After a friendship that stretches back more than four decades, Chaz Bono and Shara Blue Mathes exchanged vows in a ceremony described as Hollywood Glam Formal. The couple, who first crossed paths as teenagers at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, marked their wedding on March 8 in Los Angeles. The event took place at the storied Hollywood Roosevelt, where friends and family gathered to celebrate the union. Among those in the front row was Chaz’s mother, the icon Cher, who watched as the pair made their commitment official.
Their romance that became public in 2017 culminated in this formal celebration after years of shared history. The ceremony blended nostalgic elements with classic glamour: a black aisle lined with candles, moody floral arrangements, and an atmosphere intended to evoke old Hollywood. The couple plans to depart for a honeymoon in Hawaii, continuing a joyful chapter after the ceremony. Social posts from both Chaz and Shara captured moments from the day, sharing heartfelt reflections about their long road to marriage.
The story behind a decades-spanning relationship
The relationship between Chaz Bono and Shara Blue Mathes is unusual in its longevity. They first met as teenagers at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute and remained connected through the years before becoming a couple in 2017. The couple has described their bond as evolving from friendship into partnership, noting that it is rare for someone to marry the first person they ever kissed so many years later. In statements following the wedding, Chaz emphasized that Shara brings a sense of completeness and constancy to his life, calling her his partner, best friend, and love. Their story highlights how long-term connections can transform into lifelong commitments.
Rekindling and commitment
After years of knowing one another, their decision to start dating in 2017 eventually led to a formal marriage on March 8. The couple has spoken about how that renewed connection felt both familiar and newly intimate. Social media posts showed the pair celebrating with a close-knit circle of friends, and Shara described the event as a “real live fairytale” in her own reflections. Their wedding also featured meaningful interactions between friend groups; Shara expressed gratitude for how friends became friends with her friends, calling that blending of lives a true gift.
A ceremony steeped in classic glamour
The chosen theme, billed as Hollywood Glam Formal, guided the visual elements and dress code of the celebration. Chaz wore a traditional tuxedo with a black bow tie accented by a purple calla lily boutonnière, while Shara selected a long-sleeved lace dress and carried a bouquet dominated by vibrant purple orchids and deep-toned blooms. The ceremony setting at the Hollywood Roosevelt invoked the grandeur of vintage Los Angeles gatherings, with candlelit aisles and dramatic floral displays. Photographs from the day show a romantic dip at the aisle’s end and posed portraits against the venue’s iconic backdrop.
Guests and details
Family presence was notable: Cher attended in the front row and watched as the couple exchanged vows. The event planning and design accentuated the chosen theme, and the couple opted for a refined, theatrical aesthetic. Attendees included close friends and family members who have supported the pair across different stages of life. The couple’s intention to honeymoon in Hawaii was shared on their wedding information page, pointing to a private post-ceremony escape following the public celebration.
Chaz Bono’s public transition and family dynamics
Chaz has been open about his gender journey for many years. He publicly came out as a transgender man in 2009 and began the physical phase of his transition after he turned forty. In 2010 he legally changed his name and gender, and he has used his platform to educate others by documenting his experience. That process was shown in the documentary Becoming Chaz, which chronicled both personal milestones and the challenges that arose. The transition at times affected family relationships, as Chaz has reflected on his mother’s initial struggle to adjust when his voice and appearance began to change.
Support, struggle, and healing
Chaz has spoken candidly about the emotional complexity his transition created for his family. He and Cher attended counselling when the changes became particularly hard for her to process. Chaz described a moment of clarity watching the film Boys Don’t Cry that helped him name his identity, and later recounted how his mother, despite public perceptions of being progressive, had to work through private parental emotions. Over time, Cher has expressed admiration for Chaz’s courage and emphasized that his happiness is what matters most.
As the newly married couple begins their life as spouses, their ceremony served as both a celebration of present love and a reflection of decades of shared history. The wedding at the Hollywood Roosevelt brought together elements of nostalgia, public life, and intimate family bonds, underscoring how relationships can evolve and endure. With plans for a getaway to Hawaii and public messages of gratitude and joy, Chaz and Shara’s wedding closes one chapter and opens another in a story that began over forty years ago.