Sophia Michaels
The love story of Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley could easily inspire a romantic Hallmark film. Despite their differences—he’s a country music artist from West Virginia, and she’s an actress from an affluent New York City suburb—this couple found a way to connect. When they first met in 2001, Brad openly expressed his discomfort with the Hollywood lifestyle that Kimberly navigated daily. “I used to be pretty judgmental back then,” he confessed to Good Housekeeping in 2007.
Nevertheless, Kimberly was drawn to Brad, which meant adapting to some old-fashioned gender expectations, such as cooking and household chores. In a 2011 Redbook interview, Brad illustrated their lifestyle differences: “In Los Angeles, she might hike or visit a café, while in Nashville, I track mud through our home and ask about the bacon.”
A key aspect of their relationship is their shared sense of humor. “My sense of humor was the reason I won her over,” Brad shared with People in 2017. However, some have pointed out that Kimberly’s playful teasing can sometimes be a bit harsh.
Bill Maher’s Remarks on Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Brad Paisley is playful at heart. On his birthday in 2021, Kimberly shared a humorous photo of him enjoying a ride on a coin-operated horse at a store, showcasing her embarrassment alongside the caption, “It’s hard to believe he’s even a grown-up.” In a 2023 podcast appearance, Brad’s age surprised Bill Maher, who remarked on his youthful appearance. Brad joked about it, suggesting his wife’s harsh evaluation of his looks might not sit well if the roles were reversed.
Maher commented on how married couples often exchange playful jabs, to which Brad agreed, saying that over the years, they become like comedic partners. He added, “Kimberly keeps me grounded and challenges any notion that I might think I’m cool.” During an interview with People, they humorously recounted how Kimberly joked about wanting to put him on a tour bus post-lockdown, emphasizing her love for playful teasing, even once using duct tape in a comedic quarantine skit.
Father of the Bride’s Influence on Their Love Story
In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Kimberly humorously claimed, “He stalked me,” referring to their relationship journey. The story has deeper roots, as Brad first noticed Kimberly while watching the 1991 film “Father of the Bride” with his then-girlfriend. After they broke up, he saw the sequel alone in 1995 and felt a pang of nostalgia for his past relationship. Kimberly later captured this story in her book “Where the Light Gets In.”
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s Unique Journey Together
In her reflections, she shared that he had hoped they were destined to reunite, wishing she would surprisingly show up at the same event.
Although Brad’s former partner did not attend, Kimberly quickly caught his interest. “She seemed like a wonderful person—intelligent, humorous, and the qualities that are hard to come by,” he recounted to Good Housekeeping. It’s important to note that Kimberly was acting in a role, yet she lingered in his thoughts when he composed his 2001 album “Part II,” which reflected the melancholy of his past romance.
Determined to contact Kimberly, Brad invited her to be part of the music video for his track “I’m Gonna Miss Her.” Her acceptance allowed him to foster a connection with the woman he admired onscreen. “For him, it was love at first sight, but for me, it took a month or two,” Kimberly shared with “CBS Sunday Morning.”
A Memorable Wedding Ceremony and Vow Renewal
The wedding of Brad and Kimberly was filled with surprises. In 2003, the couple gathered their friends and family under the guise of a rehearsal at Pepperdine University. However, when Kimberly revealed her wedding dress beneath her coat, everyone realized it was the actual ceremony.
In her book “Where the Light Gets In,” Kimberly narrates a humorous moment where the wedding planner insisted Brad discard his chewing gum directly into her palm just before the ceremony. Sharing her experience of playing a perfect bride in “Father of the Bride,” she felt pressure to deviate from the expected for her real wedding: “People would compare it to the movie and I wanted it to be unique,” she explained.
Fast forward twelve years, when they held a vow renewal ceremony that came with its own surprises, this time Kimberly was left out of the loop. “It was quite whimsical; an informal setup,” Kimberly told Fox News Magazine. Comedian Kevin Nealon officiated, and her outfit was a $15 dress picked by a friend from a store on Hollywood Boulevard. Kimberly described it as revealing but fun, sharing, “You could see my pink pants underneath it!”
The Role of Toilets in Their Relationship
In the story of their relationship, toilets have become a notable theme. While not central to their engagement, they were present when Brad proposed at Venice Beach, right in front of public restrooms, which Kimberly humorously recalled to Good Housekeeping.
While preparing for their future together, the couple took part in premarital counseling, addressing the small annoyances that could escalate, like Brad’s dismissive attitude towards leaving the toilet seat up. To lighten the mood, he even wrote a humorous song called “Ode De Toilet (The Toilet Song),” which humorously tackled domestic habits while expressing love. The lyrics stated, “If I want to show her how much I adore her / The best way that I’ve found / Is to make sure when I’m finished / I put that toilet seat down.”
Brad’s Quirky Decor Choices and Clumsy Habits
Rather than traditional anniversary gifts, Brad surprised Kimberly with an unusual corn cob-shaped stool for her “she-shack” during a 2022 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
This quirky taste extended to other decor choices, such as a massive dinosaur statue that raised Kimberly’s eyebrows in a 2020 Instagram post. She’s acknowledged his tendency to create chaos in their home: “It feels like a tornado when he gets back!” Good Housekeeping reported her sharing an example of his cluttered closet.
Interestingly, it was revealed that Brad has a habit of putting his guitars in the freezer. In an interview with People, Kimberly’s sister Ashley jokingly remarked on his odd choices, saying, “That’s just who Brad is; he has his own way of doing things.”
