The Pool-side Spontaneous Wedding of Justin Hartley & Sofia Pernas: How They Said “I Do” in Bathing Suits

The Big Reveal — What Happened in October 2024

In an October 2024 interview, actor Justin Hartley revealed that he and his longtime partner Sofia Pernas quietly married in May 2021 — and that their ceremony was actually a pool-side, bathing-suits affair during the pandemic. 
It’s a story that feels both intimate and a little wild — two people in swimwear, a justice of the peace, margaritas, and a plunge back into the pool. Yes, you read that right.

Meet the Couple — Justin Hartley & Sofia Pernas

Justin Hartley – From Soap Star to Prime Time Icon

For fans of the show This Is Us, Justin Hartley needs little introduction. His career spans daytime soaps, primetime dramas, and now a starring role in Tracker.

Sofia Pernas – Co-star, Partner, Life Companion

Sofia Pernas also comes from a television background and crossed paths with Hartley on the set of The Young and the Restless. Their professional relationship evolved into a deep personal connection.

Their Relationship Timeline

They re-connected in 2020 and built a partnership through shared work and shared life. Then, in May of 2021, they quietly wed. The public only learned about the specifics in late 2024.

The Poolside Ceremony — A Wedding Like No Other

Why the Low-key Approach?

During the pandemic, big gatherings were risky or off the table. Justin Hartley says they found a simpler, fun way to say their vows: right by their pool. A justice of the peace came to their home, masks and all.

Bathing Suits, Not Tuxedos

The unexpected twist? They were in bathing suits. Hartley explained that they literally got out of the pool to say “I do,” turned back and jumped in again. (“Margaritas!” he added.)

Moments That Made It Real

• Justice of the peace arrives at their house.

• They get out of the pool, vows are exchanged in swimwear.

• Immediately after: back into the pool, margaritas in hand. Fun = maximum.

• Later: a more traditional small ceremony with family so they could enjoy the wedding dress and formal feel.

What It All Means — Why This Story Resonates

Authenticity Over Grandiosity

In a world where elaborate Instagram-wedding posts dominate, this one stands out for its authenticity. Two people deciding to commit — and doing it in a way that felt true to them.

The Pandemic Effect on Weddings

Lockdowns forced many couples to rethink weddings. The Hartley-Pernas ceremony is an example of embracing the moment rather than postponing for perfection.

Love Simplified

At its heart: they just loved each other and decided to be married, right then and there. The splendor came naturally, no giant guest list needed.

Behind the Scenes – The Finishing Touches & Details

Who Was There?

From the interview: it was just them, their dog (yes – the pup “stole the show”) and a justice of the peace.

The After-Party? Poolside, Obviously

Hell yeah. “We got right back in the pool. We were like, ‘Margaritas!’ ” Hartley said. Then Jimmy Fallon jokingly yelled “Cannonball!”

The Formal Ceremony Later

Because Sofia wanted the wedding dress and Justin wanted the full wedding experience, they later staged a small formal celebration with family.

Lessons We Can All Learn from Their Wedding

Make It Yours — Don’t Let Traditions Box You In

You don’t have to follow the “wedding rulebook.” Their bathing-suit pool ceremony shows you can create your own version.

Prioritize What Matters

For them: the commitment, fun, love. Not the elaborate decorations or guest lists. Consider what matters to you.

Embrace the Unexpected

Life’s messy; plans change. They turned pandemic chaos into a memorable moment. You can too.

Don’t Overthink — Just Do

Within about a week, they arranged the justice of the peace. Sometimes the best moments happen when you stop procrastinating and just act.

The Media Reaction & Social Buzz

Headlines Everywhere

The story broke in October 2024, with media outlets highlighting their spontaneous, low-key wedding during a pandemic.

Why It Went Viral

• Celebrity story + unexpected twist (swimsuits!)

• Relatable undercurrent (pandemic weddings)

• Authenticity that resonates socially

• Shareable hook: “They got married in their bathing suits!”

What Social Media Loved

Memes, reaction posts, real-life envy (in a good way). The “pool-wedding” niche exploded for a bit.

Where Are They Now? Life After the “Splashy” Wedding

Career Moves

Justin Hartley continues to star in major projects like Tracker. Their working together adds another angle to fans’ interest.

Married Life Unfiltered

Hartley told PEOPLE they hang out at home, have date nights in, and love the everyday normal stuff.

A Family Feel

Their dog “Paisley” is already part of the story — and the wedding. (Yes, that dog “stole the show.”)

FAQ-Style Deep Dive

Why did they wait until 2021 to marry quietly?

Because of pandemic complications and because they wanted a meaningful moment rather than a big showy one.

Did they have a second wedding?

Yes — later they held a small family ceremony so they could have the more traditional elements (dress, etc).

Was the pool ceremony legally binding?

Yes — a justice of the peace officiated at their home.

Why bathing suits?

Because they were literally in the pool and felt like “why not?” It made the moment relaxed, fun, and very them.

How has the wedding impacted their public image?

It made them seem even more grounded, relatable and fun — not just celebrity, but people having a moment on their own terms.

The Takeaway — What Makes This Story So Memorable

It’s rare that a celebrity wedding feels so approachable. The pool, the swimwear, the margaritas — these are things many of us dream of on vacation, not our wedding day. Yet they turned it into exactly that.
By choosing authenticity over extravagance, Justin Hartley and Sofia Pernas showed that when commitment is real, the setting becomes just a backdrop. They made memories, told a story, and now we’re here retelling it because it resonated.

Planning Your Own Mini-Splashy Ceremony? Quick Tips Inspired by Their Story

• Pick a meaningful location (for them: the pool).

• Keep the guest list small — maybe just the officiant and your pup.

• Consider non-traditional attire that fits you.

• Don’t wait forever — sometimes the best day is simply the day you decide to make it the day.

• Have fun. Get in the pool, have a drink, make the plunge.

Conclusion

If there’s one thing we can learn from Justin Hartley’s pool-side wedding with Sofia Pernas, it’s this: love doesn’t need an elaborate stage — it just needs presence, intention, and a bit of fun. They turned what could have been a pandemic disaster into a spontaneous, joyful commitment that feels real, raw and exactly right for them. It’s the kind of story that sticks in your mind, and maybe even gives you permission to rethink what “wedding” really means.