Three Squeezes

When Kennedy first met Austin, she was on a group date with his best friend. Little did she know that their initial friendship, formed during a picnic at the Capitol building, would lead to a romance filled with sweet traditions, thoughtful gestures, and eventually a Utah wedding day that celebrated their love.

Their relationship started in 2021; they were friends for eight months before Austin asked her out, and although she turned him down the first time, fate (and maybe a little persistence) brought them together for good.

The Capitol building became a meaningful symbol throughout their relationship. From their first group date to their recreated first date, and finally, Austin’s proposal, each important moment was set against the picturesque backdrop of the Capitol. It was only fitting that they also took their bridal photos there, keeping the place close to their hearts.

“Our entire love story was centered on the Capitol building, and I just think it’s so beautiful. It just encapsulates it all.”

Top Utah Wedding Planning Priorities

When it came to wedding planning, Kennedy knew her priorities. “I knew that the things that I wanted to splurge on and make sure we’re good were my photographer, my wedding dress, and the DJ. Those were the most important things to me because I feel like that’s what’s long-lasting.”

Her dress alone is enough to send us over the edge! Those ruffles in that fabric are worthy of every award we can think of. And still, to this day, they have people who say their dance party was the best dance party they’ve been to. We’d say her priorities definitely paid off.

Austin’s only request was that he and his groomsmen could do gameday walk-up photos like professional athletes, and we’re absolutely obsessed. “They’re just goofy, silly dudes. They’re the life of the party. Most of his groomsmen he’s known since elementary school and high school, they’ve been friends for so long. And so that was his one request. And it turned out really cute.”

Cue the game day music!

The Big Day

And the girls had their matching moment too. The morning began with Kennedy’s bridesmaids, all in matching pajamas, gathered for a fun-filled sleepover the night before the big day. One of her best friends did her hair and makeup, just like any classic sleepover soirée with your besties.

Kennedy and Austin had an LDS temple ceremony in the Draper temple. The couple’s closest family members were present, and for those who couldn’t be inside, like Kennedy’s youngest brother and Austin’s siblings, they hosted a beautiful ring ceremony outside their reception venue, with the Provo City Center Temple as the stunning backdrop.

Kennedy and Austin’s reception at the NuSkin Pavilion was an unforgettable, for more than one reason. The couple welcomed their guests with a traditional receiving line, followed by an epic frozen yogurt bar, and then a bread bar, featuring Texas Roadhouse rolls, sourdough bread, muffins, and an array of toppings with jams and butters of all kinds.

Sweet and savory treats kept guests fueled for the party to come. BRB, going to get some Texas Roadhouse Rolls of our own.

“Our reception was my favorite part. It’s so fun to be with your entire friends and family.”

On-Stage Moment

But the fun doesn’t stop at the legendary gluten gluttony!

As a high school drama teacher, Kennedy couldn’t resist adding a theatrical twist to the day. In secret, she rehearsed a 15-minute love song medley with her students, featuring musical theater hits that she had introduced to Austin over the course of their relationship.

During Austin’s mother-son dance, the DJ, who was in on the surprise, played along with a “technical glitch,” and Kennedy’s students took the stage. They led Kennedy and Austin to a chair, pretending she was part of the audience, before Kennedy jumped in and performed alongside her students in a choreographed surprise. It was a show-stopping moment that left everyone laughing and cheering, including Austin, who had no idea what was coming!

And we of course have to mention her costume change. Those feathers have us fangirling! Kennedy knows how to make a statement, and she wore four different dresses throughout the day: her elegant wedding gown, a luncheon dress, a fun outfit for the musical theater medley, and finally, a dance party dress for the reception.

Sweet and Sentimental Moments for Loved Ones

Their Utah wedding was also deeply personal for Kennedy. Her father had passed away when she was in high school, but she found a meaningful way to honor him. For the father-daughter dance, she chose the song You Should Be Here by Cole Swindell and danced with each of her four brothers, one by one, ending with her stepdad.

“I wasn’t able to do the traditional father-daughter dance, but I have four brothers and they are my favorite people in the world. They remind me of my dad. They passed me along, so I started dancing with my youngest brother and made my way up all the way to my stepdad, which was really special.”

She also had a heart locket with a photo of her dad wrapped around her bouquet so she could have him close to her on her wedding day. And her wedding ring, a two-stone stunner, is another tribute to him.

“My wedding ring is actually two separate stones; one diamond I picked out with my husband, and then the diamond that my dad used to propose to my mom. We were able to take it to Forge Jewelry Works and they completely customized this ring and allowed for it to sit perfectly next to the other one, so I could wear them both together.”

Cue the tears here!

“And so it kind of represents my family with my husband, but also my parents and their family; I’m starting this new forever with my husband and I have that reminder constantly on my finger.”

The night ended with a bubble-filled exit, but not before Kennedy and Austin shared a final slow dance, just the two of them, soaking in the last moments of their magical day. Even their wedding cake had a special touch; topped with the words “Three Squeezes,” it was a sweet gesture they had adopted from Austin’s parents. The couple used it throughout their relationship to say “I love you” with three hand squeezes, especially in public or in moments when words weren’t possible. It was the perfect final detail to tie their love story together.

Kennedy and Austin’s Utah wedding was a perfect reflection of their love story; filled with personal touches and bursting with joy (and bread). From a Capitol building proposal to their unforgettable reception, their musical wedding is definitely one that belongs in the spotlight. As Kennedy would say, “It was epic.”