Country music star Lainey Wilson and former NFL quarterback Duck Hodges are navigating the early days of married life with a mix of excitement and disbelief. The newlyweds made their debut as husband and wife at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, where Wilson earned seven nominations during one of country music’s most prestigious evenings. Speaking on the red carpet, the couple shared their thoughts on their whirlwind wedding week and the reality of calling each other husband and wife.
“It’s crazy. It really is crazy. Getting to call you my husband,” Wilson said as Hodges smiled beside her. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” the former quarterback added. The couple, who tied the knot just seven days before the awards ceremony, displayed natural chemistry as they finished each other’s sentences throughout the conversation. “We did just get married a week ago, but it feels very special,” Wilson continued. “I mean, this feels like we’re flipping the page into another chapter in our lives, and I couldn’t be excited to do with anybody else more than him.”
The moment that brought tears during the ceremony
The “Heart Like A Truck” singer opened up about the unexpected moment during her wedding day that hit her emotionally. Known for her signature bell-bottoms and cowboy hats, Wilson joked that simply seeing herself dressed as a traditional bride created a powerful impact. “Him seeing me in a dress for the first time,” the country star said with a laugh. “That was it.” Beyond the wardrobe transformation, the singer reflected more seriously on the ceremony’s emotional weight.
“Just doing that in front of your friends and your family,” Wilson explained. “It’s a big moment, and we were just excited to be up there.” Hodges added simply, “It was a good time.” The intimate ceremony reflected the couple’s desire to keep certain moments private while celebrating with loved ones in a setting that felt authentic to their relationship.
Rustic cave venue discovered during Tennessee backroad adventure
Wilson and Hodges exchanged vows on May 10 at The Ruskin Cave in Dickson, Tennessee, during a romantic ceremony held on a cobblestone ledge positioned in front of a cascading waterfall. The venue selection came through a spontaneous discovery rather than months of planning. The couple stumbled upon the location while driving Tennessee backroads together, spotting a billboard advertising the cave.
“Duck and I were driving backroads in Tennessee and saw a billboard for The Ruskin Cave,” Wilson recalled. “Duck said, ‘You wanna get married there?’ I said, ‘Done deal.'” The couple immediately connected with the cave’s natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. “You could hear the water trickling down and birds singing, and we had a nice spring breeze,” Wilson described. “I arrived in a white horse-drawn carriage and walked down the aisle with my Deddy to join Duck at the altar.”
Louisiana traditions meet Tennessee charm in ceremony details
The wedding seamlessly blended Wilson’s Louisiana roots with the couple’s laid-back relationship style. The celebration incorporated several touches from the singer’s home state, creating a unique cultural fusion for guests. The couple prioritized making attendees feel comfortable while maintaining special moments throughout the event.
- Custom Oscar de la Renta gown adorned with tiny Japanese cherry blossoms throughout the dress and neckline
- Cajun-inspired menu featuring Louisiana specialties
- 12-piece jazz band Rebirth Brass Band leading a New Orleans-style second line celebration
- Hodges wore bespoke dark green suit with custom gold duck bolo tie, cowboy hat and custom boots from Wilson’s Golden West Boots brand
- First dance performed to Muscadine Bloodline’s “10-90 (The Sound of Roses)”
“We wanted it to be special and beautiful, but really welcoming and comfortable for our guests,” Wilson shared. “We tried not to take ourselves too seriously. It was so lovely to have that touch of my home in Louisiana up here in Tennessee.” The bride explained her gown’s cherry blossom design carried symbolic meaning: “The cherry blossom represents living in the moment, and that’s exactly what we did.”
Private vows and intimate moments before official ceremony
Before the formal ceremony began, Wilson and Hodges shared a deeply personal moment away from guests. The couple read handwritten vows to one another privately, choosing to keep that experience intimate rather than sharing it publicly during the ceremony. “I have never seen Duck smile as big as he did then,” Wilson admitted. “It made me feel giddy about turning the page into this next chapter of marriage. We were both anxious to say ‘I do!'”
The celebration concluded with a sparkler sendoff as the newlyweds drove away in an old white Ford truck, maintaining the rustic aesthetic throughout the entire event. The couple first met in 2021 after mutual friends arranged a blind date in Nashville. “We went to a spot on the water in Nashville called Moby Dicky’s, and then we went to Silverado’s,” Wilson recalled. “We’ve been pretty inseparable since.”
From blind date to George Jones estate proposal
After four years together, Hodges proposed in February 2025 at the former Tennessee estate of country music legend George Jones. The proposal location held special significance within country music history, adding another layer of meaning to their engagement story. The ACM Awards appearance marked a full-circle moment for the relationship, as the couple first made their public debut together at the 2023 ACM Awards before returning this year as newlyweds.
Wilson’s seven nominations at the ceremony highlighted her continued success in country music while simultaneously celebrating a major personal milestone. The timing allowed the couple to share their happiness publicly just one week after exchanging vows. The singer balanced professional recognition with personal joy throughout the evening, demonstrating how both aspects of her life have flourished simultaneously.