The Short Answer
Brad Paisley is married to Kimberly Williams-Paisley. The country music superstar, 53, wed the actress best known for Father of the Bride on March 15, 2003, and they have now been married for 23 years, making theirs one of the longest and most admired marriages in country music. They share two sons and live in Tennessee, where they balance his touring career with her acting work and their charitable ventures.
Their love story is famously charming: Paisley first saw Williams in Father of the Bride (1991) while on a date with someone else, became smitten, and years later engineered a meeting by casting her in his music video. In 2026 interviews, Williams-Paisley revealed the secret to their marriage in two words, quoting Jamie Lee Curtis: don't leave. The couple recently celebrated their 23rd anniversary and were jointly honored with honorary doctorates from Belmont University in May 2026.
How They Met
The story begins in 1991, when Brad Paisley went to see Father of the Bride with his then-girlfriend and found himself captivated not by his date but by the actress playing Annie Banks. Years later, after establishing himself as a country star, he had the idea to cast Williams in the video for his 2001 single I'm Gonna Miss Her, a comedic fishing song. She has joked that she suspected the casting call was a pickup line, and she may have been right.
They had already been dating for two months when the video finally came together, and the relationship deepened from there. Paisley proposed at the end of the Venice Beach pier in California in 2002. Their wedding on March 15, 2003, was a surprise ceremony staged as a rehearsal dinner at Pepperdine University in Malibu: guests thought they were attending a rehearsal until Williams walked down the aisle in a denim coat covering her wedding dress, revealing it as the ceremony began, with Paisley reportedly chewing gum at the altar.
Paisley has joked that casting Williams was the best decision of his life, professionally and personally, and the I'm Gonna Miss Her video, a comedy about choosing fishing over a girlfriend, became an unlikely romantic origin story. The video's playful tone matched the couple's dynamic: funny, self-aware, and built on genuine friendship.
23 Years of Marriage
Twenty-three years in, the Paisleys are candid about what keeps them together. In 2026 interviews, Williams-Paisley said the secret is don't leave: knowing there will be ups and downs and refusing to give up. She emphasized intentionality, saying they have to be deliberate about finding time together amid his touring and her acting schedule, but that they make the most of their downtime.
The couple celebrated their 23rd anniversary in March 2026 with affectionate social media tributes; Williams-Paisley posted a photo reel joking about their math (23 years today, we think) and praising a partner she can laugh with. They also renewed their vows in 2015 in what they described as a casual, silly ceremony with friends. Through fame, health challenges, including Williams-Paisley's battle with partial vocal cord paralysis that left her barely able to speak for nearly two years, and busy careers, they have remained a united front.
The 2015 vow renewal, described as casual and silly, reflected their approach to marriage as something to actively maintain rather than take for granted. Friends say the couple's humor is their superpower: they genuinely make each other laugh after 23 years, a quality Williams-Paisley cites as essential as the don't-leave philosophy.
Their 2026 anniversary tributes, 23 years, emphasized laughter as the foundation: Williams-Paisley's Instagram reel showed decades of goofy photos, captioned with her don't-leave philosophy. Fans noted the couple seems happier than ever, a rarity for marriages under fame's microscope.
Their Two Sons
The Paisleys have two sons: William Huckleberry Paisley, known as Huck, born in 2007, and Jasper Warren Paisley, born in 2009. Now 19 and 17, the boys have been raised largely out of the spotlight in Tennessee, though they occasionally appear in their parents' social media.
Both parents have spoken about the challenge of raising teenagers while maintaining demanding careers, and about the values they try to instill, including the charitable work the family does together. The couple's Nashville-area life is deliberately low-key for stars of their stature: school, music, and family dinners rather than Hollywood parties.
Huck, now 19, has shown musical inclinations, while Jasper, 17, keeps a lower profile. Both have been raised in Nashville's music community rather than Hollywood, a deliberate choice their parents credit with keeping the family grounded.
Who Is Brad Paisley?
Brad Douglas Paisley, born October 28, 1972, in Glen Dale, West Virginia, is one of country music's most decorated artists, with three Grammy Awards, 14 CMA Awards and dozens of number-one singles including Whiskey Lullaby, When I Get Where I'm Going and She's Everything. Known for his virtuoso guitar playing, witty songwriting and elaborate live shows, he has been a Grand Ole Opry member since 2001.
Beyond music, Paisley is known for philanthropy: he and Williams-Paisley opened The Store, a free grocery store for families in need in Nashville, and he launched a free toy store for families at Christmas. His humor and showmanship have made him a beloved figure across generations of country fans.
Who Is Kimberly Williams-Paisley?
Kimberly Williams-Paisley, born September 14, 1971, is an actress famous for playing Annie Banks in Father of the Bride (1991) and its sequel, and for her roles in According to Jim, Nashville and numerous Hallmark films. She is also an author; her memoir Where the Light Gets In chronicled her mother's battle with dementia.
In recent years she has spoken openly about her partial vocal cord paralysis, which left her barely able to speak for almost two years before treatment helped her recover. In May 2026, she and Brad were jointly awarded honorary doctorates from Belmont University, a moment she celebrated as a shared achievement. She remains active in acting while co-running the couple's charitable ventures.
Her memoir Where the Light Gets In, about her mother's Alzheimer's battle, was praised for its honesty and led to her advocacy for caregivers and dementia research. The book revealed a depth beyond her comedic acting persona and deepened public admiration for the couple's grounded values.
The Store: Fighting Hunger in Nashville
The Paisleys' most meaningful joint venture is The Store, a free grocery store they opened in Nashville to serve families facing food insecurity. Inspired by a similar program at Belmont University, the store lets referred families shop for free with dignity, choosing their own groceries rather than receiving handouts. The couple funds and champions it personally, and Brad has performed benefit concerts for it.
They expanded the mission with a free toy store at Christmas for families in need, and their charitable work extends to disaster relief and music education. The Store embodies the values they preach about marriage: showing up, doing good together, and using their platform for something larger than themselves. It's the rare celebrity charity that feels like an extension of a marriage rather than a brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Brad Paisley married to?
Brad Paisley is married to actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, known for Father of the Bride. They wed on March 15, 2003.
How long has Brad Paisley been married?
23 years. They celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary in March 2026.
How did Brad Paisley meet his wife?
He saw her in Father of the Bride while on a date with someone else, then cast her in his I'm Gonna Miss Her music video years later.
Does Brad Paisley have kids?
Yes, two sons: William Huckleberry (born 2007) and Jasper Warren (born 2009).
What is the secret to Brad Paisley's marriage?
His wife says it is don't leave: commitment through ups and downs, plus being deliberate about spending time together.
Who is Kimberly Williams-Paisley?
An actress famous for Father of the Bride, According to Jim and Hallmark films; also an author and charity co-founder.
Are Brad Paisley and his wife still together?
Yes. They celebrated 23 years of marriage in 2026 and received honorary doctorates together from Belmont University.
When did Brad Paisley get married?
March 15, 2003, in a surprise ceremony staged as a rehearsal dinner at Pepperdine University.