Kyleigh & Cody
July 9th, 2022About the Couple
Meet Kyleigh and Cody, childhood pals turned sweethearts. These two grew up on the same street, rode the same bus, and occasionally crossed paths at the park. Kyleigh, who had always seen Cody as a friend, had a change of heart during their sophomore year when they played drums together in the high school band. Suddenly, love felt as natural as breathing, and she “couldn’t picture [her] life without him.”
After dating for awhile, they landed at WSU – Go Cougs! Then, Cody came up with a plan to pop the big question. He chose the Snake River, where his rowing team spent a lot of time practicing. Cody proposed during a picnic with both of their families there to celebrate.
A Lasting Legacy
Kyleigh revealed that a big reason for choosing the Arboretum as their venue is that Cody’s parents also got married in the Joyful Japanese Garden. Both Cody and Kyleigh share a deep love for nature, and they envisioned their wedding as a celebration “teeming with life.” However, they also wanted to ensure that older family members could easily be a part of the ceremony. The Yakima Area Arboretum turned out to be the perfect solution, offering accessibility without compromising the enchanting surroundings of trees and stunning water features.
The Big Day
On Kyleigh and Cody’s wedding day, friends and family pitched in to make it stress-free and special. A friend coordinated the event, another played live music, and even her sisters’ running coach officiated. Kyleigh’s dad handled the barbeque, and her grandma and great aunt helped with the food. Everyone came together, and Kyleigh is grateful for the community support, saying, “There were so many gestures and acts of kindness from friends and family that touched our hearts.”
Kyleigh, reflecting on the ceremony, shares, “I thought I would be more nervous, but in that area, it felt like Cody, me, and our families were in our own special bubble. We really got to celebrate our love and our community in a way that felt personal and connected with nature in a spiritual way.
Advice for Future Arboretum Couples
For couples planning their wedding at the arboretum, Kyleigh suggests utilizing the additional tools, including the kitchen, chairs/tables, and golf carts. It significantly sped up the setup process and made transitioning between parts of the event smoother and more convenient.
Photographs were taken by Hallie Meloy-Trickey and generously provided by the bride. You can find more of her work here.