Almost paradise indeed.
Ever since “Bachelor in Paradise” premiered in the summer of 2014, “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” rejects have descended upon the dreamy beaches of Mexico hoping to find their forever person, lasting love and the coveted final rose.
Sadly over the years hopefuls have found paradise to be more of a nightmare, leaving the Playa Escondida Resort in Sayulita (a town in Vallarta-Nayarit), with nothing more than a hangover, a bad tan and a broken heart.
Over the past eight seasons, countless of couples have left the beach engaged but only a handful of those have lasted past the Honeymoon period.
Season nine of the hit ABC reality dating series premieres on Thursday, Sept. 28, with Jesse Palmer returning as host. Former “Bachelorette” contestant Well Adams, 39, who celebrated his first wedding anniversary with “Modern Family” alum Sarah Hyland, will be back at the bar serving up drinks and, when needed, a healthy shot of advice on the rocks.
The latest group of singles, ready to take another shot at love and make waves are Greer Blitzer of “The Bachelor” season 27; Brayden Bowers of “The Bachelorette” season 20; Aaron Bryant of “The Bachelorette” season 20; Peter Cappio of “The Bachelorette” season 20; Jessica “Jess” Girod of “The Bachelor” season 27; Eliza Isichei of “The Bachelor” season 26 and “Bachelor in Paradise” season 8
Katherine “Kat” Izzo of “The Bachelor” season 27; Samantha “Sam” Jeffries of “The Bachelor” season 26;
Olivia Lewis of “The Bachelor” season 27; Sean McLaughlin of “The Bachelorette” season 20;
Blake Moynes of “The Bachelorette” seasons 16 and 17; Mercedes Northup of “The Bachelor” season 27;
Rachel Recchia of “The Bachelor” season 26 and “The Bachelorette” season 19; Kylee Russell of “The Bachelor” season 27; Aaron Schwartzman of “The Bachelorette” season 20; Will Urena of “The Bachelorette” season 18; Brooklyn Willie of “The Bachelor” season 27 and Catherine “Cat” Wong of “The Bachelor” season 27.
And for the first time ever, three more former Bachelorettes – Katie Thurston (“The Bachelorette” season 17), Charity Lawson (“The Bachelorette” season 20) and Hannah Brown (“The Bachelorette” season 15) – are also set to appear this season on the beaches of paradise.
In honor of the new season, we’re looking at the couples that found paradise everlasting…. for now, and are still together.
Jade Roper & Tanner Tolbert
Status: Married
Jade Roper and Tanner Tolbert are the gold standard of “BIP” couples. The pair met on season 2 and pretty much only had eyes for one another the entire summer.
After getting engaged in the finale, Roper and Tolbert wed in January 2016. Officiated by then host Chris Harrison, their nuptials aired on ABC on Valentine’s Day and featured performances by Jade’s bestie and “Bachelor” alum Carly Waddell and Seal.
The couple now live in Kansas City, Kansas with their three kids Emmy (born in August 2017), Brooks (July 2019) and Reed (November 2020).
Pieper James and Brendan Morais
Status: Dating
Controversial couple Brendan Morias and Pieper James made waves on season 7 after cast mates accused the pair of dating before they hit the beach. Bachelor Nation also questioned their motives when they were filmed talking about gaining Instagram followers from the show, causing many to wonder if they were indeed on the sand for the right reasons. Following the backlash, the two abruptly left the show hand in hand.
“This environment, I guess, isn’t where we want to be at this particular moment.,” Morais told his costars before his early departure with James. “I think you all know and I am well aware, this is the girl I want to be with and I feel comfortable in saying that.”
Despite the melee, the couple are still going strong.
“The past few months have been interesting to say the least,” Morais captioned an Instagram post in 2021 about James. “A love forming between two people in the midst of mayhem is certainly a unique way to begin a relationship. We’ve had our ups and downs, our peaks and valleys but what has prevailed is a special bond. I’ve made mistakes along the way and most definitely have fallen short but one thing I got right was Pieper. Through Gods grace and love I remain thankful. Looking forward to growing together and the lessons and love we’ll experience along the way.”
Chris Conran and Alana Milne
Status: Dating
Chris Conran and Alana Milne earned the wrath of their Season 7 castmates when they were accused of chatting before they hit beach. They couple were pressured to leave paradise, and did so in tears, but made their relationship work in the world.
“Holding a grudge just hurts us. But I gave everyone, like, a couple weeks to apologize to me after it aired,” Alana said on “Us Weekly”’s “Here for the Right Reasons” podcast with Chris. “And when [they] didn’t, I just went ahead and blocked them everywhere. The only control I have at this point is to, like, cut off their access to me. To, like, be in control of the situation and, you know, you forgive, but you don’t forget. I’ll never have any of those people in my life in any capacity.”
