… The rest is history. A love story truly Made With Love.”
Ray & Kelly
Gloria Stults
“Both of us having come off of some heartbreak, caved to the “I’m not dating anymore for now” mentality. Kelly, decided she would do something for herself she had always wanted and bought her white “Clueless” Jeep. Unfortunately, it needed some work and the dealership continued not to be able to handle it. So she was directed to an off road store. She had a limited window of time to meet with them, so she was advised to come during the shop managers lunch. Expecting an angry, greasy, possibly toothless man.. she reluctantly went. To her surprise, he was none of these things. If he had been irritated about the timing, it seemed to melt away quickly. Over the coming months, they seemed to be old friends as he helped get the jeep safely back on the road. She was never sure if they were just those kind of people or if he was interested.
Over New Year’s Eve, Kelly and her best friend made visions boards and goals. One of those included a list of the things we looked for in a man. A man to marry one day.
One night, she got a random text from him about a hotel. She knew it wasn’t meant for her, but no one else is convinced he didn’t purposely start the conversation. Ray then told her he and his friends were celebrating his birthday and if she got out maybe they would bump into each other. Sweaty and preparing to clean the house, Kelly sprung into action gathering a friend, clean clothes and getting ready to “run into Ray”. That evening was as if it had happened for years. After fun and blending friends, we sat at river front until 5 am talking. When Ray first kissed me, everything stood still. I had never experienced that before! When he took me to my friends after breakfast, I told her (and called my brother) he was the one. He had everything except 2 things on my list!! Which is now just one.. haha!
3 months later we said “ I love you.” 9 months after that we were engaged. And now 11 years later, we are happily more in love than ever! We have two beautiful girls. Kadence was 5 when we met, 6 when we married and now a senior in high school. We had Raegan right before our 2 year anniversary and she’s now in 3rd grade.”
Chelsey & Daniel
James Wolf Photography
“Daniel and Chelsey met in 2019 while they were in college. He had just moved from California to play baseball, and she was applying to PA school. His plan was always simple: do his 2 years and leave- like serving a sentence, he liked to joke. Things changed once he met Chelsey. Immediately, he could tell she was special and even found himself donating blood just to bring her flowers. Chelsey on the other hand, loved showing Daniel around Nashville. Being the romantic he is, he took them on a helicopter ride over the city to celebrate their first year together. Following the pandemic, they moved in together and learned even more about each other. He learned that she loves trying new foods—so just in case she doesn’t like hers, he always orders something simple. He learned how to do her hair, so they can finally be on time. She learned playoff baseball starts in October and now roots for the Dodgers.
Loving her was effortless and came natural, like breathing. She is his safe place, his greatest adventure, and his home away from home. Loving him was inescapable. He has made her feel powerful but also cherished, heard but only because she knows he is listening, and secure even when vulnerable. Daniel proposed a year later because he knew his heart was hers. For her, it was an easy yes because she finally felt unconditional, nonjudgmental love. Looking back, it all just feels like the right place at the right time.”
Madelyn & Nathan
Jiana Taylor Photography
“They say that third time’s the charm! And it was for us. After matching on the wild world of dating apps twice, both ending in failed attempts at making it to a date, I was sipping morning coffee and scrolling through my Facebook feed when I saw a Nashville Business Journal Article about the 40 Under 40 Winners. I clicked into it to scroll through the list of people, and there was a face that I found familiar (attached below!!). It read, “Nathan Greene, Cairn Financial Group.”
So, I hopped on Instagram and found him, clicked follow, and then moved along with my day. He was *apparently* very bothered that I had matched with him a couple of times and then disappeared via text like the typical online dating stories do, but I hadn’t even messaged him on Instagram after following. He sent a message saying “You ghost me and then don’t even slide into my DMs!” I told him I wouldn’t bail on a third date if he gave me shot, and I found myself walking into Never Never in Wedgewood Houston two nights later to meet him for drinks. It was August 31st. We hit it off so much that he wanted a second date…that night. So we went over to our favorite pub in town, Southside Kitchen (RIP). There we realized that we lived about a quarter of a mile from each other on the opposite sides of Nolensville Road. And from that night, we never really looked back.
He proposed two years later at Southall in Franklin with my family, his family, and our two best friends hiding in the bushes getting it all on film. And then we enjoyed the most lovely dinner afterwards with all of those that are special to us.
We are getting married on the same date this year in my mom’s backyard here in Nashville!”
