Etienne Maurice, Son of Sheryl Lee Ralph, Marries Journalist Stephanie Wash

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Etienne Maurice, son of Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph tied the knot with ABC News journalist Stephanie Wash. Wash teased the reveal of all her wedding photos for a few days after the ceremony, before the full spread was published by PEOPLE. She and Maurice reportedly said their vows in Jamaica, surrounded by family and friends.

“We couldn’t be more grateful we were able to have the wedding we dreamed of on the island of Jamaica, despite the complications we faced due to Hurricane Beryl,” Wash wrote on Instagram. “Our loved ones traveled from Los Angeles to Benin, Africa, after a storm, to shower us with love… We enter into our union as one, knowing that we made it through a storm, and that together we can weather any storm. We feel so much joy in our hearts, but can’t forget those affected by Hurricane Beryl. You can donate with the link in our bio.”

Wash is best known as a producer for ABC News, and has even won Emmys for her work on programs including 20/20 and Soul of a Nation. Her new husband is a filmmaker, actor and philanthropist known for founding a community wellness organization called WalkGood LA. PEOPLE spoke with Maurice’s mother, an actress currently playing Barbara Howard on the hit sitcom Abbott Elementary.

“It fills my heart with an overwhelming joy”

“I am so blessed and happy to see my son find and marry such a smart and beautiful partner who has added so much to his life. It fills my heart with an overwhelming joy and happiness,” she said. “It is as if all the love and good vibes in the world has come together in this spectacular moment, blessing their union with boundless hope and endless possibilities. And grandchildren too!”

The romantic ceremony occurred days after Hurricane Beryl was set to make landfall at the Caribbean country. At the time, Ralph posted a video on X (formerly known as Twitter) on July 2, asking for prayers as the island braced for the Category 4 storm’s arrival.

“From the looks of the sky, it looks like Beryl is gonna be here much sooner than the news keeps saying,” Ralph, 67, said while looking out of a window. “So it’s very calm here in Jamaica, the sky is so beautifully clear. And they said that the sea looked like glass today.”

The now-married couple then shared with PEOPLE that they had no plans to delay or postpone the wedding.