For Grace Kilgore and Coleman Pethel, their wedding on September 20, 2025, wasn’t just a celebration – it was a full-circle moment almost exactly five years after they first crossed paths.
Their story began in a college swing dancing class after the two were randomly partnered together. A shared connection to the summer camp on Kilgore’s t-shirt led to a night spent talking and getting to know each other. Truly love at first sight, Pethel texted his fraternity brothers that night saying, “I just met my wife.”
Kilgore and Pethel first met when they were randomly paired in a crowded swing dancing class at the Georgia Institute of Technology. A shared connection to a summer camp – spotted on Kilgore’s t-shirt – sparked a conversation so effortlessly they stopped dancing after just 20 minutes to spend the next five hours talking and getting to know each other.
Love at the Lake:
For Kilgore, Lake Martin has always been the backdrop for some of her favorite childhood memories at her family’s lake house, including fishing, tubing and cruising the shorelines to catch sunsets. For the wedding, the couple hosted a full weekend of celebrations for family and friends by renting out 10 lake houses within a mile of each other. From watersports to boat rides and visiting iconic locations such as Chimney Rock and Chuck’s Marina, the couple offered their guests a chance to experience the ease, fun and togetherness of the lake life they love.
Personal Touches:
For Kilgore and Pethel, the goal was to immerse their guests – many of whom were first-time visitors – in the local culture of Lake Martin. Their wedding weekend featured welcome bags filled with jams, cheese straws and bakery goodies from local businesses and farms. By utilizing local vendors for everything from boat rentals and housing to party assistance and catering, they turned their wedding into a vibrant showcase of the community they love.
Favorite Wedding Memory:
The most unforgettable part of the day for Kilgore was the intentional time spent worshipping and having communion during the ceremony. Sharing that peaceful moment with her husband while surrounded by the support of their friends and family provided a profound sense of presence and spiritual connection.
