Saluti!

Ex-Real Housewives of Dallas star remarries in dreamy Italian wedding

Mark A. Anderson and Kary Brittingham wed in Italy on Thursday, June 20.

Photo by Linda Puccio for People via Mark A. Anderson/Facebook

A former Real Housewives of Dallas star whose marital strife was a major part of her storyline has found her romantic, made-for-TV ending: Kary Brittingham married Mark A. Anderson in an intimate and glamorous wedding in Italy on June 20.

This, according to People magazine, which got exclusive rights to the story and (gorgeous) photos.

The magazine reports the couple tied the knot in a traditional Italian wedding ceremony outdoors in Savoca, Sicily, Italy, surrounded by only 11 people - chiefly their blended family of five children. (In a contrast to another RHOD star, who wed in an over-the-top Dallas society wedding that aired on the show.)

It was the second trip down the aisle for Anderson, 58, an attorney and content creator who owns Dallas-Fort Worth firm Anderson Injury Lawyers, and third for Brittingham, 53, owner of jewelry business Kamo by Kary. Brittingham appeared as a "RHOD" housewife on Seasons 4 and 5, from 2019 to 2021. Bravo TV canceled the series after its fifth season.

The show let viewers in on troubles in Brittingham's marriage to husband Eduardo Brittingham. They finalized their divorce in June 2023.

According to Anderson's professional bio, he grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from Texas Tech University and Baylor University School of Law. He is a Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law — "an achievement that only two percent of all Texas lawyers can claim," his bio says, adding that he has won millions for his clients.

Brittingham and Anderson got engaged in July 2023; they had met on Match.com a year earlier, People reports. He proposed to her with a 12-carat ring on vacation in Tuscany, so the pair chose to wed in Italy, they say.

Kary Brittingham wedding The bride wore a gown by Dallas designer Ese Azenabor.Photo by Linda Puccio for People via Mark A. Anderson/Facebook

"I am so excited to have found 'my person,' who I want to experience life with and grow old with," Brittingham, tells People. "Finding Mark was like finding a needle in a haystack; someone that enjoys life the way I do and has the exact same life goals as I do. Getting married to him gives me a piece of mind that I found my person to spend the rest of my life with."

For the ceremony, Brittingham wore a structured white gown by in-demand Dallas designer Ese Azenabor, which featured a plunging neckline, long train, and sexy high-slit with ruffle detailing.

"I wanted a simple but sexy vibe and Ese created the perfect dress for me," Brittingham told the magazine. She completed her look with an embroidered sheer veil by Grace Loves Lace and white Christian Dior heels.

She changed into a party dress by Zimmermann for the reception, which was held, People says, at the couple's villa in Taormina, Italy, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The newlyweds and their guests dined on tagliatelle Bolognese with truffles, rigatoni pasta with lobster and salt-crusted branzino with steamed vegetables, and tiramisu - all prepared by Italian chef Marco D’Agati.

The couple performed their first dance to "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli, then danced until 4 am with their happy guests, the magazine reports.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kary Brittingham (@karybritt)

After a honeymoon in Bora Bora, Bali, and Hong Kong, Brittingham and Anderson will head to Los Angeles, where they have a home and where two of their children live.

"We are in the same place in our lives and want to go have fun all over the world together," Brittingham tells the magazine.

For the more wedding details and photos, visit People.com.

real housewives kary brittingham celebrities media weddings

Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.