Laken York and Brian Patrick “Paddy” Griffin Jr, both Savannah natives, will be married on October 7th, 2025 at Slane Castle, Meath County, Ireland. Their forthcoming union marks a rekindled connection that began in childhood and developed over the course of their educational and professional pursuits.

Laken and Paddy first met in Pre-K at Hancock Day School, where they were classmates. They reconnected during their high school years at the Savannah Arts Academy, where their friendship blossomed into a romantic partnership in their sophomore year.

Following high school graduation, Laken and Paddy embarked on distinct academic paths. Paddy pursued a career in nursing, attending Georgia College and the College of Coastal Georgia. Laken, driven by her design interests, traveled to the United Kingdom to study fashion design at the esteemed London College of Fashion.

Despite the geographical distance, they maintained their friendship. A chance encounter at McDonoughs, a Savannah institution, during one of Laken’s visits home, proved to be a pivotal moment. This rekindled connection led Laken to make the decision to relocate permanently back to Savannah.

Paddy has since established himself as a skilled emergency room nurse at St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital. Laken currently works on the design team at Emily McCarthy, a Savannah-based fashion brand, where she holds the position of Director of Merchandising.

Paddys marriage proposal took place during a visit to Ireland, at the iconic Cliffs of Moher. The location held significance for the couple, as it represented a return to their shared Irish heritage and the beginning of a new chapter in their journey together.

The upcoming ceremony will be a celebration that unites family and friends, both local and those traveling from across the Atlantic, to commemorate a unique bond that originated in their Savannah childhood and has matured into a lasting partnership.