AMP in the post
Reba McEntire’s Son Shelby Blackstock Married His Influencer Girlfriend In “Fairytale” Land
Shelby Blackstock, 31, and long-time girlfriend Marissa Stock, 29, tied the knot on Sat. Feb. 12 at a grand and dreamy location — Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Amongst the guests at the occasion are country legend Reba McEntire, 66, her boyfriend Rex Linn, and Shelby’s brother, Brandon.
Shelby met Marissa Stock, an Influencer and esthetician, on Tinder, but the pair didn’t start dating until two years later, a moment they like to call a “Tinderella story”.
“We made fast friends early on and have had a strong bond ever since. We are twin flames. There’s this indescribable feeling of déjà vu when we are together — as if life is reminding us that we’re following our destiny,” the couple told PEOPLE. “In retrospect, our mutual friends could see how compatible we are. They would always recommend that we should date; I think we were the only ones who didn’t see it (at the time).”
They continued, “The love was always there; we just didn’t understand it until we were both in the right headspace and had the maturity to recognize it. We both agree that if we had dated immediately upon meeting, we likely would not be as prepared as we are now to deserve one another.”
AMP in the post
Reba McEntire Spoilers – Epcot Wedding
The Hartland CEO and former race car driver and Branch opted to hold their wedding at Epcot, because the park holds “sentimental” value for them. The affair was planned by Disney’s Diane Bowen and Hugh Howser and his team H Three Events, with flower arrangement by Heather Greer.
“My mom worked there when she was younger, managing the Small World ride. It was my Nana’s favorite. She passed away in 2006 at the age of 57, while I was in middle school. She was my rock, and her passing affected me deeply,” Branch told PEOPLE. “To this day, one of my most cherished photos features the two of us on Small World. Shelby and I first visited Disney World together six years ago — the first time I had been back since my grandmother passed. We rode Small World in her memory, which was really moving for both of us.”
Eventually, the park became a place where most of their happiest times took place, including a love confession, a proposal, and now, a wedding.
AMP in the post
“Epcot was also the first place Shelby said ‘I love you’ and where he would later propose. Some of our happiest times together have happened at Epcot, so celebrating our nuptials there just made sense!” Branch said. “Nana will undoubtedly be with us in spirit on the big day, most notably as our flower girls walk down the aisle to ‘It’s a Small World’ in her honor — which brought instant waterworks from my mom when she learned of our plan!”
The couple also held their combined bachelor and bachelorette parties there.
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