Here’s What Netflix’s ‘Marriage Or Mortgage’ Couples Are Doing Now
You've already binge-watched every episode of Netflix’s new reality TV show Marriage or Mortgage, and you're still craving more OTT wedding exits, massive kitchen islands, and of course, champagne to celebrate those big life moments. Speaking of which... what the heck are all the couples are up to now, and how have all of their marriage or mortgage plans played out in the middle of a global pandemic? Lucky for you, Women's Health has all the answers—straight from the lovebirds themselves.
Just to recap, the show features a slew of engaged couples who, over time, have saved up enough to afford either their dream wedding or dream home. (Most of the contestants possess anywhere from $20,000 to $35,000 in their bank account.) With the help of Nashville-based real estate agent Nichole Holmes and wedding planner Sarah Miller, each couple is presented with a home to live out their happily ever after and a wedding day straight out of a fairytale. Of course, this is the real world with real bills to pay, so the couples can only pick one.
A major financial choice like that would be a real doozy for just about anyone, even with the help of two Netflix-approved (and very charismatic) experts. But ultimately, all of the couples made their decisions based on what they believed to be best for them. Each pair either enjoyed the luxuries of a picture-perfect wedding or a "forever home," even as situations shifted due to COVID-19 restrictions and personal life changes.
While filming for the show wrapped in early 2020, the lovebirds still have lives to live, ya know? WH caught up with the Marriage Or Mortgage couples to find out where they are now, and how each of their house or wedding plans panned out in the pandemic world.
*Warning: Major Marriage or Mortgage season one spoilers ahead!*
Liz & Evan: "New to Nashville"
In case you need a quick refresher, Liz and Evan were the very cute couple who were new to Nashville, moving there from Naples, Florida to accommodate Evan's new gig. Despite viewing some compelling homes in the new city (and finding some cool yards for their lovely doggo, Franklin!), the couple chose to have the wedding of their dreams.
However, as shown in the ending of their episode, Liz and Evan were forced to change their wedding plans, opting for a smaller gathering due to COVID-19 restrictions. That didn’t stop the newlyweds from having a happy day, though.
"Obviously, we are both extremely happy that we chose the wedding," Liz tells WH. "It was a beautiful day. With the pandemic, it turned into something a little smaller than we had anticipated, but we were both very happy that we ended up choosing the wedding."
Not only do they stand by their decision, but they're not in any rush to buy a property in Nashville. Instead, they plan to spend some QT getting to know the area before committing to a home. (Pretty understandable!) "We want to immerse ourselves into Nashville," says Evan. "We want to learn more about it and live downtown and experience all Nashville has to offer before we settle for good."
Now, the two of them live in an apartment building in the heart of the city. As for Franklin the dog... while he doesn’t have a big yard, Liz and Evan’s new building has an elevator to accommodate him. And even though they're not ready to take the plunge into home ownership without doing some field research, the couple is actively looking for a new house, given low mortgage rates. They're also keeping their fingers crossed for Nashville concerts to open up soon.
Denise & Nick: "Adopting New Traditions"
You might remember Nick and Denise from their eclectic style, fun-loving relationship, and blended family. The pair wanted to have either an Elvis-themed wedding with tons of vintage decor vignettes, or a new home with lots of space for their daughter, Tatum, and potentially, more kiddos to come.
In the end, Denise and Nick chose "mortgage," since they thought it'd be better for their entire family if they invested in a home and focused on adoption. (Plus, they loved the super cool refrigerator that allowed Nick to send Denise notes while he’s at work, hah.)
"Obviously, since we went through a pandemic, we were very blessed that we chose a house, and we had a safe place to stay," Nick tells WH. While staying inside, they’ve been super focused on DIY renovation projects and putting the finishing touches on their forever home.
"It’s been a whirlwind," adds Denise, referencing the feedback they’ve received since the show aired. "We’ve had people messaging us on Instagram. My phone has been going off the hook."
In terms of how they feel about their decision to be Team Mortgage, Denise and Nick couldn’t be happier with their choice. "We’d been renting for quite a while, so having something that is ours that’s tangible forever—not just one day—is awesome," Denise explains.
And ICYMI, just because Nick and Denise didn’t choose "marriage" on the show doesn’t mean they held off on the ceremony entirely—they eloped! "It was super small," Nick explains. "We just had us, our pastor, and our photographer there." It’s safe to say this couple pretty much got the best of both worlds.
Now, Nick and Denise are focused on growing their Instagram following with the hope of supporting the pair's many future business ideas, such as facilitating adoptions for other families and creating home DIY inspiration content. "Instagram is a huge part of our lives," says Denise, who wants to use their account as a public platform. "If that could be my job, or something along those lines, that’d be amazing."
Another one of their big goals? Working toward an adoption, of course. An adoption agency even reached out to them after seeing the show, and they want to help walk Nick and Denise through the process.
