In an intimate, star-studded Chicago ceremony captured by photographer Julie Mikos (@juliemikosphotographer) and covered by People and Out Magazine, RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favorite Denali (Cordero Zuckerman) officially tied the knot with her longtime partner, Alexander Montgomery.
The couple, who first met on a Chicago dance floor six years ago, exchanged self-written vows before an audience of close family and fellow drag royalty. Chicago drag icon Aunty Chan (Jamie Meun) officiated the proceedings, which featured lighthearted personal touches like a game of “ring bearer roulette.” Adding to the emotional depth of the day, Zuckerman walked down the aisle alongside Montgomery accompanied by his 90-year-old grandmother, honoring the central role of family in their shared journey.
The grooms embraced classic style for the vows, both wearing tailored tuxedos from The Black Tux paired with green and white floral accents representing their “something new,” while Zuckerman wore his mother’s diamond earrings as his “something old.” Following the ceremony, the pair transitioned into custom reception looks designed by Project Runway finalist and fellow Drag Race alumna Utica Queen (Ethan Mundt). Montgomery wore a sleek black button-up with wide-leg trousers, while Zuckerman opted for a silk halter top featuring intricate back-chain detailing paired with cream trousers.
The reception prioritized celebration and community, powered by a house music set from Chicago DJ VITIGRRL that kept guests on the dance floor late into the night. Their custom wedding bands, created by inclusive New York jeweler Holden, incorporated their respective birthstones—diamond and ruby—along with an inscription of a lyric from Lorde’s “400 Lux,” which served as the soundtrack for their first dance. Reflecting on the milestone, Zuckerman shared that growing up in a religious family made the day a reminder of the risks he took to build a happy life, adding that he felt immense pride in honoring the man he loves and the family they have created together.
