‘Orange Is The New Black’ Star Stuns In Two Gorgeous Wedding Gowns At Her Intimate Wedding In Miami

Actress Danielle Brooks married her fiancé Dennis Gelin on 8th January 2022 in an intimate ceremony. The Orange Is the New Black star shared photos showing off the two lavish gowns she wore for the big day. #dndeverafter.

The actress who recently received a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Sofia in The Color Purple on Broadway recalls the day she first meets Dennis. “What was supposed to be just another game night turned into a night I will forever remember.”

 

Danielle’s Version

 

 “I had decided to throw a party with a friend who worked at a gym at the time. “It felt like a good idea for us two single ladies to invite over some good-looking prospects she had met while working there to play some Mafia and Taboo. Dennis was invited by a friend of a friend who also worked at the gym. He rolled in mad late, like two to three hours late. 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 ask him to take his coat. He smiled back.”

 

Further into the night, as everyone was starting to leave, he asked if he could take out my 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. 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 my questions, and it was like music to my ears. 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.”

He told me he was headed to the Pocono’s that night to do renovations on his family’s guest home in the morning, so I made sure to tell him to be safe because he was leaving that night. While getting ready for bed, I heard my phone ring. I was confused on why anyone would be calling me around 1 am. It was Dennis, who proceeded to tell me that he accidentally butt-dialed me. Okay, buddy. He proceeded to say even though the call was in error, he was glad it happened. So was I. We ended up talking for 2 more hours, into the early morning.

The next day, sometime in the afternoon, I get a knock at my door and it was a flower delivery man holding a massive bouquet. My heart started to flutter. 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. He had flowers delivered to my house, and we hadn’t known each other for more than 24 hours. At 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.  And in the four years we’ve been together, he has been more than I could’ve ever prayed for in a partner.”

 

 

Dennis’ Version

 

Dennis shares how ‘that’ one night of 2017 changed his life forever. “It was 2017 when our love story first began. The knock on the door changed our lives forever. The moment she answered was the moment where we would find love indubitably. She was standing there beautiful as ever greeting me with an angelic smile and dimples sweeter than sugar.

Arriving just in time for her “friendly game” of Mafia I was clueless on how to play, but Danielle gave me a crash course on how to and yet still managed to be killed in a matter of minutes. I was your neighborhood minister! It was supposed to be a “friendly game.” Yeah right!

After a fun-filled night of laughter and delightful banter, the party was coming to a close as it began to get late. Me being my usual self, I stayed to lend a helping hand with the clean-up effort; it was validation that chivalry was alive, well, and on full display. We exchanged numbers and hugs as we said our goodbyes. Danielle made sure to wish me safe travels on my long drive home to Pennsylvania that night. On the way, all I could think about was her melodious southern voice and brilliant smile. I eagerly looked forward to our next encounter. During my journey, an act of Devine Intervention took place as I accidentally butt-dialed her (considering hers was the most recent number I entered in my phone). 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”. The very next weekend we went on our first date.”

Now after 4 years together and starting a beautiful family, he is looking forward to starting this new chapter of his life.

 

 

Honoring the African-American Heritage

 

The couple performed a few traditions to seal their union one was a wax seal ceremony where the two melted wax and sealed love letters together. The couple will have to open those love letters on their first anniversary.

The couple honored their African-American ancestors by jumping the broom. After the ceremony guests mingled during cocktail hour where they found their names & table numbers for dinner made of chocolate truffle wrapped in the gold. The theme of the evening was Chocolate Love.

 

 

All the guests were required to do a PCR test before arrival and ALL guests were tested on-site before entry into the wedding celebration.

The Brooklyn-based couple chose Miami for their destination wedding which was held at the historic Alfred DuPont Building. The wedding started a few moments before sunset. Danielle’s hometown Pastor, Pastor Baldwin was the officiant for the ceremony. Boardway performers Jeremy Pope and Amber Iman performed beautiful renditions of “A Thousand Years” and “We will never break” as the Groom and Bride walked down the aisle. It was an emotional moment as the bride and groom’s 2-year-old daughter served as the flower girl.

 

Her bridal looks are a true fashion fairytale. The actor explained that one of her looks was a custom three-in-one Christian Siriano design. The breathtaking dress went from a princess gown to a body-contouring dress and finished off in pants look that allowed Brooks to dance the night away. For her second gown, Brooks chose a custom dress by the label Alonuko created by London-based designer Oluwagbemisola Okunlola.