NFL Star Ian Thomas Ties the Knot with Azaria Algarin in a Flower-Filled, Champagne-Fueled North Carolina Wedding – Complete with Aerialists, Bows, and a Surprise Dress Twist - suong

The couple, who met through a mutual friend connecting them on Instagram, figured it was only right that they get married in the city where they fell in love.

"More than anything, I wanted our wedding to be a true reflection of the love Ian and I share — not just something that looked pretty, but something that felt meaningful," Algarin says.

She adds, "Of course, I still wanted it to be beautiful, so I splurged on the floral design, knowing it would set the tone for everything else. Once the flowers were in place, every detail had to rise to that same level of elegance and intention." 

Working with Hospitality Butler's lead planner and designer Matt Starnes was a "breeze" for the bride. He helped make her "vision truly come to life." They followed a black, white and gold wedding theme and created custom elements, including a "one-of-a-kind bar" and "beautiful escort wall," for a "sophisticated aesthetic."

"From the start, we had a few non-negotiables that shaped our entire day: the wedding had to be indoors, filled with an immeasurable amount of florals, and, of course, include bows, hot dogs, and a champagne tower!" Algarin details. "We also knew we wanted to incorporate family into our bridal party in meaningful ways. Every element — no matter how big or small — was intentional and true to who we are. It was important to us that our wedding felt like us from start to finish."

Notable wedding details include performances by an aerialist, violinist and saxophonist.

Approximately 220 guests, including several professional football players, gathered to witness the indoor ceremony officiated by Frank Bailey.

Algarin walked down the aisle as "Oceans" by Hillsong UNITED played. With each step, her custom ballgown designed by Say Yes to the Dress star Pnina Tornai gently swayed. It was only the second wedding dress Algarin tried on during her appointment at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City.

"When it came to dress shopping, I was convinced I knew exactly what I wanted. I had my stylist pull only fitted dresses from the rack — I never imagined myself in anything else," the bride recalls. "But then, my stylist gently encouraged me to just try on a ballgown I had pointed out."

"I instantly knew she was the one," she continues. "As soon as I put it on, I didn’t want to take it off. I felt like a princess in every sense of the word. It completely surprised me, but it also just felt so right."

The dress looked just as refined when Algarin and Thomas exchanged handwritten vows and shared their first dance to John Legend's "All of Me." Thomas didn't look too shabby either in his suit designed by Mitch Purgason, with Algarin describing her hubby as "incredibly sexy."

The first dance song was especially "special" to Algarin because it's what played when she walked blindfolded down a staircase toward Thomas, who popped the question down on one knee in a "complete surprise" sunset proposal in Santorini, Greece, on July 14, 2024.

"It was truly the most romantic thing ever," Algarin recalls.

When they weren't dancing, the couple and their guests enjoyed a buffet-style dinner of salad, bread, shrimp and grits, chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans. For dessert, they sliced into a savory four-tiered wedding cake with vanilla, coconut and lemon flavoring. The cake was from Kiley's Sugar Shoppe and decorated with a long black bow.

"To us, getting married means gaining a partner, lover, companion, best friend, comedian, travel buddy and cheerleader — all in one, for life," Algarin shares. "It means knowing that whatever life throws our way, we’ll face it hand in hand. Marriage is the promise that we’re in this together — always."

The newlyweds are off to the South of France for a 12-day honeymoon, where they'll visit Nice, St. Tropez and Monaco. One week later, they'll pack their bags and head West to Las Vegas.

"It’s bittersweet leaving the place where we built so many memories, but we’re so excited for what’s ahead," Algarin says, noting that they can't wait to "make babies."