Entertainment TV 'The Bachelor' 's Jesse Palmer and Model Emely Fardo Are Married: We're 'Lucky to Have Found Each Other' The pair got engaged back in July 2019 after dating for about two years By Ally Mauch and Nicholas Rice Nicholas Rice Instagram Twitter Nicholas Rice is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE Magazine. He began working with the brand as an Editorial Intern in early 2020, before later transitioning to a freelance role, and then staff positions soon after. Nicholas writes and edits anywhere between 7 to 9 stories per day on average for PEOPLE, spanning across each vertical the brand covers. Nicholas has previous work experience with Billboard, POPSUGAR, Bustle and Elite Daily. When not working, Nicholas can be found playing with his 5 dogs, listening to pop music or eating mozzarella sticks. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 4, 2021 07:47 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Emely Fardo Jesse Palmer has quietly tied the knot with Emely Fardo! On June 5, 2020, Palmer, 42, and Fardo, 35, said "I do" in an intimate ceremony almost a year after getting engaged. With their nuptials taking place at a close friend's house in Connecticut, the couple tells PEOPLE exclusively that they previously postponed and then canceled their wedding in Provence, France, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "We were only able to invite a small group of close friends that live in the greater N.Y.C. area, and that were in quarantine at the time," the couple says. "We had a lovely afternoon and look forward to celebrating our love with our parents and immediate families all together soon!" Adds the newlyweds: "Big or small, wedding party or not, we feel so grateful and lucky to have found each other!" RELATED GALLERY: Celebrities Who Had Secret Weddings Emely Fardo The couple, who got engaged during a romantic trip to Paris in July 2019, first began dating in 2017. "I've been so enamored, so in love with this woman and it only has grown. I'm head over heels for her," Palmer told The Daily Mail at the time. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Though Palmer and Fardo never publicly announced their nuptials, Fardo was wearing rings on her left ring finger in several of her Instagram posts. The model also uses Palmer's last name on her social media accounts and hashtagged a recent anniversary post with "husband." "Happy anniversary to us!! I love you more than I love cheeseburgers!" she wrote in June. Emely Fardo The news that the pair are married comes after ABC announced that Palmer will serve as the host for season 26 of The Bachelor. "For more than 20 years, The Bachelor has brought the world dozens of unforgettable love stories, including at one time, my own," the former NFL quarterback said in a statement on Tuesday. "Falling in love is one of life's greatest gifts, and I am humbled by the opportunity to return to the show as host this season to offer the newest Bachelor advice gained from firsthand experience and I am grateful to play a small part in his journey." RELATED VIDEO: The Bachelor Teases Potential Contestants for Season 26 — See the Women "The secret is out!! So proud of you," Fardo wrote on her Instagram Story following the announcement. Palmer's hosting gig marks his return to the ABC franchise after becoming the fifth Bachelor on the series in 2004. He ended his season in a relationship with Jessica Bowlin, but the couple called it quits one month later. The reality star is taking over for the first season of The Bachelor since longtime host Chris Harrison stepped down in February. Though the season 26 lead has yet to be announced, The Bachelor previously posted over 30 photos to Facebook of women who may appear on the show when it premieres in 2022.