Danielle and Justin‘s love story is your sign to get dressed up, give yourself a pep talk, and go to that event — even when you don’t want to. You just might meet your husband. The two met each other on June 23, 2013, while hanging out at a popular party in Brooklyn called Saturday Morning Cartoons. After giving each other the eye, the nonverbal cue that you look good, I look good, and we can look good together, Justin approached and introduced himself. “From there, we spent the rest of the night talking and dancing,” she says. Soon after, it was love. Dani felt it shortly after they started dating. For Justin, it was a series of experiences that made his heart smile. From her support of him to her ability to make him laugh, she changed everything with her presence. Their love grew stronger after moving from Brooklyn to LA for Danielle’s career. Justin proposed in 2023, surprising her. Both had traveled to NYC for work, then planned a trip to Turks and Caicos. She overheard him planning with the hotel, convinced he would propose during their island vacation. Turns out, the whole thing was a decoy to distract her from the fact that he was actually planning to propose in NYC, specifically in Brooklyn, where they first met in front of her family and friends. The couple made it official with an intimate Lake Como elopement, saying “I do” before their parents and her sister, then celebrating with loved ones a month later in Los Angeles. See moments from their special days in Lake Como and LA, learn more about their love in this week’s epic Bridal Bliss at ESSENCE.com Photos: @maddiecordoba @kristinegrinvalde

After eloping in Italy last month, we brought the celebration home with our friends and family. It was a weekend of pure love and joy in Brooklyn, CA. Love, The McMullens ❤️❤️❤️ event production: @elletheartist florals: @thejmadison venue: @shortstorieshotels dress: @marialuciahohanofficial makeup: @shanicenjones haircut: @rlamb_chops hair stylist: @adriannaprofit photographer: @maddiecordoba music: @djbenjaminwalker @alanprice123 @_bryant cupcakes: @sophiarosebakery #wedding #blacklove

Mr. & Mrs. McMullen 🖤 • Thank you to everyone who brought our dreams to life! Photographer: @kristinegrinvalde Planner: @luxexbillyfolchetti Venue: @musalagodicomo / Parco Mayer MUA: @sabrinemakeups @dawnartists Barber: @rlamb_chops Wedding Bands: @saintjewels Violinist: @francescomalteccaviolinist Dress: @katherinetash via @loho_bride With love, from Lake Como 🇮🇹

Got the chance to serenade my wife + made my debut at the iconic Blue Note with the legend himself, KEM! • A memorable moment and top tier night. Now available for bookings i.e. birthdays, baby showers, christenings and more! #GVO #kem #bluenote

The “Favorites Folder (90 Day Run)” Album Out Now • 1. “ASW” 2. “Waves and A Wife” 3. “Dancing in the Desert” 4. “Ermiana Forever 🖤” 5. “Points on the Board” ft The Hometeam 6. “WN OF WN” ft @kwnway & @thedottyshow 7. “This Is Us” 8. “Woodley Views” 9. “Gangland” 10. “Let Me Takeover” ft @victoriamonet x @samweissss 11. “Brooklyn, CA📍” 12. “Mountain Man” 13. “Grammy Nominated” 14. “Heavy is the Head” • No skips. No complaints. Grateful for it all. #GVO

A Queen’s Bday 👑 Bornday Blessings to Mrs. McMullen! | Every part of you is ingrained in me, something that became inevitable the moment my girlfriend became my best friend, and my best friend became my wife. You are truly a beauty to witness and experience, day in and day out. • Thank you for your honesty, your steady love, your guidance when it’s needed, and for always pushing me to be better. Thank you for your reliability, in loyalty and in truth. You are the anchor my life needs, and I will never take that for granted. Had to let some of my vows see the light of day haha. • All jokes aside, you are, and have always been, a blessing in my life. On YOUR day, I want to thank you for every second of your time, ounce of your patience and bit of your effort. Cheers to celebrating a real one. Love you beautiful! 🖤 #GVO #MyHeartAndHomie

The “A Brooklyn, CA📍Birthday” Album is Out Now! • 1. “Stoop Kid” 2. “Mrs. McMullen” 3. “Saint Jewels” ft G 4. “The Malbon Man 🏌🏾‍♂️” 5. “Par 5 in Palm Springs” 6. “Proper Greetings” 7. “Poetry In Motion” ft @cedfitla 8. “Negroni Nights” 9. “Blessings On Blessings” • Firmly believe that unconditional love + loyalty are essential in life and I’m fortunate to have been rewarded with both in abundance. Between making Dani a wife, picking up golf and building community, this has easily been the best year of my life. Focused on making the next 365 days of others around me worthwhile and enjoyable. Cheers to another one and as always, keep the optimism high & the vibes pure. #GVO

“The McMullens” official video is out now 🔥 One week ago, we celebrated our love with the dopest community of people + still recovering! • yes, we’re 100% treating #WeddingSzn like an album rollout and @karllunz absolutely snapped with the content! • A movie and @theelleempire made it happen! #MyHeartAndHomie #BlackLove #GVO

The “A Whole Husband 🇮🇹” Deluxe Album Is Out Now! •• 1. “1p in Florence” 2. “Hang it in the Louvre” 3. “Coast of Como” 4. “Chianti Classico” ft @akaceecee 5. “White Negroni” ft @meta 6. “Tuesday in Tuscany” 7. “Perugia Links 🏌🏾‍♂️” 8. “Vino Views” 9. “Mother Nature” ft @saintjewels 10. “My Main Man” 11. “One Night in Matera” 12. “Giacosa” 13. “80 in Ostuni” 14. “All First Verse” ft @iamloadedlux 15. “From Italy with Love” •• Said “I Do” to my best friend. Hit three new golf courses + played 45 holes. Drove over 1k miles in Italy and loved every minute of it. Most importantly, spent quality time with family and changed my life for the better 🏆 15 piece of no skips. #GVO

“Houston, We Have A Problem” Music Video Is Out Now! • Non-stop laughs, quality conversations, elite vibes + the definition of brotherhood at the highest level. Was initially hesitant about doing a bachelor trip but this was memorable for all the right reasons and a weekend for the Guinness books. • Love and appreciate my guys for real ✊🏾 #GVO #MiamiWasCute

The “18 Months Sober” Deluxe Album Is Out Now! •• 1. “Cuffed Up” 2. “Fine Wine” 3. “Brooklyn Air” ft Momdukes 4. “The Real NY” ft @ravieb 5. “Black Man” ft @swang 6. “NN.007” 7. “Constant Convo” ft Larry David 8. “N’awlins Love” 9. “Katz Out The Bag” 10. “Coordinate” 11. “All In The Details” 12. “Home of the Brave” 13. “AK in the AM” 14. “Cheers to the Weekend” 15. “Mafia Moments” 16. “Cuzzo” 17. “Aux To Me Nice” ft @bet weekend 18. “Tee Party” ft my 2nd Mom 19. “Smooth Operator” 20. “Time Well Spent” •• Planning a future. Learned a new sport + reengaged with an old one. Created more memorable moments with great friends + fam. Grateful for it all 🏆 20 piece of no skips. #GVO

🚨 BET WEEKEND HAD ARRIVED 🚨 It’s not just an event, it’s culture in motion and means the return of #PassTheAuxParty !!! Catch us this Saturday at #BETX Club Eden from 5:30p-7p 🔥 • Same rules apply, so make sure your playlist is on point because the meme fans will be! Link in bio. #AuxCordLord #PassTheAux #NoRepeatHeat