Precious & Alex: "Mother Knows Best"
You probably remember Precious and Alex, the couple living in a small apartment veeery close to Alex’s mother. (The couple even did laundry at her house once a week.) For this couple, it was a real toss-up between a big new home (Alex’s mother even offered to co-sign the mortgage) and a major wedding celebrating their love. In the end, though, they chose wedding, and Precious even got the awesome ~ranch fountain~ of her dreams.
"Besides the fact that we got married, not much has changed since the show wrapped," Precious tells WH. They’ve been stuck inside (same), so the couple hasn’t been up to much. That said, they still feel great about the choice they made, even though COVID-19 forced them to downsize their guest list. "It was literally the best day of my life," Precious says.
Another memorable part of their Marriage or Mortgage experience? "It was really nice to be able to bond with Nicole over our fertility journeys," says Precious. "Having someone that's also been through that was a really nice touch. I enjoyed having her share that with me."
As for Alex’s mother (a big player in their episode), she’s happy the two of them chose to have a wedding despite her initially being on Team Mortgage. "She’s still working and living 15 minutes away from us," Alex explains. "I think once she knew that we wanted the wedding and seeing how happy everybody was and how fun everything was, she was happy with the outcome."
What’s next on this couple’s journey? A baby, of course. "We actually have a fertility consultation with the doctor that will be doing the procedures," Precious explains. "I also recently just got promoted at my job, so we'll be able to save a lot easier for when we do buy a house, but we're definitely going to be doing fertility first." After the couple gets pregnant, they plan to set their sites on a new home.
Cynthia & Karla: "A Second Chance"
Odds are you remember Cynthia and Karla, the hilarious couple whose wedding of their dreams was also a celebration of personal truths. Even though they still live in the house that Karla shared with her ex, the pair decided to give Cynthia, a minister, the wedding she’d never had and the heartfelt ceremony their love deserved. "We wanted to communicate a message that was uplifting and hopeful and affirming," Cynthia tells WH.
As for what they’re up to now, it’s still much of the same business. "We just kind of settled into a normal routine of working from home, and we’re enjoying our time together in the evenings," says Karla. That said, their time on Marriage or Mortgage inspired the couple to start taking classes to become wedding planners.
The experience also inspired Cynthia to take on a new responsibility—she's now super focused on officiating weddings. "I've really enjoyed that, because I love working with couples and helping them come up with a ceremony that represents their shared love." She hopes to officiate two or three weddings per month, as long as the ceremonies comply with COVID-19 precautions.
When it came to their own wedding day, Cynthia and Karla still had the event of their dreams, only having to limit the number of wedding guests and push back their initial date in response to COVID-19. "It was just magical," Karla says.
The couple add that, regardless of the added restrictions, they wouldn’t change their special day for anything. "Houses come and go," says Karla. "But you only have one wedding day."
Scott & Brittany: "Before Deployment"
In case you forgot (though I don’t know how you could), Brittany and Scott are the couple who chose to build their dream home from the ground up before Scott’s deployment. The house was super close to Brittany’s family and the couple got to design it exactly to their (many) specifications, which made it perfect for keeping Brittany feeling comfortable while Scott was away.
But the big news: Brittany and Scott got married, too! "Sarah was so good at her job that I was totally influenced to have a wedding," Brittany tells WH. "We did it, and we did it right before the pandemic, so I really empathize with all brides that had to make all those changes." In other news, Brittany also got her MBA *and* a new job, so it’s safe to say that this couple really hit their decision-making and life-planning out of the park.
Since the show ended, Brittany has also had time to work through the grieving process after losing her granddad, whose memory had a huge influence on the couple's final decision. "I was in denial [during the show] because I wasn't able to talk about it," says Brittany. "But when Nichole had my grandad’s saying put on the rock, that's when I knew. It was just an out of body experience."
As for Scott, his deployment was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so he and Brittany have been enjoying the time they have together at home. "We’ve been holding this in for a while, but we’re starting a YouTube channel called 'The Adventures of Brittany and Scott,'" Brittany says. So, yep, you’re free to follow along on everything that’s coming up next for them from the comfort of your couch.
Alex & Whitney: "Nurses In Love"
Alex and Whitney were the couple that did everything together, from working as nurses in the same hospital to raising their adorable cat. Despite seeing some super cool homes, the pair ultimately decided that what they wanted was the wedding day of their dreams. And they got just that!
"We wanted to express our love outwardly," Whitney tells WH. "At the time of filming, the wedding ended up being more important to us. We could choose a wedding one hundred times over, though we know the house would’ve also been a great investment."
Since filming wrapped, a lot has changed in the couple’s lives. After getting married and working long shifts in the ER during the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, they decided to escape the stressors of hospital work and switch jobs. "We've experienced a lot with COVID and being in the ER, so we're very grateful to be out of it," Alex says. They’ve since moved into Alex’s family home in Park City, Utah, where they’re both studying for their masters degrees for nurse practitioner school. They've even added a dog to their cute li'l family, too.
