George Boyle
Olympic athletes Will Claye and Queen Harrison tied the knot in October 2018, two years after their engagement at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Claye, a three-time Olympic medalist, proposed to Harrison after winning the silver medal in the triple jump. The couple, who lived and trained in different cities, planned their wedding long-distance, opting for a small ceremony and a large reception in Jamul, California.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | May 2018 |
| Wedding Location | Jamul, California |
| Wedding Venue | Montana Cielo, an overlook estate property in the hills of eastern San Diego county |
| Harrison's Wedding Dress | Vera Wang lace gown with illusion sleeves from the designer's 2018 White collection, paired with a Vera Wang veil |
| Wedding Planner | Gina Hundley of SD Weddings by Gina |
| Officiant | Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham |
| Engagement Location | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Date of Engagement | August 2016 |
| Engagement Ring | Diamond ring |
| Proposal | Claye proposed to Harrison in the stands after winning the silver medal in the men's triple jump at the 2016 Rio Olympics |
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What You'll Learn
Will Claye's proposal to Queen Harrison at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Will Claye, a three-time Olympic medalist, proposed to his girlfriend, fellow Olympian and hurdler Queen Harrison, at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Claye had won a silver medal in the men's triple jump event and bounded into the stands with the American flag still in hand. He then dropped to one knee and proposed to Harrison, who had not qualified for the hurdling event in Rio.
Claye later recounted his proposal, saying, "I told her she was my best friend. I told her she was my rib. I told her I want to grow old with her. I want her to be by my side for the rest of my life. She's helped me grow into the man I am today." He also added that he had the ring designed before the Olympic trials but did not know when or how he would propose.
Harrison, who was stunned by the proposal, said, "There were so many people around, but somehow, it felt like it was just us two. It was perfect." She also shared that she initially thought Claye was jumping into the stands to celebrate with his family and was shocked when he dropped to his knees.
The couple celebrated their engagement with a traditional Sierra Leone ceremony, honouring Harrison's heritage, before exchanging their wedding vows in a ceremony in Jamul, California, in October 2016.
The Olympic athletes, Claye and Harrison, started a new chapter of their lives together, creating a beautiful moment amidst the excitement of the Rio Olympic Games.
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The couple's long-distance wedding planning
Olympic athletes Will Claye and Queen Harrison had to plan their wedding while living and training in different cities. Claye lived in San Diego, while Harrison had recently moved to Phoenix from South Carolina. The couple, who first met in 2012, got engaged in 2016 when Claye proposed to Harrison at the Rio Olympics after winning a silver medal in the triple jump.
Despite the distance, Claye and Harrison were able to effectively plan their wedding with the help of the internet. They also shared that being long-distance helped keep their disagreements from feeling too massive. They were able to avoid arguments by weighing the pros and cons over the phone, which helped them make concrete decisions.
The couple decided on a May 2018 wedding date and opted for an outdoor wedding with a small, intimate ceremony and a larger reception. They chose to have their wedding in Jamul, California, near San Diego, with a traditional Sierra Leone engagement ceremony the day before to honour Claye's heritage.
The wedding ceremony and reception were held at Montana Cielo, a popular wedding site with breathtaking views. Harrison wore a Vera Wang lace gown with illusion sleeves from the designer's 2018 White collection, paired with a Vera Wang veil. Her hair was styled by Shalonda Hunt of the Tressing Room, and she did her own makeup. The wedding was officiated by former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham.
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The wedding ceremony and reception in Jamul, California
The wedding ceremony and reception of Olympic athletes Queen Harrison and Will Claye took place in Jamul, California, near San Diego, where Claye lived. The couple got married two years after their engagement during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where Claye won a silver medal in the triple jump and promptly proposed to Harrison in the stands.
The wedding ceremony and reception were held at Montana Cielo, a popular wedding site with breathtaking views. The wedding, which was planned by Gina Hundley of SD Weddings by Gina, was officiated by former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham. The couple honoured Claye's heritage with a traditional Sierra Leone engagement ceremony the day before the wedding.
Queen Harrison wore a Vera Wang lace gown with illusion sleeves from the designer's 2018 White collection, paired with a Vera Wang veil. Her hair was styled by Shalonda Hunt of the Tressing Room, and she did her own makeup. The couple decided to have an outdoor wedding and keep the ceremony small, inviting only their closest family and friends. The reception was bigger, with hundreds of guests in attendance, as they wanted it to be "a huge party and celebration of our love".
The couple, who had been together since 2012, lived and trained in different cities, which presented some challenges during the wedding planning process. However, they found that it also helped keep disagreements from feeling too big and allowed them to stay laid-back and relaxed during the planning process. They utilised the internet and phone calls to make decisions and share their progress, which they found helpful in managing the long-distance planning.
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Queen Harrison's wedding dress and styling
For her wedding to fellow Olympian Will Claye, Queen Harrison wore a Vera Wang lace gown with illusion sleeves from the designer's 2018 White Collection. She paired the dress with a Vera Wang veil and did her own makeup. Her hair was styled by Shalonda Hunt of the Tressing Room.
The couple, who first met in 2012, got engaged during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Claye, a three-time Olympic medallist, proposed to Harrison, an American hurdler and sprinter, after winning the silver medal in the triple jump.
The wedding ceremony and reception took place at Montana Cielo, an overlook estate in the hills of eastern San Diego County, California. The couple chose the location as it fit their vision for their big day, which included an outdoor wedding and a small, intimate ceremony followed by a larger reception.
The wedding, which was planned by Gina Hundley of SD Weddings by Gina, was officiated by former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham.
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Former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham officiating the wedding
Olympic athletes Will Claye and Queen Harrison's wedding was officiated by none other than former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham. The couple, who got engaged during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, tied the knot in October 2018.
Cunningham, born in 1963 in Santa Barbara, California, played in the NFL for 16 seasons, predominantly with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and is fourth in NFL quarterback rushing yards. Known for his scrambling ability, he reached "elite" status in the 1988 season and was the first Black quarterback to be elected a starter. Cunningham's career also included stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens before his final retirement.
Following his football career, Cunningham became an ordained Protestant minister and served as the team chaplain for the Las Vegas Raiders from 2020 to 2022. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.
It is not surprising that Cunningham was chosen to officiate the wedding of two esteemed Olympic athletes. Claye, a three-time Olympic medalist, and Harrison, a hurdler and sprinter, had a traditional Sierra Leone engagement to honour Claye's heritage before their wedding ceremony in Jamul, California. The couple, who lived and trained in different cities, navigated long-distance planning with perspective and a shared vision, resulting in a memorable celebration of their love.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Claye and Queen Harrison got married in October 2018, two years after getting engaged at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Will Claye proposed to Queen Harrison by jumping into the stands after winning the silver medal in the triple jump at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The wedding ceremony and reception were held at Montana Cielo, an overlook estate in Jamul, California.
