DWTS ' Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence Open Up About Their 'Magical' Wedding

Aili Nahas
Updated

It’s been less than a week since Dancing with the Stars’ Cheryl Burke tied the knot with her longtime love, actor Matthew Lawrence, but the couple is still on cloud nine.

“The wedding was a surreal high,” Lawrence, 39, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “I feel like the most blessed man on the planet.” Adds Burke, 35: “It’s bittersweet, because I’m really sad that it’s over. But at the same time, it’s calming. I feel like this is exactly what needed to happen for us.”

Indeed, the wedding, which took place on May 23 at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, California, was a long time coming for the couple, who met in 2007, but split for nearly nine years before reconciling in 2017 and getting engaged last year.

So, it’s no surprise that when it came to the ceremony, which took place on a covered fountain outside, emotions were running high.

  • For more details on Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence’s wedding, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence | Amy and Stuart Photography
Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence | Amy and Stuart Photography

“It was a tearjerker!” says Burke, who wore a custom Romona Keveza gown and Gianvito Rossi heels. “We were both crying. I was glad I told [matron of honor Leah Remini] to put tissues in her bra. It came in handy!”

Watch the full episode of People Weddings: Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence streaming now on PeopleTV.com, or download the PeopleTV app on your favorite device.

Says Lawrence, who wore a tux by Garo Ashikian of Onik Design (his groomsmen were in The Black Tux), “When Cheryl rounded the corner [to enter the ceremony], you couldn’t have asked for a more perfect movie moment. It was magical.”

RELATED: From Cheryl & Matthew to Joe & Sophie: All of the Celeb Couples Who’ve Tied the Knot in 2019

Following the “I dos,” 200 guests, including Burke’s former Dancing costars Jack Osbourne, Emmitt Smith and Kristi Yamaguchi, as well as Lawrence’s co-best men, his brothers Joey and Andy, headed into the reception.

“It was so cool to see my Pinterest wedding come true,” says Burke of the tented affair planned by celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss, complete with a mirrored dance floor, twinkle lights and florals by Mark’s Garden. “Everything was perfect. My friends were telling me that it was one of the favorite weddings they’d ever attended.”

From left: Kym Johnson Herjavec, Matthew Lawrence, Cheryl Burke, Leah Remini and Nicole Wolf | Amy and Stuart Photography
From left: Kym Johnson Herjavec, Matthew Lawrence, Cheryl Burke, Leah Remini and Nicole Wolf | Amy and Stuart Photography

The newlyweds’ first dance was to “Why I Love You” by MAJOR., but it wasn’t exactly a seamless shimmy.

“Having to dance with Cheryl gave me the most nerves because she is such an accomplished dancer, and I’m not,” says Lawrence. “I messed up in every possible way. I almost fell on top of her and pulled my hamstring to prevent that from happening. But we pulled it off!”

After dancing and dinner, including a 5-tiered-cake by Joanie and Leigh’s Cakes, guests headed into an afterparty, where the festivities continued with music by Angelo Pagan’s salsa band and churros, quesadillas and nachos were served.

Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke at her bridal shower | Kendall Johnson
Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke at her bridal shower | Kendall Johnson

RELATED: Cheryl Burke Shares the Sentimental Story Behind Her Engagement Ring

“Everyone was dancing their butt off,” says Burke. “I had a blast!”

At the end of the night, guests departed with custom monogrammed farewell gift candles from Aroma 360 (with the same scent they used on their Lehr and Black invitations), but for Burke and Lawrence, the memories will last a lifetime.

“I’ll never forget walking into the reception tent and everybody was lined up, clapping for us,” says Lawrence. “It was like it was in slow motion. That is a moment I will never forget.”