The wait is officially over for “The Young and the Restless” fans! After three decades of “will they or won’t they” tension, the daytime’s favorite supercouple, Cricket and Danny, are finally giving marriage a second chance. The highly anticipated nuptials are set for Nov. , with a massive reception to follow on Nov. , and the buzz on social media is already reaching a fever pitch.
While a last-minute change to a wedding gown would normally cause a real-life bride to spiral, for Lauralee Bell, it was the perfect excuse for a high-fashion “Hollywood moment.” In an exclusive look behind the scenes, Bell revealed that her character’s bridal journey took inspiration from two modern-day icons: Selena Gomez and “Sex and the City.”
A Fan-Voted Fashion Moment
The road to the altar started with the fans. Viewers were actually given the chance to vote on Cricket’s primary wedding gown, a move that sparked huge engagement across X and Instagram. “We found this incredible dress that the viewers voted on,” Bell tells us.
However, as the long hours of filming progressed, the reality of soap opera production set in. Between the endless takes of sitting and standing, the crew realized the bride needed a bit more mobility for the reception scenes. That’s when costume designer Mandi Line stepped in with a brilliant idea: a second look.
The Selena Gomez Influence
The inspiration for the wardrobe swap came straight from the headlines. The night before the big shoot, Bell and Line were discussing Selena Gomez’s iconic wedding style—specifically the three custom Ralph Lauren dresses the singer-actress wore for her big day.
“Mandi and I were talking about the Selena Gomez wedding,” Bell recalls. “It was just a really smart choice. And the fans won’t expect this at all.”
The “reception dress” was actually a fourth option that had been tucked away during the initial fan-vote process. Line felt it was a bit too casual for the ceremony but perfect for a “Carrie Bradshaw moment.”
“As a woman who’s never gotten married, I needed a Carrie Bradshaw moment,” Line jokes, referencing Sarah Jessica Parker’s fashion-forward character. The duo even scoured downtown L.A. together to find the perfect fit, eventually partnering with Q Bridal to bring the vision to life.
Suits, Spanx, and Secret Details
While the bride was busy with multiple outfit changes, the groom’s experience was a bit more straightforward—if a little more constricted. Michael Damian, who plays the legendary Danny Romalotti, looked sharp in a Tom Ford tuxedo, though he admits the look required some effort.
“I had like six layers of Spanx on. Nobody cares about my Tom Ford tux,” Damian jokes. Despite the humor, he made sure to include a sentimental touch: a diamond “C” pin on his lapel to represent Cricket.
A Love Story Years in the Making
For long-time viewers who have “shipped” this couple since they were actual teenagers in the s, this wedding is more than just a plot point—it’s a nostalgic dream come true. The pair originally married in Maui in , but lies and drama (mostly thanks to the legendary Phyllis Summers) tore them apart five years later.
“This shoot is special because it’s years in the making,” Damian says of the energy on set. “The fans have been probably the most supportive on the planet and really just have stuck with us all these years.”
The ceremony will also feature some major blasts from the past, with returning castmates like Patty Weaver (Gina) and Tricia Cast (Nina) joining the celebration.
As for why these two belong together after all this time? Bell says it’s simple. “First love is more powerful than you can ever imagine,” she says. “When it comes to the one love of your life or the ‘what if,’ yeah, it’s always Danny.”
Fans can catch the wedding of the season this November on CBS, and for those feeling extra nostalgic, the network will be re-airing the couple’s original Maui wedding this Thanksgiving!
