It’s official: Kristin Chenoweth is officially a Mrs.
On September 2, 2018, the 55-year-old actress and singer who has won a Tony Award exchanged her “I do”s with her musician husband Josh Bryant, who is 41 years old. The wedding took place in Dallas, Texas.
Chenoweth says in an interview with PEOPLE that she has spent her whole life “self-proclaimed” as a bachelorette. “I had no intention of ever getting married. Even after becoming engaged, I was unable to go through with it. Before I had met Josh. Then I thought to myself, ‘Why on earth would I ever let this person go?’ I am very grateful.”
On Friday, the couple began off their weekend wedding celebrations with a rehearsal dinner at Capital Grille and a bespoke cake from Baskin-Robbins for dessert. On Saturday, they joined their 140 guests at a private property for the “I do’s.”
As the guests, including the couple’s friends and relatives, took their places inside the house, a string quartet performed on the balcony above them. At the beginning of the service, the couple’s dog Thunder, who was also serving as their ring bearer, made her big entrance to the tune of AC/DC’s appropriately titled hit song “Thunderstruck.”
Chenoweth wore a dress designed by Pamella Roland for her walk down the aisle. The dress had a transparent nude and pink overlay and a bow embellishment at the back of the gown. “I didn’t want to wear white,” she recalls of the structured dress that had small pearl flowers on the bodice. “I was going for a more neutral look.” “Uncomplicated and refined. I had no idea that I would end up getting married, so I chose a gown that was really unconventional. I totally adore it.
Both Bryant’s father and his father-in-law donned suits from Men’s Wearhouse designed by Michael StrahanTM.
During the ceremony, which was presided over by a mutual acquaintance, the pair exchanged “a form of traditional vows,” according to Chenoweth, who continued by declaring, “But I am not saying ‘obey!'”
The couple also wanted to include their Christian beliefs into the music of the ceremony. They did this by having a rendition of “The Prayer” sung by Marissa Rosen, Crystal Monee Hall, Nikki Kimbrough, and Melinda Doolittle. Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Chenoweth’s music director, was responsible for the arrangement and accompaniment of the song. “That was really important to us,” she recalls. “That was really important to us.”
Crystal Frasier Weddings was in charge of the event’s decor, which included a delicate and beautiful color palette consisting of white, ivory, creme, soft peach, blush to medium pink, and champagne tones. The event was prepared. The venue for the wedding was decorated with a breathtaking assortment of flowers, including calla lilies, garden roses, majolica, spray roses, hydrangea, ranunculus, veronica, mums, and different dark seasonal foliage.
“I knew that the theme would probably be pink-oriented in some way, and I didn’t even have to ask Kristin about it,” recalls Bryant. “I didn’t even have to ask her.” When it came to the big event, it was essential for Chenoweth to be authentic to who she is.
Ahead of the wedding, she said with PEOPLE that she hoped “on that day, I want to look and feel like Kristin, and I want Josh to see the girl that he has been with for five years.” She also shared that she hoped “Josh would see the girl that he has been with for five years.” “I’m going to look glamorous and everything, but my hair isn’t going to be up to heaven, even though we’ll be in Texas,” she said. “It’s just not going to happen.” It’s going to have a similar appearance to me.”
Bryant continues, laughing, by saying, “Don’t let her fool you.” “Normal” to Kristin means something closer to 110%.
After the heartfelt vows, guests drank on customized drinks such as the “Wicked Margarita,” which was a reference to Chenoweth’s tenure as Glinda the Good Witch in the Broadway blockbuster show “Wicked,” as well as a “Bryant Old Fashioned” and “Thundertini” Martini.
A supper that was based on the concept of “southern comfort” had beef tenderloin, whipped potatoes, and haricot verts, in addition to chicken, steak fries, and fried pickles. In addition, salads with flatbreads and chicken or meatballs were offered with the pasta dishes.
The newlyweds finished their meal with dessert, which consisted of cutting into their five-tier Mexican vanilla bean wedding cake that was filled with buttercream. Additionally, a unique package brimming with delectable treats such as Belgian chocolate bon bons, chocolate salami, and gourmet cookies crafted by Nacho Aguirre and supplied by Delice Chocolatier San Antonio was brought to each table.
As a late-night snack option, guests could choose from Chenoweth’s favorites such as Dunkin’ Donuts and 7-11 Slurpees. Additionally, each attendee took home a gift bag stuffed with treats such as Nest candles, Nivea Chapstick, Doritos, Fiji Water, and Fontus Lozenges.
The Schmigadoon! star’s niece was married in 2016, and Bryant’s band, Backroad Anthem, was one of the bands who played at the reception. This is where the pair met for the first time. After two years, Chenoweth’s nephew was married, and Bryant’s band played at the reception once again as the musical entertainment.
Chenoweth remembers that at this time, the two of them had developed their relationship to the point where “he came on strong.” “Josh inquired as to where I would be performing my next show, and I informed him that it will be in North Carolina. I responded with, “I’m busy. I’m sorry, but I just don’t have time, da, da, da. And then he shows up for the concert, which was the last straw for me.”
Chenoweth was surprised to find herself falling in love, but there was no denying the connection they had. “I guess it was the right time,” she adds. “It was perfect.” “God certainly had a plan in mind when he did it. The fact that Josh is 14 years younger than me has always struck me as completely absurd. That is one thing I will never, ever do in my whole life. But he has made me feel very confident, gorgeous, and loved regardless of my age.
After the loss of one of Chenoweth’s closest friends brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic, the two people got especially closer to one another. “I completely fell apart,” she adds. “And when you go through these challenges in life with someone, and they show up for you in the most significant manner, that is something that money can’t buy. He is the foundation of my life.”
Bryant continues, saying, “When we first met, I knew there was something special there.” That is the point I keep coming back to. When you meet someone for the first time and you immediately get that sensation”
The song “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” was played during the couple’s first dance, which was shared to the accompaniment of Mary-Mitchell Campbell on the piano. The song was performed by the couple’s friends Ty Herndon and Toby Freeman.
The groom also expressed interest in incorporating the couple’s love of music into the festivities of the reception. “We’re having a little jam session,” adds Bryant. “We’re having a little jam session.” “We’re going to have a DJ and everything, but I wanted to have just a time where there are instruments set up and where all of our friends, if any of us just want to get up there, and play for a little while,” the host said. “It’s just something I wanted to do.” Not only some kind of chaotic gathering.”
The wedding was attended by a large number of the couple’s prominent acquaintances, including guests such as Kathy Najimy, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, Kenny Ortega, Chely Wright, Jennifer Aspen, and Andrew Lippa, who is a Broadway composer.
The moment when Chenoweth and Bryant finally said “I do” was a long time coming for the couple. Chenoweth cracks a joke by saying, “It’s about damn time!” “Every single member of my family would say that about me. But for me, this wedding is not a dream come true since I never in a million years imagined that it would really take place. It’s so eye-opening it’s nearly scary. Consider what would occur if, instead of closing yourself off to love, you let genuine love in.
Bryant continues by saying, “The love that we have with God blessing us is a dream come true for me.” It hits all of the right notes.”
