Love is in the air, and we have a winner! We’re thrilled to announce that Angelina and Patrick are the 2025 Looks of Love Contest winners! ❤️🌹 Their heartwarming story of a rainy-day leap of faith, a clever dating bio, and a first date with axes and laughter captured our hearts—and yours!
A huge thank you to everyone who participated, from the couples who bravely shared their stories to the followers who cast their votes. We loved celebrating love with you!
Keep reading to revisit Angelina and Patrick’s winning love story, plus meet the other amazing finalists who made this year’s contest so special. And don’t forget to stay connected with us on Instagram for more heartwarming moments and wedding inspiration all year long!
Photo: Kristen Pender
Love Without Limits
Carmen and Larry’s love story is a testament to resilience, devotion, and embracing every moment together.
After spending a decade single, fate brought them together, and they set a wedding date for April 5, 2025. But life had other plans. In October, Larry was diagnosed with terminal Stage IV pancreatic cancer, and without hesitation, they chose love over waiting. Their wedding took place at an unlikely venue—the UPS store—proving that the most important part of a wedding isn’t the location, but the commitment shared.
Just a month later, surrounded by loved ones, they celebrated their marriage with a heartfelt reception on November 9. At 53, Larry is facing an unimaginable battle, but he and Carmen have made a vow beyond “in sickness and in health”—they are choosing to cherish each day as a gift.
With every shared laugh, every small moment, and every celebration, Carmen and Larry remind us that love isn’t measured in years, but in the depth of every moment spent together. 💜
Photo: Erica Dortch Photography
A Love Story 25 Years in the Making
Laura Kate and Max’s wedding day wasn’t just about the start of their forever—it was a beautiful full-circle moment, 25 years in the making.
After six years of dating—four of those spent navigating a 12-hour long-distance relationship—they finally said “I do” on January 11, 2025. While January wasn’t Laura Kate’s first choice for a wedding month, she made the decision so Max’s baseball-playing friends could be there to celebrate. Little did she know, 25 years earlier, her mom had faced the exact same dilemma. Her parents chose a January wedding for the very same reason, and on the day before her mom’s wedding in 2000, Birmingham, Alabama, was unexpectedly covered in snow. Fast forward to 2025, and Laura Kate woke up the day before her own wedding in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to find the exact same sight—snow blanketing the ground.
Both mother and daughter experienced the same wedding week worries—travel concerns, unpredictable winter weather, and the fear that everything might go wrong. But just like her mom, Laura Kate walked into a church overflowing with love and support, realizing that every little detail had fallen into place. And in a moment that felt straight out of a storybook, she wore her mom’s wedding dress as her reception look, bringing the past and present together in the most meaningful way.
From the surprise snowfall to the echoes of her mother’s love story, Laura Kate and Max’s wedding was more than just a celebration—it was a testament to the beauty of fate, family, and the kind of love that stands the test of time. ❄️💙
Photo: Lacy Morgan Photography
A Love Story Fueled by Fate and a Bonus Nugget
Angelina and Patrick’s journey is a reminder that the best things in life come when you least expect them—sometimes with an extra surprise, just like Patrick’s clever dating bio suggested.
It all began on a rainy day in May when Angelina took a leap of faith and joined Facebook Dating. Patrick’s profile instantly caught her eye, radiating positivity, humor, and a certain charm she couldn’t quite explain. Maybe it was his blue eyes, maybe it was his witty McDonald’s metaphor, or maybe it was just fate.
Their first date at Base Camp Axe + Pong was anything but ordinary—because what better way to break the ice than by hurling axes at a target? Patrick’s playful challenge to “bring your A-game” had Angelina expecting a sharply dressed competitor, but instead, he showed up in a soccer jersey, cargo pants, and well-worn running shoes—a clear sign that he valued authenticity over appearances. From the moment they sat down, the conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter, shared quirks, and an undeniable connection that neither of them saw coming.
Two and a half years later, that spontaneous first date has turned into a love story marked by resilience, adventure, and unwavering support. Together, they made the bold decision to move across the country to Birmingham, where they built a new life, started new careers, and took their next big leap—getting engaged this past December.
Through it all, Patrick has been Angelina’s greatest source of inspiration, pushing her to dream bigger and love deeper. And with each new day, they continue proving that the best journeys begin with a single leap of faith—and maybe a little bit of extra luck. 💙✨
From a Hinge Match to a Forever Promise
Trent and Mattie Kaitlyn’s love story is proof that sometimes, the best connections are just waiting to be discovered. Despite having countless mutual friends—and even attending the same events—they had never crossed paths until fate (and Hinge) stepped in.
