Congratulations are in order for Chaz Bono, who recently tied the knot with longtime love Shara Blue Mathes — 40 years after meeting her in New York City.
The couple got married Sunday at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles as Bono's mom,Cher, looked on from the front row. (Chaz's father is the late Sonny Bono, and Cher also has a son, Elijah Allman, with her late ex-husband Gregg Allman.)
Chaz, 57, and Mathes first met as young actors at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in NYC before eventually reconnecting and making their romance official in January 2017. Mathes also has a 25-year-old son, Cooper, from a previous relationship.
"I first met Shara more than 40 years ago when we were just teenagers,"Chaz told PEOPLE, which published exclusive images of the wedding on Friday. "I think it's safe to say that not many grooms ultimately end up marrying the very first girl they ever kissed so many years later. She makes me feel complete knowing she will always be there beside me as partner, my best friend, and the love of my life. No matter what life brings us, we will always be safer and stronger together… and we are home."
The couple wore classic looks for the soirée they deemed "Hollywood Glam Formal" ontheir wedding website. Chaz wore a black tuxedo and a purple calla lily boutonnière while his bride donned a white gown with long lace sleeves. Mathes wore her dark hair down in soft curls and held a bouquet featuring purple orchids.
For the ceremony, the black aisle was lined with red roses and purple flowers as candles set a romantic tone. In a photo obtained by PEOPLE, Cher could be seen beaming with joy as she watched the couple share a kiss following their "I dos."
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Unsurprisingly, the 79-year-old singer turned heads at the nuptials when she was spotted wearing a sparkler and band on her own ring finger. Some have speculated that Cher and her much younger partner, Alexander "AE" Edwards, may have tied the knot themselves. However,Page Sixreportsthat the couple are neither married nor engaged.
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Cher's rep previously denied marriage rumors in December, tellingGossip Listof the chatter, "There is absolutely no plans for a wedding in her future."
The icon pays no mind to her and Edwards' 40-year age gap, tellingCBS This Morning's Gayle King in November, "Whatever. You know what? They're not living my life. Nobody knows what goes on between us, but we just have a blast. Thank God, he just says, 'You know, you get older, but your spirit is younger.'"
Cher went on to praise her relationship dynamic, adding, "We laugh all the time, and I just love him. I think he's beautiful. He's really talented. Like, he's one of the most talented persons I've ever met."
Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly
