Lainey Wilson and Duck Hodges Embrace Married Life

Lainey Wilson and her husband, Duck Hodges, are adjusting to life as newlyweds, even sharing complete thoughts during conversations. They made their first significant public appearance at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. Wilson was a nominee for seven awards, making it one of the most notable nights in country music.

At the event, the couple shared their reflections on their whirlwind wedding and new life together. Wilson expressed how surreal it felt to call Hodges her husband. Hodges, formerly an NFL quarterback, agreed that the reality had yet to fully sink in, noting they married only a week before.

Wilson mentioned that exchanging vows felt like turning a page in their lives. The couple also recounted their Tennessee wedding, which felt deeply personal. Wilson, known for her fondness for bell-bottoms and cowboy hats, highlighted the emotional moment when Hodges saw her in a wedding dress for the first time.

Their wedding took place on May 10 at The Ruskin Cave in Dickson, Tennessee, in front of a waterfall. Speaking with Vogue, Wilson shared that they discovered the venue while driving through Tennessee. The cave’s natural beauty and serene environment instantly captivated them.

The ceremony featured elements that reflected Wilson’s Louisiana heritage and the couple’s relaxed approach. This included a Cajun-inspired menu and the presence of a 12-piece jazz band, the Rebirth Brass Band, leading a New Orleans-style celebration.

The couple kept part of the event private, choosing to read handwritten vows to each other before the ceremony. Wilson noted Hodges’ visible joy during this intimate moment.

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds had their first dance to Muscadine Bloodline’s “10-90 (The Sound of Roses)”. They concluded the evening with a sparkler sendoff, departing in a vintage white Ford truck.

Wilson and Hodges met in 2021 on a blind date arranged by mutual friends in Nashville. They quickly became inseparable, and after four years together, Hodges proposed in February 2025 at the former estate of country legend George Jones.

Their appearance at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards marked a full-circle moment for the couple. They first went public with their relationship at the 2023 ACM Awards and returned this year as a married couple.