The thing about Elle King is that she doesn't do anything halfway. Most of us know her for the gravelly, powerhouse voice behind "Ex’s & Oh’s," but her personal life? It’s basically a high-speed car chase through a rock-and-roll carnival. When you start digging into the details of an Elle King wedding, you quickly realize you aren't looking at one simple "I do." You’re looking at a history of secret elopements, a "runaway bride" moment involving a heavy metal concert, and a long-term engagement that has weathered more storms than a coastal lighthouse.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of. But there is a real, raw story underneath the headlines that explains why her approach to marriage is so unique—and why, as of 2026, she's finally finding a version of "happily ever after" that looks nothing like a Hallmark movie.
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The Secret Marriage Everyone Missed
Back in early 2016, the world thought Elle King was just "engaged" to a guy named Andrew Ferguson. They had met at a bar in London and, in typical Elle fashion, decided they were soulmates after about three weeks. They went from "Nice to meet you" to "Let's spend forever together" in the time it takes most people to finish a Netflix series.
But here’s the kicker: they didn’t just get engaged. They actually tied the knot in secret on Valentine’s Day 2016.
King kept the marriage hidden from the public—and even her own mother—for over a year. She later admitted she was "losing her mind" at the time, just desperately searching for a real connection. When the couple finally planned a big, public wedding for April 2017, the cracks weren't just showing; the whole foundation was crumbling.
The Day She Skipped Her Own Wedding
On the day of that scheduled 2017 ceremony, fans were stunned. Instead of seeing photos of a white dress and a multi-tiered cake, they saw a video of Elle at an Eagles of Death Metal concert in Seattle. Her caption? "Skipped out on my wedding."
At the time, people thought she was just being a rebel. The reality was much darker. She eventually revealed that she and Ferguson were already married and were in the middle of a messy, painful separation involving allegations of domestic violence and a deep struggle with PTSD and depression. It wasn't a "runaway bride" prank; it was a survival tactic.
Dan Tooker: The Slow Burn and the "Next Ex-Husband"
After the "tornado" of her 20s, as she often calls it, Elle met tattoo artist Dan Tooker in 2019 at his shop in Boston. The vibe was different from the start. She even joked on Instagram, "Getting tattooed by my next ex-husband."
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The pair got engaged in October 2020 in a scene that felt like it belonged in a movie. They both had the exact same idea. They were horse-back riding in New Mexico, and both of them pulled out rings to propose at the same time. No one beat anyone to the punch; they just met in the middle.
The Breakup That Wasn't (Quite)
By 2023, things looked rocky again. Elle showed up at the Stagecoach Festival wearing a jacket that literally said "Single" on the back. She started referring to herself as a single mom to their son, Lucky Levi, who was born in 2021.
People assumed the wedding was off for good. But in late 2024, Elle confirmed they were "doubling down." She told People that they had to grow as individuals before they could be partners. They bought a house in the mountains of Nashville and decided to "wipe the slate clean."
Where Things Stand in 2026
As of early 2026, the question of a formal Elle King wedding is still a hot topic, but the urgency has shifted. Elle and Dan are currently focused on their growing family. In February 2025, they welcomed their second son, Royal Tooker.
For Elle, the "wedding" part seems less important than the "partnership" part these days. She’s been through the secret marriage and the public engagement drama. Now, she’s living a life that is "starting fresh" in Nashville.
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Why She Isn't Rushing to the Altar
- The "Ex-Husband" Trauma: Her first marriage was destructive, and she’s been open about how hard it is to face the idea of divorce again.
- Focus on Motherhood: With two young sons (Lucky and Royal), her priority is stability over a ceremony.
- A New Definition of Love: She’s moved past the "whirlwind" phase and into a "work for it" phase.
Lessons from Elle’s Wild Ride
If you’re looking at Elle King’s history and wondering what to make of it, there’s actually a lot of wisdom in the chaos. She’s a reminder that jumping into a life-long commitment after three weeks—no matter how "electric" it feels—usually ends in a crash.
But she’s also a testament to the idea that you can come back from a "destructive" situation and find something stable, even if it doesn't look like a traditional marriage. She’s doing it her way: loud, messy, and honest.
What you can do next: If you're following Elle’s journey, keep an eye on her social media for updates on her life in Nashville. Her recent music, specifically the album Come Get Your Wife, gives the most honest look into her headspace regarding her family and her past. If you're navigating your own complex relationship, her story is a great reminder that "starting fresh" is always an option, no matter how many times you've had to restart before.