This past weekend Reginald Van Lee married his longtime partner Corey McCathern in what can only be called a dream extravaganza of a wedding. Since I don't know them personally, I wasn't invited to the wedding. In fact, I've never heard of them until now so of course, that canceled out any attempt I could have made to crash their wedding. Maybe if I were actually there, I would be able to write from the proper context to match the over-the-top fabulosity of a 3.2 MILLION dollar wedding. Ah, Fabulosity! I remember when a certain supermodel coined that word and wrote a book about how to attain it. Apparently she didn't know Reginald Van Lee and Corey McCathern either, because they just wrote the final chapter on the subject! There aren't many who can go over the top to the rainbow the way these two Same Gender Loving brothas did and still keep it as elegant and tasteful. But any couple who can rent out the National Building Museum in DC, and hire DIANA ROSS as a wedding singer deserves to have the WEDDING OF THE CENTURY!
Yes, I'm tickled pink that these are two BLACK MEN!
Reginald Van Lee (R) has a laundry list of credentials behind his name. He is the current chairman of the board of directors of the Washington Performing Arts Society, and is an executive vice-president with the consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton.
He has received the Black Engineer of the Year Award, the prestigious Spirit of Cabrini Award as well as many other honors for his achievements in outstanding community service. Consulting Magazine named Van Lee as one of the Top 25 consultants in the world and he has been recognized as one of New York's Finest Philanthropists.
A little less has been reported about Corey McCathern but he is the taller husband. Supposedly, he is originally from Louisville, KY (which I find particularly endearing) and is a former personal trainer who owns a wonderful restaurant in Italy where he currently resides. Well, my name is Corey and I'm from Kentucky, too, but that's as close to this side of fabulous that I'll ever get!
But I can dream, can't I? And isn't that the point?
I wonder if Corey McCathern was one of those little boys who dreamed of growing up, getting married and having a HUSBAND? My how times have changed. This is what dreams are made of! And Corey McCathern is living it! But where do you go for a honeymoon when you're Corey McCathern & Reginald Van Lee? Where do you settle down? I'm told they have elegant apartments everywhere like at the Watergate in DC, the Corinthian in New York, a beach house in the Hamptons and a mansion in Texas.
When the call went out to celebrate a 10 year anniversary it ended up a lavish celebration that lasted three days and culminated in a dream wedding. 750 guests were told to adorn themselves in their finest "cocktail couture" and to convene at 6:00pm at the National Building Museum in DC. Celebrities and socialites alike freely mingled among other friends and family members of the two husbands to be. Kathleen Battle, Michael Eric Dyson, Lynn Whitfield, Rhonda Ross-Kendrick (pictured) and former Ebony Fashion Fair model & commentator Audrey Smaltz & wife Gail Marquis (Gail Marquis and Audrey Smaltz - Vows ) were also seen in the crowd.
The ceremony took place on a specially made bridge built over the center fountain.
Up above their heads, the smartly attired guests heard music in the air as sumptuous blue satin curtains ascended to reveal a chorus of more than 100 singers gathered aloft the second floor balcony.
Gordon Chambers probably sang his beautiful The Only One as the wedding procession filed onto the specially made bridge bedecked and bedazzeled with stunning floral arrangements.
Reginald Van Lee peered nervously from behind the curtains as Susan Taylor (and husband Khephra Burns) read encouraging words.
At the other end of the dais, Broadway star Vivian Reed caressed the couple & their guests with two very touching love songs.
The wedding was officiated by Justice Vanessa Gilmore of Houston, Tx.
With the wedding vows cemented, a cocoon of gold metalic butterfly shaped confetti showered the room.
From room to place to place settings, it only became a more grand affair with elaborate table decorations and breathtaking centerpieces like the floating floral tree with dangling birdcages.
A custom made dance floor!
Two wedding cakes ... this one a Louis Vuitton luggage-cake! EAT IT!
After dinner, toasts and cake cutting the newlyweds addressed their guests with what I'm sure were words of thanksgiving but then I'm told the microphone was handed to Corey McCathern-Lee as he announced One. More. Thing. MISS DIANA ROSS!
Guests were stunned as La Ross took the stage for a 3-song, 15-minute mini-concert. This must have been the true icing on the cake because you know you rate when you can hire The Original Diva to be your wedding singer!
I want to get married, too!
Although it may be Reginald & Corey's truth, I would love to have this level of fantasy in my life - just for a day. I've always been a dreamer and I've got the man but getting him to the altar is altogether another dream. LOL!
A few of the photos used here are from a gorgeous commemorative video by Paul Morse. I'd like to thank Reginald and Corey for this level of truth, fantasy, hopes and dreams. I'd like to wish them all the future happiness in the world! Who better to officially usher us into the 21st Century than TWO BROTHAS! Smooches!
Adddendum: I would especially like to thank Reginald Barnes, Matthew Simmons and Richard Montgomery for making these photographs available for everyone's enjoyment. It is always my intention to give proper credit where it is due and make the necessary corrections when possible. Thank you for your support and generosity!