The two currently live together in Salt Lake City and celebrated their two-year anniversary in July 2023.
“Cheers to life’s best two years with the girl who makes me the happiest guy on the planet ❤️,” Chris wrote on Instagram as tribute to his girlfriend to celebrate the momentous occasion. “I love you to Pluto and back baby, here’s to many many many years more 😘”
Jared Haibon and Ashley Iaconetti
Status: Married
Perhaps through sheer will and a bucketful of tears, Ashley Iaconetti aka Princes Jasmine, finally landed her Aladdin.
The two had a tumultuous relationship after meeting on season 2 and Haibon claimed not to be interested but he eventually changed his tune with a little help from his “Bachelor” buddy Tolbert. They returned to Mexico in Season 5 and got engaged on June 17, 2018 where it all began and later wed in August 2019 in an ceremony in Rhode Island..
The couple share one son Dawson, whom was born in January 2022 and recently announced they are working on baby no. 2.
“We’re thinking about it. Probably September — we’ll start lightly trying. I’d say, like, October. I really just need to enjoy my whole summer,” Iaconetti told “Us Weekly.. “I love summer. I just wanna be, like, feeling free and enjoying it all because we all know that I will be totally, grossly sick for a long time, and I think it’s best that that happens when it starts getting cooler.”
They announced in July 2021 that they were expecting baby No. 1. “Coming February 10, 2022,” Jared wrote via Instagram. They named their son Dawson.
Serena Pitt and Joe Amabile
Status: Married
“Grocery Store Joe,” Amabile was officially off the supermarket the moment he met Serena Pitt on season 7.
Despite his ex Kendall Long showing up on the beach, the two got engaged at the end of the summer.
“My ex did just show up on the beach. If anything, it just made me more confident in how much that I do love you,” Amabile said during his proposal. “We have definitely had our speed bumps along the way, but the way you’ve handled it shows me what a kind of loving person you are.
After a “Sex and the City” inspired courthouse wedding in October 2022, the couple held a second ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina surrounded by family and friends a year later in September 2023.
“This time around it feels like the start of an exciting new chapter,” Amabile told People ahead of the nuptials. “We are looking forward to continuing doing life together.”
Becca Kufrin and Thomas Jacobs
Status: Engaged
Third time’s the charm for Becca Kufrin. After winning the 22nd season of “The Bachelor” and becoming the lead of the14th season of “The Bachelorette,” Kufrin finally found love on season seven of “BIP” with Thomas Jacobs.
Although the two didn’t leave the beach together after Kufrin broke things off, they rekindled their romance off camera and she made things right, proposing to him in May 2022.
“In the ultimate plot twist … HE SAID YES,” Kufrin captioned a series of Instagram photos. “We’ve been keeping this secret just between us and close family & friends for a while but we’re so excited to shout it from the rooftops! I finally found my chauffeur for life and the one who makes my heart smile every single day. I can’t wait to do it all with you Tommy, thanks for making me the happiest gal alive. I love you to the moon & back ♥️.”
The couple welcomed their first child Benson Lee Jacobs Kufrin on September 21, 2023.
“No amount of words can begin to capture the amount of love and awe we have over this tiny man,” the couple stated on Instagram welcoming their son to the world. “We are forever changed with this one’s abundance and can’t believe we are parents to this gift.”
Mari Pepin and Kenny Braasch
Status: Engaged
Mari Pepin and Kenny Braasch were instantly attracted to one another when they hit the beach but they hit a bump in the road and broke up when Pepin said she wanted to keep her options open. Thankfully they eventually got back together and Braasch proposed on the season seven finale.
“At the end of the day, we did go through a lot of real-life relationship stuff, and we were tested like no other couple in Paradise, I think. … I’m shaking,” Kenny said. “Mari, I am f—king so in love with you. And I literally, like, I can’t see my life without you. You’re such an amazing woman that you’ve changed my whole outlook on life. … Mari Pepin, will you marry me?”
“Getting engaged, it’s insane,” he later added after she said yes. “This was never something I wanted to do but what makes the whole thing easier is that it’s Mari.”
Noah Erb and Abigail Heringer
Status: Engaged
Perhaps he was afraid of commitment, but Noah Erb broke up with Abigail Heringer epically on prom night prompting them both to leave season 7 early.
But love won out and they found one another off the beach. In August 2023, the travel nurse got down on one knee and proposed at sunset at a private oceanfront home in La Jolla, San Diego.
“Abby, honestly, you are the most beautiful person inside and out I’ve ever met, and it would be absolutely stupid if I didn’t ask you to be my wife and spend the rest of my life with you,” Noah said while holding a four-carat oval-shaped diamond sparkler from Keyzar Jewelry featuring a pavé band and hidden halo. “So, that being said, I’ve rehearsed this quite a big, Abigail Heringer, will you marry me?”
