Ben McCleskey and Avery Armstrong will soon exchange their vows and get married where their romance began — at Philips Arena.
Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin is keeping his promise to pay for — and host — the wedding of McCleskey and Armstrong, a couple who started dating after the NBA team's first "Swipe Right Night" in 2015.
Ben and Avery were acquaintances when the Hawks hosted their first Tinder night in 2015, but they decided to meet face to face at the dating event. They've been inseparable ever since. The couple, who enjoy going to Hawks games, returned a year later for the team's second date night — dubbed "Swipe Right Night 2.0."
Now the two are getting ready to marry — and the Hawks are footing the bill. The wedding ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 3, on the hardwoods at Philips, and will be followed by a reception for more than 200 guests in the arena’s newly opened, swanky Courtside Club.
MORE: Ex-Bacchanalia chef takes new approach to courtside cuisine at Philips
In the spring of 2016, the AJC connected with Ben, Avery and Koonin at “Swipe Right Night 2.0” after the couple, both students at Shorter University at the time, were selected to sit in Harry’s Love Nest, a 7½-foot-tall giant perch at the bottom of Section 108.
That’s when Koonin learned the couple were still going strong and made the generous offer: He told the couple that if they got married, the Hawks would be happy to host the wedding. He would also take care of the costs.
“My treat,” he said.
About a year ago, the couple, also parents to a future Hawks fan — a baby girl named JoJo, reached out to Koonin via Twitter to see if the offer still stood.
Avery posted on Twitter: Hey @ATLHawks rememberwhenyousaidyou'd pay for mine + @BMccleskeyNRP wedding? Well the 3 of us are ready-we hope the offer still stands!
Koonin responded with this message:
“Avery and Ben: We are super excited for how your relationship has grown since you met at our first Swipe Right Night, and I will absolutely make good on my promise for the Hawks to host your wedding,” Koonin said on the NBA.com site.
“We can’t wait to start making plans and meet your new little one.”
Avery said she was surprised Koonin “even remembered us.”
Following the ceremony, an evening reception with dining and dancing will take place at the arena’s exclusive Courtside Club. Located just behind the basket, the club recently opened as part of the first phase of the arena’s $192.5 million transformation project. The space, an exclusive club in the arena, is usually reserved for floor seat ticket holders and features the signature Hawk Bar, the only on-the-floor bar in the NBA.
David's Bridal also partnered with the Hawks to provide the soon-to-be bride with dresses for the wedding day. In January, David's Bridal invited Avery to its Kennesaw location for a visit with an in-store styling team to guide her through the selection of her wedding gown, along with dresses for her flower girl, mother and 11 bridesmaids.
MORE: Check this out, The Hawks posted a little video of Avery looking at wedding dresses.
“This is such a crazy and surreal thing/story, but it truly is a blessing for us,” said Avery this week in an email. “We are so thankful for all that the Hawks have done and are doing for our family.”
Avery, now 25, graduated from Shorter University a couple of years ago and works part time coaching a varsity lacrosse team. Ben, 23, is finishing up college and currently manages a Jimmy John’s shop.
MORE: This amazing love story begins with blind date and wedding days later
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