The romantic journey between American actress Elizabeth Lail and her husband Nieku Manshadi represents one of Hollywood's most beautifully private love stories. Despite their public profiles, the couple has successfully maintained an intimate relationship away from the spotlight, creating a genuine connection that began through mutual friends and culminated in a heartfelt pandemic wedding.
How Their Love Story Began
Elizabeth Lail and Nieku Manshadi first crossed paths in early 2020 at a mutual friend's gathering in Williamsburg, Virginia. The meeting occurred just before the world changed with the COVID-19 pandemic, creating the foundation for what would become their lasting relationship. In a rare revelation about their romance, Elizabeth shared with Brides magazine in December 2021 that they met "the good old-fashioned way—at a mutual friend's party in Williamsburg!" This simple beginning set the stage for their deep connection.
The Pandemic Proposal That Stole Their Hearts
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 lockdown in August 2020, Nieku Manshadi planned a romantic surprise for their first anniversary. The couple traveled to Montauk, New York for a weekend getaway, where Nieku organized a special beachside moment at sunset. As they enjoyed making s'mores by a bonfire, he proposed using Elizabeth's grandmother's wedding ring, adding sentimental family history to the already emotional moment.
Elizabeth fondly recalled the proposal in her Brides interview, describing how "We were at our own little bonfire during sunset on the beach making s'mores when Nieku proposed with my grandmother's wedding ring." This thoughtful approach demonstrated Nieku's understanding of what would make the moment truly meaningful for his future wife.
An Intimate COVID-Era Wedding Celebration
On April 24, 2021, the couple exchanged vows at the picturesque Hasbrouck House in Stone Ridge, New York. This location held special significance as it was where they had celebrated their first anniversary. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, they made the conscious decision to keep their wedding extremely intimate, inviting only 22 close family members rather than postponing for a larger celebration.
Elizabeth explained their reasoning to Brides: "We planned everything with COVID in mind! I think we could have easily invited 200 people had it been another time. We decided not to wait, and just invite family to keep it safe for everyone. We were also the only guests on property, which gave us peace of mind to be in our own little bubble."
The wedding details reflected their personal tastes and family heritage. Elizabeth wore a custom-designed Andrea Hawkes dress featuring silk buttons, a fitted top, and three-quarter sleeves. Nieku chose a dark navy suit from Freemans Sporting Club, accessorized with a black bow tie that paid homage to his grandfather and Ferragamo Oxford dress shoes.
Their ceremony incorporated both traditional and Baha'i vows in an outdoor garden setting, followed by a warm, simple reception in the venue's restaurant. Reflecting on their special day, Elizabeth shared: "Our wedding was so small... we couldn't help but have every aspect reflect a part of us. It was primarily our two families coming together for the first time. We laughed and cried the whole way through."
Life After Marriage: Valuing Their Privacy
Since their April 2021 wedding, Elizabeth Lail and Nieku Manshadi have consistently maintained their relationship's private nature. Unlike many celebrity couples, they rarely share personal moments on social media or make joint public appearances. This deliberate choice to keep their marriage out of the spotlight has allowed them to build a strong foundation away from public scrutiny.
While Elizabeth continues her successful acting career with recent projects including Five Nights at Freddy's, Gonzo Girl, and Mack & Rita, Nieku maintains his professional work as a board-certified pediatric dentist. He co-founded and serves as Clinical Director of Pediatric Dentistry at Orthodent Management, practicing in both Austin, Texas and New York.
The couple's approach to their relationship serves as a refreshing example of how celebrities can maintain genuine privacy while building a life together. Their story demonstrates that true love doesn't require public validation and that some of the most beautiful relationships flourish away from the spotlight.
