Elle King has married Dan Tooker, and the singer did it exactly the way you would expect: in the woods, with her boys by her side, a cake shaped like the two of them and a karaoke duet to finish. The "Ex's & Oh Oh's" singer shared the news on Instagram on 4 October (US time), writing simply: "Husband and wife. Best day of my life."
At Wedded Wonderland we have watched the rustic wedding revival build all year, and the Elle King wedding is the clearest celebrity example yet of where it is heading: fewer ballrooms, more trees, and a day that looks like the couple rather than a catalogue.
The couple married outdoors in a woodsy setting in Tennessee, according to Parade and Billboard. No venue or town has been named, and Elle's post carries no location tag, which suggests the pair were keen to keep at least one part of the day to themselves.
What the photos do show is a ceremony among the trees, rustic details and the couple's two sons, Lucky Levi, 5, and Royal, 19 months, walking with their parents. People shared images of the family together on the day.
Elle chose a fitted ivory satin gown with a plunging neckline, a dramatic flared skirt and a long train, finished with a sheer veil, as described by People. The designer has not been revealed.
It is a classic shape in a decidedly un-classic setting, and that contrast is the point. A structured satin gown against moss and bark reads far more editorial than a boho lace dress would have. If you love that tension, our round-up of celebrity brides who wore unconventional wedding dresses is full of brides who dressed against their setting.
Dan wore a dark double-breasted suit with a black shirt. People described a white boutonniere, while Billboard spotted a large silver brooch on his lapel. Either way, it suited a groom whose day job, tattooing, is all about detail.
Their love story started in a tattoo chair. Elle visited Dan's shop in 2019 and joked online that she was "getting tattooed by my next ex-husband", according to the Us Weekly relationship timeline.
In October 2020 they got engaged after riding horses up a mountain in New Mexico to pan for gold, where they each proposed to the other. "Dan just proposed to me the same way I proposed to him!" Elle wrote at the time, as reported by Billboard.
Son Lucky Levi arrived in September 2021, and the couple went through a public split in 2023 before Elle told People in September 2024 that they were back together. Royal followed in February 2025. Six years, two children and one reconciliation later, the wedding feels less like a beginning and more like a celebration of everything they have already been through together.
It is also Elle's second marriage. She wed Andrew Ferguson in 2016, and the pair later divorced. If you are planning a wedding after a previous marriage, our guide to planning a second wedding covers the etiquette questions couples ask most.
The details reported by Billboard and People are pure Elle King:
The cake: a moss-green cake with floral accents and two oversized fondant figurines of the bride and groom on top.
The cake smash: Elle pushed cake into Dan's face to Al Green's "Love and Happiness".
The band: the house band played a mariachi cover of Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine".
The duet: the newlyweds sang a karaoke version of Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", a very on-brand song choice for two people who have joked about exes since the day they met.
None of this is expensive. All of it is memorable. That is the lesson for couples: the moments guests talk about afterwards are rarely the ones with the biggest budget line.
Lucky and Royal were part of the celebration, and photos show the couple walking hand in hand with both boys. For parents marrying after children arrive, including the kids is often the most emotional part of the day. Our tips on how to include your kids in your wedding suggest simple roles, like ring bearer or a family walk down the aisle, that keep little ones involved without overloading them.
If Elle's wedding has you picturing your own ceremony under a canopy of trees, start with these decisions:
Choose the setting before the styling: A forest does most of the decorating for you. Australia has beautiful options, from the Blue Mountains to the Adelaide Hills, and our list of rustic venues around Australia is a good starting point.
Plan for the weather: Every outdoor wedding needs a covered fallback. Look for venues with both indoor and outdoor spaces so a storm does not become a crisis.
Pick one statement piece: Elle's was the cake. Yours could be a ceremony arch, a long feasting table or a band that plays your favourite songs in an unexpected style.
Dress for the ground: Long trains and forest floors need a plan, whether that is a bustle, a shorter reception look or boots under the gown.
Keep the guest list tight: Forest ceremonies feel magical at 40 guests and logistical at 250.
For more inspiration, look at this mystical forest wedding and this enchanted forest wedding from our real weddings archive, or browse our rustic styling ideas.
Written by
Content and Creative Manager
Joseph Joshua is the SEO & Content Manager at Wedded Wonderland, bringing an editorial and search strategy perspective to the publication’s coverage of luxury weddings, destination celebrations and bridal lifestyle. His approach to content centres on helping readers move from inspiration to informed decisions, with attention to the design, craftsmanship and personal details that give a celebration its character.
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