She, of course, said yes.
Dean Unglert and Caelynn Miller-Keyes
Status: Married
Things looked bleak for this couple from the start when Dean Unglert broke up with Caelynn Miller-Keyes on her birthday during season six. “I know I won’t be able to get where you would need me to be by the end of this,” he told her, before leaving the beach.
He returned to the beach a little later and convinced her to leave the show with him early. They did and the rest, as they say, is history.
“Dean is so compassionate. He has a way of making everyone feel so special and I really admire that about him,” the former Miss North Carolina told People. “Each year with Dean gets better, so I’m excited to see how we grow as husband and wife. Hopefully, kids are in our future as well.”
The lovebirds tied the knot on Sept. 23, 2023 at Beyul Retreat in Meredith, Colorado in a camp-themed ceremony.
“We both love the [Colorado] area and it made it even more special,” explained Miller-Keyes. “We also wanted a way for everyone to be together all weekend versus just for a night or two. When we toured this venue we immediately knew it was the one. Everyone has their own cabin and is staying on property. “
The couple look forward to a lifetime of adventures together. “He’s taught me a lot in the past four years of us being together,” she said. “He never says no or he can’t do something, he always tries, and almost always succeeds and it’s been great to flip my perspective on things and start challenging myself more.”
Hannah Godwin and Dylan Barbour
Status: Married
Hannah Godwin was involved in an epic love triangle between Dylan Barbour and bad boy Blake Horstmann during season six.
She eventually chose Barbour and he proposed on the finale with a classic cushion-cut halo ring by Neil Lane.
“This is the end of Paradise, but it’s just the beginning of our story,” Barbour said in his speech. “I didn’t come here to spend my summer with you, I came here to spend my life with you. And I’m ready for that life to start now. I know how important your family is to you and it’s one of the million reasons why I love you,” he said. “I’m willing to get on the plane with you tonight and go to Alabama and meet them because I cannot wait to meet them, and I also can’t wait to take the next step with you and start our lives together.”
In November 2020 the couple bought their first house together. “I’m just feeling so happy and excited to have a true home,” Godwin wrote on Instagram. “We started looking for houses in San Diego back in March, and after months of looking this one popped up and within hours we put in an offer!”
Less than three years later, the duo wed in August 2023 in Paris. “It’s almost hard to put into words how magical this day is for us,” Godwin said. “Not only do I get to marry the guy of my dreams, but I get to be in France with my closest family and friends. I feel like there’s no other words to describe it other than the best day ever!”
Raven Gates and Adam Gottschalk
Status: Married
Raven Gates and Adam Gottschalk met on season 4 and while they didn’t get engaged on the show, Gates was pretty sure she had found the one.
“When I was on [“BIP”], he would take me into the ocean and say some dirty s—t to me,” she confessed during an appearance on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off the Vine” podcast. “We get into the fantasy suite and he did the damn thing. That’s when I was pretty damn sure.”
The sex-compatible pair got engaged in May 2019 and exchanged vows in April 2021 in an intimate ceremony at The Olana, an estate located near Dallas, Texas.
Gates and Gottschalk welcomed their first child, Gates, on Jan. 18, 2022.
“In a wild turn of events from pushing to an emergency C Section — Gates Zev Gottschalk was born on Jan 18th at 3:33am. He weighed 8.6 oz and 21in long,” Raven revealed on Instagram. “The most comforting part of all was looking into Adam’s green eyes knowing we were in this together. Many things could of went wrong but God heard my prayers. My sweet baby is healthy. I am very blessed!”
The couple welcomed baby no. 2 in July 2023.
Kevin Wendt and Astrid Loch
Status: Married
Canadian firefighter Kevin Wendt met Astrid Loch on season 5 and while they quickly became a solid couple, Wendt started to have cold feet and blindsided Loch, breaking up with her right before the fantasy suites.
After the show, Wendt apologized and the two got back together. He proposed in Mexico in August 2019 but had to postpone their wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine proved productive for the pair and they welcomed their son, August, in November 2021.
In October 2022, Wendt and Loch said “I do” at the Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota, Florida in front of 100 guests that included “Bachelor” Nation stars Rachel Lindsay, Horstmann, Alexis Waters, Kristina Schulman and Whitney Fransway.
“We had the countdown for so long,” Wendt, exclusively told People. “It’s going on two and a half years that we’ve been counting down the day. I feel like everybody that we talk to says it’s over in a blink, so try to enjoy it. And I feel like that’s easier said than done,” Wendt continued. “But I think if we have the right wedding planner and you have everything figured out, it might be stressful now but the day of, we just want to have fun and not be rushing around stressing. We just want to enjoy each other, and enjoy our friends and family.”
That family continues to grow. In February 2023, the duo announced they’re expecting baby number two.
