In a tale that feels straight out of a romantic comedy, former Bachelorette star Gabby Windey and comedian Robby Hoffman secretly tied the knot earlier this year in a spontaneous 20-minute ceremony in Las Vegas.
The couple, who have been open about their journey together, revealed the details of their impromptu wedding in an interview with Cosmopolitan, published on Wednesday, March 5.
The decision to elope came during a tumultuous time for the couple. In January, Windey, 34, and Hoffman, 35, were forced to evacuate their Los Angeles home due to the Pacific Palisades wildfires.
Seeking refuge, they headed to Las Vegas and checked into a luxurious hotel suite that, as Windey described, “looked like a wedding venue.” It was there, amidst the chaos, that the idea of getting married took root.
“We had just evacuated from the fires. Literally cue Rihanna, ‘We found love in a hopeless place,’” Windey quipped.
“What better time to get married than right now? Because if the world is ending, we want to be with each other.”
Hoffman, who had already planned to propose within six months, found the timing serendipitous. “Gabby turned to me and said, ‘Should we get married?’ And look: I’ve been proposing since the day I met her,” Hoffman shared.
The couple’s hotel suite, with its grand 12-foot ceilings and opulent decor, felt like a scene from a movie, further fueling their decision.
Windey, who has often been the more cautious one in their relationship, admitted that the idea felt right this time. “It was nice, it being my idea.
Robby was literally ready to propose three weeks in, and I’m always the one pumping the brakes,” she said. “But when something feels right, it just feels right. I think it was better for the both of us that it was my idea
For the couple, who have lived much of their relationship in the public eye, the private wedding felt like the perfect way to celebrate their love.
“It felt right having a private ceremony,” Hoffman explained. “After everything we’ve been through, this was our moment to just be us.”
True to his creative nature, Hoffman even managed to sneak in a proposal before the wedding—through a crossword puzzle.
“It was so him,” Windey said with a laugh. “It was quirky, personal, and just perfect.
Windey and Hoffman’s relationship has been a journey of self-discovery and authenticity. The former Bachelorette star first revealed she was dating the comedian in August 2023, sharing that they had been together for three months before going public.
In a heartfelt Instagram Story video, Windey opened up about their connection, saying, “I’m in a relationship like I feel like I’ve never had before. I wanted to tell you guys because I always just want to live my life honestly and have you all along with me.”
Windey’s path to love hasn’t been without its challenges. After appearing on Clayton Echard’s season of The Bachelor in 2022 and co-leading season 19 of The Bachelorette with Rachel Recchia, she got engaged to Erich Schwer.
However, the engagement ended less than two months after it aired.
During an appearance on The View in August 2023, Windey also shared her evolving understanding of her sexuality, revealing that she had felt a “whisper” about being attracted to women, which grew “louder and louder” over the years.
“I could see the future with Robby in a way I hadn’t been able to in previous relationships,” she said.
Now married, Windey and Hoffman are embracing this new chapter of their lives with joy and gratitude.
For Windey, the journey has been one of growth, self-acceptance, and finding love in unexpected places. “He’s brought so much joy and peace into my life,” she said of Hoffman. “I feel like I’ve finally found the person who truly understands me.”
As they settle into married life, the couple’s spontaneous Vegas wedding serves as a reminder that love often finds its way, even in the most chaotic of times.
