Jordan + Aubrey
photography by HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHY
He is one of the most popular basketball players Bloomington has ever produced, but it took a little help for Jordan Hulls to get the girl. “Indiana Mr. Basketball” 2009 and a four-year standout with the Indiana University Hoosiers, Jordan met Evansville, Indiana, native Aubrey Wathen at IU where their paths crossed in the School of Public Health. But that was about it until Jordan’s teammate Derek Elston and best friend Caleb Konstanksi intervened.
Aubrey worked at Opie Taylor’s, one of Jordan’s favorite eateries. One day in early 2013, Jordan, Derek, Caleb, and a few other friends stopped in for a bite. When the group left, Aubrey saw a phone number and the words “call me maybe” on the back of Jordan’s receipt.
“I thought he had written it, but I found out later Jordan had no idea,” Aubrey says. “It was Derek and Caleb.” Aubrey decided to take a chance, texting Jordan a few days later. Texting led to talking. “And we’ve been talking ever since,” Jordan says with a smile.
“We did everything together for five or six months straight,” Jordan says. “I knew it was good when I was with her all the time and we never got tired of being together.”
In July 2013, Jordan and Aubrey took a trip to Chicago with friends Todd and Shelley Bontrager. “We did the tourist thing—Navy Pier, the boat tour, the Ferris wheel—and I knew Aubrey had no idea what was coming,” Jordan says. The last stop was Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower. The Bontragers had been taking photos all day. “I said ‘Let’s take one more picture,’ and when Aubrey turned around, I was down on one knee,” Jordan says. He knew he had surprised her when she didn’t really say yes. “She just kept asking, ‘Are you sure?’” he says, laughing.
Wedding plans started immediately because Jordan was leaving in August to play basketball in Poland. The wedding date was largely based on the availability of the only place they wanted to hold their reception—Henke Hall of Champions in Indiana Memorial Stadium—and Jordan’s schedule.
Aubrey, now a nurse, did most of the 23 1/2 months of planning. Their June 27, 2015, ceremony was at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, where Aubrey carried her grandfather’s handkerchief as the “something old” added to her bouquet. “We’d both lost our grandparents in October 2014, so we tried to find little ways to pay tribute to them,” she says.
Zeta Tau Alpha sorority was a big part of college life for Aubrey, and her sorority sisters were a big part of her wedding day; four of her eight bridesmaids and maid of honor Morgan Momcilovich were in her pledge class. Jordan’s IU teammates were well-represented, too, with teammates Derek Elston, Cody Zeller, and Christian Watford serving as groomsmen, and Will Sheehey and Victor Oladipo ushering. Older brother Jay had best-man duties—on his own anniversary. Jordan had been Jay’s best man six years earlier to the day.
The reception was a fun affair, with groomsmen changing into Hoosier candy- striped warmup pants to complement their formal shirts and jackets. And food was abundant. “We had a buffet,” Jordan says. “We wanted to make sure the guys got enough food. They eat a lot.” The wedding cake was from Sugar Coated Cakery, which also provided cupcakes and a groom’s cake in the shape of Assembly Hall. And just in case anyone was still hungry, the Big Cheeze food truck showed up for a late- night snack.
After a sparkler sendoff, the two spent a week in St. Lucia before heading to Belgium where Jordan played basketball. They say their wedding was everything they hoped it would be. “It’s all kind of a blur, because there was a lot going on,” Aubrey says. “But in a good way. We were just so in the moment.” —Carmen Siering
Jordan and Aubrey are currently living in Ludwigsburg, Germany, with their three children: Jackson, 4, Leo, 2, and newborn Margaret. Jordan currently plays on MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg basketball team, which has so far had a successful season. This is Jordan’s eighth season playing in Europe.
This photo of Jordan with his groomsmen and ushers in their candy-striped warmup pants was an internet sensation, going viral in the days following the wedding. 
Stealing a kiss. 
Aubrey and Jordan chose a traditional mass for their ceremony at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. 
A happy sendoff after the ceremony. 
Photo by Hudson Photography 
Aubrey’s bouquet from White Orchid Distinctive Floral Studio included lisianthus, spider mums, and sweet peas.
