Exclusive: Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman Jr. & Chariah Gordon Tease Their "City-Meets-Country" Wedding

How do you plan a wedding during Super Bowl season? Just ask Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and his fiancée, Chariah Gordon. As his team prepares for Super Bowl LIX—which will be their fifth championship appearance in six years—the athlete and his wife-to-be have another milestone on their minds too. Once the current NFL season wraps, the couple will dive headfirst into planning their big day. But even as the Chiefs look to make history by becoming the first football team to ever achieve a Super Bowl three-peat, this power couple has had *some* free time to dream up the vision for their wedding.

Ahead of the big game, we caught up with Hardman and Gordon to chat about their wedding vision, from the nature-inspired setting to the moment they're most looking forward to. Plus, they relive the sweetest details of their love story, like how doing things "out of order" got them to where they are today.

• Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. is engaged to Chariah Gordon.
• After taking their relationship public in 2021, Mecole Hardman Jr. and his girlfriend Chariah Gordon announced their engagement in June 2024.
• Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon share two children together: son Three (who was born on Super Bowl Sunday in 2023) and daughter Ci.

In this article:

• Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon's Wedding Vision
• Inside Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon's Love Story

Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon's Wedding Vision

Photo: Courtesy of Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon

Considering there's a little thing called the Super Bowl coming up, planning a wedding admittedly hasn't been a priority for Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon…at least, not yet. "Wedding planning has definitely taken a backseat for now. The season has had us both locked in, and it's been tough to find the time to really focus on the details," Hardman exclusively tells us.

But a busy schedule hasn't completely stopped this NFL couple from thinking about the vision (and the vibe!) for their nuptials. "We've still been making moves behind the scenes—talking to planners, checking out venues, and getting a feel for what we want. Once the season wraps, that's when we'll really lock in and start making things happen," he continues. "It's funny because everything has to be planned around the off-season, but we're excited to finally put our full energy into it and get the ball rolling." Here's a peek inside Gordon and Hardman's wedding plans.

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The Vibe Will Be "City-Meets-Country"

In keeping with one of the biggest wedding trends of the moment, Gordon and Hardman are channeling a wedding vibe in lieu of a traditional theme. "We want to combine the city girl-meets-country boy vibe," Gordon explains. "Mecole's from a small town, so we're blending that with my love for city life."

With an elegant aesthetic that will highlight "soft colors" and "natural elements" like greenery and wood, Gordon says, "We really want the ceremony to feel intimate and personal, something that feels grounded and connected to nature." Later in the evening, though, the energy will drastically shift: "It's going to be a party," Gordon promises. "We want everyone to have a blast and create lasting memories."

Their Top-Secret Location Will Be Inspired by Nature

While the pair aren't revealing where they'll be tying the knot just yet, the destination will be a far cry from the bright lights of Kansas City. "We're keeping the destination tightly under wraps, but it's a peaceful, secluded space away from the chaos of the world," they share. "Picture tall trees, stunning views, and an intimate setting. Just us and about 200 of our closest friends."

Speaking of their guests, Hardman and Gordon are adamant that they receive the VIP treatment throughout the entire wedding weekend. "We really want it to feel like a retreat," they say. "A place where we can just focus on each other and the people who mean the most to us. It's going to be magical."

The Bride Will Wear Multiple Looks

If you follow Gordon on Instagram, you know she always arrives in game day 'fits that are nothing less than spectacular. It'll come as no surprise, then, that she's already planning to curate an incredible wedding wardrobe. "It's so hard for me to decide on just one look," the entrepreneur says. "I love the idea of having multiple outfits throughout the day—something classic and elegant for the ceremony and maybe something a little more fun and dramatic for the reception. I've been thinking about timeless silhouettes, but I also want to add a little edge to it."

While she hasn't had time to go shopping following their 2024 engagement, it's one of the first tasks she'll tackle once the NFL season is over. "I've been collecting inspiration for a while, so I can't wait to see everything come together," she adds. "The whole experience of finding the perfect dress is definitely something I'm looking forward to."

Their Kids Will Hold Special Roles

Photo: Courtesy of Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon

Hardman and Gordon made headlines when their first child, Three, was born on Super Bowl Sunday in 2023. (And yes, in case you forgot, the Chiefs won that matchup!) After the arrival of their daughter made them a family of four, there was no doubt that the couple's children would be prominently involved on their wedding day. "Mecole has said since he was a little boy that his children would be in his wedding, so it's only fitting that they have big roles," Gordon says. "We both want them to be a big part of the day, not just as our children but as symbols of our family coming together."

Not only will their little ones walk down the aisle, the couple is planning a few other moments to include them throughout the ceremony: "It's going to be such a beautiful thing to look back on as they grow older."

Their Chiefs Friends Will Be In Attendance

You don't have to be a Chiefs super fan to know that the team's VIP suites at Arrowhead Stadium get quite a lot of attention throughout the season. Given their tight-knit bond with fellow teammates and WAGs, from Patrick and Brittany Mahomes to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, there's a good chance a few familiar faces will be in attendance at Gordon and Hardman's wedding. "We just want to celebrate with as many of our friends and family as possible," Hardman says.

While he notes that the guest list isn't "locked in" quite yet, they are looking to spend the day celebrating with their nearest and dearest: "My team has been such a huge part of my journey, so it only makes sense to have them there celebrating with us. It's a special moment, and we're excited to share it with the people who mean the most to us."

Inside Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon's Love Story

Photo: Courtesy of Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon

If you, like us, love to know how famous couples meet, you'll be happy to hear that Mecole Hardman Jr. and his longtime girlfriend had a very modern meet-cute. While the couple took their relationship public in 2021, it actually began in the DMs months prior when she made the first move. "We started talking on Instagram," Gordon recalls. "After liking each other's photos for a while, I decided to slide into his DMs, and we started chatting from there."

Before long, Gordon became a staple at GEHA Field, cheering on her boyfriend. The pair announced their first pregnancy in October 2022, in the thick of NFL season. As fate would have it, Gordon gave birth to their son, Three, on Super Bowl Sunday. Hardman revealed the news right before the game, writing on X, "OMG HER WATER BROKE." A few serendipitous hours later, the Chiefs beat the Eagles, and the Hardmans became a family of three.

The following year, the couple shared the happy news that they were expecting another child. Their daughter was born in early 2024, which Gordon confirmed on Mother's Day. Just a few short months after, Hardman proposed at a surprise party in Chicago, Illinois, where they were surrounded by their loved ones. The athlete presented his girlfriend with a dazzling pear-cut engagement ring set within a blinding halo of smaller diamonds.

Photo: Courtesy of Mecole Hardman Jr. and Chariah Gordon

Looking back on their love story, Gordon acknowledges that while they didn't follow a "traditional" timeline, it was simply perfect for them. "People may think we started things a little out of order, but I think we both knew early on that we were meant to be together," she says.

With their wedding finally on the horizon, the bride-to-be says she's most looking forward to laying the foundation for their future together. "I'm excited to continue to grow as a couple, to be parents, and to set an example of love and dedication for our children," she muses. "I'm looking forward to the commitment, the partnership, and all the adventures that await us as a married couple. We have so many dreams for the future, and it's exciting to know we'll be doing it all together."