Fox News power couple Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt have captivated audiences with their on-air chemistry and off-screen romance, a slow-burn love story that began in 2020. After their engagement over Christmas 2024, announced by Fox News, fans speculated about a lavish wedding befitting their status as conservative media royalty. Instead, the couple pulled off a secret candlelit wedding in Florida on February 14, 2025, at a private estate near Hannity’s $23.5 million Manalapan mansion. The intimate ceremony, bathed in soft light and steeped in their shared faith, was a surprise to even their closest colleagues. But it was the guest list—a mix of political heavyweights, media stars, and unexpected names—that sent shockwaves through social media, leaving Twitter and Reddit reeling. Here’s the full story of their clandestine nuptials, the stunning attendees, and the media frenzy that followed.
A Wedding Shrouded in Secrecy
Hannity, 63, and Earhardt, 48, kept their wedding plans under wraps, a feat for two of Fox News’ most visible faces. Following their engagement at their Florida church, as reported by Fox News, speculation swirled about a possible Mar-a-Lago extravaganza, given Hannity’s Palm Beach proximity and ties to President-elect Donald Trump. Instead, the couple chose a secluded oceanfront estate in Jupiter, Florida, just 20 miles from Hannity’s mansion, for a Valentine’s Day ceremony that prioritized intimacy over spectacle. The event, planned in under six weeks, was kept off the radar, with invitations sent via encrypted messages to avoid leaks, according to a source close to the couple.
The candlelit setting was a nod to their faith-driven bond. The estate’s courtyard was transformed with hundreds of flickering candles, white roses, and a string quartet playing hymns, creating a serene glow against the Atlantic backdrop. Earhardt, radiant in a custom lace gown, walked down an aisle lined with magnolia petals, while Hannity, in a tailored navy suit, waited at a wooden altar draped in greenery. Their minister, who officiated their engagement, led a brief ceremony emphasizing love and God, with vows exchanged before just 50 guests. Earhardt’s daughter Hayden, 9, served as flower girl, and Hannity’s children, Patrick, 26, and Merri, 23, stood by their side, blending their families in a tearful moment.
The Guest List That Shocked Everyone
The secrecy was impressive, but the guest list stole the headlines. Leaked to Page Six hours after the ceremony, it read like a conservative who’s-who with a few curveballs that left jaws on the floor. Leading the pack was Donald Trump, who arrived with Melania in a rare joint appearance, fresh from his 2025 inauguration prep. Trump, who’d called the engagement “a deal made in HEAVEN” on Truth Social, gave a brief toast, joking about Hannity’s “tougher negotiations” in love than on air. Other political titans included Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Ted Cruz, and incoming White House advisor Laura Ingraham, Hannity’s Fox colleague, whose presence sparked chatter about her rumored rift with him.
Media stars rounded out the core, with Fox & Friends co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade acting as ushers, and Lawrence Jones, who’d praised the couple on air, delivering a Bible reading. Tucker Carlson, now a streaming mogul, attended solo, reigniting speculation about his Fox return. But the real shockers were the unexpected names: Morning Joe’s Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, liberal counterparts to Hannity’s conservative firebrand, arrived quietly, their presence a nod to Earhardt’s behind-the-scenes friendships. A source told The Daily Beast that Earhardt, known for her warmth, insisted on inviting cross-aisle colleagues, a move Hannity supported despite raised eyebrows.
Rounding out the list were country singer Garth Brooks and actress Trisha Yearwood, longtime friends of Earhardt from her South Carolina roots, who performed a duet of “To Make You Feel My Love” during the reception. Their inclusion, given Brooks’ occasional liberal leanings, stunned conservative fans, with Reddit threads calling it “the plot twist of the century.” The absence of Pete Hegseth, a Fox alum whose 2019 wedding Hannity and Earhardt attended, also raised questions, possibly tied to his recent controversies.
