Chef Kardea Brown is officially a married woman!
The 37-year-old Food Network star said “I do” to her longtime love, Bryon Smith, 38, on Saturday, March 8, at the stunning Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. Their elegant and timeless celebration featured meaningful nods to their roots in Charleston, South Carolina, with “touches of the Lowcountry” woven throughout the day.
“It’s a fun affair,” shared Brown, who co-hosts Kids Baking Championship alongside Duff Goldman. “There’s so much love, with lots of family and friends all around.”
Eighty-five of Kardea Brown and Bryon Smith’s closest family and friends gathered to celebrate their big day, including Harlem restaurateur Melba Wilson and Jawn Murray, executive producer of SHERRI, the daytime talk show hosted by Sherri Shepherd.
As Brown made her way down the aisle, the moment was set to a deeply personal soundtrack — Brian McKnight’s “Never Felt This Way,” a song she had dreamed of using for years.
A devoted fan of the ’90s sitcom Martin, Brown was inspired by an iconic episode where Martin Payne (played by Martin Lawrence) proposes to Gina Waters Payne (Tisha Campbell) in the park where they had their first date, with McKnight performing the very same song in the background.
“I was a kid when I saw that episode, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s such a beautiful song,’” Brown recalls. “I told myself, ‘If I ever get married, this will be the song I walk out to.’ And I stuck to that.”
Kardea Brown stunned in a one-of-a-kind wedding gown created by designer Laurie Underwood, a former contestant on Season 14 of Project Runway. The custom ballgown, made at Underwood’s Laury Bride bespoke bridal boutique in Chicago, was inspired by one of Adele’s iconic concert dresses. It featured a dramatic detachable skirt, which Brown removed for the reception to allow for “a little bit more movement and flow” so she could “dance the night away.”
“I had my first and final fitting all at once,” Brown shares. “I literally went with feelings and vibes. I trusted Laurie to create something beautiful — and she absolutely did.”
Her look was completed by hairstylist Jessica Geiger and makeup artist Valisha Wigfall.
Growing up in a single-parent household, Brown never envisioned herself as a bride. But everything changed when she met Bryon Smith.
“It wasn’t until I met Bryon that I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is the man of my dreams. I want to be a bride. I want to be a wife,’” she says. “I had always wanted those things deep down, but it was meeting him that made me believe in the whole picture — the white picket fence, the dog, the kids, all of it.”
Brown and Smith first met in September 2016 and dated casually before eventually parting ways. Their connection was rekindled during the COVID-19 pandemic, as both were sheltering with their families in Atlanta — and this time, their love story truly began.
Kardea Brown fondly recalls the moment her love story with Bryon Smith got a second chance. “My mom brought him up one day and said, ‘Hey, that guy you used to date — how’s he doing?’” Brown shares. That little nudge led them to reconnect around March 2020.
Fast forward to the strike of midnight on New Year’s Day in January 2023 — Smith popped the question. Brown shared the exciting news on Instagram later that day, posting a heartfelt video of the proposal as friends and family cheered off-camera. “The best night of my life,” she wrote in part.
Following a heartfelt ceremony officiated by Cinthya Vega, the newlyweds headed to a stunning reception adorned with white florals. And for Brown — who’s currently working on a new cookbook — the food was a top priority.
“We knew from the start that the food had to be phenomenal,” she says. In fact, she and Smith made a special trip to Solaz in December 2024 to finalize every menu detail.
“We’re a fun, loosey-goosey couple, so we went with food stations instead of a plated dinner,” Brown explains. “We didn’t want anything too formal. We really wanted to showcase local seafood and flavors of the region.”
Guests were treated to a full spread, including a salad bar, cold bar, dessert bar, and open bar. Smith, who has a major sweet tooth, was hands-on when it came to choosing their cake. The couple landed on a multi-tiered red velvet and dulce de leche cake decorated with delicate wafer paper, crafted by local bakery Cabo Cakes.
But one of the most exciting moments of the night? A surprise performance by rapper Project Pat — aka Patrick Earl Houston — which took the celebration to the next level.
“The big surprise is a special performance that I just know is going to be the highlight of Bryon’s life,” Kardea Brown told PEOPLE ahead of her wedding day. “I’ve never seen him cry. Hopefully I’ll get him to shed a tear when I walk down the aisle. But I think the real moment he might cry is when his favorite artist steps out to perform.”
That favorite artist? None other than rapper Project Pat, who delivered a surprise performance that brought the house down. When he wasn’t on stage, DJ D-Nyce kept the energy high, flying in from Charleston to infuse the celebration with a touch of hometown flair.
The stunning event was brought to life by wedding planner Linda Warner of Pinnacle Weddings and wrapped up in spectacular fashion with a fireworks show, courtesy of Pure Cabo.
“Once you love someone the way Bryon and I love each other, the idea of marriage becomes something you’re genuinely excited to embrace,” Brown shares. “I know our love will continue to grow, but it’s also about stepping into this new level of responsibility together—and we’re ready for that.”
The newlyweds are planning a romantic honeymoon in Italy, though they’ll wait until Brown’s busy schedule allows. Just days after tying the knot, she’s off to attend the Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival, while also juggling preparations to open a new restaurant at Charleston International Airport.
Looking ahead, the couple has dreams of growing their family. “We’re most excited about the possibility of starting a family and having children,” Brown says. “We already have our fur baby, Rhubarb, but we’d definitely love to expand our little family.”
