Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert's Relationship Timeline

Mar. 15, 2025

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough arrive for the Mercedes-Benz Academy Awards viewing party on March 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.Photo:Timothy Norris/FilmMagic

Timothy Norris/FilmMagic

Derek HoughandHayley Erbertare married!

The couple said, “I do,” in Monterey County, California, on August 26, 2023.

The pair started dating in 2015 while they were both appearing onDancing With the Stars. The couple kept their relationship quiet for the first few years until they made their Instagram debut in 2017.

Just months after tying the knot, Erbert underwentemergency brain surgeryafter being diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel. She is currently on the road to recovery after a second skull surgery.

“Hold your loved ones close and treasure every moment,” Erbert wrote onInstagramfollowing her life-threatening incident.

Keep reading for a complete timeline of Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert’s relationship.

2014: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert meet

David Livingston/Getty

Hough and Erbert firstmet back in 2014when Hough and his sister Julianne hired Erbert to go on tour with them. The pair didn’t date at the time, but the tour did help Erbert catch the attention of aDancing with the Starsproducer.

“They got my contact information from Derek and Julianne, called me and set up an interview,” shetold CJOnline. “I interviewed right after I got off tour and found out a couple of weeks later that I was on Season 21.”

September 2015: Hayley Erbert joins Derek Hough onDancing with the Stars

In September 2015, Erbert joined season 21 ofDancing with the Starsas a troupe member. Hough had served as a pro on the show since 2007, and was crowned champion that year along with his partnerBindi Irwin. The pair started dating sometime during filming, though they kept the details of their relationship private in the beginning.

November 2016: Derek Hough confirms he’s dating someone — and opens up about his marriage plans

During an appearance onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hough revealed that he hoped to get married and start a family in the near future.

“You know, if you would have asked me like a year ago, or two years ago, I’d probably [have been] like: ‘I’m not really looking [for that].’ But I’m kind of in a place now in my life, kind of in a transition, and yeah — I see myself married with kids within the next five years, so, we’ll see,” he told DeGeneres.

When the host asked if he was currently dating anyone, however, Hough remained coy before eventually admitting he was seeing someone.

“Perhaps, I don’t know …” he said, before adding, “Maybe I am, yes.”

May 4, 2017: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert go Instagram official

After a few years of dating, Hough and Erbert made their relationship Instagram official on May 4, 2017. Erbert shared a photo of the two dancing together alongside the caption, “I can’t believe this was 3 years ago ❤#TBT.”

Two weeks later, Erbertshared another sweet snapof the couple in honor of Hough’s birthday. “Happy Birthday to this handsome man of mine. I love you ❤️,” she wrote.

July 26, 2017: Hayley Erbert makes her debut on Derek Hough’s Instagram

Hough returned the favor a few months later when he posted Erbert on his Instagram for the first time. The dancing pro shared a photo of the couple sitting on a fence in front of a sunset backdrop. “#Wcw,” he wrote in the caption with a red heart.

February 6, 2018: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert experience a near tragedy

In February 2018, Houghreceived news that several members of theDancing with the Starsteam, possibly including Erbert, were involved in a bus crash. Erbert was unharmed, but the moment rattled her boyfriend.

Hough turned toInstagramto explain what happened, captioning a photo, “I’m so thankful my love is safe. To my DWTS family. I love you all and I am so glad you are all safe after such a terrible accident. Be strong, be safe and I will see you very soon.”

February 2019: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert go on a romantic helicopter date

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty

Hough and Erbert wenton a daring date on a helicopterin February 2019. Hough later detailed the experience onPEOPLE Now, explaining that Erbert quickly picked up on his love of adventurous excursions.

“That’s one thing she learned, there’s no real like chilling out or sitting down. It’s like, ‘Alright babe, let’s go swim with sharks, we’re going to go swim with whales, helicopter rides, scuba diving, find a waterfall and let’s go jump off of it,’ " he said.

When asked if he planned on proposing to Erbert with a similarly thrilling gesture, Hough responded, “I was thinking about that, we have some really amazing adventures so if that moment ever does come, I’m going to have to come up some serious stuff.”

