CinderellaActors Who Got Engaged On Stage Marry in Magical Wedding Inspired by Fairytale (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ellarose Kleefisch and Gabe Hanna on their wedding day.Photo:Lynette Yahn

Lynette Yahn

And they lived happily ever after!

Aftergetting engaged onstage while playing Cinderella and Prince Charmingin a production ofCinderellalast year, actors Gabe Hanna and Ellarose Kleefisch exchanged vows on June 15, 2024 in front of 130 friends and family at St. Sava Orthodox Cathedral in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ellarose Kleefisch and Gabe Hanna.Lynette Yahn

“I just removed a piece of the top and had the perfect dress for me left!” Kleefisch tells PEOPLE of the gown, which featured a corset-style bodice and full tulle skirt. “I thought the dress was magical and it fulfilled all of the dreams I had about my wedding as a little girl. I truly felt like a princess when I wore it.”

Adds Hanna: “The moment I saw her enter the church with her father, I was speechless. She quite literally took my breath away.”

“We also had a custom sword engraved with our names and wedding date to cut our cake. I would say that’s pretty royal!” he continues.

Gabe and Ellarose’s wedding cake from Sweet Mixin’s.Lynette Yahn

Hanna is Greek Orthodox, so the couple had a traditional Orthodox wedding ceremony and Kleefisch handmade their wedding crowns out of artificial flowers, floral wire and ribbon to match their wedding colors. She also hand-painted the “unity” candles that they held throughout the ceremony.

“We wore the wedding crowns with a ribbon tied to each other as we walked around the altar three times, symbolizing our first steps as a married couple while we walk in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit,” Hanna tells PEOPLE.

Gabe Hanna and Ellarose Kleefisch.Lynette Yahn

The celebration was full of emotion as the couple exchanged their vows.

“The moment we left the altar we both broke down. I think we just couldn’t believe we actually got to be together forever,” Kleefisch tells PEOPLE. “We snuck into an office in the church and cried into one another’s arms.”

The table settings at the wedding reception.Lynette Yahn

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Their first dance as husband and wife to Cody Fry’s “Photograph” preceded a spectacular fireworks display, before the couple went on to party the night away with those closest to them.

“It was a beautiful gift to have our wedding reception in Ellarose’s parents' backyard. Her father surprised us with fireworks that lit up the night sky after the sunset. It was a thoughtful and beautiful time,” Hanna tells PEOPLE.

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Gabe Hanna and Ellarose Kleefisch take in the surprise fireworks display at their wedding reception.Lynette Yahn

source: people.com