The Bachelor’s Joey and Kelsey Prove Waiting for Marriage Isn’t a Problem, It’s a Choice

The Bachelor season 28's Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson aren't getting married until 2026 or 2027, but there's nothing to be concerned about because a long engagement was always part of the plan for the beloved couple. Joey, a now-29-year-old from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and Kelsey, a now-26-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, got engaged at the end of The Bachelor season 28 on November 12, 2023, but this wasn't revealed until the March 25, 2024 finale. Since then, Kelsey and Joey have moved to Los Angeles together, where they live a happy life.

Throughout The Bachelor season 28, Joey and Kelsey seemed meant-to-be. From their romantic one-on-one dates to their meaningful hometown date to their beautiful Fantasy Suite date to their memorable engagement, their connection grew into true love. Even runner-up Daisy Kent saw this, and she made the unprecedented move of self-eliminating before the final rose ceremony, and letting Kelsey know that she was the one. They even rode in the same limousine together, in an incredible moment of sisterhood. Now Kelsey has revealed that she and Joey won't be getting married for another year or two, but there's no cause for concern.

Joey Graziadei Always Wanted A 2- To 3-Year Engagement

Joey Made His Intentions Clear During The Bachelor Season 28

In an interview with People published in January 2025, Kelsey revealed that she and Joey don't plan to get married until 2026 or 2027. She also shared that they can't wait to start planning. She said, "I'm really excited to start planning it. We are planning it in the next six months." They don't yet have a wedding date or location picked out. Although Kelsey and Joey have been engaged for over a year, it's not at all concerning that they haven't begun wedding planning because a long engagement was always their plan.

During The Bachelor season 28, Joey made it very clear that, even if he got engaged at the end of his season, he had no intention of jumping into marriage. He told contestant Lexi Young that, while he wouldn't say that it couldn't be changed in any way, he wanted to have a two- to three-year engagement, and then wait a couple of years after getting married to have children (shared via the Bachelor Nation on ABC YouTube channel). While Lexi self-eliminated because she and Joey had different timelines, Kelsey didn't seem to be in any rush to get married either, which is why she and Joey were perfect for each other.

Joey & Kelsey Are Really Getting To Know Each Other

Joey & Kelsey Were Smart Not To Jump Into Marriage

Although Joey and Kelsey got engaged at the end of The Bachelor season 28, the season filmed from September 19 through November 12, 2023, which meant that the couple had only known each other for about two months before he proposed. Kelsey explained that this is the main reason that they're waiting to get married.

We're not getting married this year, possibly next year or the following, because we got engaged so fast, we got engaged in two months. So we want to really take our time still getting to know each other.

Kelsey told People, "We're not getting married this year, possibly next year or the following, because we got engaged so fast, we got engaged in two months. So we want to really take our time still getting to know each other." One of the reasons that Joey and Kelsey have been such a successful couple is because they haven't jumped into marriage. Their relationship is happening backwards, beginning with an engagement and then going back to the dating period, but it was a smart move because it will help their relationship to last.

Joey & Kelsey Aren’t Rushing Their Wedding Plans

Joey & Kelsey Are Taking Their Time Planning Their Big Day

Another reason that Joey and Kelsey aren't getting married for a year or two is because they want to take their time planning their wedding. Kelsey explained to People that they want to "be really serious about the wedding, and we don't want it to be a stressful thing. We want to be able to enjoy the process of picking out the things that matter most to us in our wedding." Although Joey and Kelsey haven't chosen a date or a location yet, Kelsey shared that they do have some preferences for their big day.

[We want to] be really serious about the wedding, and we don't want it to be a stressful thing. We want to be able to enjoy the process of picking out the things that matter most to us in our wedding.

Kelsey is now the face of David's Bridal's newest collection, which gave her the opportunity to try on many different styles of wedding dresses. Kelsey shared that she was most drawn to the gowns that had a sweetheart neckline, but she's not ruling any styles out. She said that she thinks that she'll pick whatever she feels most confident in.

