Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley, former stars of The Real Housewives of Orange County, have been together for over 16 years. Their relationship has been a staple of admiration for many fans who’ve followed their journey on and off the screen. However, despite their deep bond and the addition of their daughter, Skylar Gray, in 2019, the couple has yet to walk down the aisle.
Over the years, they’ve come close—so close—to tying the knot, but every time, something seems to get in the way. Is their wedding “cursed,” or is it just a series of unfortunate coincidences? Let’s revisit the times they almost made it to the altar but couldn’t quite seal the deal.
In an interview, Gretchen revealed that the couple had actually set a date for their wedding. Everything seemed to be moving forward, but fate had other plans.
“We actually had a date on [the] calendar,” Gretchen shared. “I don’t know if you guys know that, but we had a date on [the] calendar. Slade got booked to go down to film for The History Channel.”
This unexpected work commitment left them in a bind. As Gretchen put it, “We actually make a joke that we missed our own wedding.” While Slade’s career opportunity was undoubtedly exciting, it derailed their wedding plans, leaving fans to wonder when, if ever, they’d reschedule.
One of the biggest obstacles in their wedding journey has been their financial and emotional investment in starting a family. After years of trying to conceive, Gretchen and Slade turned to IVF treatments—a grueling and costly process.
“When I do things, I like to do it big and extravagant,” Gretchen explained. “So, the reason that we put it on pause was because IVF was so expensive. And so we put all our energy into that.”
The couple prioritized their dream of having a child, and Skylar Gray became their greatest blessing. But the financial toll of IVF meant that a lavish wedding was put on hold, as Gretchen admitted that she wanted to go all out for their big day: “I just don’t know, do I have it in me to plan the whole thing?”
Another recurring theme in their relationship is their shared perspective on marriage. Gretchen often references Hollywood’s famous long-term, unwed couples like Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, as well as Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham, as examples of love without legal ties.
“You know what, no wedding plans, as of right now,” Gretchen said during an interview on Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef. “I feel like I want to be like Goldie [Hawn] and Kurt [Russell]. Look at how long they’ve been together. And they’re so happy and in love.”
Gretchen’s sentiment suggests that for her and Slade, their relationship doesn’t need a legal document to prove its strength. Still, fans can’t help but wonder if this outlook is also a way of avoiding the “curse” of failed celebrity marriages.
While their relationship remains strong, Gretchen and Slade have faced a unique set of challenges that have continually pushed wedding plans to the back burner. From professional commitments to financial trade-offs and their philosophical stance on marriage, it seems that life has always had other priorities for them.
So, is their wedding truly cursed, or is it simply a matter of timing? Gretchen has hinted that marriage isn’t completely off the table. “Maybe Slade and I will get married one day soon, you know what I mean? But right now, it’s just not on the priority list.”
For now, Gretchen and Slade’s fans can only speculate about whether the couple will eventually say, “I do.” While some admire their commitment to one another without the pressure of marriage, others eagerly await the day they finally walk down the aisle.
Until then, Gretchen and Slade’s relationship stands as a testament to the idea that love, not marriage, is what truly binds two people together. Whether their wedding is cursed or simply postponed, their bond remains unshaken—a modern love story that defies expectations.