April 16, 2020: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert perform “Be Our Guest”

While stuck at home during the early days of quarantine, Hough and Erbert took part in Disney’s “The Disney Family Singalong,” dressing up as Belle and the Beast for a performance of “Be Our Guest.” Hough’s sister even joined the pair halfway through the song via video chat to finish out the elaborate number.

September 25, 2020: Derek Hough says quarantine helped him and Hayley Erbert grow closer

“We came together, we got closer,” he said. “We grew as a couple tremendously. We even started a YouTube channel together, cooking.”

October 15, 2020: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert shut down rumors of aDWTSproposal

Amanda Edwards/Getty

Ahead of their highly-anticipatedDancing with the Starsperformance, Hough and Erbertanswered a series of “juicy questions"on their YouTube channel. When one fan asked if Hough would propose on the show, the couple immediately burst out laughing.

“That’s not us,” Erbert said.

October 19, 2020: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert return toDancing with the Stars

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Hough and Erbertthrilled fans when they returned toDancing with the Starstogether in October 2020. Hough had previously returned to the show as a judge, but this marked his first time dancing in three years.

November 26, 2020: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbertcelebrate the holidays together

While speaking to PEOPLE about co-hosting the fifth annual"The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” event with his sister, Hough revealed what he and Erbert were planning for their own holiday celebration. “I think I’ll just stay home with the animals and enjoy some cooking with my [girlfriend Hayley Erbert],” he said. “We’re going to keep it safe and responsible and just take a breath and enjoy.”

May 18, 2021: Hayley Erbert celebrates Derek Hough’s 36th birthday

Leon Bennett/WireImage

For Hough’s 36th birthday in May 2021, Erbert put together a fun field day celebration for him. As he shared onInstagram, the day included “fun games, good times, and more importantly great friends.”

June 2, 2022: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert announce their engagement

After seven years of dating, Hough and Erbertannounced their engagementon June 2, 2022.

“It’s only the beginning…the beginning of forever ♥️,” Hough wrote on Instagram along with a photo of him holding Erbert up in front of a stunning backdrop of flowers and candles. The pair’s engagement came after they returned home from a week of high-profile events in Monaco, where they watched the Formula 1 Grand Prix and attended theTop Gun: Maverickpremiere.

June 12, 2022: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert give an update on wedding plans

Hough revealed that he’s gotentertainment bookedfor his upcoming wedding to Erbert.

The couple previously shared with PEOPLE that theywant to get married relatively quickly. “I don’t think either of us want a super-long engagement,” Erbert said. “I just don’t think it fully makes sense.”

“We waited [seven years] to get engaged, it’s like we’re just ready for that next chapter of our lives,” she added.

September 17, 2022: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert dance in final show ofNo Limittour

TheDerek Hough: No Limittour came to an end after a year of performances.

OnInstagram, Erbert thanked the cast and crew for their hard work, as well as the fans for their support. She also gave a special shoutout to Hough.

“Last but not least, to my love @derekhough: Thank you for bringing me along on this journey,” Erbert wrote. “I cannot wait for many many more. I love you with all my heart ♥️.”

September 30, 2022: Derek Hough says he wants “something special” for his wedding dance with Hayley Erbert

On an episode ofThe Jennifer Hudson Show, Hough revealed that he and Erbert want to plan aunique dancefor their wedding. “We need to do something special, spectacular, you know subtle,” he toldJennifer Hudson. “Maybe come in from the roof, I don’t know.”

Hough is hoping others will bust a move at the wedding too, explaining that he and Erbert already dance a lot. “I think it might be time for other people to perform for us, right? I’m like, ‘Hey, you dance for us. No, you dance.’ We’re gonna sit back,” he said.

December 12, 2022: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert survive a “scary” car accident

“Derek and I got into a pretty scary car accident in the mountains,” Erbertcaptioned the video. “Our accident involved a steep hill, icy roads, a tree, and worst of all, the fear that we would slide off the mountain.” She added that no one else was involved in the collision and that she “only walked away a little banged up, a swollen face, and four stitches above my eyebrow.”

