Bubba Wallace rang in the new year with a new woman by his side.
The 29-year-old NASCAR driver and longtime love Amanda Carter tied the knot at a romantic New Year’s Eve wedding in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The bride beamed as she walked down the aisle in a form-fitting white lace gown with a deep V-neckline and plunging back by Madam Barcu Couture.
I do: Bubba Wallace, 29, and Amanda Carter ended 2022 with a romantic New Year’s Eve wedding in Charlotte, North Carolina
Her long dark hair was styled in a low chignon that wore a small veil that fell down her back for the ceremony, and she carried a bouquet of long-stemmed red and white roses.
The groom, who was born William Darrell Wallace Jr., stood tall in a tailored dark red velvet tuxedo jacket and charcoal gray pants designed by Stitch by Mitch.
Video shared on Amanda’s Instagram Stories shows the couple kissing after the ceremony and snuggling down the aisle as their delighted guests applaud.
The look: The bride walked down the aisle in a form-fitting white lace gown with a deep V-neckline and low back by Madam Barcu Couture. The 29-year-old groom stood tall in a tailored dark red velvet tuxedo jacket and charcoal trousers designed by Stitch by Mitch
Dip: The couple wowed their guests when a kiss down the aisle turned into a romantic dip
At reception, a smoke machine created a fluffy cloud of white as the DJ announced the newlyweds, who took to the dance floor while his 250 guests, including drivers Daniel Suarez, Drew Herring and his wife Anna, applauded.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series driver told People he’s excited to take the next step in their relationship. “Getting married and starting a new life together, I’m just so excited to have a good one in my corner. We have so much fun together.’
Guests including fellow driver Scott McLaughlin and his wife, Carly, toasted the happy couple with champagne and bespoke paper cups, which read “Amanda and Darren 12.31.22” in red.
Sparks: Sparks few as the couple welcomed their 250 guests to their reception/New Year’s Eve party
Fog Machine: At the reception, a fog machine created a fluffy cloud of white as the DJ announced the newlyweds entering the dance floor
Guests: Guests included Drew Herring and his wife Anna
Toast: Guests including fellow driver Scott McLaughlin and his wife, Carly, toasted the happy couple with champagne and specially made paper cups with Amanda and Darren 12.31.22 in red
Tables: The tables were adorned with signed welcome cards, snacks and favors, as well as a customized tote bag
Tables were decorated with signed welcome cards, snacks and favors, and a custom tote bag.
The food consisted of small bite stations of their favorite cuisines, including Italian, Asian stir-fries, burgers, and tacos.
The couple got engaged in July 2021, and the driver announced the good news by posting photos of him proposing to his partner next to a majestic waterfall after five years of dating.
He also captioned the post with a short message that read: “Soooooo yeah…I have no idea why the hell I waited so long!! Forever baby I love you @amandacarter17!!’
She said yes! Wallace announced that he was engaged to Amanda in a post shared to his Instagram account in July 2021
Questions: The NASCAR driver also expressed that he “had no idea why the hell I waited so long” to propose to his girlfriend in the caption for his post
Wallace and his girlfriend met in 2016 and have been a couple ever since.
The racer spoke about how he and his partner are coping with his hectic schedule during an interview with People ahead of a competition, where he noted they were learning to adapt to his needs.
“We are lucky to have two more days at home [because] I fly on the day of the race and sometimes the night before so it’s different but we can do it,” he remarked.
Getting strong: The racer and his girlfriend first met in 2016 and have been together ever since
Wallace also noted that he and Carter “enjoyed the home time” they faced during their quarantine.
The racer went on to talk about the couple’s Aussiedoodle dog, Asher, who they have become close over the past year.
He noted that the couple’s pet “makes it really hard to walk during the day…we really enjoyed our time with him.”
Happy couple: Wallace recently told People that he and Carter have been “enjoying the time at home” following their quarantine
Wallace spoke about his now-fiancée’s initial attitude towards Asher as she was concerned about his frequent absences from her company.
He recalled, “She was never really keen on getting a dog … She was always like, ‘Hey, I’m going to take care of him.’ You will race, you will be gone.”
The driver then commented that once the two were able to spend more time together, bringing a pet into their lives became a lot more sensible.
“The pandemic hit us and gave us a chance to be home, and she was like, ‘Oh cool, a dog.’ Amanda now refers to herself as Asher’s mom on social medicine
Puppy love: Wallace also expressed that he and Carter were happy to welcome their dog into their lives after the pandemic “gave us the ability to be home
Wallace has garnered national attention as an activist in 2020.
The racer successfully pushed NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag at their events early in this pandemic-shortened season. Then, in June 2020, Wallace was believed to have been the victim of a racial attack at Talladega Superspeedway when a rope resembling a noose was discovered in his garage stall.
All 39 other NASCAR drivers rallied in support of Wallace before the next day’s restart, pushing his No. 43 car to the front of the grid together as a show of solidarity.
Incident: Then, in June 2020, Wallace was believed to have been the victim of a racist attack at Talladega Superspeedway when a rope resembling a noose was discovered in his garage stall; he was seen last June
Soon after, an FBI investigation found that the item — described in the original NASCAR statement as “a noose-shaped haul rope for garage doors” — had been there since 2019, when a white driver used that particular booth.
Wallace, who did not spot the noose and was not the person who reported it to NASCAR or the FBI, was criticized for the misunderstanding but described himself as “relieved” that it was not intended as a racial threat.
“I think we’re happy to put up with a little embarrassment as to what the alternatives could have been,” he said in a statement.
Former President Donald Trump used his Twitter account to criticize the driver, expressing that NASCAR’s ratings were on the decline, a claim that was later refuted.
Not alone: Several personalities from around the sporting world offered their support to Wallace after the discovery of the rope