Honestly, it felt like it was never actually going to happen.
If you were following Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams back in 2020, you probably remember the endless string of "maybe next year" posts. The Modern Family star and the Bachelor in Paradise bartender were the poster children for pandemic-era wedding fatigue. They got engaged in 2019 on a beach that looked like a postcard, and then? Total standstill. COVID-19 basically nuked their original plans, not once, but twice.
But when the Sarah Hyland wedding finally went down on August 20, 2022, it wasn't just another celebrity party. It was a massive, tear-filled, star-studded sigh of relief at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, California.
The Venue: A French Chateau in California
You've probably seen the photos. If you haven't, imagine a French country estate smashed together with an Italian castle. That’s the vibe of Sunstone Winery. Sarah actually mentioned to Vogue that they picked the venue before she even had a dress. She wanted that specific aesthetic—limestone walls, sun-drenched vineyards, and a palette that felt "old world" without being stuffy.
It wasn't just about the looks, though. The wedding had this weirdly magical energy. During the ceremony, Jesse Tyler Ferguson (who officiated, but we’ll get to that) read a Celtic pagan prayer. Sarah says the second he started reading about Mother Nature, the wind just started swirling around them like a scene out of Pocahontas. Her dad, Edward James Hyland, who was literally playing Dumbledore on Broadway at the time, even joked that he felt like he was in a movie.
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That Modern Family Reunion We All Needed
Look, we all miss the Dunphys. Seeing the cast together at the Sarah Hyland wedding was like a series finale that actually satisfied everyone.
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson didn't just show up; he officiated. He actually stepped in for Ty Burrell, who had a family emergency and couldn't make it.
- Sofía Vergara was there in a floral black-and-white number, basically documenting the whole thing on Instagram.
- Julie Bowen and Nolan Gould were spotted laughing in the background of a dozen photos.
- Ariel Winter and Sarah had a "sisters for-eves" moment that Jesse Tyler Ferguson captured, which basically broke the internet for twenty-four hours.
It wasn't just a work thing. These people have been in Sarah’s life since she was 18. Having them there after she'd been through two kidney transplants and a lot of health struggles made the whole "family" aspect feel very real.
Let’s Talk About the Dresses (All Four of Them)
Sarah didn't just have a wedding dress; she had a wardrobe.
She started the day in a custom Vera Wang Haute Couture ballgown. It had a sweetheart neckline, a hand-pleated bodice, and—the best part—pockets. She wore a cathedral-length veil with macramé lace that looked incredibly heavy but stayed perfectly in place.
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But wait, there's more.
For the reception, she swapped into another Vera Wang. This one was a bit more "party," an Italian crepe gown with a draped neckline and lace sleeves. Then, because apparently two wasn't enough, she switched to a Galia Lahav silk gown to cut the cake. Finally, she ended the night in a short, beaded Georges Hobeika number so she could actually move. Honestly, if you’re waiting three years to get married, you might as well wear every dress you ever liked.
The Beauty Breakdown
Her makeup artist, Denika Bedrossian, used almost exclusively Charlotte Tilbury products. The goal was "effortless and romantic." Basically, lots of Pillow Talk tones to keep things rosy and fresh. Her hair was styled by Ryan Richman to look like a "princess who just finished riding her horse through the countryside." Sorta messy, but in a way that costs thousands of dollars to achieve.
Why This Wedding Still Matters
Beyond the glitz, this relationship actually has a lot of heart. They met because Sarah tweeted about Wells being the best part of The Bachelorette. He DM'd her, asked her for tacos, and the rest is history.
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What most people forget is that Sarah’s second kidney transplant happened just three days after their first date. Wells was there for the recovery, the dialysis, and the dark stuff before they were even "official." That foundation is probably why they seemed so unbothered by the two-year delay. They'd already been through the hard part.
Key Takeaways for Your Own Planning:
- Pivoting is okay. If a global pandemic (or just bad weather) ruins your date, the party is still worth it later.
- Personalize the ceremony. Having a close friend officiate, like Jesse Tyler Ferguson did, makes the "I dos" feel way less robotic.
- Venue first, fashion second. Sarah chose her dress to match the "French Chateau" vibe of the winery, which is why the photos look so cohesive.
If you’re looking to channel your inner Hyland-Adams for your own big day, focus on the guest experience and the sentimental touches. Whether it's a "Colors of the Wind" moment with a Celtic prayer or just making sure your TV family is in the front row, the best weddings are the ones that feel like a long-overdue celebration of making it through the tough times together.
Check out the couple's social media for the original 2022 archives if you want to see the specific "taco" references they still joke about today. It's a masterclass in how to stay grounded while wearing four different couture gowns.