Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon's love story: How the couple met on 'Bachelor in Paradise' and tied knots
Ashley Iaconetti, whose romance with now-husband Jared Haibon was the talk of the reality show, is all set to reappear on Matt James' 'Bachelor' to help him “find love". As soon as the news of her appearance came to light, people remembered Jared and Ashley's love where the couple went through several phases before they settled down in August 2019.
The couple described their love story in a 40-minute long video titled 'The Story of Us'. Here is the timeline:
Spring 2015: Ashley sees Jared on Kaitlyn Bristowe's season
As a contestant on Chris Soules' 'The Bachelor' season, Ashley became part of 'Bachelor Nation' before Jared. He joined immediately afterward, appearing on Kaitlyn Bristowe's season of 'The Bachelorette'.
June 2015: They meet on 'Bachelor In Paradise' Season 2
Ashley and Jared officially met when they competed in 'Bachelor in Paradise' Season 2. "I remember walking down the steps in Paradise and seeing him at the bar, and it was the weirdest feeling. I was just so gravitated and drawn to him. It was truly love at first sight," Ashley said in 'The Story of Us' video. Ashley pursued Jared throughout that season, but the feelings weren't mutual. After choosing not to have sex in the Fantasy Suite, Jared ended things with Ashley and they both left Paradise single.
After the 'Bachelor In Paradise' season ended, the two continued hanging out, with Jared occasionally being interested in Ashley. He discussed how he was attracted to Ashley when she hosted a charity event at her parents' house in October 2015.
Later that night, they danced at a bar and Ashley posted the video on Instagram. Jared admitted in The Story of Us, "I wanted you that night."
Most of 2017: Just friends?
Ashley said that she decided to move on from Jared around March 2017, but they stayed friends. Ashley often posted Instagram photos of them hanging out.
December 2017: When Ashley started dating Kevin Wendt
During 'Bachelor: Winter Games', which aired in February 2018, it looked like Ashley found happiness with Canadian contestant Kevin Wendt. While Ashley was busy in the snow, Jared did 'Bachelor In Paradise: Australia'. He said in 'The Story of Us' that he chose to do 'Paradise: Australia' after Ashley chose to do 'Winter Games', implying he was growing to care for her romantically again.
May-June 2018: When the couple made it public and Jared proposed her
Two months after Ashley's relationship with Kevin ended, and nearly three years after Jared and Ashley met, they announced that they were dating. Kevin even congratulated the couple on Instagram. Jared wasted no time committing the rest of his life to Ashley when he proposed to her on the beach in Mexico, where they first met years ago. The world got to see the moment a few months later in September when it aired as a part of 'Bachelor in Paradise Season 5'.
February 2019: They wrote a children's book
The couple joined creative forces together and wrote a children's book called 'Lucy & Clark: A Story of Puppy Love', which follows the adventures of Clark and Ashley's first dog. The dog passed away. They donated some of the proceeds to support no-kill animal shelters. Ashley posted on social media, "Jared and I wrote a children’s book! 🐶📚 Lucy and Clark: A Story of Puppy Love is loosely based on our love story. It’s a tale of overcoming your fears and discovering the magic that happens when you force yourself out of your comfort zone. Both are lessons Jared and I learned through our love and friendship. There are appearances from some of our closest Bachelor friends in the book. This project is very near our hearts. The story is told through our beloved pets Lucy & Clark. 10% of the net proceeds will go to Sidewalk Angels, a charity that supports no kill animal shelters and helps find homeless animals families. The first 1500 copies sold are signed by us."
August 2019: They said 'I do'
The couple tied the knot in a luxurious ceremony in Jared's home state of Rhode Island with a ton of Bachelor alums in attendance. They went to Italy and Greece for their honeymoon.
September 2020: The couple had their first baby
Ashley announced that the couple is now planning to have a baby. She wrote on Instagram: "As of this week I’m off the birth control pill for the first time in nine years! I’m taking my temperature every morning and documenting the data in the @naturalcycles app (the first and only FDA-cleared birth control app) to figure out my most fertile days for pregnancy planning. I’m going to be pretty open about this whole process and the struggle that may be Post Birth Control Syndrome. The pill stops the conversation between reproductive system and the brain and it can mask hormonal imbalances that need to be addressed. If you don’t want your body to have to deal with that, @naturalcycles can be a fantastic non-hormonal birth control option! It’s 98% effective at preventing conception with perfect use (and 93% effective with typical use). PLUS! When you do decide you’re ready to have a baby, you can switch from “prevent” to “plan” in the app and your chances of a fast pregnancy will be higher than those who previously use hormonal birth control. Use code ASHLEY at naturalcycles.com for 20% off an annual subscription and a free thermometer."
January 2021: The couple warm at home on New Year Day
On New Year, Jared shared a picture and wrote, "Sneezing our way into 2021. Tried taking a selfie. Ashley of course sneezed. This is the result. Happy New Year from the Haibon’s."