Overall, the two are just grateful that they were able to have their wedding and honeymoon in Thailand right before COVID-19 reared its head. "Life was completely different when the wheels landed in the United States, and we got back to our real life," Whitney explains. "We were so fortunate with our timing." When looking toward the future, what’s next for the couple is graduation, kids, and a new home.
Hayley & Andrew: "Waiting for Marriage"
You probably remember Hayley and Andrew as the super sweet couple who were waiting until they got married before becoming intimate. Despite their eagerness to have a wedding ceremony, the pair ultimately chose to buy a home, a decision that they don’t regret in the slightest. That said, since filming wrapped, they’ve had a lot on their plates.
"We've been definitely settling into our house," Hayley tells WH. "It's just been a long process of buying the furniture that we want and the decor and doing little touches to make it feel like our home." Plus, they have news: They got married about seven months post-move-in!
"We had a small wedding, and it was so lovely. Obviously, with spending our money on the house it wasn’t like what Sarah was offering, but it was perfect for us," Hayley explains.
Married life is "truly the best thing," she adds. Plus, since Andrew is working from home, the pair are able to spend more time together than ever before. "You saw at the beginning of our episode that I was leaving home every night to honor the decision we had made," Andrew says. "Now, being married, I get to stay home. Cuddling before bed is so much more special to me now than it ever was."
The couple also hope that sharing the personal details of their relationship on Marriage or Mortgage sends a message of love and acceptance to viewers. "I think my biggest hope for people seeing our episode, in particular, is that everybody's story is different. Everybody’s walk [through life] is different, but that doesn't make anything not normal," Hayley says. "Whatever decision they make, each person's story is their normal."
Raven & Antonio: "Eight Years In The Making"
With two cute little boys and an eight-year-long college sweetheart relationship, Raven and Antonio were one of the show’s most awww-inducing couples. Their decision between a big house for their family or a wedding day was a real toss-up, but they ultimately decided to go with their dream ceremony.
Since filming wrapped, they’ve been keeping things low-key. "We’re just dealing with COVID and trying to get some sense of normalcy," Raven tells WH. "It’s tough, but we’re making it work." Their youngest son has finally gone back to school ("He could not operate at home!" Raven says), while their oldest is actually enjoying virtual school.
In terms of their Marriage or Mortgage decision, they’re so happy they went with a wedding. "It was really hard, and we didn't know until the day that that was what we wanted to choose, because we fell in love with that second house," she says.
However, due to the pandemic, the couple has chosen to postpone their wedding until it is completely safe for all of their loved ones to join them. "We wanted all of our friends and family to be there," Raven explains. "I’d hate to limit the amount of people that support us and love us."
As for the kiddos, they were super happy that their parents chose to tie the knot. "Our oldest son, he felt like it was time for us to get married," Antonio says. "Kids are smart; they know we’re not married, and he wanted us to be like his friends' parents."
In terms of what’s next for the couple, they each started their own businesses during the pandemic. Antonio began an automobile detailing company called Shine Time. "I’ve been around cars all of my life, so this is what I do." Antonio says.
Raven, meanwhile, started a photo booth rental business, since she loves the wedding and event space. "These are printed pictures that you can have the rest of your life," she says.
Emily & Braxton: "Out Of The Friendzone"
For those who love to watch people be young and in love, Emily and Braxton were probably a Marriage or Mortgage favorite. Both of them are personal trainers and coaches, and they ultimately decided to tie the knot rather than get a home of their own. (Braxton was also very particular about the shower!)
"It was the best day," Braxton says. "The vibes were all joy. All my closest buddies were there, and it’s obviously the day that I got to marry Emily." His wife agrees, since she’s always looked forward to her wedding day.
Post-filming, the couple actually got an apartment together, so they’re no longer living with Emily’s parents. "It feels like I’m back in college, and I’m free," Braxton says of their new digs.
They didn’t get to go on their Jamaican honeymoon and gyms have been closed due to COVID-19, so Emily and Braxton are focused on working and running their businesses from home. They are just grateful for the experience, they say, and with their two doggos alongside them, they feel like one big happy family.
What’s next for this couple? "Babies will be making an appearance," Emily says. "We want lots of babies." They also hope that the Netflix show helps them gain more clients, and that it will provide good exposure for their personal training jobs.
Sarah & Eli: "A Little Bit Classy and Trashy"
You might recall watching Sarah and Eli's episode because of their obsession with moonshine and good eats. While they loved the house that Nichole showed them, the couple ultimately chose wedding since the offer they put on their dream home wasn't accepted. But then, the next day, Nichole and Sarah returned to the couple to let them know that their offer was accepted after all. (Woo!) Into their dream home they moved.
Unfortunately, however, it seems that Sarah and Eli are no longer together, or rather that they're operating at a distance. They were both unavailable for comment on the show, and according to their Instagram accounts, they haven't posted photos together in quite a while. Sarah even stated in a Facebook post that she's moving into a new space in Massachusetts, which is a pretty hefty distance from the mortgage they signed on their Nashville home.
You Might Also Like
