Photography by Annie Cooper Photography
Although Felicia and Zach Rushing grew up just 10 minutes away from each other and attended the same schools, their love didn’t blossom until later.
The couple met for the first time as adults at a “Christmas for the Kids” drawdown before finding themselves in the same group of friends.
“From then on, we just immediately clicked,” Felicia says. “We have been together for about four years now.”
As a Valentine’s Day surprise, Zach gifted Felicia a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. He’d also invited their closest family and friends, and on a stunning St. Thomas beach, he dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him.
“Little did I know, he got my dad to hold the ring for him the whole time!” Felicia recalls fondly.
On Dec. 20, 2025, the Rushings exchanged “I dos” in front of 150 guests at Three Lakes Manor in Poplarville, Mississippi.
“The thing I love the most about Zach is how strong and loyal he is to our family,” Felicia says. “His number-one priority always been me, our home and the security of our future children. He is completely committed to his family, loves us unconditionally and protects us unapologetically.”
A CELEBRATION OF LOVE
The wedding, according to the bride, perfectly captured the essence of the couple’s relationship. Their nuptials were set in a stately caste in the country — creating the elevated, Southern vibe that reflected the Rushings and their style.
“We had an outdoor ceremony at sunset, and our reception was outside under a clear tent under the stars and a million twinkly lights,” Felicia says. “For our wedding, we wanted a very romantic, sentimental ceremony where we read our own vows.”
There wasn’t a dry eye while the couple said their “I dos,” and then the celebration switched to party mode with cold sparks, a live wedding painter, a neon, VIP-bottle-service sign and even a mechanical bull.
The pair paid a heartfelt tribute to Zach’s Dad, Lyndon, and his “paw-paw” Bill during the ceremony, placing their framed pictures in the front row. Instead of the mother-son dance, the groom took to the dance floor with his childhood nanny, who was like a second mother to him, as well as his Aunt San and sister, Hunter.
“He got to share a special moment with each of the most important women in his life,” Felicia says. “That was probably one of my favorite parts of the night.”
Brides can get bogged down with minor details, but Felicia stresses the importance of remembering what the day is really about.
“I promise you, on the day of the wedding when you’re about to walk down the aisle, you won’t care about what color the napkins are,” she adds. “You just want to get down that aisle to your groom and start your life together.”
TREASURING EVERY MOMENT
The couple’s plans for a delayed honeymoon in St. Lucia changed when they learned they were expecting a son, who is due in November. Meanwhile, they are running Zach‘s company, Triple B Outdoors, together and working toward reopening his family’s Christmas tree farm, Rushing Tree Farms, in Woolmarket.
Zach also continues to gain a following as a nationally touring stand-up comedian, which takes the couple on the road for half the year.
“What people seem to respect the most about him is how he is always willing to stand up for what he believes in unapologetically and unfiltered,” Felicia says, “and he’ll probably make you laugh or cry at the same time.”
A three-time cancer survivor, Zach battled stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma before meeting his wife. Although his fight happened before they were together, Felicia says it has profoundly impacted their perspective and approach to each new day.
“This outlook has encouraged us to take chances and risks and dive into things headfirst, and those are the things that have ended up being the biggest blessings in our life,” she says. “Life is too short, and we plan on taking advantage of every second of it.”
A TRULY GREAT TEAM
Long term, the couple hopes to continue growing their businesses and their family. From a chance meeting to marriage, entrepreneurship and the anticipation of welcoming their first child, the Rushings have embraced each new chapter with optimism and unwavering gratitude.
“At the end of the day, we are two kids from the same hometown who found each other later in life, and now we spend most of our time going all over the country together,” Felicia says. “Not all couples are able to work with their spouse to build the life they dream of, but we’re truly such a great team.”
VENDORS
Ceremony and reception venue: Three Lakes Manor- Officiant: Chad Prather
- Wedding planner: Say Yes Wedding and Events
- Wedding gown: Bliss Bridal (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Tux/Groom’s clothing: Men’s Wearhouse
- Bridesmaids’ attire: Azazie
- Groomsmens’ attire: Men’s Wearhouse
- Photographer: Annie Cooper Photography
- Videographer: Heath Ladner
- Caterer: Naomi’s Catering
- Cake/Desserts: 3D whitetail deer groom’s cake: Sweet Ashley’s, wedding cake: French Kiss
- Florist: Say Yes Florals
- Hair: Jean Gillan
- Makeup: Kaelah Carew
- Event rentals: Element, Gearbox
- Reception entertainment: DJ: Adam Collier, live painter: Melissa Munger, mechanical bull: Greyson’s Events & Entertainment