Country Artist Levi Hummon Marries Kearsten Kochan in Beach Wedding (Exclusive)

Levi Hummon is married!

The country music artist married Kearsten Kochan on June 14 in an intimate ceremony at the Key Largo Lighthouse in Key Largo, Florida.

“I have always loved the idea of getting married by the water and in Florida,” explains Hummon, 33, in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. “I told Kearsten that I would love to marry her on the beach, and she said she would marry me anywhere.”

Adds Kochan: “We knew we wanted it to be a fun weekend and a vacation for our close friends and family, just with a wedding in the middle.”

The wedding, planned by Ali Cipri of Key Largo Lighthouse, was a three-day celebration that gave family and friends ample time to celebrate the love of the couple, who met through mutual friends.

“It’s a true modern-day love story,” says Hummon, who collaborated with Walker Hayes last year on the viral hit “Paying for It.” “We had a ton of mutual friends but had never met in person. I ended up sliding up in her DMs and next thing you know, we had our first date at Big Machine Distillery, followed by a late night at Melrose Billiard Parlor…and the rest is history.”

The couple were engaged in May of 2024. “I proposed to Kearsten in the front yard at my parent’s house,” explains Hummon. “We had our entire friend group and our families there to surprise her the second I got down on one knee.”

It was some of those family and friends who proceeded to witness the couple’s wedding, with the beach serving as a stunning natural backdrop for all the festivities. Décor was kept minimal, with delicate sprigs of baby’s breath thoughtfully placed throughout the venue. Bridesmaids wore soft shades of pastel blue, green, and yellow, a palette that complemented the coastal setting.

But Hummon would have to wait to see the beauty of his very own bride until the actual ceremony. “I didn’t want a first look,” states Kochan. “I wanted that wow moment of walking down the aisle. I needed to see those tears.”

And yes, the tears were plentiful as a string trio played Sixpence None the Richer’s 1998 hit ‘Kiss Me,’ setting the tone for the bridal party and groomsmen’s walk down the aisle. Moments later, Kochan made her way down the aisle alone to the sound of ‘There She Goes’ by The La’s.

“I cried the second I saw her,” Hummon says.

The bride wore a Martina Liana dress in ivory silk with a Dany Tabet Darryl veil and Madi Lane sleeves. “I knew I didn’t want a ball gown,” says Kochan. “I had the best associate, Hannah, at The White Magnolia in Nashville, who made the day beyond perfect and helped me find the most beautiful dress! Really, the second Hannah put me in this dress, I knew.”

The couple exchanged vows directly in front of Hummon’s mother, Becca Stevens, who officiated the ceremony. They then exchanged rings from Gossage Jewelers in Nashville.

For the first dance, Hummon’s father — Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Marcus Hummon — joined his sisters and niece to serenade the couple with an acoustic cover of the Tina Turner classic ‘Simply the Best.’”

Marcus also performed the mother and son dance to “Diamonds On The Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon.

Guests dined on an array of appetizers, including coconut shrimp, spicy jerk chicken skewers, mini burgers and assorted cheeses. The main courses were grilled chicken breast topped with a vibrant pineapple mango salsa and teriyaki-flavored salmon topped with sesame seeds and chives.

For dessert, the bride and groom cut into their 5-inch round vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream and Key lime curd, with guests also having the chance to try an array of additional sweet treats such as Oreo cake pops, rum cakes, key lime tarts and chocolate mousse tarts.

Signature cocktails were also served throughout the night – all inspired by the couple’s three dogs. “The Petunia Paloma featuring Suerte Tequila was for our English Mastiff, the Goosepresso Martini was for our Labradoodle named Goose and the Loretta Lemon Drop for our Mountain Cur,” Hummon says. “The night ended with everyone from the bridal party and family in the pool – fully clothed! It was magical and so fun.”

The day after the wedding, family and friends were invited to join the couple at a farewell brunch pool party.

“For me, getting married means getting to have a life partner and someone to go through the highs and lows of both personal endeavors, and also the crazy world of music,” remarks Hummon, who says he is also looking forward to growing their little family. “Kearsten is my rock, and I couldn’t think of somebody else I’d rather spend my life with.”

Adds Kochan: “I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. It’s an everyday decision we make to continuously choose each other, and I really can’t wait to experience forever together!”