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Steven Krueger and Candice King shocked fans by eloping in Tennessee in February 2026, abandoning their original fall wedding plans. The beloved Vampire Diaries co-stars are expecting their first baby together in May 2026, marking a fairytale ending to their unexpected romance.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Wedding Date: February 28, 2026 at The Chapel at High Point Farm in Nashville
- Guest List: 15 intimate family members, including Candice’s two daughters and Steven’s nieces
- Baby News: Couple is expecting a baby boy in May 2026, the first child together
- Proposal: Steven proposed in April 2025 at their Nashville home after a historic storm
A Love Story Hidden in Plain Sight
Steven Krueger and Candice King worked in the same CW universe for years without ever meeting, a fact they find almost unbelievable. The actors literally circled each other across The Vampire Diaries and its spinoff The Originals, living in Atlanta at the same time. It wasn’t until a 2023 cast reunion dinner that they finally locked eyes.
“We like to joke that we were probably in the same room a dozen times and never noticed each other,” Steven revealed to Vogue. “Suddenly, it was this instant mutual feeling of ‘Hi, where the hell have you been.’ Invisible string theory at its finest.” The couple spent the next six months visiting each other every few weeks before Candice convinced Steven to relocate to Nashville with promises of music and fall foliage.
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The Proposal That Survived a Historic Storm
Steven had meticulously planned a proposal during a April 2025 trip to Japan, but Candice jokingly told him not to propose during the vacation. He quickly pivoted to something more meaningful. “Right before we met, Candice had bought this beautiful 100-year-old house, and she put so much work into making it truly special,” Steven explained. He moved his proposal up one day, but nature had other ideas.
One of the largest storms in decades hit Nashville the night before, flooding their basement and keeping them awake with tornado sirens. “What was supposed to be a day of joy turned into 10 hours of crisis management,” Steven admitted. Yet he proposed anyway, right after the water was pumped out. Candice said she loved that they proposed in their home, turning the chaos into part of their adventure together.
From Grand Wedding to Intimate Elopement
| Wedding Detail | Information |
| Date | February 28, 2026 |
| Venue | The Chapel at High Point Farm, Nashville |
| Reception | Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse |
| Guests | 15 immediate family members |
The couple originally planned a grand Nashville wedding in fall 2026 with all their friends and family. Everything changed when Candice discovered she was pregnant with their first baby together. “We decided to have a small elopement-style weekend with just our immediate families and save the bigger celebration for next year,” Steven explained.
Their mutual best friend, Carina MacKenzie, flew in to officiate the intimate ceremony. The wedding’s focus was laser-sharp: photos, flowers, and food. Candice found the venue on Instagram, hired her favorite floral designer Amelia’s Flower Truck, and booked the steakhouse where they’d shared countless family memories. The result was pure magic.
Fashion, Family, and a Baby Bump
Finding a wedding dress while pregnant proved unexpectedly challenging. “Shockingly, there’s not a huge market for wedding dresses that fit over a baby bump,” Candice joked. She worried she’d look like the “Stay Puft Marshmallow Man” from Ghostbusters bouncing down the aisle. After trying multiple online orders, she discovered the perfect Deia dress by Grace Loves Lace at a local bridal salon on her third try.
The long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder crepe gown offered enough structure to feel romantic and enough stretch to grow with her changing body. The Wedding Gown Tailor made final adjustments as her belly outgrew the dress. She accessorized with ivory Gabriela Hearst flats and wore a family heirloom wedding ring from Steven’s grandmother on her right hand. Steven grabbed an Armani tux just 24 hours before the wedding after procrastinating on the search.
What Does the Future Hold for This Blended Family?
Candice already shares two daughters, Florence (9) and Josephine (5), with her ex-husband Joe King, the guitarist for The Fray. Now she’s expanding her beautiful blended family with Steven. The couple is due to welcome their baby boy in May 2026, close to Candice’s birthday, which she calls “the best gift ever.”
On the wedding day, an unseasonably sunny February morning in Nashville blessed their ceremony. After exchanging personal vows and sealing their marriage with a kiss, bubbles and music erupted in the chapel. They danced in the warmth of the sun, and Steven reflected, “I can’t wait to show our son one day that he was there, too.” For two actors who circled each other for years, they’ve finally found their place in each other’s orbit.
Sources
- People Magazine – Exclusive coverage of Candice King and Steven Krueger’s Tennessee wedding and pregnancy announcement
- Vogue – In-depth wedding feature with photography and couple interviews about their elopement experience
- Just Jared – Entertainment news update on CW stars’ intimate Nashville ceremony with 15 guests
