Sarah Hyland & Wells Adams: The Complete Relationship Timeline

From playful tweets to wedding vows, Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams have captured hearts with their transparent, loving, and often hilarious relationship. Their journey — from social media acquaintances to one of Hollywood’s most beloved married couples — is as charming as it is inspiring. This comprehensive timeline explores every stage, milestone, and shared joy between the Modern Family star and the beloved reality TV bartender.

How It All Began: A Digital Spark

Few celebrity love stories have origins as modern as Sarah and Wells’. The pair’s connection began with playful banter on Twitter in August 2017, while Wells Adams was gaining attention as the bartender on Bachelor in Paradise. Sarah, already a fan, tweeted about Adams’s role, sparking a flirty and humorous exchange that quickly caught the attention of fans.

  • August 15, 2017: Sarah tweets excitement over Wells’s TV role; he responds in kind, launching a back-and-forth that was both public and endearing.
  • Both openly joke and flirt, fueling rumors of budding romance even before any official confirmation.

Sliding Into the DMs

In a later appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Sarah confirmed that Wells had confidently “slid into her DMs” — a move she described as “sexy and very confident.” Their mutual love of tacos and tequila fueled their first conversations and first date, which set the playful tone for the entire relationship.

Relationship Becomes Instagram Official

Halloween 2017 marked a pivotal moment: Sarah and Wells chose to make their relationship Instagram official. Dressed in a couple’s Stranger Things costumes, they posted a series of playful photos that left no doubt about their feelings for each other. The spark was visible, and social media began to buzz with excitement over Hollywood’s newest couple.

  • Fans speculated for weeks before the official posts, noting their witty social media exchanges and support for each other’s careers.
  • November 2017: Relationship status is clear, and playful photos confirm what fans already suspected.

Early Milestones and Growing Together

Meeting Friends and Family

Soon after becoming official, both began attending significant personal events together. Wells accompanied Sarah to her high school reunion in July 2018, where he fit in seamlessly with her friends and documented the fun on Instagram. This event not only reinforced their commitment but highlighted their comfort together in all settings.

  • July 2018: Wells acts as Sarah’s plus-one at her high school reunion, “Love is going to your girlfriend’s high school reunion when you’ve never gone to yours,” Sarah joked.
  • The couple’s willingness to incorporate each other into major life moments became a recurring theme in their timeline.

Sarah’s Health Challenges

In June 2018, Sarah faced another bout of kidney trouble — an ongoing issue due to her medical history. Despite being in Nashville at the time, Wells sent flowers to support her, sharing encouragement from afar. Their ability to support and care for each other through challenging moments further deepened their bond.

Taking the Next Step: Moving In Together

Distance was never going to be a long-term obstacle. In August 2018, after months of long-distance dating (with Sarah in LA and Wells in Nashville), they decided to close the gap: Wells uprooted his life in Nashville and moved in with Sarah in Los Angeles.

  • August 4, 2018: The couple announces they’re taking the plunge and moving in together.
  • The decision was met mostly with excitement. Sarah’s friends reportedly admired Wells’s support, especially during her health setbacks.
  • “I’m straight up moving to LA. Should I not have said it? I’ve got to go!” Wells joked on his podcast, confirming the big step.

Anniversaries and Reflections: Celebrating One Year

September 2018 marked the couple’s one-year anniversary. Both shared touching, highly personal tributes on Instagram. For the first time, they publicly confirmed their “relationship start date” as September 16, 2017. Their posts reflected poignantly on the whirlwind, joyful year that had passed.

  • Wells: “I kissed this beautiful woman for the 1st time a year ago today. Best year of my life. I love you to Pluto and back…”
  • Sarah: “You asked to hold my purse when I was dancing… you gave me my last first kiss. I love you to Pluto and back. YES PLUTO IS A PLANET…”

Fans noted the couple’s ongoing tradition of publicly defending, appreciating, and celebrating each other — a hallmark of their partnership.

Engagement Rumors and the Real Deal

Even as early as January 2019, engagement rumors were swirling. Wells addressed these on his podcast and in interviews, clarifying that while they weren’t engaged at that moment, it was definitely on the horizon. He emphasized, humorously, that he would be paying for the engagement ring, poking fun at social perceptions about their finances.

  • “Everyone thinks we’re engaged… we’re not engaged. We just moved in together, it’s gonna happen eventually.” – Wells, January 2019
  • He publicly confirmed his intent to choose and pay for Sarah’s ring himself, reinforcing the equality and independence in their relationship.

Family Dynamics

In May 2019, Wells shared on his podcast that their parents had not yet met – a reflection of their families’ “major political differences.” He joked that when their families do finally meet at the wedding, “no one will be allowed to talk about politics.” This honest acknowledgment of real-world complications met with laughter and understanding from fans.

