Why did Cory Booker and Alexis Lewis have two wedding ceremonies?

U.S. Senator Cory Booker has officially left bachelorhood behind — and he did it in a way that perfectly reflects the two places that have shaped his and his partner’s lives. Booker, 56, and Alexis Lewis, 38, celebrated their union with not one, but two heartfelt wedding ceremonies, each held in a city deeply tied to their personal journeys.

Their first ceremony took place on Monday, November 24, in Newark, New Jersey — a city central to Booker’s political rise and long-standing public service. Surrounded only by their parents, the couple exchanged vows at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in a quiet and intimate setting. It was a symbolic choice for Booker, whose career has been closely tied to Newark for decades.

Just a few days later, the newlyweds held a second celebration on Saturday, November 29, in Washington, D.C., the hometown of Lewis. This ceremony brought together their families, close friends, and loved ones for a more traditional gathering in the nation’s capital.

The couple shared the joyful news through joint posts on Instagram on November 30, giving the public a glimpse into both ceremonies. In the photos from Newark, the pair is seen standing hand in hand at the courthouse, glowing with simplicity and elegance. Another set of images showed their D.C. celebration, where they appeared surrounded by family and enveloped in warm smiles.

“We said ‘I do’ in the two places that shaped us,” they wrote in the caption. “Cory’s Newark and Alexis’s Washington, D.C. Hearts full, overflowing with gratitude.” Their message reflected the intentionality behind choosing two meaningful cities: one representing Booker’s public life, the other Lewis’s roots.

Booker announced his engagement to Lewis earlier in September, sharing a carousel of photos from their tropical engagement trip. In the images, both wore Hawaiian leis and radiated the joy of the moment. Booker described Lewis as “one of the greatest unearned blessings” of his life, emphasizing how she brought grounding, clarity, and love into his world.

Their romantic journey has been steady yet purposeful. Booker revealed in an interview in August that they had been together for about a year and a half after being introduced by mutual friends. By October, during an appearance on the I’ve Had It podcast, the senator openly discussed his eagerness to get married and leave the single life behind. “I’ve had it with being single,” he joked, adding that he and Lewis planned to wed before the end of the year — a promise they fulfilled.

He also mentioned their shared desire to start a family in the near future, expressing how excited he felt about the next chapter of his life.

With two beautiful ceremonies and a shared commitment to building a future together, Cory Booker and Alexis Lewis begin their marriage surrounded by love, intention, and deep gratitude — and their supporters are celebrating right along with them.

FAQ

1. Why did Cory Booker and Alexis Lewis have two wedding ceremonies?
They chose two sentimental locations — Newark, where Booker built his political career, and Washington, D.C., where Lewis grew up.

2. When did the weddings take place?
The Newark courthouse wedding happened on November 24, while the larger celebration in D.C. took place on November 29.

3. When did the couple get engaged?
Booker announced their engagement in September during a Hawaiian vacation.

4. How long have they been together?
About a year and a half before going public with their relationship.

5. Are they planning to have children?
Yes, Booker publicly shared that they hope to start a family soon.