For Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, the summer of 2024 was a whirlwind of monumental victories. On the court, he secured his first NBA Championship, a hard-fought dream come true. Just a few months later, he celebrated a more personal victory, exchanging vows with his longtime love, content creator Emma MacDonald. The man known for his clutch three-pointers and relentless hustle on the hardwood found his perfect teammate for life, trading buzzer-beaters for wedding bells in a beautiful Cape Cod ceremony.
Their journey from a simple online message to a lavish wedding officiated by an NBA star is a modern love story. While Pritchard is often in the spotlight for his basketball prowess, his life off the court is filled with the support and partnership of his wife, Emma. This is the story of how a Celtics star found his center, building a life together rooted in family, friendship, and a shared future.
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A Digital Meet-Cute and a Cape Cod Proposal
The first chapter of Payton Pritchard and Emma MacDonald’s romance began not in person, but in the digital world. Back in 2021, Pritchard slid into Emma’s Instagram direct messages with a simple “hey,” which she responded to with a “hi.” While that initial exchange didn’t immediately spark a romance, fate brought them together again on the dating app Raya, and they eventually connected. Their relationship became public knowledge around Valentine’s Day in 2023 when they vacationed in the Bahamas, and Emma shared photos of the couple.
Their bond deepened quickly. By March 2023, they had moved in together, a transition Emma described as “so easy” and “seamless,” noting that Payton was still her best friend. Just a few months later, in July 2023, Pritchard planned a romantic proposal at a beach in Cape Cod, getting down on one knee during a sunset stroll. Emma, of course, said “yes,” sharing a photo of the moment with the caption, “A love for a lifetime.”
The couple tied the knot in August 2024 in a dreamy, elegant ceremony at the Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich Port, Massachusetts. Emma, a Cape Cod native, had always envisioned a coastal New England wedding, and the venue provided a stunning backdrop with the ocean and 1,200 white roses decorating the lawn. In a truly personal touch, the ceremony was officiated by Payton’s former Celtics teammate and close friend, Blake Griffin, who had been a confidant since the couple’s early dating days.
The wedding was a star-studded Celtics affair, with guests including players Jaylen Brown and coach Joe Mazzulla. The NBA championship trophy, nicknamed “Larry,” even made a special appearance, allowing guests to take photos with the hardware Payton had helped win that same summer.
Building a Life Together as a Team
At the core of Payton Pritchard and Emma MacDonald’s relationship is a deep, easy-going friendship. When they moved in together, Emma shared that their daily routine felt natural and unchanged, solidifying that they were simply meant to be together. They often start their days together with coffee, a ritual they maintained even on the morning of their wedding. This foundation of friendship makes them a strong team, supporting each other’s high-profile careers.
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Emma Pritchard, formerly MacDonald, is a successful content creator in her own right. She has built a significant following on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where she shares fashion, beauty, and lifestyle vlogs. She is managed by Digital Brand Architects and has worked with brands like Frankies Bikinis. Payton, meanwhile, has proudly supported her work, often appearing in her social media posts and videos.
As of October 2025, Payton and Emma do not have any children. They are instead focused on enjoying this newlywed chapter of their lives. After their wedding, they honeymooned at the luxury Amanyara resort in Turks and Caicos. When asked about their future, they’ve shared that they are “most excited about having the person you love be there with you in your highest and lowest moments” and “looking forward to growing together through anything and everything.”
For now, the only “kids” in their life might be the young athletes Payton Pritchard mentors at his basketball camps, as the couple continues to build their life together in the spotlight, one shared coffee and supportive moment at a time.
