APPLETON, Wis. — Former Bachelor lead Joey Graziadei and his fiancée, Kelsey Anderson, have taken a significant step forward in their wedding preparations, securing a date and venue for their upcoming nuptials, though details remain under wraps for now.
Joey, 30, shared the update during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at HGTV's Bachelor Mansion Makeover event on Thursday, March 12. "It’s coming. We did finally get a date, we’ve got a location [and] we got a venue," Joey said. He added that the couple is "just kind of finalizing all that" and teased that the wedding would take place "next year," without specifying the exact timing or location.
The couple, who got engaged at the finale of Joey's season 28 of The Bachelor, which aired in 2024, expressed enthusiasm for a grand celebration surrounded by their closest friends and family. Joey emphasized the personal significance of the event, stating, "We want to be able to celebrate us and what we’ve been able to build over these last few years, and just really, really enjoy a day that’s supposed to be about celebrating our love."
While the guest list is still being finalized, Joey confirmed that several prominent figures from Bachelor Nation will be in attendance. He specifically named Kaity Biggar, Zach Shallcross, Charity Lawson, and Dotun Olubeko as key invitees, noting their instrumental role in the couple's journey. "We’ll definitely have Kaity [Biggar] and Zach [Shallcross] and Charity [Lawson] and Dotun [Olubeko] because they’ve been so pivotal for us, helping us through our whole experience," Joey told Us Weekly.
These relationships trace back to interconnected seasons of the franchise. Joey first rose to prominence as the runner-up on Charity Lawson's season of The Bachelorette, where she accepted a proposal from Dotun Olubeko, 33, leaving Joey without a rose. Charity, 30, had herself competed on Zach Shallcross's season of The Bachelor, during which she connected with Kaity Biggar, 31. Kaity and Zach, 29, tied the knot in 2025, and Charity and Dotun are currently in the midst of planning their own wedding.
Joey highlighted the support network within Bachelor Nation, saying, "They went through it before we did, we’ve had so many people in the Bachelor Nation world that we’ve been able to lean on, and we’re excited for them to be a part of our day." This camaraderie underscores the tight-knit community that has formed among alumni of the long-running reality dating series, which has been a staple on ABC since 2002.
Kelsey, 27, echoed her fiancé's excitement but focused on the emotional and festive aspects of the day. "I just want, like, the best party ever," she shared with Us Weekly. "I just want all of our friends and family that we love so much [and who have] been there so much for us to be there. I don’t really have this grand picture of specifics, but I just want to be very romantic and fun."
The interview took place amid a celebratory atmosphere at the HGTV event, where Joey and Kelsey paused their wedding planning to mark the premiere of Bachelor Mansion Takeover. In the series, franchise alums compete in weekly challenges to renovate rooms in the iconic Bachelor Mansion, vying for a $100,000 prize. The show airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on HGTV and becomes available for streaming the following day on HBO Max.
Kelsey reflected on returning to the famous estate, known for its sprawling grounds and romantic history. "I’m so excited to explore inside and see the difference of the Bachelor Mansion now," she said. "But the outside, I mean, [is] iconic as always. Walking up, it’s so funny, I was, like, ‘It kind of looks a little smaller than I remember.’" Her lighthearted comment highlights the surreal experience of revisiting the site where their love story began to unfold on national television.
Joey Graziadei's path to The Bachelor lead was paved by his appearance on Charity's season, which aired in 2023. As a tennis pro from Pennsylvania, Joey captured audiences with his charm and vulnerability, ultimately proposing to Kelsey, a marketing associate from Louisiana, during the show's dramatic finale filmed in Tulum, Mexico. Their engagement marked a fairy-tale ending to a season filled with twists, including Kelsey's emotional journey as one of the final contestants.
Since then, the couple has navigated post-show life together, including Joey's participation in season 33 of Dancing With the Stars, where he emerged as a champion. Despite the spotlight, they have kept much of their relationship private, occasionally sharing glimpses on social media and through public appearances. Recent reports, including Joey's admissions in interviews, have touched on the challenges of transitioning from reality TV romance to real-world partnership, but both have expressed optimism about their future.
The decision to invite select Bachelor Nation members speaks to the enduring bonds formed on the show. Kaity Biggar and Zach Shallcross, whose 2025 wedding was a low-key affair in Hawaii, have become close confidants to Joey and Kelsey. Similarly, Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko's engagement, proposed during a hot air balloon ride in Finland, has inspired the couple as they plan their own ceremony.
"We’ve had so many people in the Bachelor Nation world that we’ve been able to lean on," Joey said, underscoring the supportive role of the franchise's extended family.
As wedding preparations progress, Joey and Kelsey are balancing the logistics with the joy of the occasion. While specifics like the guest count or theme remain undisclosed, their vision for a romantic and fun celebration aligns with the heartfelt narratives that have defined their story. Friends and fans alike are eagerly awaiting more details, especially given the couple's prominence in the reality TV landscape.
Beyond the personal milestone, the event ties into broader trends within Bachelor Nation, where alumni weddings often become mini-reunions, blending celebrity glamour with genuine connections. Past ceremonies, such as Trista and Ryan Sutter's 2003 wedding—the first from the franchise—have set a precedent for inclusive, love-centered gatherings that draw in fellow contestants and hosts.
Looking ahead, Joey and Kelsey's nuptials next year promise to be a highlight for followers of the series. With the HGTV makeover show breathing new life into the Bachelor Mansion, it serves as a timely reminder of the franchise's evolving legacy. As the couple finalizes arrangements, their story continues to captivate, offering a blend of romance, reality, and real-life commitment that resonates with audiences worldwide.
In the meantime, fans can tune into Bachelor Mansion Takeover to see how alums are transforming the beloved location. Joey and Kelsey's attendance at the premiere event not only celebrated this new chapter but also bridged their wedding excitement with the ongoing adventures of Bachelor Nation.
The couple's journey from contestants to engaged partners exemplifies the unpredictable magic of The Bachelor, where on-screen sparks can lead to lifelong unions. As they step into this next phase, their emphasis on gratitude and celebration sets a positive tone for what lies ahead.