Hough commented on the post, giving more details on the unfortunate event. “The scariest part was that Hayley doesn’t remember anything,” he wrote. “She was dazed afterwards, being cheerful saying we should keep going to dinner as blood ran down her face.”

February 17, 2023: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert perform onThe Kelly Clarkson Show

To promote his upcoming 50-city tour, Hough and Erbert, along with a slew of other dancers, performed onThe Kelly Clarkson Showto a jazzy tune.

Hough then went on to share a story about the couple’s first kiss.

“We were on stage dancing. We’re doing the rumba, the dance of love, and it was the last show and the dancers from the side were all [screaming] ‘kiss.’ So, our first kiss was on stage,” he said.

May 17, 2023: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert appear on the cover ofBridesmagazine

The couple, dressed as bride and groom,appeared on the cover ofBridesmagazine’s “The Wedding Planning” issue.

“It’s a very eye-opening experience, and when you start to add everything up, it’s pretty wild,” Hough told the outlet about the wedding-planning process. “Hayley is taking the helm, but I’m definitely involved.”

Erbert says the hardest part about wedding planning isn’t sticking to a budget—it’s managing the emotions of others.

“That’s where I’ve had to stand my ground and be stubborn. This is our day, this is our weekend, this is our wedding,” she said. “It’s managing the expectations ofotherpeople.”

The bride-to-be added: “I just want everyone to feel our love. I want them to be able to say, ‘Oh, these two are so in love. It’s so obvious why they’re doing this now.’ "

May 25, 2023: Derek Hough gives an update on his and Hayley Erbert’s wedding date

During an interview withExtra,Hough let it slip that his and Erbert’s wedding isset to take place in August.

“The wedding is also this fall. August,” he said. “It’s the first time I’ve said that actually, so I’ll probably get in trouble from the wife.”

August 26, 2023: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert get married

Amy and Stuart Photography

The coupleexchanged vowsduring an outdoor ceremony in Monterey County, California. Approximately 106 guests were in attendance, including celebritiesNina Dobrev,Shaun WhiteandAlfonso Ribeiro.

The “regal but rustic,” wedding concluded with a dance party in a 100-year-old barn.

“It’s so interesting what a small sort of piece of metal can do to your whole persona and your whole outlook on everything, where all of a sudden it’s sort of like, oh, I have this promise that I carry with me all the time,” Hough said. “And to want to be a man to live up to that promise daily for that person and for yourself and for others, it’s a powerful thing. It’s a beautiful thing.”

December 6, 2023: Hayley Erbert undergoes emergency brain surgery

Jesse Grant/Getty

“She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required anemergency craniectomy. She is in stable condition,” Hough wrote in a statement on Instagram.

January 7, 2024: Derek Hough dedicates his Emmy to Hayley Erbert

Hough won the Creative Arts Emmy Award for outstanding choreography for variety or reality programming for his work onDancing with the Stars.

“Exactly a month ago, I was in the hospital,” he said while fighting back tears during his acceptance speech. “A month ago was a life-changing moment that reminded me to really cherish and savor every moment.”

The professional dancer continued: “I want todedicate this to my beautiful wife. Your strength and your courage this whole month has been unbelievable. You inspire me every single day.”

April 5, 2024: Hayley Erbert makes her first red carpet appearance with Derek Hough since having brain surgery

Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty

In April 2024, Erbert madeher red carpet returnwhen she joined Hough at an event celebrating the official launch of Hulu on Disney+. She wore a white puff-sleeve dress, while Hough wore a light blue suit.

Their appearance came the same day that Erbert was cleared to join Hough on their Symphony of Dance tour, which had been postponed in December 2023 after her medical emergency.

July 30, 2024: Derek Hough says trip to Iceland with Hayley Erbert was like a “second honeymoon”

After sharing photos and videos of the trip he and Erbert took to Iceland in the summer of 2024 onInstagram, Hough told PEOPLE it was like a “second honeymoon” for the couple.

“We really went from being married to being on tour rehearsals, and then on tour and then in a hospital, and then basically back in the rehearsal studio and then back on tour,” he said. “For us, it was like, ‘Okay, we need a time to really just go on an adventure and to get out.’ I’ve been telling her this really feels like our second honeymoon.”

source: people.com