You know those celebrity weddings that are basically televised parades? The ones with the three-day Italian villas, the sponsorship deals with floral designers, and the inevitable "exclusive" spread in a glossy magazine?
Dave Franco and Alison Brie's wedding was the exact opposite of that.
They didn't just have a private ceremony. They pulled off a total media blackout. In an era where every B-list influencer live-streams their vows, these two managed to get hitched in March 2017 without a single paparazzi drone overhead. Honestly, it’s kinda impressive.
But even though they kept the cameras out, they haven't been totally tight-lipped since. Over the years, they’ve dropped bits and pieces of info that make their "I dos" sound way more fun—and significantly more "them"—than your typical Hollywood gala.
The Most Awkward Proposal in History?
Before we get to the wedding, we have to talk about the proposal. It’s legendary for being a disaster.
Dave decided to get sentimental. He’d kept a silver Mardi Gras mask that Alison wore when they first met in New Orleans back in 2011. He also had a placeholder ring because he knew she’d want to pick out the real one (shout out to Irene Neuwirth for the eventual rose gold, rose-cut diamond masterpiece).
He pops the question in Big Sur. He’s wearing the mask. He’s holding the ring.
Alison's reaction? She didn’t recognize the mask. She actually burst out laughing and asked him repeatedly if he was being serious. It took a solid minute for her to realize this wasn't a bit and actually say yes.
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What Really Happened at the Ceremony
They didn't do the traditional church thing. They didn't do the massive hotel ballroom.
Basically, they kept it tiny. The official ceremony was just parents and siblings. It was held at their home. No fuss, no best man, no bridesmaids in matching silk robes. Dave told Entertainment Tonight shortly after that they wanted to "make it easy."
But the party? That’s where it gets good.
Pizza and Weed Pens
After the "legal" part was over, they invited about 60 of their closest friends to Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles. This wasn't some stuffy five-course seated dinner with tiny portions of sea bass. It was pizza. Lots of it.
And instead of traditional party favors, they handed out weed pens.
Dave recently admitted on the Together press tour that they really wanted people to "let loose and go crazy." Apparently, the strategy worked. By the end of the night, guests were leaving with multiple to-go boxes of pizza. That’s a successful wedding in my book.
The Mystery of the Net-a-Porter Dress
One of the funniest details Alison ever shared was about her outfit. She didn’t spend nine months in fittings with a French couturier. She literally bought a dress on Net-a-Porter.
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She told Marie Claire back in 2017: "I’m like, 'Maybe I’ll wear that.'"
That’s the vibe of this entire relationship. It’s low-pressure. It’s authentic. It’s two people who actually like each other more than they like the idea of being a "Power Couple."
Why They Almost Didn't Get Married At All
It’s worth noting that for a long time, Alison Brie wasn't "the marrying kind."
She’s been very open about the fact that she grew up in a household where marriage wasn't necessarily the end-all-be-all. Her parents divorced when she was five. She told Elle she used to practice her Oscar speech instead of planning her dream wedding.
She wasn't looking for a husband. She was looking for a career.
Then she met Dave.
There was a "semi-immediate click," as she puts it. About a year into dating, she realized that the "crazy lifestyle" of being an actor didn't have to be a solo journey. The Dave Franco and Alison Brie wedding wasn't just a ceremony; it was a total shift in how she viewed her entire life path.
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The No-Kids Decision
People always ask "what's next?" for them. For most couples, that's the "baby" question.
Alison and Dave have been refreshingly blunt about this: They aren't having kids. They’ve got cats—Harry and Arturo—and that’s plenty for them.
Alison told The Sunday Times that she doesn't want to worry about when to get pregnant between filming seasons. They’re happy being aunt and uncle. They’re happy working together (they’ve done like four movies now, including The Rental and Somebody I Used to Know).
Actionable Insights for Your Own Big Day
If you're looking at the Dave Franco and Alison Brie wedding as inspiration for your own nuptials, here is the "real-talk" takeaway:
- Ditch the "Shoulds": You don't need a best man. You don't need a $20k gown. If you want to buy a dress online and eat pizza, do it.
- Privacy is a Luxury: You don't have to post your wedding in real-time. Sometimes the best memories are the ones that aren't on a server somewhere.
- Personalize the Vows: Alison mentioned her favorite part was their vows because they wrote their own and kept them a secret from each other until the moment they said them.
- Know Your Audience: If your friends would prefer a weed pen and a Margherita slice over a crystal vase, give them the pizza.
Ultimately, they proved that a Hollywood marriage can actually last if you focus on the marriage more than the wedding. They've been together over a decade now, and they still seem like they're having more fun than anyone else on the red carpet.
To recreate their vibe, focus on intimacy over optics. Start by listing three traditions you actually hate and give yourself permission to skip them entirely. Whether it's the bouquet toss or the formal sit-down dinner, the most "Franco-Brie" move you can make is doing exactly what makes you laugh.