Danielle Brooks married fiancé Dennis Gelin in a winter ceremony in Miami, and the actress shared her wedding pictures on social media to announce the Dec. 14. nuptials.
The Orange Is the New Black actress wore gowns from fashion designer Christian Siriano and Black fashion designer Alonuko Bespoke for her wedding and shared photographs from the big day on Instagram.
“I’z married now! ? , she wrote. “1st gown:@alonuko_bespoke. 2nd gown: @csiriano. Suit: @garconcouture. HMU: @infamousmstish and @makeupbymichael. Photography: @photosbyreem. Wedding planner: @d.concierge. The absolute best to work with: HIRE THEM!!.”
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“Words can’t express how grateful I am to have a friend like you,” wrote Mrs. Gelin. “You’ve held me down from one of my first carpets to the most important day of my life! I love you and appreciate your friendship! Thank you for my 3 in 1 dress! Love you @csiriano. Photography: @photosbyreem.”
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“It was very important to me to find a black wedding dress designer. When I tell you I hit jackpot finding @alonuko_bespoke, I hit jackpot. She was incredible to work with and even flew all the way from London two days before my wedding to make sure the dress arrived in time. Thank you for your talent and professionalism! Brides, hire her!!! Thank you for adding to my special day!”
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Brooks met Dennis Gelin after she decided to host a game night of Taboo and Mafia at her house. Gelin came with another guest, and Brooks described their first date to Vogue.
“He rolled in mad late, like two to three hours late,” she remembered. “When all of us heard the door ring, the group decided to play a trick and grill the next person who walked in the door. I opened the door and everyone gave him the death stare. As the host, it felt a bit harsh for someone I didn’t know to get playfully grilled, so I decided to quickly greet him with a smile and asked to take his coat. He smiled back.”
According to Brooks, she was surprised by his courteousness after her polite guest asked her if she needed her garbage taken out as the evening was ending. She noted that he was the only man out of 10 others who offered to do so and quickly asked him if he was married.
“There had been at least 10 guys in the room, and no one had thought enough to ask such a thoughtful question,” she said. “I perked up and said ‘Why yes, thank you.’ And then we proceeded to talk. He kept complimenting me on my dimples and how beautiful I was. I was drawn in by his smile and beautiful rich skin. I remember asking him, ‘Do you have kids, are you married, do you have a job?’”
Gelin was equally smitten and remembered accidentally calling her as he was driving home from the game night at 1 a.m., and the two ended up talking for hours.
“On my drive, all I could think about was Danielle’s Southern voice and brilliant smile,” blushed Gelin. “I eagerly looked forward to our next encounter. During my journey, an act of divine intervention took place as I accidentally butt-dialed her. I was at the time and still am to this day, so glad that it happened because we talked for hours and an instant bond between us formed. The rest of my journey was like floating on cloud nine.”
Brooks said she had a feeling he was the one and admitted that when she received flowers the next day, she thought to herself if they were from Gelin, she had found her man.
“I could feel it. At that moment, I said to myself, ‘If this card says ‘From Dennis’ I have found my husband.’ Sure enough, I opened the card, and it said, ‘To Danielle, Thank you for an amazing night. See you soon. Dennis.’ This man had gone above and beyond,” recalled Brooks. “He had flowers delivered to my house, and we hadn’t known each other for more than 24 hours. In that moment, I knew this was a man who was going to always love and appreciate me. I had found someone who wasn’t going to take me for granted, someone who knew my worth.”
Two years later, Gelin proposed, and the rest is history. Congratulations, Sis!
