For these two Delaware artists, their wedding was the ultimate collaboration.

Words by Lisa Dukart

What place is more perfect for a pair of artists to marry than where they are surrounded by art? That was the case for photographer Rebecca Ashton Parsons and mixed-medium artist Roderick “Rick” Hidalgo II, who tied the knot on September 20, 2025, at the Delaware Art Museum.

Like their love story, their wedding was a work of art. The couple celebrated with more than 130 of their closest friends and family members, before a curation of the museum’s beautiful paintings and sculptures.

Fittingly, creativity is what brought Rebecca and Rick together. A decade ago, they met while both showcasing their work in downtown Wilmington. It wasn’t long before they were pursuing collaborations—and eventually, a relationship.

A transplant from Ocean City, Maryland, Rebecca took a job at The Mill, a coworking space in the city, soon after moving to Wilmington, where she aspired to host a multi-artist showcase. As a small group of artists, including Rick, began working on their exhibits in the space, the two bonded.

“I just found her so special,” Rick remembers. “She just seemed to make up for everything that I was lacking.”

First, they hung out as friends. But their friendship evolved into dating, and when Rick asked Rebecca if she’d be his girlfriend, there was no question.

She felt equally sure about Rick when he proposed years later.

While in Los Angeles for a show, Rick realized he didn’t want to be away from Rebecca even for a short time. “I just had this feeling—I have to spend the rest of my life with her,” he says.

To make his proposal to Rebecca truly memorable, Rick crafted a plan inspired by their shared love of baking. He baked a batch of her favorite blueberry muffins, hiding the ring inside one of them for a delightful surprise.

After the couple enjoyed a cozy breakfast and some laughs, Rick suggested they take a photo together. As Rebecca turned one of the muffins around, her eyes widened as she spotted the ring nestled inside. In that magical moment, Rick dropped to one knee and formally proposed, sealing their love with a promise as sweet as the muffins.

The two began planning almost immediately, deciding on a late-September affair—their favorite time of year.

On a sunny, crisp day, the two exchanged vows at St. Anthony of Padua in Wilmington. It was a special place for Rick because he’d belonged to this church as a child, and his parents had also wed there. Its many mosaics and stained glass had also instilled in him a love of art.

But nothing in that church had ever looked so beautiful to Rick as Rebecca at the opposite end of the aisle on their wedding day.

“As soon as they opened the doors, she just took my breath away,” he stammers.

Accompanied by both her parents during the procession to the altar, Rebecca says she was just as mesmerized by the sight of Rick.

A party at DelArt followed, where guests gathered for cocktails in the East Court, dined in Fusco Hall, and were able to admire the art of several galleries that were opened to them. Floral arrangements the couple had assembled themselves—with help from florist Yukie Yamamoto and other beloved guests—intentionally complemented the paintings and Chihuly glass sculptures.

The couple also designed their signage and stationery, inspired by photographs Rebecca had taken during a trip to the Philippines, while a grid of gummy bear–themed pieces rounded out the wall display in the museum. Rebecca and Rick gave each of the acrylic and 24-karat gold pieces to their guests as gifts.

Like their union, it was the ultimate beautiful collaboration.