Mathis Family Matters' Greg Mathis Jr. on His Engagement to Elliott Cooper: "Our Future Has No Limits" (Exclusive)

Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper are ready to tie the knot! 

The Mathis Family Matters star and Cooper are planning to wed in a private ceremony in Cabo San Lucas – one of their "favorite vacation destinations" – on October 21, 2024. The couple will also host a second, larger celebration for friends and family in Los Angeles next year.

"To be completely honest, for many years, we weren’t sure if we wanted to formally get married," Mathis Jr. tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. "We knew that we loved each other and that we wanted to be together for life, but marriage seemed a bit more difficult to visualize."

Adds Cooper, "There just weren’t many married couples like us to look up to."

But now, Mathis Jr. and Cooper view their impending nuptials as a "must have," noting the importance of representation in the LGBTQ+ community.  "To us, it’s bigger than the institution of marriage and more about us having a special way to honor the life we have built together."

"We’re very aware of the times we currently live in and what our relationship represents to others," the couple shares. "We realize that our marriage, and our relationship, can provide a roadmap to Queer people 'vintage' and young who, just like us, deserve to know that there is nothing wrong with them and that they have a place in this world."

The couple adds that they are most looking forward to "spending quality time with each other and our families in Cabo," as their families have only met once prior to the celebration. "We are super excited to see how Elliott’s southern, outdoorsy family keeps up with my loud and ‘city talking’ family," says Mathis Jr.

They have activities planned throughout the wedding weekend, including a whale-watching excursion, special dinners and wine tastings.

"Family is very important to both of us and we view our marriage as a union of our entire lives – family included," Cooper shares.

The couple spent the first five years of their relationship dating in private because they were "afraid to share our relationship with the world out of fear of being judged."

"We weren’t used to seeing two Black men date so publicly and unapologetically back then," says Cooper. "We knew we loved each other very much but didn’t necessarily have a roadmap for what our relationship and future together could be."

In 2022, after Mathis Jr.'s TV Judge father and the family decided to do a reality tv show, the pair made the courageous decision to come out to the world and share their relationship on national television. 

Cooper proposed to Mathis Jr. on September 29, 2023 at the lavish French restaurant Republique in Los Angeles. "It’s a French themed restaurant that we fell in love with. It reminds us of our past anniversary trips to Paris, the first place we felt safe enough to hold hands in public. Republique is our little piece of Paris in Los Angeles," says Mathis Jr.

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Their friends and family were in town for the proposal under the guise of supporting them at the 2023 Los Angeles Walk to End Lupus, which they hosted. 

Cooper popped the big question following the first course of their dinner, after which they "were so excited we couldn’t even finish the rest of our meal," says Mathis.

When it comes to married life, Mathis Jr., says he’s looking forward to the honeymoon. "I’m hoping I can convince Elliott to go with Bora Bora. I also can’t wait to start our family and just continue experiencing this life together. We are already a solid unit, but I’m excited for all of the added fun that the ‘Mathis-Coopers’ are going to have," he says.

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Meanwhile, Cooper can't wait for the first day of the rest of his life as a married man.

"I am truly just happy that I can spend the rest of my life with someone that loves me for me with all my quirks, crazy stories, and other randomness I may dish out," he says. "With Greg in my life I feel like our future has no limits, even though it might, because he is the love [of] my life."

Engagement Photo Shoot Credits:
Creative Director: Darnell Appling and Jonathan Brooks, Cre8tive Concept Productions
Wardrobe: Danielle Premone, Stylist; Marissa Perez, Stylist Assistant 
Grooming: Reginald Jones
Hair: Greg Jackson