Crystal Harris is officially married again!
The former Playboy model, who was previously wed to Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017, has tied the knot with James Ward in a private island elopement.
The couple exchanged vows on Thursday, April 2, in Aitutakiâone of the remote Cook Islandsâopting for a ceremony that was as intimate as it was breathtaking.
The couple spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about their big day.
The Two Tied the Knot With No Guests
The couple opted to have no guests in attendance and focus on a âdeeply meaningfulâ moment surrounded by natural beauty.
âWe chose the Cook Islands because of how remote it is,â Harris shared. âThere are no big chain hotels, which makes it feel incredibly peaceful and authentic. Itâs also home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. Since James and I both love the ocean and nature it felt like the perfect place for us to start this chapter of our lives.â
The pair, Harris, 39, and Ward, 42, worked with planner Sandi Brown to bring their vision to life.
Together, they crafted a âsimple, elegant, and ocean-inspiredâ ceremony.
Harris spoke about how it was about to occur due to the small size of the nuptial.
“Because the wedding is small, it allowed us to focus on the meaningful details rather than managing a large event,” Harris noted. “We didnât want a huge production. We wanted something quiet and personal where we could really be present with each other and the moment.”
Ward Couldnât Say Enough Sweet Words About Harris
Ward was clearly in awe of his bride, offering a heartfelt tribute that went far beyond her appearance.
âCrystalâs heart, specifically for me and all non-human living things, is a thing to behold. All creatures, great and small are bestowed a generosity and kindness, the likes of which Iâve never seen,â he gushed.
Ward noted how Harris is âthe classiest, brainiest, most adventure-seeking partner I could have ever hoped to find.â
My life is now better in every way, and I feel like the luckiest guy alive that I get to spend my life with her,â he added.
The Two Became Engaged in 2025
The romantic milestone comes less than a year after the couple got engaged.
Ward proposed on April 25, 2025, during a trip to Hawaii, getting down on one knee on Harrisâ deck overlooking the ocean.
Ahead of the surprise ceremony, Harris teased the big day on social media with a playful post: âBaby where the hell is my husband probably waiting for me to walk down the aisle Today is the day!!â
Her elopement marks a new chapter following her high-profile marriage to Hefner, and reflects a shift toward a more private, nature-focused life.
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