Inside Tarek El Moussa & Heather Rae Young’s lavish wedding featuring flower arches & walls of champagne
FLIP or Flop star Tarek El Moussa and Selling Sunset’s Heather Rae Young’s dream wedding included flower arches, walls lined with champagne, a black four-tier cake and more lavish decorations.
The couple got engaged in July 2020 while celebrating their one-year anniversary.
Tarek, 40, and Heather, 34, tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony in Santa Barbara, California on Saturday, attended by their family and friends.
Heather shared photos and videos from the special day on her Instagram Stories, highlighting the gorgeous venue and decor.
The photos captured large flower arches lining the isle where the couple said “I do,” along with a wall of champagne to toast following the nuptials.
The decorative piece displayed a cute saying along the top reading: “He finally flipped her last name,” a nod to Tarek’s HGTV real estate show, Flip or Flop that he hosts alongside his first wife, Christina Haack, 38.
The newlyweds made sure to take some group shots with guests in one clip where everyone cheered as Heather and Tarek leaned in for a kiss.
Tarek’s two children, Taylor, 11, and Brayden, six, who he shares with his ex-wife Christina were also in the pic, happy for their father and his new bride.
His daughter wore a pretty creme-colored gown while his son matched his dad with an all-black tux.
A close-up shot of the bride and groom showed the Selling Sunset star’s stunning corset gown with French lace and long sleeves.
She pulled her blonde hair back in a low bun with a braid, pairing the look with clear stiletto heels.
The TV star donned a black-velvet tux with a skull-and-crossbone-print lining.
The celebrations later moved inside in a lavish banquet room decked out in a black, white, champagne and gold color-theme.
Heather posted a clip of her and Tarek’s entrance into the reception, followed by their first dance as husband and wife.
The pair selected Old Dominion’s One Man Band as their wedding song, lip-singing to the music together, as Tarek dipped and twirled his new bride around.
A guest also snapped a clip of the couple giving a speech, which Heather shared on her page.
In the clip, the Netflix star gushed: “I’ve been dreaming of this night my whole life. He is everything to me. The babies are everything to me, Taylor and Brayden.
“I have a family, we brought our families together. I love you so much,” she added.
Another clip captured Heather and Tarek standing next to their wedding cake as she fed her husband a bite of the dessert.
The cake was four layers with black fondant and white and gold flowers flowing down the side.
The star also showed off her gorgeous diamond ring, flashing the sparkly piece to the camera.
Heather’s Selling Sunset co-stars were also in attendance for the lavish event, as Chrishell Stause and her broker boyfriend Jason Oppenheimer shared a dance with the newlyweds.
REHEARSAL DINNER
The couple gave fans a peak at their wedding rehearsal the day prior.
The loved-up couple kicked off their wedding weekend at the Paradise Springs winery.
Heather looked sensational in a stunning strapless white lace mini dress and a pair of strappy white heels.
She completed her fairytale ensemble with a Rapunzel braid and added butterfly accessories to create the perfect bridal look.
Tarek looked dapper in a dark suit jacket teamed with a classic black t-shirt and a simple chain.
In one photo, the duo gazed adoringly at each other standing on a balcony, in front of a breathtaking backdrop.
Tarek shared a touching post praising his bride-to-be for making him the happiest man.
He wrote: “Ready to say “I do” ❤️ Which is crazy.
“If you had asked me four years ago I would’ve told you I was never getting married again and honestly I didn’t even think I would find love.
“Then one day Heather jumped onto my boat, looked at me, smiled and the rest is history. Thank god for that day. My life is so much better with you in it… now let’s do this thing!! 👰🏼♀️🤵🏻💍❤️.”
Holding hands and looking happier than ever, Heather penned: “My forever.”
Tarek gave fans a glimpse behind-the-scenes of their rehearsal dinner, complete with a lavish buffet meal.
The couple was surrounded by their close family and friends, as the pair smiled for a series of photos.
Tarek’s daughter Taylor teased her dad with a hilarious “roast,” making fun of his “chicken legs.”
He wrote alongside the cheeky clip: “Tay didn’t hold back.
“Still till this day defending the fact that I don’t have chicken legs.”
Close friends then took the mic to toast the pair and share stories of the happy couple.
There was plenty of laughs and tears, including an emotional speech from Tarek’s dad.
Tarek’s father said: “It’s great to have known your parents and I see what you do with Taylor and Brayden and it’s amazing.”
After raising a toast, the soon-to-be newlyweds shared a tender kiss and affectionately held hands.
The pair decided to televise their nuptials in a December Discovery+ special called Tarek and Heather The Big I Do.
They had originally planned to get married in Mexico, but decided to tie the knot in the coastal town of Santa Barbara instead.
Heather spoke to ET about the decision to film their star-studded wedding.
Heather said: “Blacks, golds, whites, champagnes … that’s the aesthetic of the wedding.
“When we decided to do a wedding special, it wasn’t an easy decision, because a wedding is so beautiful and intimate and private. So we actually went back and forth for months deciding.”
Meanwhile, Tarek’s ex Christina spent the weekend at home in Tennessee with fiance Josh Hall.