Extra-ordinary! It's so good to see black men representin' on THAT level, Damn!!
Posted by: Thomas | December 01, 2011 at 08:15 PM
I love that I have lived long enough to see LIFE be lived by Black Gay Men in its fullness. If you can or cannot have your favorite singer in the building or rent the hallowed halls of a museum, YOU CAN, WE CAN, each and all, aspire to OUR FANTASY!
This is theirs and it doesn't look like mine but it's GORGEOUS! I am so happy that these GROWN MEN, who have lived lives and succeeded in business(es) have shown US, Black Gay Men, that we can in fact and indeed stop and BE, IN LOVE, WITH LOVE, and not just show off our greatness with designer labels and things (ALONE) but that we can also celebrate our love and our lives with wonderful moments like this!
HONEY, WHEREVER YOU ARE: I'M COMING! KEEP PRAYING AND STAY PATIENT! Natalie Cole is waiting in the wings of our love to sing OUR LOVE!
Posted by: TheRevKev | December 01, 2011 at 08:18 PM
This post, along with the video and pictures, has truly lifted my spirits this evening! Thank you, Corey.
Posted by: elg | December 01, 2011 at 08:50 PM
WOW!!! Sigh...smile...WOW again!!!
Posted by: Fabian Thomas | December 01, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Did you contact them or how did you find all of this? Very intriguing...what a lovely ceremony.
Posted by: Brandon | December 01, 2011 at 11:51 PM
I'm from Louisville too.. I don't remember this making the C-J...LOL Don't think I've seen these dudes either in Atlanta or Louisville....the shorter one kind of looks familiar though.
Posted by: Keon | December 02, 2011 at 08:59 AM
I noticed my video and some of my photos on the blog...LOVE IT!
For more photos from this fabulous weekend...visit my facebook page to see the public albums from Corey & Reginalds fabulous wedding weekend.
https://www.facebook.com/richard.montgomery1
Posted by: Richard Καψ | December 02, 2011 at 09:34 AM
@Richard, thank you for your comment! I just visited your Facebook page and viewed the albums - they are the most stunningly beautiful that I've seen yet.
You have hundreds of photos before, during, and after the wedding - would you mind telling us in what capacity you worked in the wedding? Are you a professional photographer? What were your immediate impressions upon seeing everything come together for the first time? It must have been overwhelming.
Thank you, again!
Posted by: Corey | December 02, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Wow dis is really d wedding of d year, Corey u r very luck, I pray dat u should leave a happi life all through ur life, I luv d colours, its beautiful lots of luv.
Posted by: absexy | December 02, 2011 at 11:47 AM
CONGRATS TO THEM!
Posted by: thegaytekeeper | December 02, 2011 at 02:24 PM
Truly Extraordinary!! Here, here to dreamers and their dreams!! Here, here to Love!! What a great story exemplifying the vision and celebration that there truly "Ain't NoMountain High Enough". Bravo Gents!!
Posted by: The Don | December 03, 2011 at 04:33 AM
Iam inspired to dream bigger aspire a little higher and to continue to look for the Black Man of my dreams.
Posted by: Ramizz | December 03, 2011 at 03:12 PM
Hey guy... great write up but could you credit the source of these pics? I know 3 of them are mine (Reginald L. Barnes) and 3 belong to my partner/photographer Matthew Simmons (MSJ Photography)... we posted them... heck, they are still in my phone. LOL the one with the confetti specifically... I am close friends with Mr. Van Lee. :) http://www.reginaldlbarnes.com
Posted by: Reginald L. Barnes | December 03, 2011 at 03:46 PM
I was there! It was like a fairy tail.... #dreamWedding
Posted by: ChekeshaJ | December 09, 2011 at 09:24 PM
Congratulations and much more happiness to both of those brothas.
Posted by: Jay Dub | December 10, 2011 at 03:23 PM
VERY GOOD IT LOOOKS LIKE EVERY BODY HAD A GREAT TIME
Posted by: MICHAEL | December 14, 2011 at 05:27 PM
Congrats to my cousins!
Posted by: Miss Mac | December 25, 2011 at 11:45 PM
Congratulations Reggie and Corey!!!!
Posted by: Carlyle A. Wimberly | December 27, 2011 at 05:43 PM
SO AMAZING TRULY! YOU GUYS MAKE ME SMILE WITH JOY
Posted by: Wade Lewis | December 29, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Congratulations Reggie and Corey
Posted by: Zellar Marie McGowan | January 03, 2012 at 06:11 PM
How Wonderful! Best to you both!!!
Lisa and I met you through the Howard Theatre. See you at the Gala!
Lavinia
Posted by: Lavinia Wohlfarth and Lisa Farrell | April 01, 2012 at 04:38 AM
Congratulations Reggie and Corey! Best wishes for a long and happy life together! Katrina P. - BAH Alumni 2000
Posted by: Katrina P. | May 10, 2012 at 02:24 PM