Lainey Wilson and her husband, Duck Hodges, are adjusting to married life. The couple made a significant public appearance as newlyweds at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. Wilson was nominated for seven awards at the event, one of the highlights in country music.

During a conversation with Fox News Digital on the red carpet, the couple humorously reflected on their recent wedding and their new life together. Wilson expressed excitement in calling Hodges her husband, and Hodges shared that the reality of being married hadn’t fully settled in yet.

Wilson said, “We did just get married a week ago, but it feels very special.” She felt like they were turning a new chapter in their lives together. Their chemistry was visible during the interview as they discussed their personal, Tennessee wedding.

We were excited to be up there, doing that in front of your friends and family.

For Wilson, emotional moments hit during the wedding. A fan of bell-bottoms and cowboy hats, she joked about seeing herself as a bride being a surreal moment. The ceremony took place at The Ruskin Cave in Dickson, Tennessee. The couple chose it after spotting it on a drive through Tennessee backroads.

In an interview with Vogue, Wilson described their love for the venue’s natural beauty. “You could hear the water trickling down and birds singing,” she recalled. The couple exchanged vows in a ceremony that reflected Wilson’s Louisiana roots, offering a Cajun-inspired menu and music by Rebirth Brass Band.

Wilson’s gown was a custom Oscar de la Renta piece adorned with Japanese cherry blossoms, symbolizing living in the moment. Hodges embraced the Western theme with a dark green suit, a gold duck bolo tie, cowboy hat, and boots from Wilson’s brand.

Before the ceremony, the couple shared handwritten vows in private, cherishing an intimate moment. This exchange added a personal touch to their big day.

The wedding culminated with the couple’s first dance and a sparkler sendoff before they departed in an old white Ford truck.

Wilson and Hodges’ relationship began in 2021 when friends arranged a blind date. They met at Moby Dicky’s in Nashville and quickly became inseparable. Hodges proposed in February 2025 at George Jones’ former Tennessee estate.

The couple’s return to the ACM Awards marked a significant moment, sharing this milestone on such a significant stage.