Congratulations are in order for Da Brat and Jesseca “Judy” Dupart! The two tied the knot on Feb. 22 in a Cinderella-style wedding ceremony that featured two horse-drawn carriages and a cake so lovely, not even the finest Disney animation could compete. “Yesterday was a DREAM COME TRUE,” Da Brat captioned an Instagram post, which featured photos of the stunning ceremony. “We OFFICIALLY are BOTH Mrs. Harris-Dupart ?? Being surrounded by our closest family and friends we celebrated our LOVE STORY . WE IZ MARRIED NAH.”
“I think it’s very important to live for yourself. Whatever makes you happy, don’t suppress it. Don’t hide it.”
Da Brat and Dupart were married in front of 100 guests at the Horse Mansion in Fairburn, GA, according to People. After arriving in individual horse-drawn carriages, the couple, dressed in custom Esé Azénabor gowns, walked down the aisle to “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross. They were escorted by groomsmen Jermaine Dupri and Damon Dupart Sr., and LisaRaye McCoy also served as a bridesmaid.
“We wanted Brat in a Suit Dress that would show her edge and feminity [sic] beaded in Swarovski crystals accentuating her curves,” the designer wrote on Instagram. “The world needed to see Brat’s beautiful shape ???. For Judy we went with our classic raw silk 2in1 look with Intricate hand stitched crystals. We can’t wait to share more details about their dresses.”
It’s unclear when Da Brat and Dupart first started dating, but they first made their relationship Instagram official in a post shared on May 7, 2020. Reflecting on the gorgeous wedding, the couple revealed that the date of the ceremony holds a special significance for them. “We’ve been calling each other twin flames for a while,” Dupart says. “So this date, 2/22/22, is a significant event. We just didn’t want to miss it because it comes once in a lifetime.”
Dinner included braised short ribs, lobster tail, truffle mac and cheese, and a butter almond cake by Cakes by La’Meeka. At the end of the evening, the couple – who are currently expecting their first child together – danced out of the reception with the Treme Sidewalk Steppers Second Line Band and drove off in a blue Bentley to head to Turks and Caicos for their honeymoon.
“She’s the person who completes me. She gives me courage. She inspires me, and she makes me fearless. She makes me not afraid.”
The fairy-tale wedding, while lavish, was designed not to impress guests, but to celebrate the love Da Brat and Dupart have long held for each other. “We want to show up, express how much we love each other in front of people that we love, but then actually have fun, and just love each other,” Dupart says, with the Da Brat adding, “We’re already a union. The paper is just going to solidify it. . . . It’s a milestone because, in the ’90s, things like this couldn’t happen. . . . So many people live for other people and they live by the judgment of other people. I think it’s very important to live for yourself. Whatever makes you happy, don’t suppress it. Don’t hide it. You only live once.”
For Da Brat, who came out publicly in March 2020, the best part of the magical ceremony was having the opportunity to marry the love of her life. “Everything about her made me want her to be mine forever,” Da Brat says. “I met somebody that made me want to be so out loud and tell everybody and scream it from the mountaintops. So, I’m very grateful for that. It was like a weight lifted. I promise you, she was sent to me by God. . . . She’s the person who completes me. She gives me courage. She inspires me, and she makes me fearless. She makes me not afraid.”
