Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and Lauren Kitt, who is a fitness expert and actress, were married in Southern California on Saturday, April 12 after being engaged since February 2013.
A source confirmed to PEOPLE that the two got married and apparently, it’s something Carter, 34, never thought would happen. “I said I’d never get married,” he said last year. The wedding took place at sunset looking over the ocean at the Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara. “Go big or go home,” Carter joked.
An eyewitness told Us Weekly that the two exchanged handwritten vows beneath an altar of white roses and hydrangeas with purple accents. Guests sat on mismatched wooden chairs and vintage wooden lanterns lined the aisles. Kitt wore a strapless gown and her hair was pulled back into a chignon.
Another insider said, “At the end of the ceremony they shared the longest wedding kiss I’ve ever seen. A full minute later they were still kissing. They seem crazy in love and thrilled to be married. You could feel the love bursting out of them.”
On Friday night, the two held a rehearsal dinner, and some of the other Backstreet Boys attended the pre-wedding bash. A.J. McLean was there and posted a picture to his Instagram of himself getting ready to head over to the dinner for “the wedding that most of u thought would never happen.” He then added, “but I’m so happy it is finally!”
Other Backstreet Boys, Howie Dorough and Brian Littrell, were also there. Dorough is actually one of the reasons the two even got engaged in the first place. In an interview last year, Carter told the magazine that it was Dorough who convinced him to finally just propose to Kitt. “I asked Howie [for advice]. I was like, ‘I love her, and I don’t want to lose her.’ And he was like, ‘Just do it!’”
Kitt couldn’t be more thrilled to be married to the love of her life. On April 5, she posted a picture to her Instagram of her and her Dad with the caption, “Next Saturday the first man I ever loved will give me away to the love of my life @nickcarter I love you Dad. #nicknlowedding.”
Top image via Instagram from Nick Carter
Bottom image via Instagram from Lauren Kitt