Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert’s Relationship Timeline: From Dance Partners to Fake Proposals and Beyond

Credit: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert’s Relationship Timeline: From Dance Partners to Fake Proposals and Beyond

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert captivated audiences with their chemistry well before they started dating. The former Dancing With the Stars pro first connected with Erbert after she was cast as one of the dancers in his and sister Julianne Hough’s Move Live Tour in 2014. By July 2015, they were a couple. Derek played coy about his plans to propose to the So You Think You Can Dance alum for years, but his feelings were clear as he gushed about his girlfriend constantly. The couple performed together as part of Derek’s fall 2021 residency at the Venetian in Las Vegas, and Derek joked about getting married at one of the city’s famous little white wedding chapels during one of their first shows. “Honestly all jokes aside, we're just playing up here,” he explained after dropping to one knee in front of Erbert — to tie his shoe. “But it really is really special to be able to do something that you love on the stage with somebody that you love so much.” The twosome announced their real engagement in June 2022. Scroll down to relive Derek and Erbert’s love story:

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2014

Erbert joined Derek and his sister Julianne on their Move Live Tour in both 2014 and 2015.

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July 2015

The couple began dating after working together for more than one year.

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2016

The Kansas native was a troupe dancer on Dancing With the Stars for multiple seasons, beginning in 2016. She crossed paths with Derek on occasion and later returned to the show in October 2020 for a steamy paso doble with her love.

Credit: Courtesy Derek Hough/Instagram

September 2018

The pair rescued a kitten, which they later named Palo, on their way home from an Emmys pre-show party. “Definitely a turn of events but I truly believe we were meant to save his life,” Erbert wrote in a social media post at the time. “Even if that means in a sparkly dress and heels.”

Credit: Courtesy of Derek Hough/Instagram

October 2018

“Happy Birthday to my love. You fill my heart with so much joy. I love our crazy adventures together or just sitting on the couch with our bodies entangled watching a movie,” the Utah native wrote via Instagram in honor of his girlfriend’s birthday. “I find myself smiling at you in random moments. Fully feeling the effect you’ve made in my life. This surprising journey fills my heart with so much gratitude. Today I celebrate and am truly thankful you were born.”

Credit: Courtesy of Derek Hough/Instagram

December 2018

The lovebirds celebrated Christmas together in Park City, Utah.

Credit: Courtesy of Hayley Erbert/Instagram

July 2019

The twosome packed on the PDA while on a trip to Paris.

Credit: Courtesy of Derek Hough/Instagram

November 2019

“Had an amazing time in South Korea. Great people, great food, amazing experience,” Derek captioned a series of photos from the pair’s trip to Asia.

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March 2020

“Being cooped up with my girlfriend, it’s been great. It’s funny,” the former World of Dance judge exclusively told Us after being at home with Erbert for months amid the COVID-19 crisis. “[It] definitely brought us closer and it’s a beautiful thing.”

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April 2020

The two dancers teamed up for Disney’s Sing-a-Along special in April 2020 as Belle and the Beast. They also performed as Mary Poppins and Bert for the May 2020 TV event.

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May 2021

“Happy Birthday to my favorite person on this planet! No one can make me laugh harder, smile bigger, drive me crazier (in the best way), or love larger than you,” Erbert wrote via Instagram on Derek’s 36th birthday. “I love celebrating you, today and everyday. I am so excited to see what unfolds for you this next rotation around the sun! I love you, always in all ways ♥️♥️.”

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July 2021

“Haley’s taught me a lot about relaxing. About just sitting down and relaxing and enjoying the moment,” the DWTS judge exclusively told Us. “I’m always going to go, go, go, go, personally. Like, let’s do this. Let’s do that. Let’s do this, and I’m still like that. But, it’s a good balance. We have a great balance with that.”

Credit: Courtesy of Hayley Erbert/Instagram

July 2021

The duo jetted off to Kenya to explore the Samburu National Reserve.

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September 2021

Derek kicked off his No Limit Tour in Las Vegas with Erbert by his side on September 22. The show runs until late November.

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September 2021

During September 26’s Derek Hough: No Limit show, the choreographer playfully proposed to his longtime love on stage. The banter between the pair began after Erbert told Derek he made a “bad dad joke” and the two laughed about not having kids together yet.

“Want to change that?” Derek asked his girlfriend, to which she replied, “You gotta put a ring on it first!” The former pro cheekily continued, “We are in Las Vegas. Hold on, there's wedding chapels and you can get divorced in the same day. This is unbelievable information that we need to look into immediately!”

The Make Your Move actor then dropped down to one knee to tie his shoes as Erbert said, “Oh, babe!” to which he responded, “I’m just playing.”

Credit: Courtesy of Hayley Erbert/Instagram

December 2021

"Pure magic with my love 💫,” Erbert captioned a social media snap at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Credit: Courtesy of Hayley Erbert/Instagram

January 2022

“Emmys or wedding pics? 😉,” the brunette beauty teased via Instagram.

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March 2022

The lovebirds stepped out for date night at the Mercedes-Benz Oscar Viewing Party. “Dressing up is such a blast for both of us, but I find myself always finding his approval. I'm like, 'Babe what dress would you like best?' and I send him like a thousand outfits,” Erbert exclusively told Us at the Hollywood bash. “But honestly the fitting is the best part because you just get loaded with all of these gorgeous gowns and it's really truly hard to like pick your final look.”

Credit: Courtesy Hayley Erbert/Instagram

May 2022

“Happy Birthday to the love of my life! 🥰I can’t imagine my life without you,” the Kansas native wrote via social media. “I am so grateful for your existence. Cheers to 37! I love you always, in ALL ways @derekhough ♥️.”

Credit: Courtesy Derek Hough/Instagram

June 2022

“Wow, incredible to experience @f1 Monaco Grand Prix for the first time,” Derek captioned a video montage from his and Erbert’s time in the French Riviera. “Even better getting to experience it with my love @hayley.erbert ❤️.”

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June 2022

“It’s only the beginning … the beginning of forever ♥️,” the pair wrote in a joint Instagram post, confirming their engagement.

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June 2022

“I just love calling her my fiancée,” the Make Your Move actor exclusively told Us of his love. “I think that word now feels right to the way I feel and to my commitment to her and to our love and story and life together. … Hayley is The One.”

Derek gushed over Erbert, explaining how excited he is for the couple’s future. “I know she’s just going to be an amazing mother and amazing wife and she’s so thoughtful so caring, so loving,” he revealed. “Just seeing the way she is with our animals, I mean if she’s even a quarter of the way she is with our animals how she is with our kids I just can’t wait to see her be a mom.”

Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock

October 2022

The engaged pair made a joint appearance at the Industry Dance Awards before teaming up to present the People’s Choice Award.

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October 2022

Although the duo originally wanted to forgo doing a formal first dance at their wedding, they've since changed their tune.

"I think we need to. I think we have to. And it needs to be spectacular," Hough exclusively told Us, revealing that he already has the song picked out. "It needs to be special and [there] definitely [needs to be] fireworks."

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August 2023

The pair got married in California. Their wedding was held in the Redwood Forest in California.