On May 17th, 2009, Luke and Joseph found themselves at a pool party in Dallas’s gay district, Oaklawn. “We both knew a couple of friends that lived there so we just happened to bump into one another. Joe approached me, which for him is uncharacteristic as he tends to be a little more introverted. He walked up to me to introduce himself and we chatted for a few minutes before he and his friends went to a different pool party. I thought I had struck out but he made sure to confirm my first and last name before he left.” Adding each other on Facebook, Luke and Joseph began messaging each other over the next few days following the pool party. Then they decided to get together one on one. “Joe made dinner and we watched American Idol at his house. We spent the evening chatting and getting to know each other. We clicked instantly after getting to spend time together. Joseph told me he loved my green eyes – unfortunately they are brown and he is color blind!” 

Luke and Joe continued to seeing each other into the summer and in essence became inseparable. “I can’t remember who said “I love you” first, but I knew that he was the right one for me when I took him home to meet my family for the first time and we were celebrating my mother’s birthday on the 4th of July. We had a huge house party out at my sister Delena’s house which was a bit out in the country so there were fireworks, kids jumping in and out of the pool and copious amounts of alcohol… Joe was sitting on my lap as the evening was winding down and he fell asleep sitting on my lap while talking with my family. But the best part was that he was in the tiniest little speedo! And that is when I knew he was the one for me.”

In April of 2013, four years after they started dating, Joe and Luke flew to Sydney, Australia for long awaited vacation with friends. After taking a ferry to Manly Beach, they hiked up a steep cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Luke got down on one knee and proposed to Joe as the sun set along the horizon. Joe ecstatically accepted before the two hurriedly ran back down to catch the last bus back to the city! In moments like this, it’s worth the risk of missing the last bus to catch the sunset. After returning back to the US, Luke and Joe began the long process of planning their wedding. The wedding date was set for May 17th, 2019, exactly 10 years after they met! “We had a very long engagement but once we realized this anniversary was coming up, we knew we had the perfect date.”

The long awaited wedding day arrived, and Luke and Joe walked down the aisle to exchange their vows. “Luke, you are the man of anyone’s dreams, but this is my dream and I get to keep you.” Luke responded, “Joseph Carter, I promise to always kiss you good morning and good night.”

“The wedding was a celebration of our friends and family as much as it was for our love. The wedding was not traditional at all and more of a party with our union and vows as the centerpiece. My favorite part was being able to celebrate at my hotel, The Adolphus with all of my friends, family and work family! Everyone that is a special part of our lives was there, and to be able to celebrate this beautiful event and have everyone a part of it was amazing!”

When asked what advice they would give to any couple getting married, Luke and Joe said, “Make sure to enjoy it! This is your day, and yes there is a lot happening with everyone running around but during all of the craziness, take just a few minutes to grab your husband’s hand and say, ‘I love you and we are getting married…’” The newlyweds also highly recommend getting wedding planner. “Kimberly Rhodes from Hitched Events was our planner and she was absolutely amazing! Honestly, we could not have done it without her. Kimberly had the best ideas and all of the connections in the city we needed to make it the most magical day for the both of us!”

A few months after the wedding in September, Luke and Joe celebrated their honeymoon with Luke’s best friend and his new husband as well. The group spent a week in St. Lucia relaxing and enjoying paradise together.

Luke and Joe continue to live and love together as husbands in Dallas, Texas.

Photography —  Tony Valadez on Instagram
Venue — The Adolphus
Wedding Planner — Kimberly Rhodes, Hitched Events