Tim Tebow & Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters married in South Africa, she wore David’s Bridal

Tim Tebow is famous for several reasons. When he played football, he openly prayed on the field and talked about his faith all the time. He also swore that he was saving himself for marriage, which is his personal business and I wish it hadn’t become such a talking point, but there you go. Over the years, his relationships seemed to crash and burn rather quickly as his girlfriends found out that he really meant it, he was saving himself. Then he met Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and he quickly proposed to her (in January 2019). Their wedding took place in South Africa, one year after the proposal. And just like the engagement, Tebow gave People Magazine a big exclusive with the details and photos (you can see the wedding portrait here).

Tim Tebow and fiancée Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters have tied the knot, PEOPLE can exclusively confirm. The former NFL quarterback and the Miss Universe 2017 said “I do” in an intimate sunset ceremony at La Paris Estate in Cape Town, South Africa. During the 30-minute ceremony, they exchanged vows that they had written for each other — and Tebow told PEOPLE the night before the wedding that he was still putting the finishing touches on his.

“I want the vows to be perfect,” he said. “I’m leaving in the traditional things like ’till death do us part,’ but I’m also adding some of my own things to it.”

Shortly before sunset, approximately 260 guests were seated on a secluded lawn surrounded by tall hedges at the resort. At approximately 5:30 p.m. South African time, Nel-Peters walked down the aisle in a custom-made gown from David’s Bridal accented by diamond and pearl earrings from Marion Rehwinkel Jewelery. The traditional ceremony included elements from both American and South African cultures and traditions. The color palate was white, gold, green and black.

“We’re both very traditional,” Nel-Peters told PEOPLE. “We wanted to look back at the wedding and see that it was intimate, elegant, and traditional. We definitely wanted it to be something that we could look back on and know that nothing was dated. We want to remember this day for the rest of our lives.

Nel-Peters said that she looked at approximately 50 dresses before deciding what she wanted. “I was all over Pinterest,” she said. “I wanted to find something sleek and elegant and timeless.”

Tebow wore a tuxedo designed by Antar Levar. His groomsmen wore suits by Indochino. David’s Bridal furnished the bridesmaids’ dresses.

[From People]

From what I can see of Demi’s dress, it was very traditional, almost kind of boring? Fitted bodice with off the shoulder cap-sleeves and only a slight train I think. She’s a beautiful woman and a beautiful bride, and she clearly is getting paid (along with Tim) for this kind of stuff. I wonder how much David’s Bridal gave her for this wedding spon-con? Also, I do think it’s cool and nice that their wedding was in South Africa, her home, and that she put so many South African elements in the wedding.

I’m also including photos from the pre-wedding party (her dress was cute) and the wedding portrait Tebow chose to post on his social media, which is SO BAD. He looks like he’s desperate to kiss her and she’s like “nope.”

Photos courtesy of Twitter & Instagram.

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59 Responses to “Tim Tebow & Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters married in South Africa, she wore David’s Bridal”

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  1. Rianic says:

    I remember when people wanted him to be with Jana Duggar!

    • Ange says:

      Which, lol. He’s a performative Christian so of course he still wanted the classically hot, sexy bride – not a backwards Duggar who would sit at home all day and pump out babies. I’m not surprised he still picked a young woman though, that at least is classic fundie.

  2. minx says:

    I actually like the simplicity of the dress. It will look good in pictures for years to come.

  3. Froggy says:

    Love Tim Tebow. My nephew has special needs and he goes to The Night To Shine that Tim Tebow runs. It’s a prom held in cities all over the world. My nephew got all dressed up and had the time of his life. All run by volunteers. Seeing how happy it made him and all the other young adults that night has made me a life long Tebow fan.

    • LaraK says:

      He definitely puts his money where his mouth is. I’m not a fan of his politics, but totally respect him as a person, and I can’t really say that for many republicans.
      They look sweet together. Congratulations.

    • Courtney says:

      I respect him for that, not the tux 🙂

  4. Lucy says:

    I don’t know that I can trust any man who keeps going on about how he loves all things traditional. Then again, I didn’t marry him.

  5. ItsJustBlanche says:

    My friend wore a similar suit and shoes when he married his husband. I guess his whole look is a thing?

    • lisa says:

      He looks like he forgot to take off his high-water house-pants / jeggings to put on his tux pants. His legs look absurd!

  6. TheOtherOne says:

    I like his black shoes (no shade). I may have to get a pair for my hubby.

