Jillian Harris has finally lived out a real-life fairy tale, and honestly, fans couldn’t be happier for her. The former Bachelorette star, who first captured hearts on season 5 back in 2009, has officially tied the knot with former professional snowboarder Justin Pasutto after years of waiting and planning. It’s a love story that fans followed on-screen and off, complete with twists, turns, and the kind of romantic payoff that makes you believe in destiny.
It all started on The Bachelorette, where Harris ended the season engaged to Ed Swiderski, a tech consultant who had initially quit the show but returned to claim the rose and ultimately win her heart on-screen. That engagement, however, didn’t last, and Harris would go on to find her true match a few years later. In 2012, she experienced what she described as “love at first sight” with Justin Pasutto, a meeting that happened by sheer chance outside a bar in Kelowna, British Columbia. From that serendipitous moment, the couple’s journey together began, full of adventures, life milestones, and the patient building of a shared dream.
Harris recently opened up about the culmination of that journey: their wedding weekend. Sharing the celebration with PEOPLE, she described it as “romantic, elegant, traditional,” and admitted, “After eight years of planning, we’ve decided to really go for it!” The couple didn’t hold back, hosting a large ceremony at their beautifully restored farm in West Kelowna. Harris called it “an actual fairy-tale dream come true,” emphasizing that the years of anticipation only made the moment more magical. Fans got a peek into the hard work behind the scenes too. Justin spent two years revitalizing the farm, replanting trees, moving dirt, installing irrigation systems, and managing the team that would help make their wedding venue dreams a reality. Harris gushed, “He has devoted the last year of his life to making my wedding venue dreams come true.”
The big weekend included two celebrations. On Friday, the couple shared an intimate ceremony at a local church, keeping it low-key for close family. But just two days later, they hosted the dreamier, larger affair at their farm, inviting 176 guests to join in the festivities. It was the kind of picturesque, storybook event that wedding magazines feature, complete with touches of romance and tradition that reflected the couple’s personalities and years together. Together, Harris and Pasutto are also proud parents to two kids: 9-year-old Leo and 6-year-old Annie, who no doubt added even more love and laughter to the weekend.
Harris’ romance with Justin was a long time in the making. The couple got engaged in 2016, but life threw a few curveballs their way. The COVID-19 pandemic put wedding plans on pause, and more recently, wildfires in the Kelowna region in 2023 delayed their celebration even further. Despite the setbacks, Harris insists that the wait was worth it. “I’m so happy that we waited this long so that we could truly plan the day that we’ve always dreamed of,” she shared. Their patience paid off, resulting in an event that was nothing short of spectacular and uniquely theirs.
Looking back at Harris’ journey on The Bachelorette, season 5 was a milestone for the series. Ed Swiderski made history as the first contestant to quit the show and then return to win. After leaving the show in episode 5 due to job commitments, he came back during the hometown dates and eventually proposed in the finale. While that chapter ended in heartbreak for Harris, it set the stage for her eventual true love. Her story is a reminder that sometimes real-life romance doesn’t happen under studio lights or in front of cameras—it happens unexpectedly, in the unlikeliest of places.
Fans of Harris know that she’s always been candid about her personal journey. Her posts about the wedding reflected that same openness, sharing both the joy and the behind-the-scenes effort that went into making the weekend perfect. From the meticulous venue preparation to the thoughtful touches throughout the ceremony, every detail showcased the couple’s commitment to celebrating their love in a meaningful way. And while the media loves fairy-tale headlines, Harris’ story is as much about perseverance and partnership as it is about glamour and romance.
It’s also worth noting the way Harris and Pasutto have balanced public life with family. Even while planning a high-profile wedding that attracted attention from media outlets like PEOPLE, they ensured that the focus remained on their relationship and their children. The result is a celebration that feels intimate and heartfelt, even amid the larger spectacle. “Justin has worked tirelessly,” Harris noted, reflecting on all he did to prepare the farm. “He has devoted the last year of his life to making my wedding venue dreams come true.” That kind of dedication clearly shines through, not just in the venue, but in the strength of their bond.
From a pop-culture perspective, Harris’ story is compelling. Many fans remember her as one of the standout Bachelorettes, and her journey underscores how life after reality TV can evolve in unexpected and beautiful ways. The contrast between her high-profile on-screen engagement with Swiderski and her genuine, organic romance with Pasutto highlights the unpredictable nature of love. For Harris, the lesson is clear: the best relationships can’t be rushed, and sometimes the most magical love stories unfold off-camera, away from scripts and producers’ cameras.
The wedding itself seemed like a true labor of love, blending elegance with personal touches that told the couple’s story. From the carefully restored farm grounds to the intimate church ceremony, every element reflected a balance between romance, tradition, and family connection. It was the kind of event that makes wedding guests swoon and inspires anyone planning their own big day to think creatively and meaningfully about what will truly make it special. And judging by the joy radiating from Harris’ posts and interviews, it’s safe to say that the couple achieved exactly that.
In the end, Jillian Harris’ love story with Justin Pasutto is a testament to patience, timing, and the magic of unexpected encounters. From the bright lights of reality television to a chance meeting outside a Kelowna bar, to years of planning and dreaming, the journey has been anything but ordinary. Their wedding weekend—a mix of intimate church vows and a larger farm celebration—captures that narrative perfectly. It’s a story of enduring love, thoughtful planning, and the kind of partnership that fans of romance stories dream about.
With two beautiful children, a breathtaking venue, and a husband who worked tirelessly to make everything perfect, Harris’ fairy tale isn’t just a headline—it’s a lived experience, one she and Justin will carry forward into their life together. For anyone following her journey from The Bachelorette to now, it’s inspiring to see how love, patience, and dedication can truly lead to a dream come true.
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