Couples who medal together, stay together.
Updated Jul 16, 2024Inside Dansby and Mallory Swanson's Incredible Love Story
The athletic power couple met on a blind date in 2017.
Photo: Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF | Getty Images for USSF
Few athletic power couples are as impressive as Dansby Swanson and his wife, Mallory Swanson. Currently an MLB player for the Chicago Cubs, Swanson won the World Series with the Braves in 2021, and she's a forward on the United States women's national soccer team (who, we might add, is killing it at the 2024 Olympics in Paris). Athletic achievements aside, their love story is one of our favorites—because it all began on a blind date seven years ago.
Here, we break down Dansby and Mallory Swanson's incredible love story, from the moment they met to how they support each other in the public eye today. Plus, we look back on the sweetest details from their "enchanted forest" winter wedding in 2022.
- Dansby Swanson's wife is Mallory (Pugh) Swanson, a soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars and the USWNT.
- Dansby and Mallory Swanson were set up on a blind date in 2017 by his former Braves teammate (and her brother-in-law) Jace Peterson.
- After getting engaged in 2021, Dansby Swanson married his wife on December 10, 2022, in Greensboro, Georgia.
In this article:
- Who is Dansby Swanson's Wife, Mallory Swanson?
- How Dansby Swanson and Mallory Swanson Met
- Dansby Swanson and Mallory Swanson's Relationship Timeline
- Inside Dansby and Mallory Swanson's Wedding
Who is Dansby Swanson's Wife, Mallory Swanson?
Photo: Michael Reaves | Getty Images
Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson is married to Mallory (Pugh) Swanson—and she's got an impressive athletic resume that speaks for itself. A lifelong soccer player, she got called up to play on the United States women's national team at age 17 in 2016. She was the youngest player to join the team since 2002. She scored her first goal against the Republic of Ireland, and that same year she became the youngest Olympic goalscorer for the United States at the 2016 Games in Rio.
While she originally intended to attend UCLA, she gave up her collegiate career and went pro in 2017. After starting on the Washington Spirit, she went on to play for Sky Blue FC before moving to the Chicago Red Stars, where she currently plays—allowing her to be in the same city as her husband. In 2019, she won the FIFA Women's World Cup with the national team. She emerged as a breakout star at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where she scored two goals against Zambia and got the go-ahead goal against Germany.
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How Dansby Swanson and Mallory Swanson Met
It all began with a blind date. In 2017, Dansby Swanson and Mallory Pugh were introduced by his Braves teammate, Jace Peterson, who is married to her older sister, Brianna. They went on their first date in December and kept their romance under wraps for an entire year before they went public.
Dansby Swanson and Mallory Swanson's Relationship Timeline
For nearly 10 years, Dansby Swanson and his wife Mallory have been each other's biggest cheerleaders. Look back on their complete relationship timeline, from 2017 to today.
December 2017: Dansby Swanson and Mallory Pugh Go on a Blind Date
Dansby and Mallory Swanson's love story began in 2017, when they were set up on a blind date by his teammate (and her brother-in-law) Jace Peterson.
December 2018: Mallory Pugh Hard-Launches Romance With Dansby Swanson
Although they began dating almost immediately, Dansby and Mallory Swanson kept their romance under wraps for an entire year. They hard-launched their relationship on December 13, 2018, when the soccer player shared an Instagram photo of them dressed up for the holiday season. She captioned it with a simple black heart.
November 2021: Mallory Pugh Celebrates Dansby Swanson's World Series Win
Dansby Swanson won the World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, and his girlfriend was by his side for every moment. In an emotional post on Instagram, Pugh celebrated the championship by writing, "This man right here. He inspires me everyday. Yeah he's a great baseball player but if anyone knows him he's an even better person. He helps me live out my faith is Jesus. Gods plan for him hasn't been easy."
She continued that their shared faith helped them through the challenging post-season experience. "The game of baseball has driven him crazy at times but the one thing that he always goes back to is Our Savior," she added. "It's the faith and trust in God during trials in a season that most people don't see. It's becoming the man that God made him to be. And finally it's him giving all the glory to God."
December 2021: Dansby Swanson and Mallory Pugh Get Engaged
After four years together, Dansby Swanson proposed to Mallory Pugh in December 2021. He popped the question underneath a towering balloon arch on their front porch, and presented her with a massive oval-cut diamond ring. "Life ain't good. It's freaking great!" Swanson captioned a photo of the engagement on Instagram.
December 2022: Dansby and Mallory Swanson Get Married
One year later, Mallory Swanson and her husband Dansby got married in Greensboro, Georgia. The couple hosted an "enchanted forest"-themed winter wedding at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee, and we look back on all the dreamy details below.
December 2023: Dansby Swanson Celebrates His First Anniversary
Married life keeps getting sweeter for the Swansons. On their first anniversary, the MLB player took to Instagram to celebrate one year of wedded bliss. "To my beautiful amazing wife, Happy anniversary! God has blessed us with so much, and will continue to do so," he captioned a slideshow of photos from the big day. "No matter how challenging times get, or how great they may be, keeping our faith in Him will continue to lead this marriage. I'm so grateful He put you in my life and somehow convinced you to pick me as your husband. You're the best, and I love you always!!"
Dansby and Mallory Swanson's Wedding Photos & Details
Dansby and Mallory Swanson's wedding took place on December 10, 2022, at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. "To get married in front of our family and friends is so special," the athletes told People at the time. "It means that we are becoming one and get to impact God's kingdom together."
With a clear vision for the event, the couple hired Sara Fried of Fête Nashville Luxury Weddings to bring their dream day to life. "Mal's vision for her dream ceremony was an enchanted forest canopied with towering trees," Fried told the outlet. "We added whimsical string lights, romantic crystal chandeliers and a gorgeous white altar inspired by church windows, and let nature be the focal point."
The outdoor venue was decorated with black and white floral arrangements and a lavish installation with greenery and white wisteria. A custom monogram appeared on the stationery and napkins, as well as the DJ station and photo backdrops.
Mallory Swanson's wedding dress was a custom Anne Barge gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline and sheer long sleeves adorned with floral lace. The groom opted for a classic black tuxedo—and during the reception, they both changed into custom Nike sneakers for dancing.
According to People, the couple skipped a traditional sit-down dinner and instead offered food stations highlighting their favorite dishes, like fried chicken, pimento mac and cheese, collard greens, fried okra, creamed corn casserole and fried catfish. Homemade peach cobbler, banana pudding ice cream and a champagne cake were included on the dessert menu. The after-party was catered by Waffle House.
Looking back, the couple agreed that their favorite part of the wedding was spending it with the people they love most: "We loved having everyone in one place to celebrate, dance and enjoy each other."
