Carrie Ann Inaba has put a lot of thought into her upcoming wedding. Although the Dancing With the Stars judge is still deciding on bridesmaids, she’s chosen someone extra special to be her matron of honor: her mom!
While guest co-hosting alongside Ryan Seacrest on Live with Kelly & Ryan this week, Inaba, 49, admitted that choosing between her friends is a difficult decision. “I’m actually in the process of choosing my bridesmaids,” she said, after relaying the story of a bride who had prompted her friends to bid on their wedding roles. “That’s horrible… I would never do that, but it is hard, because I have my friends from Hawaii and my friends from LA… my family friends, and then I have my mom.”
Inaba then directed her attention to her mother, who was sitting in the audience. “Would you be my matron of honor?” she said, causing her mom to well up with tears.
“Is that a yes?” the In Living Color alum joked, hugging her mother, who agreed to the honor. “Is that a yes or a TV yes?” she mused. “I’m saying yes,” her mom replied.
The future bride and her fiancé, actor Robb Derringer, are putting the majority of their energy into the ceremony, which will take place in Inaba’s home state of Hawaii. “I’ve thought more about the wedding than the reception,” she told People. “A wedding is sacred. It’s a profound moment in one’s life and we both want to focus more on the ceremony and make sure it represents our love and truth in a very intimate and special way.”
Inaba says the ocean will play an important part in the nuptials, as it has throughout the couple’s relationship. Back in December, Derringer, 50, proposed at the same exact spot the two shared their first date—a private cove located on the Pacific coast of California. “We both have an affinity for the ocean. We had our first date near the ocean; we got engaged near the ocean. The ocean will be a central theme in our wedding,” she told the mag. “We’re guessing and hoping for a sunset to remember.”
As for planning inspiration, Inaba has largely relied on Pinterest. “It works, because the first picture I pulled for my wedding was this picture of a beach with these two beautiful trees and chiffon and benches. It was just so gorgeous,” she told Seacrest.
Inaba and Derringer then set off to Hawaii, determined to find a beautiful venue with trees. Unable to find the perfect location, she even considered having her DWTS friends bring fake trees along. Despite several venues rejecting the idea, the couple found the ideal solution: the last site they visited was the very spot from Inaba’s inspiration photo. “It was kind of amazing,” she said. “I feel like we’re on the right track.”
One element Inaba has banned from the nuptials is sequins. “I’ve had so many sequins (on DWTS),” she concluded. “If you’re coming to my wedding, do not wear sequin. I will make you go home and change.”
See the clips above.
