MSNBC host Symone Sanders became Mrs. Townsend this weekend, marrying her now-husband Shawn Townsend in a surprise Washington D.C. wedding ceremony on Friday.
The couple initially planned to get married in Mexico this summer but changed plans, surprising around 100 friends and family. The two didn’t tell most of their guests precisely what they were at the venue for, and only a few knew. The wedding took place at the Larz Anderson House on Embassy Row.
Mr. and Mrs. Townsend got engaged on Easter last year.
“It’s the moments behind closed doors that we’ve shared,” People reported Townsend said in his vows. “Whether it’s me complaining about Real Housewives, a political debate or photobombing my Zoom calls. It is all time well spent together.”
In the host’s vows, Sanders promised to be there for her husband.
“To put it simply, you’re the best man I know,” she vowed. “I’m very grateful just for everything that you are. You have always just been the most thorough person. You are so kind. You are so loving.”
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The Instagram video displayed glorious moments of the lavish and intimate wedding. After Pastor Dededrick O. Rivers of Ward Memorial AME Church proclaimed them husband and wife, the two engaged in a Black wedding tradition by jumping the broom.
Among the friends and family, CNN’s Abby Phillip and MSNBC’s Catherine Synder, and other media professionals and political advisors attended the wedding in the support of the new husband and wife.
The newlyweds are expected to celebrate their marriage on a Mediterranean honeymoon for two weeks.
Before their marriage, the Townsends have worked closely in politics with the host of Symone, having worked for well-known political leaders like the Omaha mayor, Vice President Kamala Harris as her chief spokesperson and senior adviser, and President Joe Biden.
Townsend used to serve as the director of the D.C. Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture.