Although Kelsey tried on the David's Bridal gowns, she hasn't officially gone dress-shopping for her own wedding, but she gushed that she's really excited for it. To help her in her search, she'll be joined by her closest friends from New Orleans, her sisters Taylor and Jordan, and Joey's sisters Carly and Ellie. Kelsey's mom, Denise, passed away due to breast cancer in 2018.

Kelsey also shared some other details about her and Joey's wedding plans, including the fact that he wants to wear a very simple traditional black and white tuxedo, including a bow tie. Kelsey plans to walk down the aisle accompanied by her father, The Golden Bachelorette star Mark Anderson. However, Joey might see her in her gown before then because they've talked about having a first look at their wedding, an idea that Joey loves and Kelsey is open to. Kelsey explained that a first look would also allow them to take pictures together after it and then go straight to the reception.

Kelsey is considering wearing a second dress for her and Joey's wedding reception. She said, "I can have two different vibes, one that maybe is a little bit more elegant and big and floofy whenever I'm walking down the aisle, and then something just easier to dance in and have a good time whenever I'm at the reception." In addition, Kelsey shared that she wants her bridesmaids to feel confident, so she's thinking about having them choose their own dresses that are similar but different, so that everyone feels special.

Joey and Kelsey also want to incorporate his late grandmother and her late mother in their wedding. She said, "I would love to do something that incorporates both of them in our special day because I feel like both of them shaped who we are and they have a big role in our life of why we are where we are now and how we got to here. I was thinking maybe that could be within the flowers or little details in the wedding that just makes them feel like they're there with us and close to us through it all."

I would love to do something that incorporates both [my late mother and Joey's late grandmother] in our special day because I feel like both of them shaped who we are and they have a big role in our life of why we are where we are now and how we got to here. I was thinking maybe that could be within the flowers or little details in the wedding that just makes them feel like they're there with us and close to us through it all.

If Joey and Kelsey had jumped right into marriage after their engagement, then they wouldn't have had the time to plan all of these little details that are going to make their big day so special and beautiful. It's a good thing that Kelsey and Joey will be taking their time over the next year or two in order to plan and create the perfect wedding for them.

Joey & Kelsey Are Experiencing Everything They Want Before Settling Into Marriage

Joey & Kelsey Have Other Goals Besides Marriage

Because Joey and Kelsey are waiting to get married, they've been able to experience everything they wanted before settling into marriage. Joey competed on and won Dancing With The Stars season 33 along with his professional dance partner, Jenna Johnson, and is now headed out on the DWTS Live 2025 tour.

Kelsey has been partnering with Joey with various companies as influencers, including Amazon and Vitality. Kesley also worked with James Allen to promote the company's jewelry, and with designer Sherri Hill to walk in a show during New York Fashion Week. Kelsey also created a bracelet in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The bracelet is pink and white and says "Always." Kelsey partnered with Little Words Project (LWP) and F Cancer to spread awareness and hope.

Joey and Kelsey have also experienced things together after The Bachelor season 28. They made time to travel at the beginning of their relationship, taking trips to Hawaii, Portugal, and Saint Martin together. They also filmed an episode of Celebrity Family Feud, attended Stagecoach, the IF movie premiere, and CMA Fest together. They skyrocketed to fame so quickly that they needed time to experience and process it all before getting married.

Being in a public relationship is very stressful, and many Bachelor Nation couples have crumbled under the pressure. However, because Joey and Kelsey aren't rushing their wedding plans, they've had time to breathe and experience life together. Not only have they taken the time to really get to know each other, but they've been able to plan the wedding of their dreams. Being engaged for two to three years was always part of Joey and Kelsey's plans, so it's no cause for concern. Hopefully, their decision to wait to walk down the aisle will lead to a marriage that lasts forever, and they'll live happily ever after.