Engagement: The Big Moment

The much-anticipated moment finally arrived in July 2019: Wells proposed, and Sarah said yes. The engagement caught the attention of media outlets and fans alike, with the couple quickly sharing a joyful announcement, complete with romantic beach photos and matching lighthearted energy.

  • July 2019: Engagement officially announced via Instagram, featuring a heartfelt caption and beaming couple shots.
  • The proposal solidified their place as fan-favorite couple, inspiring thousands to congratulate them online.

Planning a Wedding and Facing Challenges

Like many couples at the time, Sarah and Wells’s wedding plans were impacted by global circumstances. Their engagement stretched over several years, with pandemic-related delays forcing them to adjust their timeline. Rather than creating stress, they approached these challenges with humor and patience, sharing updates, postponements, and behind-the-scenes wedding prep with their fans.

  • Sarah and Wells continued to make public joint appearances, supporting each other’s projects and maintaining transparency about shifts in wedding plans.
  • They reassured fans the wedding was definitely on — just a case of finding the right moment to celebrate safely.

The Wedding: Finally Married

After dating for nearly five years and being engaged for three, Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams married on August 20, 2022, in a stunning California ceremony. Sarah’s Modern Family castmates were in attendance, turning the occasion into both a romantic and star-studded affair. The wedding and its heartfelt vows were widely celebrated, marking the culmination of years of commitment, mutual support, and joy.

  • Wedding photos posted by Sarah and Wells went viral, with touching captions reflecting their shared humor and love.
  • Sarah’s Instagram: “3rd anniversary in a row not being spent together, but jokes on you…you’re stuck with me. For life.”

Life as a Married Couple

Their marriage has only deepened their partnership. Sarah and Wells openly share glimpses of married life, supporting each other’s work and enthusiastically celebrating milestones. Whether they’re apart for anniversaries due to work or together posting about their day-to-day, their candor and humor remain unchanged.

  • Sarah often posts playful or heartfelt messages to mark anniversaries, including their “third anniversary in a row not spent together” due to career obligations.
  • “You have to pay lawyers to leave me,” Sarah jokingly writes, highlighting their enduring playfulness.
  • Wells continues as a podcaster and TV personality, while Sarah advances her acting and hosting career.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How did Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams meet?

A: They initially connected on Twitter in August 2017, with a series of playful tweets. Their flirtation moved to private messages where Wells sent Sarah a confident DM, sparking their first date.

Q: When did Sarah and Wells move in together?

A: They moved in together in August 2018, after nearly a year of long-distance dating, with Wells relocating from Nashville to Los Angeles to be with Sarah.

Q: When did Wells propose to Sarah?

A: Wells proposed to Sarah in July 2019, following two years of dating. The engagement was celebrated online with romantic beach photos.

Q: When did they get married?

A: Sarah and Wells tied the knot on August 20, 2022, in California, after five years together and a three-year engagement.

Q: Who attended their wedding?

A: The ceremony included close friends, family, and a star-studded guest list with Sarah’s Modern Family co-stars in attendance, making the celebration even more memorable.

Their Relationship in Numbers

Milestone Date Notes
First Tweet August 15, 2017 Public Twitter banter sparks connection.
First Date September 16, 2017 Later confirmed as official relationship start date.
Instagram Official October 31, 2017 Halloween costume debut as a couple.
Moved In Together August 2018 Wells relocates to LA to live with Sarah.
Engaged July 2019 Romantic beach proposal shared widely online.
Marriage August 20, 2022 Stunning California ceremony with friends and family.

Why Fans Love Sarah & Wells

  • Authenticity: Both openly share their real-life struggles and victories, offering a relatable glimpse into their fame-shaded world.
  • Humor: Their playful social media banter and affectionate teasing have won the internet’s affection time and again.
  • Support: From health scares to career highs, Sarah and Wells consistently show up for each other.
  • Modern Romance: Their ability to embrace a 21st-century relationship journey — from DMs to digital milestones — resonates with many.

Lessons from Their Love Story

  • Communication is Key: Whether via Twitter or in person, genuine conversation laid the groundwork for their connection.
  • Support During Hardship: Both have publicly and privately supported each other through medical and professional challenges.
  • Celebrate Big and Small Moments: From anniversaries to everyday jokes, recognizing shared milestones keeps their relationship strong.
  • Laugh Together: Humor is woven into their story — a key ingredient in weathering everything from fan scrutiny to wedding delays.

Final Thoughts

The romance between Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams exemplifies what it means to build a relationship in the spotlight with openness, humor, and genuine love. From online flirtations to enduring marriage, their journey continues to inspire fans and stands as a testament to finding real love in unexpected places.