Claire Smith
Features Editor
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One Murray State couple took a different approach to their engagement photos–an ‘80s-style throwback to what defines their relationship.
Madison Moxley and Mason Whitis are graduates of Murray State, and in the last couple weeks their engagement photos went viral.
The couple got engaged in Louisville on Aug. 31 and have been together for over two years.
“I was snapping a pic of the sunset,” Moxley said. “When I turned to show him, he was down on one knee. He had tears in his eyes saying that he had never been so sure about anything. Of course I said yes, and we hugged and cried together.”
As soon as they got engaged they started planning their engagement photos.
“Mason just really loves that aesthetic,” Moxley said. “Like cringe-dad ‘80s style.”
Moxley is a comedian and wanted the photos to reflect that. The couple went through several ideas before deciding on the ‘80s aesthetic.
“We just thought that it represented our relationship; doing a normal shoot would’ve never been us,” Whitis said. “We have a lot of humor between us and it was fitting.”
The couple took their photos at JCPenney, which was “the icing on the cake.”
The day after the couple posted the photos to Facebook, Moxley unplugged for a while to enjoy a trip to Mammoth Cave.
“I left my phone in the car so we could enjoy our tour, and two hours later when we got back the photos had over 6,000 shares,” Moxley said.
Moxley has been working in social media for three years, but had never seen a post grow this quickly. That was when she realized their photoshoot was bigger than the couple ever expected.
“I’m not as up to date on social media, so I didn’t really think 6,000 shares was a big deal,” Whitis said. “When Madison said that’s how many we had I was just kind of like, ‘Okay? And?’ I honestly had no idea how big of a deal that many shares was, and I’m still shocked every time I look at the number of shares. I think it’s at 16,000 shares now, and that’s insane to me.”
Life for the couple hasn’t changed, but Moxley now schedules interviews with the press during her lunch break.
“We knew it was huge when HuffPost did their piece over us,” Moxley said. “It’s something I always wanted to happen, and now that it’s happening it’s so incredibly surreal.”
Their friends and families are supportive.
“My dad is a funny guy, and as soon as he saw the pictures he had to put his head on the kitchen counter and laugh,” Whitis said. “I don’t think he really believed we did the photos. My parents think it’s crazy, my sister has people coming up to her with pictures asking, ‘Is this your brother?’ They’re very excited for us.”
While Whitis said his life has remained much the same, he’s supportive of Moxley’s career and is “riding the wave”
with her.
“I definitely gained some clout, and my boss thinks I’m cool,” Moxley said. “I really don’t let it get to my head. I know with internet fame it comes and it goes, but right now I’m just trying to capitalize and hope it helps me with my comedy career.”
Moxley teased that the couple is working on something they legally can’t talk about at the moment.
The photos made it up the corporate chain and JCPenney is gifting the couple an early wedding present.
“Madison used to work there in high school and got fired, so it’s definitely gone full circle for her,” Whitis said. “We’re excited to see what the gift is.”
