After three decades of anticipation, The Young and the Restless is finally giving fans the moment they’ve long dreamed of: beloved supercouple Cricket and Danny are walking down the aisle once again. Their wedding is set to air on November 21, followed by a grand reception episode on November 24 — a television event filled with nostalgia, romance, and long-awaited closure.
A LAST-MINUTE WEDDING DRESS TWIST THAT SPARKED HOLLYWOOD MAGIC
A last-minute change to a wedding gown might send any real-life bride into panic, but on the Y&R set, it became a spark of inspiration. Costume designer Mandi Line and actress Lauralee Bell (Cricket) found themselves discussing Selena Gomez’s recent wedding and the trio of custom Ralph Lauren gowns she wore. That conversation led to the idea of using a dress that was never part of the fan vote.
“We had this fourth dress we loved but thought it was too casual,” Bell recalls. “Mandi told me to sleep on it. It turned out to be the perfect reception dress — and something fans won’t expect.”
Line explains that narrowing down the dress options for fans was already a long process. She and Bell studied silhouettes that matched the character, Bell’s figure, and what Lauren Fenmore might realistically have in her fashion archives. Line also wanted a “Carrie Bradshaw moment,” inspired by the iconic Sex and the City character. With Bell’s support, the two spent a full day searching downtown Los Angeles, stopping at Q Bridal, where designers — fans of the show — told them to take whatever they needed.
DRESSING THE GROOM
Outfitting Danny, played by Michael Damian, was far simpler. “I put on the Tom Ford tuxedo and said, ‘This is it,’” Damian jokes. “I had about six layers of Spanx on, but nobody cares.” His look features a diamond lapel pin shaped like a C, symbolizing Cricket.
A LOVE STORY THAT BEGAN AS TEENAGERS
For longtime fans, this wedding is more than a storyline. It’s a monumental moment for a couple who first fell in love as teenagers and married in Maui in 1990 before being separated by misunderstandings and complicated relationships.
“This shoot is special because it’s 30 years in the making,” Damian says. “The fans have supported us through everything. They won’t be disappointed.” The episodes also include returning cast members such as Patty Weaver (Gina) and Tricia Cast (Nina), along with nostalgic dialogue.
CBS will re air Cricket and Danny’s original 1990 wedding this Thanksgiving.
WHEN FIRST LOVE NEVER FADES
Lauralee Bell believes the characters were always meant to reunite. “First love is more powerful than you think,” she says. “They would have stayed together if not for what happened with Phyllis, and Paul gave Cricket a safe life. But the ‘what if’ was always Danny.”
Damian agrees. “Danny never doubted it. He’s always said, ‘It will happen. We will be together.’ He just had to convince Cricket.”
A SECOND DRESS FOR A SECOND CHANCE
During filming, the long hours of standing and sitting made Bell realize the original dress wasn’t practical for the whole day. Line suggested switching to a more comfortable second wedding dress for the reception. It was practical, unexpected, and perfectly fitting for the character.
Cricket and Danny’s long-awaited reunion isn’t just another soap opera wedding — it’s a rekindled fairytale that proves sometimes, first love truly can become forever love.
