Country Weddings and Engagements in 2014
Love is in the air this year, as several of our favorite country stars are headed to the chapel. Whether it's an engagement or a wedding, fans have a lot to celebrate -- not to mention beautiful rings and white gowns to drool over.
Many of the betrothed and newlyweds are promising up-and-comers in country music, including Mallary Hope, Jamie Lynn Spears and Greg Bates. Did Hope have a fairytale wedding or a quaint ceremony? Who's Bates' lucky lady? Check out all the details on who got hitched -- and who's knee-deep in wedding planning -- below.
Crystal Hoyt and Todd Bray
Married in AugustCrystal Hoyt married her longtime beau Todd Bray in a surprise ceremony on the beach in Navarre Beach, Florida on Aug. 31, 2014. “For two people who had all but given up on love … We are living proof that God has a bigger plan than we can ever imagine. So, never give up hope and never think you know better than him … Because everything the two of us have gone through to get us here now, has only made us appreciate each other that much more … And I am so grateful to start this adventure with the most thoughtful, handsome, kind, funny, intelligent, talented and truly amazing partner anyone could dream of!” the singer-songwriter wrote on her official Facebook page after the nuptials.
Canaan Smith and Christy Hardesty
Married in AugustCanaan Smith tied the knot with fiancee Christy Hardesty in Aug. of 2014. For their wedding, Hardesty wore a strapless white gown with a veil while Smith looked dapper as always in a white shirt, black suspenders and a black tie. Smith proposed to his gorgeous bride in March, admitting that “Of all the blessings in my life, she’s the greatest. We’re so excited for everything to come.”
Stephen Barker Liles of Love and Theft and Jenna Michelle Kennedy
Married in AugustStephen Barker Liles of country duo Love and Theft tied the knot with the love of his life in Nashville on August 24, 2014. He married Jenna Michelle Kennedy in a family-oriented ceremony at Ruby, a boutique event center. The two already have one child together, nine month old Jett, and they made sure to include him in their ceremony. “I loved her for a long time and would have asked her sooner, but wanted to wait until I could get her a nice ring,” he explains to People.
Joanna Smith and Tripp Eldridge
Married in AugustSinger Joanna Smith married her longtime boyfriend, Tripp Eldridge, in an intimate ceremony in August of 2014. Unlike some singers, she choose to take her husband's last name, becoming Jo Eldridge. Smith donned a beautiful, long, white spaghetti-strapped gown for the small ceremony. She paired her dress with silver jewelry and even put a thin belt over her wedding dress, giving her a casual, yet glamorously country look.
Danielle Peck and Josh Smith
Married in JuneDanielle Peck married fiancé Josh Smith on June 12, 2014. The pair opted for an Irish elopement at the Belleek Castle in Ballina. “This day was a dream come true for me,” Peck said in a press release. “I’ve married my best friend and look forward to spending the rest of my life with the one I love, and I truly couldn’t be happier!” Their ceremony was described as intimate and fairy-tale like. Smith proposed to the country singer on Dec. 14, 2013, which was just a month before their one year anniversary. For the proposal, he recreated their very first date.
Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry and J.P. Arencibia
Married in JuneThe lovely lady of the Band Perry, Kimberly Perry, married her boyfriend J.P. Arencibia at the First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, Tenn. on June 12, 2014. E! News and several other media outlets report that a reception was scheduled to take place at Perry’s parents’ home, which just so happens to be where Arencibia proposed. Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher and Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton were all said to have attended the southern wedding.
Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry and Jennifer Belcher
Married in AprilMontgomery Gentry's Eddie Montgomery tied the knot in April to his longtime girlfriend Jennifer Belcher. They didn't make a traditional wedding announcement, though. Montgomery took to Twitter to announce they had married -- and had also been through a tornado.
"We'll I've had an interestin last few days. I got hitched to THE @JenJenB1 and then got hit by a tornado last night!" he tweeted.
Mallary Hope and Ryan Dokke
Married in AprilMallary Hope married her sweetheart Ryan Dokke April 13 during a lovely, quaint ceremony reflecting her simple upbringing and close-knit family. "Don't need big and fancy," she said on Instagram. "Couldn't have been a more perfect day for a Georgia gal like me." The ceremony took place in Tennessee, and Hope walked down the aisle in a beautiful strapless gown she bought seven days before the wedding -- a far cry from what her husband expected, as she had originally told him she was wearing a $30 dress she scored at TJ Maxx. The surprise was a success, shocking her groom and adding even more sweet memories to the day.
Michael Britt of Lonestar and Latashja Hanson
Married in AprilLonestar's Michael Britt tied the knot April 5, 2014 with his fiancee Latashja Hanson. The couple showed off their wedding duds in a photo on Facebook -- Hanson in a sleeveless gown with princess-like blonde curls, taking a selfie with her new husband, who donned a sharp suit with a fun paisley tie. The lead guitarist and his bride now reside in Nashville, after Hanson relocated from Washington where she was a radio show host.
Canaan Smith and Christy Hardesty
Engaged in MarchWhile some of his female fans may be slightly disappointed, Canaan Smith was grinning ear-to-ear after he popped the question to his future bride Christy Hardesty and she said yes! She showed off the stunning ring in an Instagram photo after the proposal in mid-March, with the ecstatic ‘We Got Us' singer beaming behind her.
Jamie Lynn Spears and Jamie Watson
Married in MarchThough she may have started off being known as the sister of a global pop star, Jamie Lynn Spears has forged her own path in country music as well as in her personal life. On March 14, 2014, the 23-year-old married boyfriend Jamie Watson in New Orleans at the Audubon Tea Room. Big sister Britney was in attendance with her two sons, in addition to Spears' parents and her own daughter, Maddie. A photo emerged on Instagram from the big day, showing off Spears' beautiful mermaid-style wedding gown and the excitement of the whole family.
Dee Jay Silver and Jenna Michelle Straub
Engaged in FebruaryFor remixer, DJ and producer Dee Jay Silver, 2014 is shaping up quite nicely. Not only has he been on tour with Brad Paisley and special guests Danielle Bradbery and Chris Young, but on Feb. 27, his girlfriend said yes. Silver proposed to girlfriend Jenna Michelle Straub while on Paisley’s Beat This Winter Tour in Fort Wayne, Ind. His new fiancé helped spread the news with a big smile on Silver’s Instagram, letting the world know he is officially taken.
Greg Bates and Shelley Skidmore
Engaged in FebruaryCountry rookie Greg Bates has not only begun to make an impression in the industry, but seems to have also landed a permanent spot in the heart of one particular woman. Girlfriend Shelley Skidmore said yes when Bates popped the question on Valentine's Day, showing off the beautiful ring and proposal setting on Twitter. Music will run in this family, as both Bates and Skidmore are singer/songwriters. So watch out, Tim and Faith -- there's a new a power couple in town.