How Jennifer Lopez Played a Part in Derek Hough's Wedding Planning
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Originally appeared on E! Online
Jennifer Lopez really is a wedding planner.
In addition to playing one in her 2001 rom-com The Wedding Planner, the multi-hyphenate helped out her fellow World of Dance judge Derek Hough in his real-life nuptials with Hayley Erbert. As Derek shared at the Feb. 13 premiere of This Is Me... Now: A Love Story, a musical film based on J.Lo's relationship with Ben Affleck, he was in the middle of planning his own wedding when he got the call to play her groom.
"It was great," the Dancing With the Stars judge told E! News' Will Marfuggi in an exclusive interview, airing Feb. 14. "I kind of got a free wedding planner out of it, too."
In fact, Derek said he would show J.Lo his wedding ideas and seek her opinions.
"'What do you think about this?'" he remembered asking the Grammy winner once. "She's like, 'Oh, that's nice!'"
In the end, Derek, 38, tied the knot with Hayley, 29, at a romantic ceremony in the redwood forests of Northern California in August 2023.
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Though Hayley did not attend the This Is Me... Now: A Love Story premiere due to her recovery from cranial hematoma, Derek said his wife is "getting better and better every day" after undergoing skull surgery two months ago.
"Hopefully, we're past the worst," Derek shared. "She's incredible. She really is amazing."
This Is Me…Now: A Love Story hits Prime Video on Feb. 16.
To see Derek's full interview, tune into E! News tonight, Feb. 14, at 11 p.m. For now, keep reading to relive his love story with Hayley.
October 2015: Hayley Joins <i>Dancing With the Stars</i>
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert meet back in 2014 when she performed on his and sister Julianne Hough's tour. A Dancing With the Stars producer is impressed with Hayley and she is called to interview to join the show's troupe, getting the job the following year, according to the Hutchington News. Also in 2015, she and Derek begin dating.
July 2016: Derek & Hayley Step Out
The two begin going out to public events, including at the 2016 premiere of the Tony Robbins Netflix documentary I Am Not Your Guru.
September 2016: Creative Arts Emmys Governors Ball
The duo get glammed up for a star-studded night out.
August 2017: Red Carpet Debut
The dancers make their red carpet debut as a couple at the Television Academy's 2017 Choreography Peer Group Celebration at Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif.
September 2017: Emmys Date
Hayley joins Derek as his date for the Creative Arts Emmys, where he was nominated for Outstanding Choreography for his work on Dancing With the Stars.
October 2017: Happy Halloween
The two attend the star-studded Casamigos Halloween Party.
November 2017: Christmas Tree Lighting
Hayley joins Derek as he hosts The Americana at Brand shopping mall's Christmas tree lighting event in Glendale, Calif.
May 2018: May the Force Be With You
The two attend the Hollywood premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
September 2018: Emmys After-Party Date
The couple steps out at HBO's post-Emmys celebration.
October 2019: They Are the Ones Who Hug
They aren't pumping the brakes as they attend the premiere of Netflix's El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
February 2020: Oscars Party Date
The two pose for pics at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing party.
November 2020: Disney Holiday Singalong
Feeling festive, they dance on the special to ring in the Christmas season.
August 2021: <i>Respect</i> Premiere
The two are all smiles at the premiere in Los Angeles.
August 2021: Emmy Winner
The partners appear at the Creative Arts Emmys, where Derek wins Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on Dancing with the Stars.
March 2022: Oscars Party Dance
The two dance as they arrive at the 2022 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party.
May 2022: <i>Top Gun: Maverick</i> Premiere
They look top tier on the red carpet.
June 2022: Engaged
Hayley flashes her engagement ring at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
June 2023: <i>Elemental</i> Premiere
The two get cozy at the launch of the Disney-Pixar film.
<p>August 2023: Just Married and Honeymoon</p>
The couple honeymoon in Italy following their Aug. 26, 2023 wedding in California.
<p>December 2023: In Sickness and in Health</p>
Derek was by Hayley's side as she underwent emergency skull surgery due to a burst blood vessel. "It was a time filled with uncertainty and fear, going from living our dreams onstage, to a nightmare in an instant," he wrote on Instagram over a week later. "Her recovery process has been nothing short of a miracle."
