The Vows, Flowers and First Dance! All the Amazing Details from Lea Michele's Romantic Wedding (original) (raw)

When Lea Michele walked to the top of the aisle as she readied to marry Zandy Reich, president of AYR clothing company and her boyfriend of nearly three years, she was glowing.

“Lea was calm [but] so excited for the big moment,” longtime friend Brad Goreski, who styled the star for her romantic March 9 nuptials at Napa’s Carneros Resort, tells PEOPLE.

“Zandy was smiling from ear to ear!” says Goreski. “They were both so happy.”

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Stunning in a custom Monique Lhuillier strapless silk wedding gown, Michele, 32, caught Reich’s eye as he stood beneath a white ranunculus and garden-rose-adorned chuppah, decorated by Rion Designs. In that moment, “it was as if nobody else was there,” says another guest.

The intimate ceremony, officiated by Glee creator Ryan Murphy (“He knows how to hold a room!” Michele joked), was both playful and heartwarming, with 210 of the couple’s family members and closest friends — including Michele’s TV costars, _Glee_‘s Darren Criss and Becca Tobin, and _Scream Queens_‘ Emma Roberts — at times erupting into applause.

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Laughter turned to tears when the couple exchanged personal vows.

“It [was] a moment to say how fortunate I am that this amazing man is choosing to spend the rest of his life with me,” says Michele, who tapped Jonathan Groff to be her “man of honor” while Reich’s brother Spencer served as best man.

Adds Goreski of the touching vows: “There was not a dry eye in the house.”

After the ceremony — and a sweet kiss to seal the deal — the newlyweds managed to steal off to their room for a private moment. While guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Reich, 36, and Michele shared grilled cheese, fries, champagne, and “a little time together, just the two of them,” says wedding planner Lisa Vorce.

A more elegant, multi-course dinner followed and included nods to Michele’s Italian heritage. “I wanted to have a Tuscany-Italian vibe, with family-style pasta, big, long tables, lots of red wine,” says the singer-actress, who made sure the weekend was special for guests down to the last detail, including placing Nest candles in each room as a welcome gift.

After Michele and Reich enjoyed a romantic first dance, to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Haley Reinhart, “everyone hit the dance floor!” says Goreski.

Family and friends, including Ashley Tisdale, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Criss, let loose well into the night.

While the wedding night was unforgettable, Michele and Reich are excited about their future.

“The best days of all will be what we get to do with each other for the rest of our lives,” Michele says. “I couldn’t be more grateful.”