Shevaz and Marlon’s love story began on the water, so it makes sense that their story would culminate in a wedding day on Lake Michigan.
They first crossed paths in July of 2020. While the world was in a chaotic state due to COVID-19, on a boat in the middle of the Lake, Shevaz felt at ease. She had gathered with a few friends. On that vessel was also Marlon.
“He was warm, handsome, and instantly easy to talk to,” she recalls to ESSENCE. “At first, I assumed one of the women on the boat was his girlfriend, so I admired him quietly from a distance. But as the day unfolded, we kept finding our way into conversation, and I soon realized they weren’t together.”
And so, as the gathering concluded, Shevaz got ready to disembark and head home. But just before, “he stopped me and asked how we could stay connected. I gave him my number—never imagining that a simple exchange, on a summer day in the middle of so much uncertainty, would become the beginning of our story.”
As love stories go, the two hit it off quickly. Let them tell it, they knew they’d found their person shortly after meeting. “I knew during the summer of 2020, when we spent nearly every day together,” Marlon shares. “In the middle of so much uncertainty, being with her felt grounding and joyful.”
Shevaz adds, “It may sound cliché, but it simply felt right. Being with Marlon felt easy and natural from the very beginning. I loved being around him—we laughed, we had fun, and I never felt the need to be anything other than myself. He accepts me fully, supports me deeply, and genuinely loves seeing me happy.”
So on Feb. 22, 2024, Marlon took a step to ensure Shevaz would be happy for the long term. At their condo, with the help of two of her best friends, he transformed the space to ask for her hand in marriage.
“I was completely overwhelmed in the best way,” she recalls. “Roses lined the path from the elevators all the way to our unit. There were balloons, the date we met written out in roses, and a beautiful collage of photos capturing each year of our relationship. It was such a powerful reminder of how many memories we’ve already created together.”
A year later, the couple gathered their close friends and family to tie the knot with an intimate rooftop wedding on Aug. 24, 2025, before the couple jetted off to The Seychelles for their honeymoon. With the theme of an elegant garden party, giving Offshore Rooftop a tropical feel, the couple had the destination wedding they envisioned right at home in Chicago.
An added bonus? The couple had an Oscar winner in their midst: Chi-Town hero Common, a high school comrade of Marlon, was part of the wedding party and performed “The Light” at the reception with help from a special guest. It was his girlfriend, Jennifer Hudson.
“The fact that they performed one of my favorite songs made the moment even more emotional and surreal,” Shevaz says. “Being surrounded by our closest friends, witnessing something so spontaneous and filled with love, was truly epic—one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments we’ll cherish.”
When asked if the rapper and the EGOT were inspired by Shevaz and Marlon’s nuptials to possibly plan their own soon, she remarked, “Let’s just say love was definitely in the air that night! We believe in celebrating love in all its forms—and if the energy inspired anyone, we’ll happily take the credit!”
It was a moment they won’t forget, but a highlight in a day full of unforgettable occurrences, setting the tone for a future full of happiness.
“More than anything, I’m looking forward to building a life filled with joy, laughter, and shared experiences,” Marlon says, “creating memories that continue to grow our bond and our love.”
Take a look inside their special day, learn more about their love story, and feel all the good vibes in this week’s Bridal Bliss, kicking off a month filled with love.
“We built our own rhythm, and I remember thinking I didn’t want that time to end—I didn’t want us to end,” Marlon says about realizing Shevaz was his soulmate. “That’s when I knew she was my person.”
“Years ago, in 2010, I had written a list of the qualities I hoped to find in a partner. When I came across it again, I was amazed to see that Marlon checked every single box,” Shevaz says. “In that moment, everything became clear. There was no doubt, no hesitation—it just felt right. I knew this was it.”
It’s not every day you go to a wedding and see a celebrity. But Common isn’t a star to the couple. He’s a friend. “Marlon and Common have been close friends since high school, so having him there—not only in attendance but standing beside Marlon as one of his groomsmen—meant the world to both of us. His presence alone was powerful.”
The couple said “I do” at Offshore Rooftop, and made sure water was a part of the day since they first met on a boat.
“I love a good theme, and from the very beginning our vision was to merge an elegant garden party with chic rooftop vibes—something elevated, joyful, and deeply rooted in love,” says the bride. “Our venue was especially meaningful to us, as it was the site of our first date and sits right on the water. Boating is a huge part of our lives—we met on Marlon’s boat, and so much of our story has unfolded on the water—so the setting felt like a natural extension of our journey.”
To honor loved ones who weren’t present in the flesh, but in the spirit for the day, seats were reserved for them in the very front. That includes the bride’s late mother, Tommye.
Everyone was hype for the ceremony, but none more than the groom as he made his entrance.
When asked what moments stick out for Marlon from the big day, his favorite is watching his bride enter. “Awaiting Shevaz to come down the aisle and seeing how beautiful she was and how lucky I was. Also singing and dancing with my new bride with so many of my closest friends and family. ”
“One of my favorite moments was walking down the aisle and seeing Marlon’s expression,” says the bride. “It’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”
Marlon is captured sharing his vows as Shevaz listens on intently.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Everett!
“What I’m loving most is the partnership,” Shevaz says of married life. “Growing together and learning each other in deeper ways.”
“Coral played a central role—it’s stunning on our skin tones and added warmth and energy throughout the day,” says the bride of her color scheme on the big day. “I wanted the overall look to feel elegant but not black-tie, refined yet fun.”
“I’m excited about being intentional, choosing each other daily, and creating a life rooted in love and mutual support,” Shevaz says. “I’m also looking forward to exploring the world together, making meaningful memories, building a legacy, and growing old side by side. Having a true partner through every chapter is what excites me most about married life.”
The couple danced close as they celebrated married life.
“I loved looking around during the reception and taking in the joy on everyone’s faces,” the bride shares.
“Seeing our families and friends fully present, celebrating love together, felt incredibly powerful and emotional,” says Shevaz. “The energy never faded; it just kept building throughout the night.”
“We truly had no idea he was going to perform,” the bride says of Common taking the stage at the reception. “Having seen him perform many times, we have such deep respect for him as an artist and for how seriously he lives his craft. We never wanted to ask—we wanted that moment to come purely from his heart, if and when it felt right to him. When he chose to take the stage, it elevated the celebration in a way that felt organic and unforgettable.”
“When Jennifer Hudson joined him, the energy shifted instantly. The fact that they performed one of my favorite songs made the moment even more emotional and surreal,” she adds. “Being surrounded by our closest friends, witnessing something so spontaneous and filled with love, was truly epic—one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments we’ll cherish.”
“We’re both fun-loving people, and it was important that our wedding reflected that spirit—beautiful, intentional, and full of life,” Shevaz notes. Her spirit was certainly reflected in her standout outfit change, a strapless short jumpsuit wrapped in tulle. Sneakers capped the look. The celebration was the perfect way to begin married life. “What I’m loving most is sharing life with my best friend,” Marlon says. “I’m excited about spending the rest of our lives doing the things we love—boating, golfing, playing tennis, dancing, and celebrating life together. Whether it’s adventure or a simple moment, everything is better when we’re doing it side by side.”
Vendors
Wedding Planner: KIA MARIE EVENTS
Photography: Artistic Elegance Photography
Rentals and Design: Malaika Creates of Revel Decor
Cinematographer: Revel In Films
Venue: Offshore Rooftop
Makeup Artist: Danielle Rochon Makeup
Hair: Chassidy Mickale
Bride’s Dresses and Groom’s Tuxedos: Jason DaVell Designer
Band: The 9 Nine and 2000s Band
DJ: DJ BMan