Media and Social Media Frenzy
The wedding’s secrecy and guest list detonated online within hours. Twitter saw #HannityEarhardtWedding trend globally, with 1 million posts by February 15, per analytics. Fans swooned over the candlelit details, with @FoxFaithful tweeting, “Ainsley in lace, Sean tearing up, candles everywhere? I’m crying!” But the guest list dominated discourse. @MediaMaverick posted, “Scarborough at Hannity’s wedding? Is this the multiverse? Ainsley’s playing 4D chess.” Memes of Trump toasting with Brooks flooded timelines, captioned, “When Fox meets Nashville meets MSNBC.”
Reddit’s r/popculturechat went wild, with a thread titled “Hannity-Earhardt Guest List Tea” hitting 5,000 upvotes. Users like u/StarStruckFan gushed, “Ainsley pulling Mika and Garth into this is iconic. She’s the queen of bridges.” Others, like u/PoliticoSkeptic, questioned the optics: “Trump and DeSantis fine, but Scarborough? Hannity’s base must be fuming.” Indeed, some conservative corners bristled, with @MagaVoice tweeting, “Why invite RINOs and libs? Sean’s gone soft.” Defenders countered that Earhardt’s inclusive spirit shone through, citing her Fox & Friends comments about valuing “all perspectives.”
Mainstream media pounced, with CNN calling it “a conservative Camelot with unexpected allies,” while The New York Times framed it as “a snapshot of Trump-era power dynamics.” Vanity Fair, which dubbed them the “first couple of Fox” in 2020, ran a piece titled “Candlelit Conservatism,” noting the wedding’s blend of faith and flex. The ring controversy from their engagement—a diamond tied to environmental concerns—resurfaced briefly, but Earhardt’s new ethically sourced band, debuted on Instagram, quelled critics.
Why It Hit So Hard
The wedding’s impact stemmed from its contrast: a private, faith-filled ceremony from two public lightning rods, paired with a guest list that defied tribal lines. Hannity and Earhardt’s romance, rooted in long-distance devotion—her in New York for Fox & Friends, him in Florida for Hannity—has endeared them to fans. Their ability to keep it secret, despite their fame, echoed Virgin River’s knack for intimate twists, like Mel and Jack’s quiet moments amid chaos. The inclusion of Scarborough and Brzezinski, especially, mirrored XO, Kitty’s bold narrative swings, catching fans off-guard like Kitty’s expulsion.
Earhardt’s warmth, seen in her tearful Fox & Friends recounting of the engagement, carried through. “We wanted love, not headlines,” she said post-wedding, per People. Hannity, typically stoic, called it “the best day since my kids were born.” The guest list’s diversity, intentional or not, sparked rare bipartisan buzz, with The Hill noting it “humanized a polarized media landscape.” For a couple often tied to Trump’s orbit, inviting rivals was a subtle rebellion, resonating with fans craving unity post-2024 election.
The Aftermath and What’s Next
The wedding’s ripple effects continue. Hannity and Earhardt, now on a brief Bahamas honeymoon, plan to split time between New York and Florida, maintaining their Fox roles. Social media buzz suggests a Fox Nation special on their love story, though nothing’s confirmed. Trump’s attendance has fueled talk of Hannity advising his second term, while Scarborough’s presence sparked rumors of a secret Fox-MSNBC summit, quickly debunked. Reddit’s u/MediaScoop predicted, “Ainsley’s gonna host a unity episode on Fox & Friends. Watch.”
The couple’s kids, central to the day, are reportedly thrilled, with Hayden calling Hannity “my bonus dad” on Earhardt’s Instagram. Their blended family, like Mel and Jack’s in Virgin River, faces new dynamics, but sources say co-parenting with exes remains smooth. The absence of a Mar-a-Lago venue disappointed some fans, but the Jupiter estate’s elegance—described as “Southern charm meets coastal luxe” by Vogue—won praise.
Conclusion
Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt’s secret candlelit wedding on February 14, 2025, was a masterclass in surprise, blending faith, love, and a guest list that defied expectations. From Trump and DeSantis to Scarborough and Brooks, the attendees shocked media and fans alike, sparking a Twitter and Reddit storm that rivaled Wednesday’s delay drama. The Florida ceremony, glowing with candles and family warmth, proved the couple’s knack for balancing public personas with private devotion. As they step into married life, their ability to bridge divides—however briefly—has left an indelible mark, proving that even in a polarized world, love can still steal the show.