Danielle Brooks married Dennis Gelin in Miami, wore Christian Siriano & Alonuko


Orange is The New Black’s Danielle Brooks married Dennis Gelin in a winter wedding in Miami this week that looked like a fairy tale. Vogue has incredible photos of the ceremony and reception along with the story of their romance. Danielle and Dennis first met at a small party at Danielle’s house, with Dennis showing up late and making an impression by offering to take out the trash at the end of the night! He accidentally butt dialed her at one in the morning, she answered and the rest is history. They have a two year old daughter, Freeya, who was their adorable flower girl. Their story gave me the feels the photos are beautiful. Danielle wore two custom gowns, her ceremony gown was created by Black designer Alonuko to her specifications. It features a mesh embroidered bodice and a full skirt and is stunning. The gown for the photos and reception was created by Christian Siriano and is convertible to three different looks. Guests were required to take both rapid and PCR tests on the day of the wedding. Here’s more, from Vogue:

As everyone was starting to leave for the night, Dennis really made an impression when he asked if he could take out Danielle’s trash. “I was so taken aback because there had been at least 10 guys in the room, and no one had thought enough to ask such a thoughtful question,” Danielle says. “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?’ ”

He answered all of her questions. “It was like music to my ears,” she says. “A brother with a clean slate, has his own, and is thoughtful. Jackpot. I quickly slid him my phone to exchange numbers. As he was getting ready to take out the trash, he asked me where the trash room was. It was the easiest room to find, but I just had to spend more time with him, so I decided to show him the way.”

When Dennis left, he told Danielle he was headed to the Poconos to do renovations on his family’s guest home in the morning. “I made sure to tell him to be safe as he was driving there that night,” Danielle remembers. “And then, while getting ready for bed, I heard my phone ring. I was confused on why anyone would be calling me around 1 a.m.”

“On my drive, all I could think about was Danielle’s Southern voice and brilliant smile,” Dennis admits. “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…”

Overall, the planning process went smoothly until about a month out. “Everything was going pretty well until Omicron hit the country,” Danielle says. “It was a bit too late in the process to turn back, so we added extra precautions with required PCR tests and rapid tests the day of the wedding. I have to say our wedding planner, D’Concierge, was out of this world amazing. He never panicked and kept us levelheaded during the ups and downs.”

Even though there were changes in regards to the weekend’s logistics, the bride’s creative vision for her wardrobe was unwavering. “I always knew I was going to have two dresses,” she says. “We thought it would be best to do a first look reveal so that we could go ahead with bridal party pictures and not hold up our guests after the ceremony. I decided to wear Christian Siriano for the reveal. We have been friends ever since my career first began.” The designer ended up creating a three-in-one dress for his longtime friend that went from princess gown, to body-con dress, to a pants look that would finish off the night on the dance floor.

“It was also important to me to highlight a Black designer,” Danielle says. “I feel like when it comes to the wedding process, Black creatives aren’t highlighted enough. Alonuko gave me the dress of my dreams. She flew all the way from London to make sure it arrived. I knew I wanted her one-of-a-kind, flesh-toned mesh with custom embroidery and a big huge skirt. Wearing her dress made me want to get married every day, I loved it so much.” Danielle’s stylist, Kelly Augustine, gifted her with a pair of Chanel earrings the morning of the wedding that paired perfectly with her dresses, and her shoes were by Nina. Dennis and his groomsmen all wore custom suits by Garcon Couture.

[From Vogue]

You can see the love and joy in these photos and the story of how they met is so cute! Danielle was absolutely beautiful and should be on the cover of Vogue. This has been one of my favorite wedding stories to cover, and I’m jealous that everyone was able to get tested and to safely gather for the reception. It looks like a blast.

Danielle is currently starring in Peacemaker on HBO Max with John Cena, the first three episode of which are available now. Congratulations to Danielle and Dennis!

Look at their Halloween outfits!

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45 Responses to “Danielle Brooks married Dennis Gelin in Miami, wore Christian Siriano & Alonuko”

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  1. AppleCart says:

    That dress is gorgeous!

    • Seaflower says:

      +1, and the second dress is stunning

    • Jezz says:

      The first dress is magic!! So incredibly beautiful. How does it stay up???

      The second dress is meh, and the whole concept of a second dress is odd to me. But wow, she looks like a queen in that first one.

      EDIT: it now occurs to me that if the first one is stuck onto her skin (I seriously don’t see any mesh or anything), then of course the poor woman would want one she can move and have fun in for the reception! Ouch!)

      • Acal says:

        @jezz the lace is on a mesh lining that perfectly matches her skin. You can really see it when she’s lifiting up her arm with her flowers.

        The fact that the lining makes it looks like she has on nothing but lace is AMAZING. So many times that kind of mesh lining looks cheap or like a figure skater outfit. It’s impressive

      • Mac says:

        The dress is magical. Not even a fairytale could dream up a dress that gorgeous.

