Finding a time to propose proved difficult for Curtis Thorn, a professional soccer player who was mid-season when he got the itch to get down on one knee. His girlfriend, Claire Hiller, was equally busy as a wedding photographer—and living across the globe in Hawaii. “Curtis was in soccer season and couldn’t visit me,” Claire remembers. Or so she thought. “He pulled off the most elaborate surprise. His coach let him take a few days off to come to Hawaii without me knowing, and he had my roommates convince me to get on a sailboat for a photography job.” They’d been sailing for about 20 minutes when Curtis popped up from the cabin below and called Claire’s name. “When I turned around, he was already down on one knee! It was the only time I had ever truly been surprised—I never saw it coming.”
For their wedding during Labor Day weekend—one of the only date options that didn’t conflict with the groom’s soccer schedule—they headed back to Georgia, Claire’s home state and the place they’d met less than a year before. “My parents’ house has always been one of my favorite places in the world,” Claire says. “There was a spot on their land that I was looking at one day and just knew it was the spot to get married at. I wanted our wedding to feel like we were in the middle of a garden full of flowers, color, good food, and good music.”
She opted for an ethereal dress to match the vibe, picked up at Kleinfeld in New York on a shopping trip with her mom and sisters. “I liked a lot of the dresses I was trying on, but Lisa, who helped me, said she wanted me to try on one more dress when we were finished,” Claire remembers. “It was by Pnina Tornai, and she said it was off the floor. The moment I tried it on, it fit perfectly, and I knew it was what I was going to wear. We took it home with us on the plane, straight from the store.”
For her reception look, Claire worked with a hometown designer, Frills by Scott. “I showed him photos of parts of dresses I liked, and then he drew up a sketch, putting them all together and creating my dream reception dress,” Claire says. A high bun by Patrick Navarro and clean natural makeup by Beyond Beautiful by Heather finished the airy look.
It had been the rainiest summer on record for south Georgia, and the couple’s designated ceremony spot was less than ready. “Curtis and his soccer team, my family, and I spent a whole day laying down pallets of sod to cover the entire ceremony spot,” Claire says. September 3, 2022, called for possible rain—they sourced 250 clear umbrellas in case—but minutes before the ceremony began, the skies were clear and the sun was shining. There seemed no need to use the backup plan.
“As my bridesmaids and his groomsmen walked down the aisle, it started to get cloudy; as my flower girls walked down, it started to sprinkle,” Claire remembers. “As soon as I stepped onto the aisle, it started pouring the heaviest rain I have ever seen in my life.” There was nowhere to go but onward. “I kept walking through it with my dad, and all of our guests started cheering. We couldn’t help but laugh. It lasted about five minutes, and then it didn’t rain again for the rest of the night. It was beautiful, and we could never have planned it.”
Unexpectedly, the downpour set the tone for a carefree night. Beneath the tent, stunningly outfitted by Em. Creative Floral and Amazing Event Rental, there was nothing but good vibrations. “I think the rain made everyone have the best time,” Claire says. “Everyone was barefoot, and there was mud covering the dance floor. The Main Attraction Band was amazing, and we barely had time to sit and eat because we danced every second of the reception.” (Though there was plenty to nosh on. Sweet Tea Grille served up Southern stations of shrimp and grits, a salad bar, tacos and queso dip, and an array of desserts on mismatched plates from Lillian’s China.) “I remember being so carefree and caught up in the moment that I forgot to put my heels on for our first dance. We have some great photos of me in my new reception dress with muddy bare feet.”
After the last song—a special moment that had their 300 guests singing and dancing together—the newlyweds drove away in a vintage car. But then Claire had a thought—they’d already gotten soaked, so what was a little more water? She ordered the car turned around, and then she shares, “Our entire wedding party and families jumped into the pool with our dresses, tuxes, shoes, and all.”