Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Karley Swindel Marries Landon Sandell in 'Timeless' Texas Wedding (Exclusive)

Ashlyn RobinetteMon, June 1, 2026 at 11:18 PM UTC

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Karley Swindel and Landon Sandell
Credit: Laning Photography -

Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Karley Swindel married Landon Sandell in an "elegant" and "timeless" wedding in Houston on May 30

Swindel wowed the 210 guests with three bridal looks and three surprise performances

The couple plans to honeymoon in Mexico and move closer to their hometowns next year

Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Karley Swindel is married!

Swindel said "I do" to Landon Sandell on Saturday, May 30, at Chateau Nouvelle in Houston, which the Texas natives, both 26, chose as an "elegant" and convenient location for their 210 guests.

"Landon and I are really big on family and creating our own traditions. Marrying each other provides so many things we have both always wanted," Swindel tells PEOPLE. "We are each other's partners for life and know we can always lean on one another. Both of us want to become parents and create an incredible life for ourselves and children. Life is so much more fun when you have someone to share everything with."

Karley Swindel and Landon Sandell
Credit: Laning Photography

While wedding planning, one word came to mind: "timeless." Swindel hopes that her "ivory and black" celebration, which she describes as "old Hollywood meets Victorian vibes," is one that "never goes out of style."

"This will be a wedding that I hope will always look relevant and that my children and grandchildren will want to emulate one day," she says. "I want to look back at my wedding photos and still love the style of it 20 years from now."

Karley Swindel and Landon Sandell kissing
Credit: Laning Photography

As a lifelong dancer, Swindel says she "thrives when it's showtime." Her big moment came when "Make You Feel My Love" by Sleeping At Last began playing during the outdoor ceremony. She turned heads as she walked down the white aisle in a Senstudio strapless gown and a Nicole + Felicia Couture cape with floral detailing, gliding past rows of smiling loved ones and seats dedicated to the couple's late grandfathers.

"I have had pieces from Nicole + Felicia saved on my Instagram for a couple years. I have always been drawn to her over-the-top taste in bridal fashion," says the bride, who bought her attire from Iconic Bride Dallas.

Once she reached the "gorgeous" floral arch decorated with her favorite flower, white roses, she exchanged Chas S. Nacol Jewelry Company wedding rings and traditional vows with Sandell. The couple privately shared handwritten vows before the ceremony.

Karley Swindel and Landon Sandell
Credit: Laning Photography

"My non-negotiable for the ceremony was to have a cross that we could turn to while my favorite worship song, 'How Great Thou Art' plays," Swindel says. "This song holds a special place in my heart and us turning our bodies and eyes to the cross will be a representation of our faith and commitment to the Lord."

She continues, "We plan to build a home, family, and foundation on God, and this will be our way of making it known to our family and friends that the cross is at the center of our marriage."

The wedding, which was planned and designed by Alice and Apricot, was officiated by Tyler Pippin.

The Manhattan Band with Jordan Kahn Music Company performed during cocktail hour and the reception, but the entertainment didn't stop there.

Swindel had three surprise performances planned throughout the night. First, she opened the dance floor with a performance with matrons of honor Kelsey Ellerbe and Brooke Tamez, and fellow Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders Kennedy Ruff, Marissa Leschber, Anna Kate Sundvold, and McKenna Gehrke to Nicole Kidman's "Sparkling Diamonds," Christina Aguilera's "But I Am a Good Girl," and The Pussycat Dolls' "Buttons." Afterward, she did a surprise dance with her father, Brian, to two songs they grew up dancing and singing to together, The Contours' "Do You Love Me" and Hank Williams Jr.'s "Born to Boogie."

Karley Swindel and Landon Sandell at their wedding reception
Credit: Laning Photography

The bride and 45 current and former Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders then wowed guests by carrying on the wedding tradition of performing their iconic "Thunderstruck" dance.

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Later in the night, Swindel and Sandell — who shared their first dance to "I Think They Call This Love" by Elliot James Reay — kept "the energy and vibes high" by blasting smoke onto the dance floor with CO2 cannons.

"We wanted it to be a space flooded with the people we love the most and a packed, vibrant dance floor," Swindel says.

Karley Swindel dancing with fellow Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders
Credit: Laning Photography

During the reception, Swindel also debuted two additional show-stopping bridal looks.

Her second look was one of the first wedding dresses she tried on and instantly fell for, a strapless and figure-flattering lace Pnina Tornai gown. Meanwhile, her third outfit was a custom-made costume from Jennifer Parker's Double Diamond Dancewear. It was Dancing with the Stars-inspired — "something that had movement" and was "decked out in rhinestones, gems, fringe, and feathers."

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Landon Sandell and Karley Swindel posing with Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders
Credit: Laning Photography

Guests dined on a three-course meal for dinner, starting with a classic Caesar salad. Entrées included Tuscan braised pork and a sherry mushroom cream and herb chicken, with sides of green chili mac and cheese and grilled mixed seasonal vegetables.

For dessert, guests were served slices of the four-tiered golden butter wedding cake, made by Sheila Bass of Cakes by Sheila. Swindel shares that it was "really special" to have Bass' work included in her big day because the baker has made many cakes for her family over the years. She raves, "Her cakes are the best I have ever tasted!"

Swindel also surprised Sandell with a groom's cake from Kiss the Cook that resembled an old-school Dallas Cowboys jersey. It included his last name and the number 26 in honor of their wedding year.

Karley Swindel and Landon Sandell
Credit: Laning Photography

The newlyweds will spend their honeymoon at Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos in Mexico.

Of their future plans, Swindel shares, "Landon and I will be spending at least one more year in Dallas. We plan to purchase a home a little closer to our hometowns next summer/fall so we can transition into digging more into our individual careers and prep to start a family!"

Swindel and Sandell's love story began before they even met, with their mothers being sorority sisters in college. Sandell's mother was even Swindel's third-grade teacher; however, the couple didn't connect until years later.

"We ended up taking our standardized college admission test in the same classroom together because both of our last names start with an S. When he walked into the classroom, my heart stopped because I thought he was so handsome," Swindel shares. "The summer of 2018, we both graduated high school and ended up at the same place at the same time for our senior trips in Cancun, Mexico. We ended up hanging out a lot on the trip due to mutual friends, and we knew we didn't want it to be the end of our conversations. Before I could even get on the plane to head back to Texas, he texted me. We went on a date the very next day, and the rest is history!"

The couple got engaged at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, on Aug. 25, 2024. They say their shared humor is key to their close bond.

Additional Credits:Videography: Reverent Wedding FilmsContent Creator: Aesthetics by Anna MarieAlcohol: Socorro Tequila, Ranch VodkaLinens and Tables: Decor by DulceCustom Dance Floor and Ceremony Aisle: Imperial FloorsFlorals: Trisha Redwine DesignInvitations and Stationery: MintedMakeup Artist: Madeline CopeBride's Hair: Anna SullivanHair and Makeup: Misty Rockwell ArtistryDraping: Quest EventsPlace Settings: NomaCeremony Audio, Reception Cold Sparks and CO2 cannons: Elevated AV ProductionBride's Jewelry: VerstoloBridesmaids Pajamas and Slippers: Birdy Grey

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