“When we first got together, we didn’t think about marriage,” Johnno told Peoplein an interview published Dec. 19. “But at some point, we knew we were going to be together forever, and we wanted to combine our lives in every respect.”
He added, “She is my greatest support, a true partner, makes me belly laugh every day, and a total babe—so why wouldn’t I want to marry her?”
So, the pair decided to elope, just the two of them, at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on Dec. 11, calling it the “best decision of our lives.”
As Anneliese added, “I want Johnno to be a witness to my life, and I want to be a witness to his. He matches my silliness and doesn’t take life or himself too seriously. I love that and need that so much."
Though the couple originally planned a large wedding, after Johnno booked a TV show that would bring him to Toronto for two months, they decided to make their forever start sooner.
“To be honest, the only thing that was important to me was that the exchanging of our vows and our commitment to each other be private," Anneliese explained. "My mother is no longer with us, and we didn’t want to stress anyone else out about travel, lodging, etc. We're 40 and in love so that’s plenty for me."
Instagram/Anneliese van der Pol
For the occasion, the bride wore a vintage Jessica McClintock dress, complete with cap sleeves and lace all over, from Los Angeles’ Playclothes Vintage—one that was only $98.
She said of the find, “My sisters spotted it on an outing, and the fact that they had a small hand in picking it out means a whole lot to me.”
For his part, Johnno wore a J. Crew tuxedo given to him by his brother, saying of the look, “I’m going classic Bond. Johnno Bond.”
While Johnno is pretty sure he might his future wife before their days as costars, it was ultimately a Raven’s Home table read that spelled out forever after for Anneliese.
Instagram/Anneliese van der Pol
“I came in pretty late to the reading and was visibly stressed,” she remembered. “The cast was all seated, looking at me, ready to go. But Johnno wasn’t stressing. He stood up, came over to me and introduced himself. He was so cheerful and confident, and well, handsome.”
She added, “The rest is history. I owe a lot to our casting director!"
For Johnno, while their past holds beautiful memories, he knows their future is even sweeter.
"I just can’t wait to have that ring on my finger,” he said, “and walk into the restaurant and say, 'Yes, my wife made a reservation for two.’”
For more celebrities who have tied the knot this year, keep reading.