Black-and-White Wedding at The Apiary

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Madison and Chantz Gould’s love story began during their time as classmates in the Physician Assistant school at the University of Kentucky, where they made their relationship official on the day of their White Coat Ceremony. Nearly four years later, the pair celebrated their marriage with an elegant black-and-white wedding at The Apiary, complete with heartfelt private vows, Kentucky-inspired cuisine, and a giant disco ball.

A bride and groom stand close together outdoors, holding hands and a bouquet of white flowers, surrounded by greenery and benches near a stone fountain as they prepare to exchange heartfelt wedding vows. — Madison and Chantz Gould tied the knot on April 4, 2026. Image: Maddie Berry Photography

For most medical and health profession students, the White Coat Ceremony marks the beginning of clinical practice. But for Madison and Chantz, the June 4, 2022, milestone came with an added layer of significance: It was also the day Madison asked Chantz to be her boyfriend, officially turning their friendship into something more.

A couple of years later, the pair settled into their first home together. Then, on November 5, 2024, what began as a casual dinner with friends ended in a proposal. When the couple returned home, Madison found a trail of white rose petals leading from the front door to the backyard, where Chantz was waiting to ask her to marry him while friends hid nearby, ready to celebrate the moment she said “yes.”

When it came time to plan the wedding, the couple had one detail locked in before anything else: the date. Madison and Chantz tied the knot on April 4, 2026, a meaningful choice tied to Madison’s favorite number.

“April 4 was a special date for us and was always going to be the date we got married,” she explains, adding that her angel number/lucky number/favorite number is 444 or 44.

A bride in a white gown and a groom in a black tuxedo stand together outside a large wooden door set in a brick wall, holding a white bouquet, ready to exchange their wedding vows. — The Apiary courtyard provided an ideal backdrop. Image: Maddie Berry Photography

It didn’t take long for the couple to decide on a venue, either. After taking a tour of The Apiary, they knew they’d found the perfect place for their nuptials.

“It just felt right,” Madison explains. “We loved the natural beauty of it and the elegant vibe that the venue gave off, (and) we loved the availability of the courtyard and the beauty of all of the greenery and plants outside.”

Madison’s gown was a stunner from Jenny Yoo, pairing a clean, minimalist silhouette with romantic details, including an off-the-shoulder neckline and sheer, fitted sleeves that gave the dress a delicate, modern feel.

“I got my dress from Twirl in Lexington,” Madison says, adding that she used to babysit for the shop’s owner and always planned on getting her dress from the Clay Avenue boutique. She found a dress online, went to the store to try it on, and instantly knew it was the one.

A woman in an off-shoulder white wedding dress holding a bouquet stands near a wooden door and greenery, ready to exchange wedding vows in a charming outdoor setting. — Madison is stunning in her Jenny Yoo gown from Twirl. Image: Maddie Berry Photography

“I had tried several dresses on that day, but wasn’t feeling like any of them were the right one for me,” she recalls. “I finally tried on the dress I came for, and everyone just started crying when they saw me in it. It felt amazing on me, and I knew it was going to be my wedding dress. It matched the elegant vibes of the wedding perfectly.”

Chantz was finally able to lay eyes on his bride in her gown during their first look. They then shared private vows, had their official ceremony, and moved their guests to the reception area for an elegant, disco ball-inspired soirée with a black-and-white color scheme.

Several mirrored disco balls of varying sizes are suspended among large clusters of white baby's breath flowers indoors, creating a whimsical scene perfect for exchanging wedding vows. — The couple decided on a black-and-white color scheme to keep the look classy while complementing the disco balls. Image: Maddie Berry Photography

“Chantz didn’t have many opinions about the wedding,” Madison says, “but he was absolutely set on one thing — and that was that we would be hanging an insanely huge disco ball from the ceiling during the reception.”

The couple had their first dance under the disco ball to “Look At Me” by Carrie Underwood, a song Chantz initially wanted to play during his proposal. He and his mom swayed to Chris Stapleton’s version of “I Hope You Dance,” and Madison danced to Taylor Swift’s “Never Grow Up” with her dad. It brought back memories of her younger days, when her dad would drive her to school, and they’d rock out to Taylor’s songs on the way.

A couple shares a dance at a wedding reception, surrounded by seated guests, as disco balls and floral arrangements hang from the ceiling. — The newlyweds enjoy their first dance among family and friends. Image: Maddie Berry Photography

A wooden table is set for a formal event with white plates, black napkins, glassware, candles, and greenery as centerpiece decorations. — The single, white-stem roses are a nod to the white rose petals Chantz used for his proposal. Image: Maddie Berry Photography

After enjoying white sangria, hot brown puffs, lobster mac and cheese, and chorizo-potato croquettes during the Kentucky-food themed cocktail hour, the Goulds’ guests enjoyed a seated reception dinner. The meal included a wedge salad (which Madison says is the best salad she has ever had!) as well as roasted chicken with Brussels sprouts and a grit soufflé.

A server holds a tray with four glasses of iced cocktails garnished with mint and fruit, set in a formal dining setting perfect for an elegant celebration. — The signature drink of the night was sangria. Image: Maddie Berry Photography

A server in a white shirt and black tie holds a wooden tray with bite-sized appetizers in an elegant apiary, creating a formal setting perfect for exchanging wedding vows. — Hot brown puffs are a nod to the Bluegrass. Image: Maddie Berry Photography

A smiling couple in formal attire walks hand in hand indoors at their elegant wedding; the woman wears a white dress and holds a bouquet, while the man wears a black tuxedo. — Time for an outfit change! Image: Maddie Berry Photography

After dinner, the couple celebrated a sweet wedding tradition by cutting into a small red velvet cake together. And after a romantic getaway in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Madison and Chantz are settling into life as newlyweds.