JoAnna & Caleb
Diana Marie Photography
“I used to think people were crazy when they said, “Your person will come along when you least expect it” …until it happened to me. Caleb and I met at First Baptist Church in Athens, AL. The first Bible study I attended, he was following me on Instagram before I could get out of the church parking lot (but we didn’t even talk that night). I actually was dating someone else at the time. A few months passed, and I ended that relationship. My relationship at that time was really weighing heavily on me — especially while in church. I truly felt like I wasn’t with who God intended for me. I had been focusing on growing my faith in 2024 and even was baptized on my 28th birthday. I knew I needed a partner who brought me closer to Christ rather than the opposite.
The day after I broke up with my ex boyfriend, I attended a baby shower for another couple from church. Caleb and I talked for hours at the event. The following weekend I attended a bonfire for another guy from church who was celebrating his baptism. Caleb was there… more hours were spent talking. That then turned into texting & a date outside of church related festivities. The rest is history! We haven’t stopped talking since.
Within 4 months of dating he proposed (12.23.24). I have a Snapchat video saved that I sent to some girlfriends the night after the bonfire where I said, “I think I’ve found my husband.” When you know, you know. We both have never felt this way about anyone else; God has truly blessed us & answered so many prayers. We hope to be married later this year or spring 2026.”
Rylee & Cory
Cricket Morgan Photography
“I graduated from Auburn University and moved to Columbia, SC for a few years. But Nashville had always been my dream! When my job announced they were opening an office here, I knew it was my chance. So, I went onto Facebook searching for a roommate, and that’s when I met Sarah. We lived together with four other girls, and during that time, she got engaged! Fast forward a year, and I found myself at her wedding… where I couldn’t stop looking at a groomsman. Later that night, we were introduced, and sparks flew. It turns out he was a random college roommate of the groom! The next day, I texted my best friend and told her, “I met my husband.” Fast forward a year and a half—he proposed! Cory is everything I’ve ever dreamed of, and truly my soulmate. Nashville will always hold a special place in our hearts, because it’s where we met, fell in love, got our first apartment, got engaged, and now, we’re getting married! Our wedding is at Saint Elle on August 30th!”
Sara & Travis
“Our love story isn’t your typical one, but to us, it’s perfect. It didn’t follow the American Dream blueprint, but it’s ours. We met on January 12, 2013. I was so nervous because I thought he was completely out of my league. That night, we danced the night away and didn’t leave each other’s side until 5:30 in the morning. The very next day, less than 24 hours later, he messaged me asking if I wanted to go to the movies. I was thrilled—and a little surprised—when he didn’t waste any time. At the movies, I thought he’d pay like a gentleman, but he didn’t! I still laugh about it now, but honestly, I was so smitten I didn’t even care.
From that point on, we were inseparable. We saw each other every day and still joke about how the longest we’ve been apart is only five days. After we started dating exclusively, I quickly met his family and friends—it all happened so fast. Nine months later, I found out I was pregnant with our first child. I was 23 and scared out of my mind, but he was so excited. Not long after, he proposed on Easter. (I’ll never let him live that one down!)
We waited until 2016 to get married and had our dream wedding at Drakewood Farms. It was absolutely perfect—intimate, with 45 of our closest friends and family. There were so many happy tears. I truly felt like I was living a fairytale, marrying my best friend and the love of my life. Shortly after, we bought our first home, where we lived for four years before moving to Mount Juliet. We knew we wanted another child, but after six years of trying, the doctors told us it probably wouldn’t happen. I prayed for patience, and as they say, when you pray for patience, God laughs—because then we were blessed with twin girls!
We were overjoyed but also nervous to take on this journey together. Life with twins was chaotic, as expected, but when the girls were just four months old, I found out I was pregnant again with our son, Von. Our family of six is now complete. Our life hasn’t gone according to plan, but that’s what makes it so beautiful. We’ve learned to embrace every moment, and through it all, we still put each other first. I couldn’t do it without him—he’s my rock, my best friend, and the most incredible father to our kids.
When I look back on our journey, I see so much love, growth, and laughter. It feels like something out of a Disney fairytale. I found my Prince Charming, a man who loves me unconditionally, supports me, and stands by me in both good times and bad. I’m so blessed. I’m sharing this story because maybe we’ll win, maybe we won’t—but if we do, my husband and I would cherish a night alone, just the two of us. Either way, thank you for letting me reflect on this beautiful life we’ve built together.”
Be sure to vote on Wed Society Nashville Instagram stories every day from Tuesday, February 11th – Friday, February 14th and cheer on your favorite couple!
