Yahoo Lifestyle MLB Player Nolan Gorman Marries Madison Rivers in 'Magical' NYE Wedding Under the Stars! (Exclusive)
"It truly was a dream come true," the bride tells PEOPLE of her nighttime wedding ceremony
Professional baseball player Nolan Gorman got married to Madison Rivers on Dec. 31, 2024, in an "elegant, Italian-style" wedding underneath twinkling lights at The Ashley Castle in Chandler, Arizona
The couple met in third grade during a kickball game, and their nuptials came eight months after their engagement
"The wedding was truly magical ... It truly was a dream come true," the bride tells PEOPLE
St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Gorman ended 2024 as a married man!
The professional baseball player tied the knot with his longtime love Madison Rivers on New Year's Eve at The Ashley Castle in Chandler, Arizona. The "elegant, Italian-style" wedding in the couple's native state was attended by 139 guests, including many of Gorman's teammates.
Overhead twinkling lights and sophisticated chandeliers illuminated the nighttime ceremony, creating the illusion of a starry sky.
"I have never been to a wedding that started after dark so I wanted to do something out of the norm and create an intimate ceremony that felt like you were under the stars while also giving it a classy magical modern appeal," the bride tells PEOPLE.
A live violinist performed during the unplugged ceremony. Accompanied by her father, Rivers walked down the aisle to "Turning Page" by Sleeping At Last. The quintessential wedding song played in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 when Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) made her way down the aisle to Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson).
Rivers turned heads wearing her "dream dress," the Hilty in ivory from Watters Designs' Wtoo collection. The dreamy ballgown had a corseted bodice and layers upon layers of tool. She accessorized the look with her great grandmother's pearls and earrings, and a cascading cathedral veil from Bel Aire Bridal.
"It was not the style of dress I had in mind," Rivers says. "I was going for more of a lace dress, less poofy, but then on the last day of trying on dresses we were joking around and trying on random dresses and the lady at Schaffer's Bridal brought this dress out and asked me to try it. I was very hesitant but then everyone was telling me just to try it. Once I opened the curtain my mom, aunt, sister and best friends Myranda and Abby all started to cry and that’s when we knew it was the one."
Her hair and makeup was done by HVH Makeup & Hair Artists.
Meanwhile, Gorman wore a classic black tuxedo.
"Getting married means loving each other and respecting each other unconditionally," Gorman tells PEOPLE. "It also means joining two families into one and creating a family of our own to raise beautiful kids."
Underneath an arch of white florals arranged by Bloom & Blueprint, Gorman and Rivers exchanged rings from Happy Jewelers and read handwritten vows aloud. Also during the ceremony — which was officiated by family friend Zeke Bishop — a unity candle was lit, symbolizing two individuals from separate families becoming one in marriage.
During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed an assortment of hors d'oeuvres, including beef Wellington, chipotle chicken flatbread, arancini and bruschetta. For dinner, guests tucked in to a plated Caesar salad, live pasta station and tri-tip served with asparagus and mashed potatoes.
Because they couldn't have their dog at the wedding, the bride and groom dedicated one of the bars to him, naming it "Homer's Bar." A drawing of the pup was also printed on cocktail napkins that read "Drinks on me! Love, Homer."
The newlyweds — who met in third grade during a kickball game — had their first dance to Clinton Kane's "I Guess I'm in Love."
Afterward, they sliced into a simple one-tier wedding cake with churro butter cream. For dessert, guests lined up at an ice cream sundae bar and enjoyed various "bundtinis" (mini bundt cakes) from Nothing Bundt Cakes.
"The wedding was truly magical," Rivers says. "It was drama free and full of fun and laughter. It truly was a dream come true."
The wedding was planned by Trista Croce from BTS Event Management.
The night ended with a send-off of chicken fingers and fries, and the bride dedicating her bouquet to her mother instead of doing a bouquet toss.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Gorman proposed to Rivers at Castle Hot Springs in Arizona on April 11, 2024. Later that evening, he took her to a surprise engagement party at his brother's house.
Now, the couple is "most excited to build a family together" and is looking forward to Gorman's dreams coming true in the big leagues. First is a honeymoon to Turks and Caicos. Next, is a chapter filled with love.
"I love that Nolan brings out the best in me and makes me feel loved every day," Rivers says. "I admire the motivation and strength he has everyday to push forward even in the worst of days and somehow find the light in every situation."
"I love that Madison is so loving and kind and makes every person she comes into contact with better," Gorman adds. "She’s a light in every room and she fills my needs and wants with respect and love that I have only ever received by my mother."
Read the original article on People
