Alex & Ricky: A Gay Marriage from Venice To Atlanta
“We first connected on Facebook in college, long before dating apps were as simple as a swipe left or right." Alex reached out to Ricky on Facebook after overhearing his friend from high-school talking to him about how cute Ricky is over the phone. Alex sent the friend request, but Ricky sent the first, “thanks for the add!” And that's where it all started.
“After a few weeks of back and forth on Facebook, our first date was a pretty wild night in New Orleans, Louisiana. We went clubbing together. Not a typical first date, but super memorable for us!”
As they started dating, Alex and Ricky recognized that they were a few hours drive away from each other. Navigating the beginning of their freshman year at college at different schools, let alone being broke college students, made it difficult to meet up. Despite the first year stresses, Ricky sent a “good morning” text message every morning without fail. Alex explained that early on, he already knew just how caring and considerate Ricky was. For them, communication was key.
“There were a few bumpy years in the beginning. But there were significant, multiple life events that helped us realize that we could be in this forever. When my grandfather passed away, Ricky attended the funeral and stood by my side the entire time despite both of us not being out to our families.” Alex explained. Ricky continued, “A couple of years after that, I suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized for several days. Alex set all other plans and obligations to the side to be with me in the hospital the entire duration of my treatment. These and similar events pretty much created a pattern of loyalty and love.”
As their relationship deepened, Ricky and Alex decided it was time to move forward and make their commitment official. On a gondola floating down the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, Alex surprised Ricky by asking for his hand in marriage.
After returning from Italy, Alex and Ricky shared the good news and began planning their celebration almost immediately. “We gave ourselves about 11 months to plan the wedding, but we were still surprised by how fast those months flew by, and how fast money flew out the door to pay for the things we wanted! But we had so much help to survive the planning process from our friends and family.”
The wedding date was set just before Valentine’s Day on February 11th, 2017 at Le Fais do-do in Atlanta, Georgia. The French, New Orleans inspired stylish venue bid a nod to where Alex and Ricky first met, giving their attendees a perfect look into their love story. "We had approximately 150 of our closest friends and family from all over attend. The atmosphere was very similar to a wedding in the French Quarter.”
During the ceremony, Alex and Ricky read their own vows to one another, one line reading, ”I choose you to be my husband, my partner in life. I promise you my unconditional love, my fullest devotion, my most tender care. Through the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future, I promise to love you, honor, respect and cherish you all the days of our lives.”
Both Alex and Ricky are big family people, so seeing their families come together and intermix was an absolute delight. "The best part of the wedding was seeing our respective family members enjoy each other's company. Alex's dad danced with Ricky's mom, and Ricky danced with Alex's mom, and Alex danced with Ricky's mom... it was a very affirming moment!”
When asked about what advice they would give other couples planning their wedding, Ricky and Alex said, “By the time the wedding day rolls around, all the couple should be dealing with is the vows. It's going to be a beautiful, memorable day. Months and months of planning for just a few hours of ceremony and partying seems excessive, but it's worth it to make sure the day goes off without a hitch. Practical advice — hire or appoint a friend or family member to be a day-of coordinator.”
The day following the wedding, Alex and Ricky took off for Paris, France to celebrate their honeymoon. The trip perfectly overlapped with Valentine’s Day, so naturally was an unforgettable romantic adventure. Now, the happy husbands live and love together in their home, Atlanta.
For more adventures from Alex & Ricky, follow them on Instagram at @OurBoyStory.
Venue: Le Fais do-do
Photographer: Chad North (Instagram @Filmyoufamily )
Videographer: Chad North
Wedding Planner: Raceo Alexander
Officiant: Adam Elder
Caterer: Johnnie Winston III
DJ / Music: Max Scruggs
