Florida Georgia Line's Kelly gets hitched

Kelly, 28, married Brittney Marie Cole, 23, in an outdoor ceremony at Kelley's Nashville home.

"The whole process has been non-traditional," Kelley told PEOPLE. "There was no official proposal or exchanging of rings. We had just fallen in love, and I knew I couldn't live without her. It sounds like a terrible cheesy movie, but when you know, you know."

The couple has dated for seven months, although they have known each other for more than three years. "She definitely caught my eye [back then]," said Kelley. "Brittney's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I always knew in my heart that if I were single, then I wanted a chance with her. She was my dream girl."

"The first day we hung out, we just knew that it was something real," Kelley said. "I'd never wanted to make someone my wife before. I always want her by my side."

"We just knew," said Cole. "There was this energy that we had never felt before."

The couple married at sunset with 40 guests attending, including fellow Florida Georgia Line member Tyler Hubbard and their band mates.

"Whimsical really comes to mind when I describe it," said Cole, a psychology student at the University of Georgia. "It was just fun and cozy and warm."