Olympic Beach Volleyball Player April Ross Marries Josh Riley in ‘Coastal’ California Wedding! (Exclusive)

April Ross got married!

The Olympic beach volleyball player, 42, married firefighter Josh Riley on Saturday, September 14, at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, California, with 110 guests, including several of her fellow Olympians and professional athletes.

April tells PEOPLE that when the couple started planning their special day, they knew they wanted the location to be close to home. “Josh was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, we’ve lived here for four years and we love it,” she says, adding, “Manhattan Beach is where we first met, at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open, so it’s only fitting that we get married as well there, creating a full-circle moment.”

April Ross and Josh Riley at their wedding on Saturday, September 14 at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, California.

Daniel Freitas @dfritomedia

The couple were also drawn to the boutique hotel’s “peaceful and quiet beach yet modern vibe.” “They have a beautiful rooftop overlooking the ocean where we had cocktail hour and a secluded courtyard for the ceremony and reception,” adds April. “It was perfect for what we wanted our wedding to be.”

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In keeping with the venue, they opted for a “coastal, beachy” theme, which extended from florals curated by Rolling Hills Flower Mart — white blooms with lots of greenery and lavender-tinged eucalyptus — to wedding attire that included white, neutral or sage dresses and white linen suits.

In a touching tribute to her late mother, who died of breast cancer in 2021, April walked down the aisle to “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” a special nod to her mom’s love of Elvis Presley’s music. For the occasion, she wore a BHLDN dress and veil, which she says “perfectly matched the vibe we wanted.”

“I felt classic, sophisticated and timeless,” she says. “It was one of those moments where I just knew it was the dress when I tried it on. I never thought I’d wear a veil, but when I put it on, it was so beautiful I knew I wanted to match it.”

April Ross and Josh Riley at their wedding on Saturday, September 14 at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, California.

Daniel Freitas @dfritomedia

The bride’s glam was overseen by makeup artist and hairstylist Malloria Mason.

The couple exchanged handwritten vows during a ceremony officiated by Tyler Caldwell. Their 10-month-old son Ross was the ring bearer and April’s sister was her bridesmaid. “Me [decided to] read our own vows to share with guests the things we appreciate about each other,” she notes.

After the ceremony, April – who won a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics alongside partner Alix Klineman – swapped her wedding dress for another BHLDN look with a slightly retro twist. “I had a top, which was very bridal, with a big bow on the back and I paired it with a tulle skirt. It had a bit of an ’80s vibe, but I think it says, ‘I’m ready to party!’ ”

During the cocktail reception, the newlyweds and their guests nibbled on hors d’oeuvres including Spice BBQ Pork Sliders with Cabbage Sarma, Prosciutto and Grilled Burrata Cheese, and Crostines with White Fromage, Dates, Honey and Toasted Walnuts.

April Ross and Josh Riley at their wedding on Saturday, September 14 at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, California.

Daniel Freitas @dfritomedia

Dinner followed with a menu that included roasted flounder with baked potatoes, sautéed spinach and tomato fondue; vegan enchiladas with refried beans and Spanish rice; and braised beef short ribs topped with red wine demi-glace and crispy shallots, accompanied by garlic puree and grilled asparagus.

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The couple chose a three-tier carrot wedding cake with half-naked cheese frosting, made by Lido Bakery. In a playful touch, the cake was topped with a pair of beach chairs.

When the dance started, April and Josh danced their first dance together as husband and wife to George Strait’s 1997 song “Carrying Your Love with Me.”

April Ross and Josh Riley at their wedding on Saturday, September 14 at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, California.

Daniel Freitas @dfritomedia

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Late into the night, the party moved to a local restaurant, Simmzy’s. “We expected it to be late at night so we didn’t want to commit ourselves or our guests to a farewell breakfast the next day,” says April.

She and Josh first met in 2017 at the Shellback Tavern after the Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament. Josh popped the question in February 2022 while the couple enjoyed a spa and wine tasting weekend in Temecula, California. They welcomed their son on October 25, 2023.

Looking back on their wedding, April says it was a perfect day and a “big party”. She also notes that it was an opportunity for her and Josh — who plan to honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, later this year — “to make known and share our love for each other with our dearest friends and family and celebrate that commitment to each other .”

April Ross and Josh Riley at their wedding on Saturday, September 14 at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, California.

Daniel Freitas @dfritomedia

For April, marrying Josh means “uniting as a family with our son” and “forming a team stronger than its individual members.”

He adds: “We’ve been together for seven years now, so it’s a continuation of the life we’ve already formed just with a greater commitment to each other.”

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After finishing the season playing for the AVP league in the fall, April plans to retire from beach volleyball and move into a coaching and commentary career.

“I love the little life we’ve created together with our son, Ross, and our bullmastiff, Rooney. We take family walks every day so Josh doesn’t have to be at the firehouse, and those little moments are the most precious to me,” the athlete tells PEOPLE. “I also love and appreciate our slow mornings drinking coffee together, Caribbean house hunters in the background and plays with Ross.”

She says she loves how Josh can “turn any mundane thing into something fun,” explaining, “I can be pretty serious, so I appreciate his ability to lighten the mood.”

About her husband, she adds: “I admire his loyalty the most, but not only to me, but to everyone he cares about in his life.”

For his part, Josh tells PEOPLE that he appreciates “how much you move them [April] is — inspires me to grow and become a better person for her and our family.”

“I look forward to daily family walks with Ross and our dog Roo, as well as cooking and dinner together,” she continues. “We also have the same group of friends and that makes life really fun.”

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