Only a tiny fraction of contestants joining dating shows ever go home, succeeding in their hopes of finding true love. The relationship between Kenny Braasch and Mari Pepin from The Bachelor in Paradise is definitely one of those that we can say had quite a happy ending.
Braasch and Pepin first met on the set of the hit dating show Bachelor in Paradise season 7. However, this is not the first dating show Pepin has been part of. Sources say she was also part of ‘The Bachelor’ cast in 2002.
Many know that the two hit it off immediately and went on several dates during the show. However, some drama hit them hard when Braasch had an unexpected connection with Demi Burnett.
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This drama caused them to part ways. However, it seems like Braasch still chooses to be with Pepin. So their time off together made their relationship even stronger.
No one expected that the two would get back together. Everyone was shocked after finding out that by the end of the season, Braasch and Pepin had announced that they were getting back together and were now engaged.
Braasch said in a statement that he would be forever thankful that he met Pepin during his time in the show. He says she has changed his life forever and describes his love for her as worthwhile and incomparable.
To make things even more romantic, Braasch even did something that shocked the nation. He fearlessly asked Pepin to marry him during the season finale, which Pepin answered with the sweetest “yes.”
That said, their fans now have been anticipating the big wedding day, which the couple hasn’t announced yet. That said, sources say it will be held in Pepin’s hometown in Puerto Rico. For those curious about how the couple got to this point, you should check out this ultimate relationship timeline.
August 2021
Kenny Braasch and partner Mariela “Mari” Pepin first met on the season 7 opening of the hit reality TV show Bachelor in Paradise. The two were one of the most loved matches in the show. It is known that the two have immediately drawn into each other after meeting for the first time.
Although their relationship started smoothly, the two eventually had a rocky journey making it work. In the same month, the two were caught in a disagreement with each other’s choices, which eventually caused them to take a break from each other.
In the interview, Pepin shared that she wanted to explore and get to know other guys on the dating show before settling with someone. She didn’t want to take everything so fast, and Braasch didn’t like that idea.
Braasch sensed that Pepin didn’t think of their bond as that strong, so he decided to spend time with another contestant. Braasch ultimately started spending time with Demi Burnett, eventually forming the iconic love triangle.
September 2021
But it didn’t take that long before the two love birds got back together. Just weeks after their drama, Pepin and Braasch are seen together again. It turns out that the two were able to talk things out, with Braasch telling Pepin how this is the first time he has ever felt this kind of love in his life.
Throughout the show, the two have shown the world how in love they are with each other. Braasch and Pepin confessed in one episode that they were “falling in love” despite their 15 years age difference. It shows that age doesn’t matter if you know you’re already with the right person.
October 2021
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Then October came, and the couple’s lives will forever change. Braasch shocked the viewers during the season finale when he decided to pop the question in a romantic beachside proposal. Braasch shares a very sweet message during his proposal, stating how he loves Pepin. He added that he couldn’t see his life without her in it.
He describes her as a wonderful woman who will forever change his perspective in life. That’s why he will forever be grateful if Pepin were to become his wife—the season finally ended with Pepin saying “yes” to his proposal.
November 2021
However, that heartwarming season finale proposal wasn’t enough for Braasch. He even arranged another proposal one month after during their trip to Mexico. The couple also spent Thanksgiving the same month in Pepin’s hometown in Puerto Rico.
In their Instagram posts, they shared with thousands of followers how grateful they are to have had such a fantastic year with each other. On top of that, Braasch even shared a photo of him with Pepin’s family, looking good and happy.
January 2022
The two finally decided to take it to the next level when they moved in together. Pepin moved from Maryland to Chicago, where she and Braasch signed their first lease. They announced the news on Instagram Stories alongside a photo of the couple smiling with a sticker that read “Life Update.”
April 2022
During this time, they have finally revealed some of their plans for the big wedding. In an interview, Pepin shared that she and Braasch haven’t set a date yet for their nuptials. However, fans should not worry since they were in complete agreement that the wedding would be held in her hometown in Puerto Rico.
Pepin explained that she has a lot of extended families, so it would be nice if they held the wedding there. Aside from that, since they will have a tropical theme celebration, no place is more tropical than Puerto Rico.
June 2022
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Since their first meeting, the couple’s relationship has gotten stronger each day. They even celebrated their one-year anniversary with a lot of smiles. Just by looking at the photos, the couple has shared on Instagram, there is no denying that they are indeed so in love with each other.
Since then, they have spent most of their time traveling together, creating all these good memories they will forever cherish.
November 2022
As Bachelor in Paradise alums, the couple was seen attending the BIP party for the season 8 press party in Los Angeles in stunning attire. Aside from them, other BIP alums were also seen attending the event, just like Pitt and Amabile. The couple shared some of their best moments during the party on their social media accounts.
January 2023
Finally, the couple has officially made their wedding preparation journey public for the new year. On Instagram, they premiered the “Wedding Wednesday” series to share the wedding planning process with their followers.
There they shared that they plan to have two ceremonies — one in Chicago and one in Puerto Rico. They also shared that their first dance will be to Foreigner’s “I Wanna Know What Love Is.” They both danced during their time in BIP.
Most of their fans have witnessed how amazing Kenny Braasch and Mari Pepin’s relationship is. All that everyone should do now is wait for the big day to come.