  7. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    “I want the vows to be perfect,” he said. “I’m leaving in the traditional things like ’till death do us part,’ but I’m also adding some of my own things to it.”

    Well, “I” assume, that “I” believe he’s only into, “I,” but “I” could be wrong.

    • Tiffany says:

      You nailed it Mabs.

      I give this marriage 18 months. This is totally a starter marriage for both of them.

      • Molly says:

        18 months indeed. He’s always struck me as deeply, deeply closeted, but I wish them happiness.

      • schmootc says:

        I’m from Southern Idaho and you tend to see this a lot with traditional Mormon couples. They get married so they can have sex and then it’s all thanks, no thanks.

  8. Caroline Johnson says:

    The picture he decided to post is just creepy. He looks like he’s forcing himself on her. Gross.

    • Chaine says:

      She’s like “whoa there cowboy no kissing until we are hitched!”

    • Yup, Me says:

      He’s leaning into her like a guy who has never had good sex and is going to take a whole lot of training. He looks like his fingers would be hella stiff when touching soft lady parts. Like he squeezes his stuff hella hard and grunts when he cums.

    • Godwina says:

      FFS. I loathe this guy but y’all are reading what you want into this photo. She’s just laughing.

  9. Snazzy says:

    What does he do now that he doesn’t play football? Or is he still famous for being a virgin (at least until the wedding)?

    • Josephine says:

      He plays minor league baseball and announces during college football season. I *think* he’ll have a career in the latter although he’s not great at the announcing, a little stiff. But maybe he’ll improve with mentoring. Not a fan, just happen to know. His service orientation is wonderful but I really cringe at what I perceive to be his view toward women.

      • lucy2 says:

        That’s my impression of him too. He seems to be a caring and service oriented guy, but he’s so into the “traditional” and that usually works out better for men than women.

  10. shells_bells says:

    I think she looks lovely, but I do not like his outfit at all!! It’s mentioned twice in the quotes that they wanted “traditional” and “not dated”. His skinny pants and no sock look definitely date these photos.
    Also, I agree that photo is gross.

    • tiredTreaded says:

      Can I ask if they forced all guests to wear black?? Creepy controlling, and barely wed. Oye.

  11. anneliser says:

    I’m sure he’s about a million percent more conservative than I am, but he’s by all accounts a nice guy and seems sincere in his desire to help people. I wish them all the best.

  12. Kath says:

    1) that no socks look is NOT going to be timeless
    2) custom David’s Bridal? Nothing against David’s Bridal but they don’t regularly do custom so what is the point in this??

  13. Originaltessa says:

    A bridal model indeed! Those pictures look straight from a magazine. She looks lovely in her dress.

  14. Gen says:

    …..”He also swore that he was saving himself for marriage, which is his personal business and I wish it hadn’t become such a talking point…..”

    Get out of my head.

  15. Scal says:

    She’s stunning and would look great in anything. She’s a former Miss Universe and Miss South Africa so she’s worn her fair share of gowns and over the top evening wear. I like that she went with something classic and elegant.

  16. Haapa says:

    Anyone else feel gross about white South Africans using black South African culture and people as a “theme” for the wedding?

    • Green Desert says:

      Yes, Haapa, I do.

    • anneliser says:

      The bride is actually biracial.

      ETA I though I had read somewhere that she was biracial but am unable to confirm. It’s pretty yucky if she’s not, but I honestly just thought she was honoring her culture a la Duchess Meghan honoring her African-American roots at her wedding.

      • Green Desert says:

        Oh I didn’t know that, thank you for clarifying. I get it, then.

        I do not like him and his ultra-conservative views so I pre-judged.

    • ooshpick says:

      yes, now that you mention it. 🙂

      • Lilian says:

        I’m south African and she is not biracial. She is as white as they come. Her traditions are Afrikaans and shes Christian. So no, the black people and black traditional things at the wedding were for show and photos.

      • tiredTreaded says:

        In 2020, a white christian couple uses Black South Africans as props. No.

    • Pansy says:

      Ok but she’s South African and nowhere did it say they used “black South African people” as a theme. There are pictures with black, presumably South African, people but they may be relatives or friends…

      • Lilian says:

        He literally tweeted how amazing south African traditions are with a series of pics and all of those pics have the black guests in them in Thier traditional attire. The one Pic on that tweet that’s just the 2 of them, they have African tribal makeup. White people in South Africa are not descended from African tribes for anyone that’s wondering.

