Lainey Wilson finally has her guy. Honestly, for a long time, fans were just guessing. We saw the bell-bottoms, we heard the heartbreak songs, and we saw her character Abby on Yellowstone flirt with Ian Bohen, but her real-life romance was tucked away in a quiet corner of Nashville. That changed in early 2025.
Lainey Wilson is officially engaged to Devlin "Duck" Hodges.
The proposal wasn't some Hollywood production. It happened on the front porch of a home that once belonged to the legendary George Jones. Think about that for a second. The woman who basically lives and breathes traditional country music got asked the big question at the estate of "The Possum." It’s poetic.
Who is the man behind the "Duck" nickname?
If you aren't a sports fan, the name Devlin Hodges might not ring a bell. Most people just call him Duck. He’s a former NFL quarterback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams.
Where did the nickname come from? It wasn't because he’s good at dodging defenders. His college coach at Samford University, Chris Hatcher, gave it to him. Apparently, Hodges reminded the coach of another player he’d coached years prior who shared the moniker. Plus, Hodges is a world-class duck caller. He’s won actual competitions for it.
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He isn't in the NFL anymore. These days, he’s a real estate agent. He works for Myers Cobb Realtors, dealing mostly in land and timber. It makes sense. He and Lainey are both outdoorsy people who seem more comfortable in a deer stand than a velvet-roped VIP section.
A secret that lasted two years
They didn't just meet last week. They actually started dating in 2021. For two whole years, they kept things completely under wraps. No red carpets. No "soft launches" on Instagram. Nothing.
Lainey eventually told Bobby Bones that she wanted to make sure he was "the one" before the world started weighing in. You've seen how it goes with celebrity couples. The second a picture drops, people start picking the relationship apart. She protected it.
Their first date was at a Nashville dive bar called Silverados. Lainey later admitted she told him a little white lie that night—she claimed people called her "Goose" just to match his "Duck." He fell for it.
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The proposal and that massive ring
The engagement happened in February 2025. It was a whole "4x4xU" moment, referencing her hit song. Duck went all out with the presentation, using a ring box shaped like a tiny cowboy hat.
The ring itself is a beast. It’s a multi-stone cluster design on a thick, diamond-encrusted band. Experts estimate it's somewhere between 5 to 7 carats total. It’s unconventional, just like her style. It isn't a simple solitaire; it’s bold, chunky, and looks exactly like something a girl from Baskin, Louisiana would wear.
What we know about the wedding
They aren't rushing. In late 2025, during the CMA Awards—where she was basically the queen of the night—Lainey shouted out from the stage that they’re getting married in 2026.
"We're getting married next year, come on now!"
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That’s what she told the crowd. Hodges has mentioned on podcasts that they have a few weekends picked out for the spring or summer of 2026. They want something "simple." Knowing Lainey, "simple" probably involves a lot of denim, some good whiskey, and maybe a few pairs of bell-bottoms in the bridal party.
Dealing with the rumors
Being a public couple hasn't been all roses. In mid-2025, some AI-generated photos went viral showing them getting married in a secret ceremony. It was fake. Lainey and Duck actually hopped on TikTok to debunk it. They laughed about how the AI made them look "like s–t" in the photos.
It’s that kind of humor that seems to keep them together. They’re both southern, they both understand the grind of chasing a dream, and they both seem to value privacy even though they’re now "red carpet official."
Actionable insights for fans
If you’re following the journey toward the 2026 wedding, here is what to keep an eye on:
- The Music: Listen closely to the lyrics on her latest tracks like "4x4xU" and "Yesterday, All Day, Every Day." She’s admitted these are the first real love songs she’s ever written because she finally had someone to write them about.
- The Date: Look for a wedding announcement in the late spring or early summer of 2026. They've hinted at those windows specifically to avoid her heaviest touring seasons.
- The Vibe: Expect a ceremony that leans heavily into Tennessee or Louisiana roots. They aren't "destination wedding" people. They are "back porch and good company" people.
Lainey spent years being the "Heart Like a Truck" girl—tough, independent, and a little bit broken. Seeing her find a guy like Duck who actually supports her career without trying to dim her light is the kind of happy ending country music fans live for.