Among the celebrity guests were Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, plus a surprise performance from MAJOR.

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DeVon Franklin married Maria Castillo in a "deeply spiritual" wedding in Los Angeles on Aug. 2
Guests dined on cuisine that was a "culinary fusion" of the couple's African American and Dominican cultures. For dessert, they enjoyed an array of Southern sweets and slices of the five-tiered, multi-flavored wedding cake
The reception featured a surprise performance from MAJOR. and concluded with the vibrant "hora loca," complete with stilt walkers, dynamic lighting shifts and dancers

The preacher and producer married celebrity trainer Maria Castillo in a romantic and "deeply spiritual" lakeside ceremony at Casa Lago Beverly Hills in California on Saturday, Aug. 2.

"The vision was to create something that feels like us and brings our friends and family into our love story. We wanted to create an event that evokes the beginning of our love story," Franklin tells PEOPLE. "So often people look at a wedding as the end of a love story but it’s just the beginning. We wanted this event to capture that, so people can really experience our love for one another."

Among the guests — who made their entrance through a candle lit walkway of photos as a harpist set the tone — were Kelly Rowland, Tim Witherspoon, LeToya Luckett, Taleo Coles, Israel Houghton, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Tyler Lepley, Robin Thede, and more.

"The vision was to create an experience that felt deeply meaningful and reflective of who we are, not just as individuals, but as a couple," Castillo tells PEOPLE. "Every detail is intentional from the music, to the décor, to the vows, to the spiritual moments."

Violinist Jeremy Green performed Hillsong UNITED's "Oceans" as the wedding party walked down a white aisle adorned with white florals from Butterfly Floral & Event Design.

He played "Goodness of God" for the bride, who wore a stunning Galia Lahav wedding gown and veil. Her makeup was done by Haley Marie Makeup and hair by Clarese Creates.

"I’ve always dreamed of walking down in something timeless, elegant and romantic, but rooted in my culture. I was envisioning a traditional lace wedding dress with intricate details, a touch of drama, and a Spanish flair," Castillo says. "My dress has delicate sleeves, a long train, and lace that tells a story. Classic but bold with just the right amount of tradition and passion woven in. And Galia Lahav specializes in this beautiful lace that is custom, it’s couture and handmade in Israel."

Set against a serene lake overlooking the Los Angeles skyline, the tranquil, hour-long ceremony was led by renowned pastor Touré Roberts. Franklin and Castillo exchanged both traditional and personal vows that were "promises for a lifetime" to love one another "deeply and intentionally."

"We spoke from the heart," Franklin shares. "I wanted everything I said to come from God and my heart."

After the ceremony and cocktail hour was an "ethereal" reception inside the private estate. Décor was "a blend of timeless elegance, romance, and warmth," and brought "Old World glamour into the modern day." The couple leaned into soft neutral tones and rich textures, including laces and linens, to create "an elevated and intimate setting." There were also cream and blush floral arrangements, flickering candlelight, and custom portraiture stations.

Entertainment was headlined by DJ Don Juan and emceed by Charles Jr. Chidi Ohaeri. Franklin surprised Castillo with a live performance by MAJOR., who sang "Why I Love You" for their first dance.

As a nod to Franklin's African American heritage and Castillo's Dominican roots, guests enjoyed a "culinary fusion," starting with Dominican small bites during cocktail hour, and ending with a "soul food-inspired" plated dinner. Passed cocktail appetizers included yuca arepitas and mofonguitos with shrimp, while a few dinner menu items were fried chicken, jambalaya, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese.

"We really wanted to highlight the Dominican culture and the African American culture and bring those two worlds together," Franklin says. "Because that’s part of our story and we want the wedding to leave guests having experienced our story."

Desserts were "reflective of Southern culture, too." Treats included mini peach cobblers, banana pudding shots and bite-size sweet potato pies.

The five-tier wedding cake from Butter Cake Shoppe had multiple flavors: champagne sponge cake with strawberry curd, white chocolate crunch pearls, and strawberry buttercream; champagne sponge cake with passion fruit curd and raspberry buttercream; and vanilla bean sponge cake with caramel, white chocolate crunch pearls, cream cheese, and cinnamon buttercream.

Guests were invited to leave voice notes in Franklin and Castillo's audio guest book from Ey PhotoBooth, which was a nod to the long voice notes the pair sent to each other during the early days of their relationship. Partygoers also inscribed personal notes beside meaningful scripture passages they highlighted in the couple's physical guest book, a Bible.

"It’s important to me that our guests feel the presence of God throughout the entire day. I keep saying I want this wedding to be a testimony of God’s goodness," Castillo shares. "More than anything, I wanted it to feel like a true celebration of connection and a beginning. The end of an era, but the beginning of something really sacred and beautiful forever."

The night concluded with the vibrant "hora loca," which translates to "crazy hour" in Spanish. This Dominican tradition of joyful chaos ignited the final hour, complete with stilt walkers, dynamic lighting shifts, and dancers from LA Follies.

"The entire vibe changes, and it’s just an hour of completely letting loose and being carefree, which I think is representative of both of us," Castillo says. "We’re spiritual and sacred and intimate, but there’s also a fun and carefree playfulness to our relationship, and that moment is reflective of that."

The wedding was planned and designed by Nicole Dohrman with Dreams In Detail. Signage and stationery was also by Dreams In Detail.

Earlier this year, PEOPLE exclusively confirmed that the couple got engaged after one year of dating. While on a holiday vacation in Hawaii on Dec. 27, 2024, Franklin surprised Castillo by dropping down on one knee and proposing to her during a photo shoot outside The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.

"It was truly a magical moment and I can’t wait to spend a magical life with Maria,” Franklin told PEOPLE at the time, with Castillo adding, "To know I’ll be spending the rest of my life with this incredible man is a dream come true. Here’s to forever with the love of my life!”

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Castillo's former business partner and friend of Franklin's, trainer Mike Trusdale, introduced the couple because he thought they would make a great match. He arranged a brunch for them, and the two have been inseparable since meeting.

The pair made their red carpet debut at The Pink Awards in Georgia on Oct. 12, 2024. They stepped out together again the following month at the Merge Awards Gala, which honors individuals who successfully combine their faith with their work in entertainment. Most recently, in June, they looked glam on the 2025 BET Awards red carpet.

Now, Franklin and Castillo are looking forward to married life together.

"There’s something really beautiful about knowing we get to grow and evolve and walk through every season of life together. From the ordinary moments to the extraordinary ones, we get to witness each other’s lives," Castillo says. "I’m looking forward to creating a home with him filled with love, purpose, and faith. Building a life that reflects our values and ultimately giving God the glory."

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