Inside the Sally Spectra–Billy Abbott wedding that may change “The Young and the Restless” forever (exclusive)

Jason Thompson and Courtney Hope for ‘The Young and the Restless’Credit: Howard Wise

Victor Newman and Nikki Reed; Victoria Newman and Ashland Locke; Danny Romalotti and Cricket Blair. These are the weddings that have made TV history on The Young and the Restless. And Sally Spectra and Billy Abbott are about to write a whole new chapter.

The popular CBS soap (the most popular soap on television, in fact, according to the latest ratings) has been hyping the nuptials between two of its finest for weeks. Courtney Hope has played the flamboyant Sally since 2020, though she originated the role on Y&R sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful back in 2017. Jason Thompson, meanwhile, took over the role of reckless Billy from Burgess Jenkins in 2016 — 17 years after the character made his first appearance.

Forged in the fire of mutual heartbreak, Billy and Sally (dubbed “Silly” by fans) quickly became one of the soap’s most dynamic and dramatic couples after they first linked up in 2024. With Sally nearly nine months pregnant with Billy’s child, Billy’s mother Jill (Jess Walton) falling into ill health, and Sally’s controversial bridesmaid pick rocking Genoa City, fans are prepared for anything to happen at Silly Wedding 2026, which is set to hit screens on Oct. 16.

Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive first look the wedding party’s lavish looks.

Sally wears a delicate white gown overlaid with swirling lace and featuring a dramatic diamond-shaped cutout. In EW’s exclusive photo, she rests her hands on the developing baby bump. Billy, meanwhile, looks dashing in a matching white tuxedo shirt emblazoned with black buttons and bowtie, wrapped in a decadent, cream-colored blazer.

Billy and Sally go with a Great Gatsby theme for their wedding, which may kick off on Oct. 16, but won’t wrap up until Oct. 19. The bride’s dress was custom-made by Y&R’s Emmy-nominated costume designer, Mandi Line. Hope’s makeup was done by resident Y&R makeup artist Orlando Marin, and her locks were styled by the series’ hair artisan, Justin Jackson. Line, Marin, and Jackson are all Daytime Emmy nominees.

Speaking with EW ahead of the big day, Line says she and Hope commenced dress discussions early on. “First and foremost, Sally Spectra had to design her dress from scratch which, of course, meant I had to! We both agreed that it needed to be unique: a modern silhouette in a vintage fabric, with a soft, feminine edge, just like Sally Spectra.”

Hope’s dress was “made of four different layers, and 50 percent of the lace pieces you see were hand-cut and sewn into precisely chosen positions. One of the trickiest parts of the look was the custom-made pregnancy belly. She had four different bellies, too!” As for Thompson, Line says she knew “the colors and silhouettes of the era would fit him perfectly… The vintage 1920s pants and tie came together beautifully, and then there was the jacket, he practically walked right into it. I would love to say we custom-made that coat, but when you’re working with a supermodel like him, sometimes you just throw something on and it’s perfect!”

The lavish Silly ceremony will of course attract the best and brightest of Y&R’s fictional setting of Genoa City, Wis. Guests include Billy’s half-brother, 37-year Y&R vet Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), Jack’s sisters, Ashley (Eileen Davidson) and Traci (Beth Maitland), as well as Billy’s niece, Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway).

Then things get a little tricky. Christel Khalil’s Lily Winters will be in attendance. Lily was previously one half of the super-couple “LilBil” with Billy, and their bond has since considerably soured, and Lily and Sally share a bitter personal and professional rivalry. Then there’s Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn), who has clashed with both Sally and Billy over businesses like Abbott Communications and Chancellor Industries. They’ll be joined by Lauren Fenmore (Tracey Bregman) and Michael Baldwin (Christian Le Blanc).