Slutty Vegan founder Aisha “Pinky” Cole has married her longtime boyfriend, Derrick Hayes. The plant-based food chain founder said “I do” to the fellow restaurateur at The St. Regis Atlanta.
Cole gave People magazine an exclusive first look into her wedding details.
“It’s a fairytale, a Cinderella wedding,” Cole told PEOPLE. “Just the other day, my mother saw me in my dress for the first time, and I never thought I would see myself in a wedding dress. It’s a dream come true because I’m doing something that no one in my family has ever done. To be the first to have a wedding is a big deal. I’m breaking generational patterns and creating a new one.”
The Ceremony
Gospel legend Tasha Cobbs Leonard kicked off the ceremony with a praise and worship melody before doors opened. The couple exchanged personal vows in front of 300 guests. On her Instagram, Cole shared footage of the stunning ceremony site that included blush fringe ceiling details, multiple arches at the alter, blush ceremony chairs and acrylic columns holding dozens of roses.
Pinky Cole’s Custom Wedding Dress
The Clark Atlanta alumna wore a custom “masterpiece” by Milano di Rouge. Cole’s dress was a mermaid-style gown that took four months to design. It featured a plunging deep-V sweetheart neckline and back with beaded lace over luxury beaded mesh silk. The skirt included six layers of tulle and hand-sewn crystal rhinestones.
“Milano Di Rouge had never designed a wedding dress before,” says Milan Harris, Founder of Milano Di Rouge. “We didn’t know how we were going to make it happen, but we knew we were going to do whatever it took to design the perfect dress for Pinky.”
Cole told fans in an Instagram post last month that she said yes to a dress.
“Planning a wedding is ghetto and expensive. One more add on and we are going to the justice of the peace,” she captioned. “But I said YES to the dress.. Not this one but you get the point!”
The Reception
Later, Cole changed into her second look, a dress from Bridals by Lori, for the couple’s reception.
The reception decor included the same oval fringe ceiling design paired with regal chandeliers. There were lush florals in mauve, blush, and ivory shades. The place settings featured ombre chargers with gold and ivory China, blush stemware, and acrylic and gold flatware.
Cole and her husband went all out for their wedding desserts.
“I’ve always believed the bigger, the better,” says Brittany Sharp, owner & creative director of The Sharp Standard, who planned the couple’s nuptials told People magazine.
The pair chose two cakes. One, an ombre five-tier stunner with crystal scales cascading down the sides by K&J’s Elegant Pastries. The second, a vegan coconut with Malibu rum syrup, pineapple and mango compote, mango mousse and strawberry foam by the St. Regis.
“This wedding is a dream come true,” says Hayes. “It will be a day of love for so many. It will connect people who may have had hardship in their own relationships, friendships, and family and will bring everyone together.”
A Star Studded Guest List
Celebrities came out in full force to support the couple on their big days. The guest list included Jeezy and Jeannie Mai Jenkins, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, comedian LaLa Milan, and more.
A Baby on the Way
Cole announced her third pregnancy to guests during the wedding reception. She then revealed the news to fans on her Instagram page.
“The first pic explains the second pic!” Cole wrote in the caption.
The first picture on the post shows the couple dancing at their reception. The second shows Cole cradling her growing bump.
“Our 3rd and final child together will make his debut this December 2023!” Cole wrote. “I have been pregnant every year since 2020… I am a certified baby making machine at this point.”
How The Restaurantuers Met
Pinky Cole and Derrick Hayes met at Atlanta’s Sunflower Café for a business meeting in 2020.
“We talked about politics and connected as friends from there on,” Cole recalled.
The two fell in love, and Hayes popped the big question in 2022.
“Becoming husband and wife means everything to me because I can finally share myself with someone and become a union,” Hayes told PEOPLE ahead of the couple’s nuptials. “I’m looking forward to it because it allows me to raise my kids in an environment I want to see them in. I believe everyone wants to be happy, and I’m seeing that true happiness come into my life.”