Colman Domingo is having a moment. Actually, he’s having a decade. Between his Oscar-nominated turn in Rustin, his terrifyingly charismatic presence in Fear the Walking Dead, and that unforgettable role in Euphoria, the man is everywhere. But while his professional life is a whirlwind of red carpets and critical acclaim, the Colman Domingo wedding story is something much more grounded. It’s a narrative that feels less like a Hollywood press release and more like a script for a high-end indie romance.
He didn't marry a co-star. He didn't meet his husband at a high-stakes industry party or through a high-end dating app for the elite. Instead, one of the most stylish men in Hollywood met the love of his life outside a drugstore in Berkeley, California.
It was 2005. Colman was just a working actor, not yet the household name he is today. He was walking into a Walgreens when he locked eyes with a man coming out. That man was Raúl Domingo. There was a spark—the kind people usually dismiss as a fluke or a momentary lapse in judgment—but Colman felt it deep. He was with someone else at the time, so he kept walking. But the universe, or fate, or just sheer luck, wasn't done with them.
Why the Colman Domingo Wedding Was Anything But Traditional
Most people expect a celebrity wedding to be a sprawling affair at a villa in Lake Como or a star-studded bash in the Hollywood Hills. Colman and Raúl went the exact opposite direction. When they finally decided to tie the knot after years of building a life together, they didn't want the spectacle. They wanted a "blind" wedding.
What does that even mean?
Basically, they invited about 25 of their closest friends to what the guests thought was just an ordinary dinner party. No one knew they were attending a wedding. Imagine showing up for some wine and appetizers and realizing you're actually witnessing a life-altering commitment. It’s incredibly disarming. It strips away the performance of a wedding—the stiff suits, the choreographed dances, the "influencer" moments—and leaves only the raw emotion.
They greeted their guests with a simple, stunning announcement: "Aha! We’re getting married."
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Raúl and Colman have always operated on their own frequency. They didn't feel the need to validate their relationship through a massive public ceremony because, by the time they actually legally wed, they had already been "married" in every sense that matters for nearly a decade. They are the personification of "if you know, you know."
The Walgreens Miracle: How They Actually Met
The details of their meeting sound like a fever dream. After that initial eye contact at Walgreens, Colman couldn't get Raúl out of his head. A few days later, he was browsing the "Missed Connections" section on Craigslist. For those who didn't live through the mid-2000s, Missed Connections was a digital wild west of longing and hope.
And there it was.
Raúl had posted about the "guy with the lip piercing" he saw at Walgreens.
Colman saw it. He responded. They met up at a bar in San Francisco shortly after, and honestly, they’ve been together ever since. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to stop wearing headphones when you run errands. You might miss your husband while buying toothpaste.
Raúl isn't an actor. He works in branding and has been a steady, quiet force behind Colman's meteoric rise. When you see Colman on a red carpet looking like a literal piece of art, Raúl is often nearby, not necessarily seeking the spotlight but clearly anchored to the man in it. They aren't just partners; they are a creative unit. Raúl has even served as a producer on some of Colman's projects through their production company, Edith Productions.
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Redefining the "Power Couple" Narrative
We talk a lot about power couples in terms of net worth or social media followers. But the Colman Domingo wedding and subsequent marriage offer a different blueprint. It’s about longevity. In an industry where marriages often have the shelf life of an avocado, 20-plus years is an eternity.
How do they do it?
- They prioritize the "we" over the "me," even when Colman's schedule gets insane with filming in locations like South Africa or London.
- They kept their private life private for a long time. Not because they were hiding, but because they were protecting something precious.
- They share a vintage aesthetic. Both men have an incredible eye for design, which is reflected in their homes and how they present themselves to the world.
Colman often speaks about Raúl as his "anchor." When the world gets loud—and it’s very loud for Colman right now—Raúl is the person who reminds him of who he was back in that Berkeley Walgreens. That grounding is essential. It’s what allows Colman to take massive risks in his acting. He knows he has a safe harbor to return to.
Misconceptions About Their Relationship
There is a common misconception that Colman "came out" late in his career. The truth is, he’s been out and proud for decades. He just wasn't "Hollywood famous" yet. His marriage to Raúl wasn't a secret; it just wasn't fodder for the tabloids.
Another mistake people make is assuming Raúl is just a "plus one." If you listen to Colman’s interviews, he credits Raúl with helping him navigate the psychological toll of the industry. Being a Black queer man in Hollywood comes with a specific set of hurdles. Having a partner who understands the soul of the artist without being caught up in the ego of the industry is a rare gift.
The Impact of Visibility
While their wedding was small and private, the visibility of their marriage today is significant. Seeing a successful, masculine, highly respected Black man talk openly and lovingly about his husband of two decades does a lot of work. It breaks down stereotypes about the "stability" of queer relationships and the "compatibility" of a high-profile career and a long-term marriage.
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They represent a quiet revolution. No drama. No messy public breakups. Just two men who found each other at a drugstore and decided to build a world together.
What You Can Learn From Their Journey
If you're looking for the "takeaway" from the Colman Domingo wedding story, it's not about how to throw a surprise party. It's about intentionality.
- Trust the "Ping": Colman felt a physical "ping" when he saw Raúl. Sometimes, your intuition knows more than your brain does. Don't ignore those weird moments of connection.
- Create Your Own Traditions: You don't need the 200-person guest list if that's not who you are. The "blind" wedding worked because it reflected their personalities—warm, surprising, and intimate.
- Digital Tools Can Work: In 2005, it was Craigslist. Today, it might be an app. The medium doesn't matter as much as the courage to actually reach out and say, "Hey, I think I saw you."
- Support is a Two-Way Street: Colman’s success belongs to both of them. A marriage isn't just about co-existing; it's about active partnership in each other's dreams.
The story of Colman and Raúl Domingo is a reminder that the best things in life often happen when you aren't looking for them. It’s a 25-year testament to the power of a "missed connection" that didn't actually miss.
Next Steps for Deepening Your Perspective
To truly appreciate the foundation of this relationship, look into the work of Edith Productions. Seeing the types of stories Colman and Raúl choose to tell together—stories that often center on marginalized voices and complex human emotions—gives you a much better window into their partnership than any red carpet photo ever could. Additionally, researching the history of Berkeley’s LGBTQ+ scene in the early 2000s provides the cultural context for where their journey began, long before the bright lights of the Academy Awards came calling.