She Got Her Cowboy: Lainey Wilson and Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges’ Tearful Wedding Song Steals Hearts
In a Tennessee sunset that looked like it was painted for a country song, Lainey Wilson, the reigning queen of country music, said “I do” to her cowboy, Devlin “Duck” Hodges, on July 13, 2025. The couple, whose love story began in a Nashville bar in 2021, tied the knot in a rustic, heart-soaked wedding at a private estate tucked in the rolling hills of Franklin, Tennessee. With bell bottoms, boots, and a whole lotta love, their nuptials were straight out of a southern fairytale—but it was Lainey’s surprise performance of a new song, written just for Duck, that left not a dry eye in the house.
The setting was pure Lainey: wildflowers blooming in mason jars, lanterns casting a golden glow, and vintage wooden tables under a canopy of oak trees. The 32-year-old “Heart Like A Truck” star walked down the aisle in a custom lace gown with pearl details and a flowing train, designed by a rising Nashville talent. Duck, 29, a former NFL quarterback turned real estate agent, looked dapper in a dark green velvet tuxedo, his cowboy hat tipped just right. Under a twilight sky, they exchanged handwritten vows, with Lainey’s voice breaking as she promised to be Duck’s “4x4xU forever,” a nod to her chart-topping hit inspired by him. A string quartet played a country-tinged “You’re Still The One,” setting the tone for a night of love and music.
The guest list read like a country music hall of fame, with Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini, and Jelly Roll raising glasses alongside Duck’s former Pittsburgh Steelers teammates. Even Post Malone and Miley Cyrus, drawn by Lainey’s Yellowstone fame, joined the celebration. But the moment that stole the night came during the reception, when Lainey, guitar in hand, took the stage alone. “This one’s for my cowboy,” she said, her eyes locked on Duck. “I wrote it for the man who makes every road feel like home.”
She began strumming “My Forever 4×4,” a never-before-heard ballad penned in secret for their wedding day. “Through the dust and the miles, you’re my steady ride / With you by my side, I’ve got no need to hide / From the backroads to forever, you’re my 4×4, my love,” she sang, her voice raw with emotion. The lyrics, weaving their story of late-night drives, shared dreams, and Duck’s unwavering support, hit like a lightning bolt. Duck, standing in his green tux, wiped tears as Lainey’s voice soared, and guests—from hardened NFL players to country legends—reached for tissues. “It was like she poured their whole love story into three minutes,” said attendee Kaitlin Butts, who later posted, “SHE’S WALKIN WITH A LIMP YALL. That song broke us all.”
The couple, who got engaged in February 2025 on the steps of George Jones’ former home, have been inseparable since meeting at Silverado Dance Hall & Saloon. “He’s my biggest cheerleader,” Lainey told PEOPLE, crediting Duck for inspiring songs like “4x4xU” and “Counting Chickens.” Their journey, from a budget-friendly first date to red carpet debuts at the 2023 ACM Awards, has been a fan favorite, with Duck’s duck-hunting nickname and Lainey’s bell-bottom swagger earning them the title of country’s cutest couple.
As the reception kicked into high gear, Lainey and Duck took the stage together for a rousing duet of “Heart Like A Truck,” with fireworks lighting up the Tennessee sky. “He can’t sing a lick,” Lainey teased Rolling Stone last year, but Duck’s grin and off-key harmony had the crowd cheering. Social media exploded with clips of the night, fans gushing, “Lainey got her cowboy, and we’re all crying!” One X post summed it up: “That song, that love—it’s what country’s all about.”
The Texas floods, which claimed over 120 lives, including young campers at Camp Mystic, cast a shadow over the summer, and Lainey and Duck quietly donated to relief efforts, honoring their southern roots. But on their wedding day, it was all about joy. “Duck’s my home, no matter where we are,” Lainey told Music Mayhem post-ceremony. “That song was my way of saying forever.” As the couple danced under the stars, their love—and Lainey’s heart-wrenching ballad—proved that some songs are worth every tear.
