Newlyweds: Katy and Alex Johnson

Katy (37) is the Chief of Staff for a local ecommerce business. Alex (40) is the Executive Chef at The Matador Restaurant downtown. She’s from a small town in Virginia near Richmond. He’s from Melbourne, Florida. Together since July 2024, they got married on 2/27/26 at the Citadel Beach Club.

Current location:

North Charleston.

How did you meet?

We technically connected on Hinge first, but then I went to the restaurant he worked at to scope him out before our first date. He came to our table to do a table visit and I told him I was looking forward to our first date.

What did you do on your first date?

We met for dinner at Henry’s and then enjoyed a cocktail on the rooftop, where I kissed him for the first time. Then we went to Carmella’s and got some strawberry gelato and walked to the swings on the pier and talked for hours. The city was dead that night — it was like we had it all to ourselves. We ended up at the Pineapple Fountain and took our first picture together. It was so late the fountain was off. That spot has become a go-to for photos for us, including one from our wedding day.

Tell us about the proposal.

We’d been dating a little over a year and Alex had never been to Virginia with me to see my hometown, so we planned a long weekend for it. Alex is a huge history buff and I love wine, so I wanted to take him to Charlottesville to see the sites there. That Sunday after church, we went with my Dad to Monticello and at the end of the house tour, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever. It was a surreal moment being on top of that mountain, literally, and answering yes to the easiest question anyone has ever asked me.

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Why did you choose to get married in Charleston?

This is where we met and where we call home together, so it just made sense. We chose the Citadel Beach Club because it’s beautiful, it’s near the ocean, and it was close to our church.

What was your first dance song?

“Ordinary” by Alex Warren. We paid an instructor to choreograph a dance for us and we spent three months practicing in our living room.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Katy: I believe in immediate attraction for sure. I fell so quickly for Alex. Our first date was truly so magical — there were so many little things that lined up or that we shared, I just knew he could really be the one.

Alex: It was at our first RiverDogs game. We got matching jerseys and seeing the joy on her face, I knew then I loved her. I don’t love baseball the way she does, and I’d never been to a RiverDogs game or purchased sports team attire like that before — but with Katy I just wanted to experience new things together.

What’s your definition of love?

Katy: Finding joy in the smallest moments and sharing in that joy with a person who is just happy being present in that moment with you.

Alex: Love is a selfless thing where you put someone else before yourself.

What are your thoughts on dating nowadays?

Katy: It’s absolutely harder. We’re both older and work a lot, so we don’t like to go out to bars and be out late. Dating apps give people so many endless options — it’s also hard to find people willing to commit these days.

Alex: Dating these days comes with so many unrealistic expectations because of social media influence.

What advice would you give people searching for their life partner?

Katy: I hated being told this, but be patient. Waiting and being choosy of your partner will pay off. Don’t be rushed into something because it makes you feel pressured into doing things you aren’t ready for. It is so worth it when you find that person.

Alex: Don’t look. Be patient and let things happen naturally.

On paper, would you say you’re a compatible couple?

We are complete opposites in so many ways. I’m very into sports and play golf. Alex loves video games and watching Star Wars and horror movies — funny story, I’d never seen a single Star Wars movie and now I’ve seen them all. We have very different taste in food: I love seafood and he’s allergic. But we do share a love for travel and adventure — we’re currently trying to visit all the SC state parks. We share a love for reading and historical fiction. But the glue that bound us is our shared love of family. We both had very strong bonds with one of our grandparents and just put a strong value on family.

What’s the best piece of advice you received about marriage?

Marriage is about teamwork. It’s about “we” and “us,” not “I” and “me” anymore.

What are your future plans?

We just started a business together operating a claw machine. We eventually want to buy or build a bigger home, and we’re still deciding if we want to have kids.

Who’s the better cook?

This may be the hardest question for me to answer being that I am married to a chef. Alex is certainly the better cook — I just end up being the one that cooks most often, but I do not enjoy it like he does. I’ll never forget our first Thanksgiving together because he made the turkey and most of the meal for my family, and it was the best turkey I’ve ever eaten. I’ll also never forget the first meal we made together where he taught me how to make homemade spaghetti sauce — including boiling and peeling the tomatoes for the sauce.

Who’s more organized?

I am the organized one. Alex is great about tidying the kitchen and bathrooms, but I’m mostly the one keeping the house together.

What are some of your favorite date spots around town?

Our favorite spots include Shem Creek and Isle of Palms beach.

The wedding:

Venue: Citadel Beach Club
Caterer: Duvall Catering
Florist: Twisted Roots Flowers
Photographer: Ashley Peterson Photography
Videographer: Kettle House Media
Band: The Vistas Band

Cake designer: Cami’s Cake Co.

Live painter: Stephen Popadich

Guest book: Bricks and Minifigs Charleston

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