For Emmy Award-winning actress, Viola Davis, and her husband, Julius Tennon, 13 is the luckiest number. In honor of their 13th wedding anniversary, the couple renewed their vows on February 13th at the Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica. On hand to celebrate the occasion was Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham, Gayle King, sisters Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, Aisha Tyler and Octavia Spencer. The bride’s How To Get Away with Murder costars Alfred Enoch, Billy Brown and Aja Naomi King also attended. And as the invite requested, everyone arrived looking lovely in “white cocktail” attire.
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The evening began with a few guests reading monologues about the wonders of love and commitment, led by Enoch who plays Wes on the hit show. And then it was time for the grand entrance of the bride and her groom. The beaming couple entered the ballroom preceded by their afro-puffed, five-year-old daughter, Genesis, who carried a white ribbon-adorned broom – the same broom they jumped 13 years ago. After a short ceremony, it was officially party time!
Everyone in the ballroom was immediately asked to join the re-newlyweds on dance floor. The first post-ceremony song? Happy by Pharrell Williams. Quite fittingly, the next song was “Crazy in Love,” followed by “Uptown Funk” and the 70s classic, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” Davis, whose gown was designed by Carmen Marc Valvo (the designer crafted dresses for her mother and daughter as well), held tight to her white bouquet while she danced the night away.
As the couple celebrates their 13th year as husband and wife, we wish them love for many more years to come.
See a full feature on the couple’s incredible love story in an upcoming issue of ESSENCE.