What you need to know
Heather Shaw replaced the punchline with vows when she married her longtime girlfriend, Lily Jean Coyner, on New Year’s Eve.
The stand-up comedian, 37, married the lawyer, 26, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, in a wedding billed as “the New Year’s Eve party to end all New Year’s Eve parties.” The “dark and romantic” event was attended by 75 guests and had a “gothic feel”.
“Our priority was to create an intimate ceremony surrounded by the people we love most, especially those who have supported our relationship from the beginning,” the couple exclusively tells PEOPLE. “We wanted the public to really enjoy the celebration instead of sitting through a long ceremony or a stuffy two-hour sit-down dinner.”
Brizzy Rose and Emma | @brizzyroseandemma
The couple added: “We want everyone to eat, drink, get married and have fun.”
The festivities began on Tuesday, December 30th with a Cocktails & Confections welcome party held inside the venue’s Penthouse. Partygoers were served cheerful beers and baklava in honor of Koyner’s Lebanese heritage. The welcome gift bag was provided by Coyner’s mother, Susie, who owns bbQ & More in Paducah, Kentucky.
Brizzy Rose and Emma | @brizzyroseandemma
Two grandmothers walked down the aisle instead of flower girls on their wedding day, avoiding the “traditional pitfalls”. Lana Del Rey’s “Video Game” played during the procession, and Coyner wore a sculptural, beaded dress with low-side cutouts from Rebecca’s Wedding Boutique, while Shaw opted for a “perfectly tailored” custom suit from the suit shop.
For Shaw and Coyner, marriage means “spending the rest of your life with your best friend.”
Shaw and Coyner privately shared their handwritten vows, hoping to “save each other’s vulnerable moments.” The couple kept their ceremony “short and sweet” and exchanged wedding rings from Holden. La Tasha Buckner, a “dear friend” of the couple and chief of staff to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, moderated the event.
“We can’t wait to see where 2026 takes us,” the newlyweds exclaimed. “I know this is just the beginning, and I’m so excited about the life we’re building together.”
Brizzy Rose and Emma | @brizzyroseandemma
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed Coiner Concoq, a cocktail that was a favorite of Coiner’s late father. This is a mixture of vodka, soda, and a little grapefruit juice.
At the reception, everyone listened to DJ Heather Inawine’s “Killer Playlist” while plating the couple’s favorite bites from a giant charcuterie board, French fry bar, and other food stations. For dessert, the couple enjoyed an “absolutely delicious” vegan chocolate wedding cake baked by Coyner’s aunt Val, and guests were treated to an assortment of European pastries from Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe, including eclairs, macarons, cheesecake and mousse cake.
Late-night pizza from local pizzeria Emmy Squared was served in a custom box from wedding brand Swan.
“Our theme focuses on swans because we love the symbolism of swans mating for life,” Shaw and Coyner say.
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Brizzy Rose and Emma | @brizzyroseandemma
The couple chose to have their wedding in Kentucky because of Coyner’s family’s deep ties to the Commonwealth. Shaw joined Coiner in the Bluegrass State when they moved in together four years ago.
“We live close to Lily Jean’s family, have a large garden for our two dogs Edie and Norman, and cat Jack, and love our close-knit queer community,” Shaw says.
Brizzy Rose and Emma | @brizzyroseandemma
Shaw and Coyner’s romance began a few years ago when Coyner messaged Shaw on Instagram. She had a “long-time virtual crush” on the popular content creator, who has 2.8 million followers on TikTok, about 900,000 followers on Instagram, and about 480,000 followers on Facebook.
Ultimately, the show posed this question with a stunning rooftop proposal in Lexington, Kentucky. She then surprised Coyner with an engagement party at her home attended by close family and friends.
To ring in the new year, Shaw is excited to film his first stand-up comedy special in Janesville, Wisconsin in January and begin a new national stand-up tour. Meanwhile, Coyner is looking forward to his second year as a lawyer.
Brizzy Rose and Emma | @brizzyroseandemma
Additional credits:
Welcome party sweets: Bae’s Baekery, Alwatan Bakery
Wedding catering: main proof
Wedding Planner: Simply Sara O
Floral: Jess Coy Floral
Hair: Sierra by Fenry Studio
Nails: Claire’s nails
Videographer: Sandro Mora of Reventure Media