Their first date was a simple yet sweet Sunday tradition—church followed by Mexican food at Papitos. Before they even left the parking lot, Trent was already planning their next date. A few outings later, a trip to Six Flags led to Mattie Kaitlyn meeting his family, and from that point on, they were inseparable. She knew early on that she had found something special in Trent, and when he matched at UAB’s residency program, it wasn’t long before she was packing up and moving to Birmingham to start this next chapter by his side.
On January 18, 2025, Trent made their love story official with a lakeside proposal at his parents’ house, surrounded by the people who mean the most to them. Now, with forever ahead, Mattie Kaitlyn can’t wait to spend the rest of her life with the boy who won her heart—one Papitos date at a time. 💍✨
An Invisible String That Led to Forever
Isabella and Peter’s love story is one of fate, friendship, and a connection years in the making.
After moving from New Orleans to Daphne, Alabama, following Hurricane Katrina, Isabella’s parents enrolled her in the only Catholic school in town. She quickly made lifelong friends, and over the years, they’d often mention one particular classmate—Peter. Though their paths rarely crossed, his name was always in the background, a familiar yet distant thread in her life.
Fast forward to 2021, in the midst of the COVID era, when one of her childhood friends suggested she reconnect with a guy from their old school. Isabella wasn’t looking for anything serious, but she agreed—only to realize the guy in question was Peter, the same one she had heard about all those years ago. What started as casual conversation turned into six months of getting to know each other before their first official date. From that moment on, they were inseparable.
Their journey wasn’t without challenges—spending the first two years of their relationship long-distance—but they made it through, stronger than ever. Now, as they enter their fourth year together, their love story has come full circle. Peter proposed in their childhood town, with Isabella’s childhood friends—who had once spoken of him in passing—helping to plan the special moment.
Some love stories unfold unexpectedly, guided by an invisible string pulling two hearts together. For Isabella and Peter, that string finally led them home—to each other. 💍✨
Photo: Maddy & Manion Photography
From Middle School Friends to Forever
Cameron and Justin’s love story is one built on years of friendship, growth, and unwavering devotion.
Their journey began in middle school, where they quickly became best friends—never realizing that one day, they’d be planning a future together. The summer before their sophomore year of high school, their friendship turned into something more, marking the beginning of a love story that has now spanned over eight years.
From high school graduations to college milestones, Cameron and Justin have been side by side through it all. They moved to Birmingham together, tackled college together, and finally, after years of dreaming about the future, Justin popped the question in May 2024—exactly one year after their college graduation, just as Cameron had always said she wanted.
Now, with two puppies they adore and a wedding on the horizon, Cameron and Justin are ready to begin the next chapter of their lives as husband and wife. From childhood friends to lifelong partners, their love story is proof that sometimes, the best relationships start with a solid friendship. 💍🐾
Photo: Be Light Photography
A Love Story Years in the Making
Lauren and Ryan’s journey together didn’t start with a grand romantic gesture—it started in high school chemistry class, where quiet crushes went unspoken and timing never quite aligned.
Ryan realized he had feelings for Lauren the summer before college, but with miles between them, he kept them to himself. Over the years, they stayed in touch, always teetering on the edge of something more. Lauren invited Ryan to her college date parties, and they remained flirty friends, both feeling a pull toward each other but never taking the leap.
Life took them in different directions—different schools, different states, different paths. Even when Lauren moved to Colorado, her mom asked her, “If Ryan asked you to stay, would you?” Without hesitation, she said yes. But he never asked, and she left, leaving behind the possibility of what could be.
But fate wasn’t finished with them yet. A chance meeting at a friend’s wedding changed everything. Ryan finally said what had been in his heart for years: “I love you.” Though Lauren felt the same, the timing still wasn’t right. A year and a half later, it finally was. She moved closer to home, reached out to Ryan, and from that moment on, they were inseparable.
In 2024, surrounded by the beauty of Jackson Hole, WY, and with both of their families there to celebrate, Ryan proposed—marking the start of their forever. Proof that love, when it’s meant to be, will always find its way. ❤️
Photo: Haley Bates Photography
A Match Made on Bumble (and in Family)
Jenifer and Jesse’s love story began in August 2020 with a simple swipe—but fate had even bigger plans. On their very first date, Jesse’s niece was born, marking the beginning of something truly special.
For six months, Jenifer kept things low-key, but Jesse had other plans. Determined to win over her family, he joined her cousin’s gym—seamlessly making his way into their hearts. And it worked. To this day, Jenifer swears her family might love him more than her!
With both coming from big, tight-knit families, their wedding was all about celebrating love and tradition. They honored Jenifer’s heritage with a beautiful tea ceremony before saying “I do” in an American ceremony surrounded by the people who mean the most. A love story built on family, persistence, and a little bit of fate—what could be better? ❤️
