WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page (DDP) married adventure athlete Payge McMahon in a double surprise proposal and wedding ceremony at The Dwell Hotel in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Diamond Dallas Page planned the two-part surprise proposal and wedding with the help of his daughter Brittany Page. A luxury event planner, Brittany took over most of the bridal planning duties. She did cake and catering tastings, venue walk-throughs, and designed the event and decor. They rented out The Dwell Hotel, one of the couple’s favorite boutique hotels.

The night of the event, Payge would unexpectedly encounter her immediate family in the lobby. Once she saw her family, DDP planned to drop to one knee and propose. After the bride had a moment to greet her family, I as the wedding photographer would create a diversion by asking Payge to take some portraits of her and DDP in front of the hotel.

Following a short portrait session on the street, I would suggest taking a few more photos in the back. It’s all about the “better lighting” when you’re creating a surprise. I would lead Payge to the second part of the event. Upon walking into the Syrup and Eggs restaurant portion of the hotel, Payge would see her family and friends gathered together for the surprise wedding ceremony.

DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE’S SURPRISE WEDDING PROPOSAL

DDP told Payge, whose married name is Payge Page, that they’d been invited to a friend’s red and white Christmas-themed party. While they were in their room dressing for the faux party, their family and friends snuck in downstairs.

Guests arrived at The Dwell Hotel at 6:30 PM, gathered to enjoy a glass of champagne, and found their hiding positions. Immediate family members waited in the front lobby across from the Night Pearl hotel tiki bar for the proposal. Friends and extended family waited in Syrup and Eggs for Diamond Dallas Page’s surprise wedding ceremony.

Around  7:00 PM, the guests were in position waiting for DDP and Payge’s departure for the proposal. The minutes leading up to a surprise are always the most nerve-racking! All of the guests and the media team waited in silent suspense, listening for the ding of the elevator, their signal that the couple was about to exit. After what seemed like forever, the elevator doors opened, and DDP and Payge made their way towards the hotel’s front door. Suddenly, Payge glanced to the side and saw her mother and father. She started crying, and Diamond Dallas Page, a towering 6’5″, went down to his knee and professed his love. Obviously, Payge said yes!

During his proposal, Diamond Dallas Page gifted his bride with a stunning engagement ring with the inscription “Page + Payge = forever.” The ring was displayed in a spotlight LED ring box–a perfect match for the couple’s sense of pizzazz.

DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE AND PAYGE MCMAHON’S WEDDING PORTRAITS

Following the proposal, I distracted Payge so the rest of Diamond Dallas Page’s surprise wedding ceremony could be prepared. I asked the happy couple to take a few portraits outside, giving family members time to join the other guests in the back of the building.

For the proposal, the groom wore a custom, double-breasted white suit with a red button-up. Between the proposal and wedding, he added a white fedora accessorized with a sprig of holly and a pine cone. Payge wore a stunning backless red gown and sparkling heels. In her vows, she mentioned that she’d intended to wear the dress at the 2020 Cannes film festival for a showing of DDP’s Relentless documentary. Unfortunately, they’d been unable to attend the festival. Payge said she was thrilled to be able to wear the dress for her surprise proposal and wedding. DDP arranged a bridal bouquet of sage-colored greenery and white florals to compliment Payge’s outfit. He thought of everything!

After a few candid portraits underneath the marquee lighting of The Dwell Hotel, I suggested that we take a few more photos in the back of the building “where there was better lighting and more space.” I led DDP and Payge to the Syrup and Eggs restaurant part of the building, where family and close friends shocked Payge once more. She greeted the guests, and the surprise wedding ceremony began.

A SURPRISE WEDDING CEREMONY IN DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA

The bride and groom stood on the staircase in the middle of the restaurant during their ceremony, surrounded by family and friends. During her vows, Paige explained that DDP had hinted to her in the past about their wedding being a surprise. She wrote wedding vows and carried them in her purse at all times to be prepared, and it came in handy!

Dr. Asa Andrew, a close friend and former member of The Power Team, performed the ceremony before introducing “Mr. and Mrs. Dallas and Payge Page.” At the end of their heartfelt ceremony, the couple enjoyed the first dance and started the party.

DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE AND PAYGE MCMAHON WEDDING RECEPTION

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to stay for an intimate reception at The Dwell Hotel and in the patio space behind the hotel.

Events with Taste served a buffet-style dinner with shrimp cocktails, filet, and other delicious dishes. The Dwell Hotel provided bar services, and DJ Scuba Steve fueled the dance floor.

Near the end of the reception, Dallas and Payge cut a cake (provided by Bs Sweets) and thanked their guest for joining them to celebrate their nuptials.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Page! Thank you for bringing me in for such a wonderful surprise wedding.

Vendors:
Photography: OkCrowe.com
Venue: The Dwell Hotel
Catering: Events With Taste
Cake: B’s Sweets
Entertainment: DJ Scuba Steve

And a big thank you to Nathan Mowery at Kind Punk for referring me to DDP and introducing us. This wedding was a blast to photograph!

PLANNING YOUR OWN WEDDING NEAR CHATTANOOGA? I’D LOVE TO HELP MAKE YOUR DAY EVERYTHING YOU DREAM OF.

I’m Rachael Crowe of OKCrowe Photography. I’ve shot hundreds of weddings across the Chattanooga area and beyond. I’d love to be part of yours as well! Whether you’re eloping on a mountaintop a thousand miles away or hosting a big wedding right here in town, I’m here to answer your questions, capture your day, and help you make your wedding everything you’ve dreamed it would be.

If you’re still on the hunt for a wedding photographer, I’d love to chat! Visit my contact form, and let’s start planning your dream wedding!