Cynthia Bailey marries Mike Hill: How 'RHOA' star overcame hubby's cheating past to find love with 'best friend'
'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Cynthia Bailey finally tied the knot with Mike Hill on Saturday, October 10. The couple threw an extravagant party to celebrate their wedding at the Governors Towne Club in Acworth, Georgia. Their wedding ceremony was attended by 250 guests which included the 53-year-old bride's friends and fellow 'RHOA' housewives, Kenya Moore, Kandi Burruss and Eva Marcille who also served as bridesmaids.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Cynthia revealed, "Mike and I are elated that today has finally come! 10/10/20 is and always will be our perfect date. We are not perfect, but, are perfect for each other. We are living in a very different time, and now more than ever we realize that life is too short, and to never take anything for granted. We are so grateful to have found each other. Love with the help of God conquers all."
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic meant that the couple had to take several precautions to ensure everybody's safety and health. The couple hired a team before their wedding to deep clean the venue. The guests had to undergo temperature checks and wash their hands before entering the venue. The seating arrangement too was spaced out as per the social-distancing guidelines. Cynthia said, "Everyone has to wash their hands before coming inside and we will have hand sanitizing stations throughout the venue. And everyone must be wearing a mask at all times, it's not optional." Mike added, "We want to make people feel comfortable and not look irresponsible. We're doing everything we possibly can."
Just a day prior to her wedding, Cynthia had declared that she was excited to marry her "best friend", while Mike reminisced about how self-isolating together for several months during the pandemic solidified their relationship". "If we could survive that, we can survive anything together. We're happy, we're ready to go," expressed Mike.
For her big day, Cynthia wore a stunning wedding gown designed by Nneka C Alexander of Brides by Nona fame. She paired the beautiful gown with shoed from Badgley Mischka, and a headpiece by Bridal Styles Boutique. Cynthia and Mike's wedding rings were from Rockford Collection and Beverly Diamonds. Mike and Cynthia have been engaged since July 2019. They got engaged just after 14 months of dating. He proposed to her with a five-carat princess cut solitaire ring, during Cynthia's grand opening event of her new business venture, The Bailey Wine Cellar. The proposal was televised on Season 12 of 'RHOA'.
This isn't Cynthia's first wedding. Prior to marrying Mike, she was married to Peter Thomas from 2010 to 2017. She shares a daughter with her former boyfriend, Leon Robinson. While Mike was married twice before getting hitched to Cynthia. On an episode of 'RHOA', he admitted to cheating on both his wives which caused some tension between Cynthia and him, but they eventually resolved it. Cynthia is currently filming season 13 of 'RHOS', so we might be able to catch snippets of their big day in one of the upcoming season's episodes.