Two Eagles fans tied the knot at a secret tailgate wedding, and it had everything from Jason Kelce to the Philly Pops
The Byrds — really, that’s their name — didn’t know anything about the ceremony, which they won through a contest run by Kelce’s Garage Beer.
On Monday, Eagles fans Lindsey Carl and Brandon Byrd became “the Byrds,” and they couldn’t have asked for a more fitting wedding venue.
The Chicago couple were married outside Lincoln Financial Field before the Eagles’ Monday Night Football matchup against the Cowboys. The “Tailgate Wedding of the Century” was organized by Garage Beer and TrueFan Travel. Former Eagles defensive tackle Beau Allen provided the ceremony’s opening words.
“We are here to give that celebration the love it deserves,” Allen said. “I’ve shared so many fond memories with the two of you, and I’m so honored to be marrying you. It feels like just minutes ago that we met.”
Instead of a flower girl, Allen walked down a kelly green aisle alongside former Eagles teammate Jason Kelce, who was handing out cans of Garage Beer. Kelce, a co-owner of Garage Beer, also helped marry the couple — as did Phillies 2008 World Series champion Shane Victorino.
“I’m here for love,” Allen told The Inquirer. “All right, marriage, matrimony. It’s an important thing and obviously we’ve got the backdrop of the Linc which, you know, makes love even more special. The City of Brotherly Love, it’s getting a different ring to it today, I guess.”
The Byrds were chosen after submitting a 90-second video to the event’s planners. Lindsey became a major Birds fan while attending Thomas Jefferson University during the Eagles Super Bowl LII run. Meanwhile, Brandon joked that he is more of a “fair-weather fan,” having only recently come aboard.
“We got engaged just a few weeks before we actually saw the contest,” Lindsey said. “So we were just like fully enjoying our engagement and not even really thinking about a wedding. And then we’re like, ‘Well, this is a great opportunity.’”
Everything about the wedding was kept a secret from Lindsey and Brandon — from the celebrity officiants to the live music. Delco Donny, a local influencer and musician, performed an unmistakably Delco version of Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” singing “and I need youse now tonight.”
The Philly Pops also helped provide the ceremony’s soundtrack. The local orchestra played a melody of Philadelphia favorites including “Gonna Fly Now” from the Rocky soundtrack and a classical rendition of the Eagles fight song.
“The Philly Pops is all about Philadelphia and our community, and reflecting the spirit that Philadelphia has.” Philly Pops executive director Matthew Koveal said. “That means showing up in places where Philadelphia is. Philadelphia celebrates. So that means being at an Eagles tailgate. It means being at the Kimmel Center, the Mann Center, all over our incredible city.”
Outside of the couples’ parents, Lindsey and Brandon were the only ones in formal wear; the rest of their family and friends stuck to normal tailgate attire. They did have some green on, though. Under her dress, Lindsey wore sparkling kelly green boots, while Brandon sported a midnight green tuxedo. They were also presented with wedding bands courtesy of Steven Singer Jewelers.
Before the ceremony began, Brandon was asked what he was most looking forward to. Even with all the celebrities and theatrics, he did not lose focus on the day’s purpose.
“I want to kiss her up on the stage,” Brandon said.
And kiss her he did. As they say, “Go Byrds.”