      • FHMom says:

        Agree. The first dress is beautiful. The second one is not good.

    • fishface says:

      She’s so gorgeous.

  2. milliemollie says:

    She looks incredible! I usually dislike most wedding dresses, but I really love the first one. And the second one looks also great.

  3. rawiya says:

    Okay, but the last photo with their baby as a little mouse! MY HEART!!!!!!

  4. Snuffles says:

    The gowns are GORGEOUS and she looked lovely!

  5. sunny says:

    She looks beautiful and happy! Plus her man is fiiiiiiiine! Love this for her.

    Also, how cute is their meeting story? Oh, remember the days of parties?

  6. Jillian says:

    Danielle is great on Peacemaker, watch it!

  7. Tiffany says:

    Both designers did beautiful work. I mean absolutely beautiful. I am mesmerized by the reception dress, though.

    Danielle is a absolutely stunning woman.

  8. Laalaa says:

    Gorgeous photos, story, people, fashion. Lovely couple!
    Ps. That Siriano guy… man, he is doing right things! It’s so nice to see there are people like him, ever since PR season 4 #fierce

  9. Léna says:

    Incredibly good looking human beings ! Their daughter is just so cute

  10. Che says:

    What a beautiful wedding tribute to a gorgeous bride and boss actress. Loved the pics!

  11. North of Boston says:

    Aw best wishes and congrats to all of them.

    I love both the dresses and she carries them beautifully… they enhance her beauty and personality not overtake her.

  12. JJ2022 says:

    Beautiful dresses. She looked beautiful.

    I grew up in Miami. One of the outside shots with all the trellises with the flowers – whatever you call those – is the same place where I took some photos for my 15s.
    Forget what that place was called – I haven’t lived in Miami since 2001 so I forgot a lot of places. LOL

  13. Lauren Too says:

    She looks absolutely beautiful! Such a gorgeous family!

  14. Jais says:

    I love her. I was beyond lucky to see her in shakespeare in the park and she was so good. I think she was playing Beatrice from much ado about nothing. The whole thing was so so good. Not sure if those get recorded but it would be worth a watch and should be made into a film. The guy that played Benedict was also so so good.

    • liz says:

      It was Much Ado, she did play Beatrice (and was absolutely FANTASTIC). She was doing those shows while pregnant – she announced at the very end of the run. And OMG – the baby in the mouse costume!!!! How adorable is she?

      It was filmed – I saw it on PBS at some point. It might still be available on their website, the Public’s website or on YouTube.

  15. Jess says:

    Absolutely gorgeous.

  16. better.than.scrubs says:

    I’m not usually a fan of naked dresses or bodices, but I can’t lie – her wedding gown is amazing. Definitely going to follow that designer. The wedding seems perfect – gorgeous and worthy of Vogue, but fun, not stuffy. Noticed Teyonah Parris was one of her bridesmaids!

  17. RoyalBlue says:

    He Instagram account is lovely.

  18. Eurydice says:

    Wow, the first dress is spectacular. Not as fond of the second, but she looks beautiful.

  19. DrSnark says:

    She’s beautiful and the gowns are extraordinary. What a sweet story all around.

  20. Murphy says:

    Danielle always has such excellent taste, these wedding photos were such a treat.

  21. Mslove says:

    Wow, love the dresses, she is beautiful.

  22. Cat C says:

    Ethereal!

  23. Denver D says:

    Dear lord – all so pretty. so much pretty.

  24. Renee says:

    Danielle & her dress look gorgeous. I am so happy for her!

  25. BostonLawyaGal says:

    I needed to see this today. Lovely family, so much love, and DAMN she is epically beautiful.

  26. lucy2 says:

    Wow that first gown is STUNNING. She looks gorgeous, and her husband is so handsome! Congrats to them.
    I missed that she was in a new show, I’ll have to check it out. She was a real stand out in Orange is the New Black, especially towards the end of the series. She’s a great actress, I’d love to catch her on Broadway someday too.

  27. Jill says:

    That ceremony dress!!!! Wow!!!

  28. ItReallyIsYouNotMe says:

    Dress envy here. She looks gorgeous!

  29. Onemoretime says:

    She looks so beautiful.

  30. tealily says:

    Wow, that dress is absolutely stunning. She looks gorgeous!

  31. CapPhD says:

    Wow.

  32. Charfromdarock says:

    Stunning

  33. jferber says:

    Yes, beautiful dress and it’s wonderful on her. Queen.

  34. Tyle says:

    Thank you for this delightful story and beautiful photos during a lousy time. Their family is gorgeous and I wish them all the happiness!

  35. Silent Star says:

    I love her! She was the best thing about OITNB. Putting “Peacemaker” on my list.

    These photos are gorgeous, her dress is stunning, her man is hot, and she’s so pretty! I wish all the best for their marriage and family.

  36. Jewel says:

    Gorgeous Gown and Gorgeous couple