Olympic Beach Volleyball Player April Ross Marries Josh Riley in ‘Coastal’ California Wedding! (Exclusive)

The couple's son, Ross, served as a ring bearer during the ceremony on Sept. 14 at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

April Ross is married!

The Olympic beach volleyball player, 42, tied the knot with firefighter Josh Riley on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, Calif., with 110 guests in attendance, including several of her fellow Olympians and professional athletes.

April tells PEOPLE that when the pair set out to plan their special day, they knew that they wanted the location to be close to home. "Josh was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, we’ve lived up here for four years and we love it," she says, adding, "Manhattan Beach is where we first met, at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open, so it’s fitting we get married there as well, creating a full-circle moment."

The pair was also drawn to the "calm and peaceful beachy, yet modern vibe" of the boutique hotel. "They have a beautiful rooftop with a view of the ocean where we had our cocktail hour and a secluded courtyard for the ceremony and reception," adds April. "It’s perfect for what we wanted our wedding to be."

Related: See All the Proposals at the Paris Summer Olympics So Far

Befitting the venue, they opted for a "coastal, beachy" theme, which carried through from the flowers curated by Rolling Hills Flower Mart — white blooms accented with lots of greenery and eucalyptus with a pop of lavender — to the wedding party attire which included white, neutral or sage dresses, and white linen suits.

In a touching tribute to her late mother, who died of breast cancer in 2021, April walked down the aisle to "Can’t Help Falling in Love," as a special nod to her mom's love of Elvis Presley music. She wore a BHLDN dress and veil for the occasion, which she says "matched the vibe we were going for perfectly."

"It just felt classic, sophisticated and timeless," she says. "It was one of those moments where I just knew it was the dress when I tried it on. I never thought I’d wear a veil, but when I put it on it was so pretty I knew I wanted to incorporate it."

The bride's glam was overseen by makeup artist and hair stylist Mallorie Mason.

The pair exchanged handwritten vows during a ceremony officiated by Tyler Caldwell. Their 10-month-old son Ross served as a ring bearer, and April's sister was her maid-of-honor. "We [decided to] read our own vows to share with our guests the things we cherish about one another," she notes.

Following the ceremony, April — who won a gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics alongside partner Alix Klineman — swapped her wedding gown for a second BHLDN look with a bit of a retro twist. "I had the top, which was very bridal, with a big bow on the back and I paired it with a tulle skirt. It had a bit of an '80s vibe, but I think it says, 'I’m ready to party!' "

During the cocktail party, the newlyweds and their guests nibbled on appetizers including spice BBQ pork sliders with cabbage slaw, prosciutto and burrata grilled cheese, and crostini with fromage blanc, dates, honey and toasted walnuts.

A plated dinner followed, featuring a menu that included seared halibut with roasted fingerling potatoes, sautéed spinach and tomato fondue; vegan enchiladas with refried beans and Spanish rice; and braised beef short rib topped with a red wine demi-glace and crispy shallots, accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.

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. 

The couple chose a three-tier carrot wedding cake with cream cheese frosting in a half-naked style, made by Lido Bakery. In a playful touch, the cake was topped with a pair of beach chairs.

When the dancing kicked off, April and Josh shared their first dance as husband and wife to George Strait's 1997 song "Carrying Your Love with Me."

Related: Team USA Swimmer Carson Foster Marries Meredith Wolf in Hometown Wedding After Competing in Paris Olympics (Exclusive)

Late into the night, the celebration moved to local restaurant Simmzy’s. "We anticipated it being a late night so we didn't want to obligate ourselves or our guests to a farewell brunch the following day," April says.

She and Josh first met in 2017 at Shellback Tavern after the Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament. Josh popped the question in February 2022 while the couple was enjoying a spa and wine tasting weekend in Temecula, Calif. They welcomed their son on Oct. 25, 2023.

Reflecting on their wedding, April says it was a perfect day and one "big party." She also notes that it was an opportunity for her and Josh — who are planning a honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, later this year — "to proclaim and share our love for each other with our dearest friends and family and celebrate that commitment to each other."

For April, marrying Josh means "uniting as a family with our son" and "forming a team stronger than its individual members."

She adds, "We’ve been together for seven years already, so it's a continuation of the life we’ve formed already only with a stronger commitment to each other."

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

After wrapping up her season playing for the AVP League throughout the fall, April plans to retire from beach volleyball and transition into a coaching and commentating career.

"I love the little life we’ve created together with our son, Ross, and our bullmastiff, Rooney. We go on family walks every day that Josh doesn’t have to be at the firehouse, and those small moments are the most precious to me," the athlete tells PEOPLE. "I also love and appreciate our slow mornings together drinking coffee, Caribbean House Hunters on in the background, and playing with Ross."

She says she loves how Josh can "turn every mundane thing into something fun," explaining, "I can be pretty serious, so I appreciate his ability to lighten the mood."

She adds of her husband, "I most admire his loyalty, though — not just to me, but to everyone he cares about in his life."

For his part, Josh tells PEOPLE he appreciates "how driven [April] is — it inspires me to grow and become a better person for her and our family."

"I look forward to our family walks everyday with Ross and our dog, Roo, as well as cooking and eating dinner together," he continues. "We also have the same friend group and that makes life really fun."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.