      • WTF says:

        No. She is not bi-racial. No, those are not guests. If you go to the Instagram, those women in traditional dresses are there to paint faces. I saw one black guest.
        This is gross to me. That she grew up in a Black Country and there isn’t at least some diversity at her wedding, tells you most of what you need to know. I mean, damn. I grew up in the most segregated city in American history (Selma, Alabama) and there are still white people at my events. Just by chance you make friends. Or you don’t…..

      • Arpeggi says:

        And on his side, with all his years playing football, he doesn’t even have one black friend?!

    • AmunetMaat says:

      This left an icky taste in my mouth as well. Like are you from one of these ethic groups you are posing with and using their culture to make your wedding more cool?

    • Kristina says:

      @WTF I thought about this a while and I think you’re right. I live in the Midwest in an outer suburb and went to a small catholic school. STILL, my wedding had in it friends I met along the way in life- Egyptian, gay, Muslim, orthodox, atheist, an Indian couple, Asian, African American, African immigrants- and I had a small wedding! Most places are pretty diverse now, and if you’re out in the world, you’d think you befriend those you meet, who aren’t all going to be identical to you- Maybe even from her pageant days she’d have a diverse group of friends, you’d assume!

    • Nova says:

      OMW. I did not want to be the one to say it first LMAO. Rainbow Nation cringe.

  17. Courtney says:

    I don’t care for his tux. Is that a trend now? And shame on her parents for the double hyphenated name, that’s a mouthful.

  18. Green Desert says:

    I’m glad he’s as charitable as some of you say he is. However, there has always been something about him that seems shady to me. Aggressive evangelicalism always seems to be a cover for something. I was raised in an evangelical church (I’m in long-term recovery from that) so I’m…suspicious.

  19. Appalachian says:

    Tim Tebow….can’t stand him. All the rednecks here still post about precious godly Tebow kneeling to pray on the football field but God forbid a black man kneel….oh lord no! Can’t have that! That’s a whole problem!
    I hope he drops off the face of the earth…

    • Joanna says:

      I hear you girl. It was explained to me as “well, you know, it’s disrespectful to the Vietnam vets, that saw combat.” No, no, you just feel like these rich black players are “entitled.” Too rich and “uppity” for their tastes. ” How dare they sass the master that gave them such an opportunity?” Is what these people are really saying. Meanwhile it’s perfectly fine for rich white people to give their kid’s jobs, they “earned” it. But these players really did earn their jobs. And it’s all to deflect from the real message. That innocent black people are killed by cops who are afraid of black people. And make wrong assumptions/reactionsbased on color. Another thing that really irks me is “white lives matter.” No shit white lives matter, innocent white people aren’t getting killed by cops. And once again, some white people showed their asses. I’m white btw but these morons make me so mad, we’re not all like that. Anyway, I feel the same way you do. Have a good night

  20. CoffeeCoffeeCoffee says:

    Huh, I’ve always thought he was gay…..

    this wedding doesn’t really change my mind…..

  21. usedtobe says:

    So Tim Tebow is getting laid!! High five Tim and god help his new wife. They’ve got a lot of learning to do together. Lmao.

  22. cf86713 says:

    I don’t think he was much of an NFL QB and I don’t always agree with him but beyond that I don’t really have a problem with him. Considering how many people complain about the athletes that are featured who commit crimes etc. I find him a nice change of pace.

  23. A says:

    Welp, he wouldn’t be the first or the last Christian who gets married with the first person who’ll have him just so that he can have sex. I’m surprised he didn’t get hitched sooner. Most Christians of his stripe that I know of are at least on to their second marriages by his age.

  24. 2003VelourTrackSuit says:

    Ohhh, I finally have a story after lurking forever. My kiddo played flag football a few years ago and he was sitting on the grass next to me watching. I thought he was just a hot dad. A few of them ran up to him and were excited. I thought he just had a bunch of kids, didn’t know who he was. He was really nice and pleasant. Matt Barnes kids were on the team too and i have zero respect for him. Nothing happened there but ran into him at a club a while later and he was a total creeper. This was some years ago when he was married. So all in all Tim Tebow was a nice person to meet. He didn’t even mention that he had played, he just stuck to small talk.

  25. Shannon Brown says:

    He looks like a creeper in that last pic. He’s a handsome man, so this a bad angle. The photographer should have deleted that right after he/she saw it.