It was a long and winding road that led Adam Upshaw Klocke and Josh Klocke to each other — literally. As members of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at their respective universities, the couple met while participating in The Journey of Hope, a cross-country cycling trip benefiting individuals with disabilities.
"Fate had it that Josh and I both singed up for the cycling trip in 2008," says Adam. "We were both able to see the most genuine and selfless sides of each other and became friends."
When the ride came to an end, each of the men returned to his home, in Austin and Iowa. But they never strayed far from each other's minds. For the next five years, Josh and Adam kept in touch via social media. Then, a surprise meeting in Dallas changed everything.
"We happened to bump into each other while out and about in Dallas," says Adam. "After our reconnection, we were inseparable. We knew we had truly found the love of our lives."
With wedding bells on the horizon, the couple shopped for rings and began daydreaming about the big day. Adam assumed Josh would be the one to do the proposing ... until a commercial caught his eye. The Good Morning America advertisement queried: "Do you want to propose in a big way? Go to GMA.com and apply."
"I thought, 'What the heck?,'" says Josh. He put in his application and got the surprise of his life months later when a producer called to tell him he'd been chosen. Following a bit of creative storytelling on Adam's part and a whirlwind trip to New York City, and the couple found themselves standing in Bryant Park, getting engaged along with 24 other couples, while Christina Perri sang her hit "A Thousand Years."
"It was truly one of the most memorable moments of our lives," says Adam.
With wedding planning on the agenda, the couple set to work. Their vision for the October 2016 wedding included "simple, clean lines, and white flowers." CityPlace Events in Uptown Dallas provided the perfect backdrop, while Lizzie Bee's Flower Shoppe filled the space with arrangements of white hydrangeas and calla lilies.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and private dinner on the building's 42nd floor. DJ Nate Dudley of Complete Weddings and Events kept the dance floor full with a range of music — including a seven-minute Britney Spears montage, an ode to Adam's favorite artist.
From the cake cutting to the final farewell, it was the best day of their lives, they say. But the highlight, by far, was the heartfelt, 30-minute ceremony, written by the grooms themselves. Standing on the 29th floor overlooking East Dallas, the couple recited the vows they'd lovingly prepared.
"Our vows mentioned our love, mistakes, funny stories, brunch and, of course, my favorite, Britney Spears," says Adam.
Venue and Catering:Cityplace Events
DJ, Photobooth, Videographer, Uplighting: Complete Weddings and Events
Photographer: Lightly Photograpy
Cake: Annie's Culinary Creations
Flowers:Lizzie Bee's Flower Shoppe
Transportation: Premier Transportation
Grooms and Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Bridesmaid Attire: David's Bridal
The weather was perfect for the fall wedding the grooms dreamed of.
Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry