Kym Johnson &Robert Herjavec

PARTY TIME “Everyone was dancing until 2:30 a.m.!” says Herjavec (with members of the wedding party including Cheryl Burke and Carson Kressley). It’s not every day that Olivia Newton-John sings you “Happy Birthday.” So when Robert Herjavec surprised his Dancing with the Stars’ brand-new bride, Kym John- Kym Johnson son, with a sweet early birthday serenade from her idol at their & RobertHerjavec July 31 wedding, Johnson was understandably blown away. “I’m still in shock!” says the Australian native, who turns 40 on Aug. 4. “Afterward we sang ‘Let’s Get Physical’ together. It Our Dream was like a dream!” It was the personal touch- es that made the wedding so memorable for Shark Tank star Herjavec, 53, and Johnson, a pro dancer, who first met and Wedding! fell in love when they competed ONE YEAR AFTER THEY MET AND FELL IN LOVE ON REALITY TV, THE SHARK TANK STAR AND DANCING as partners on Dancing with the PRO ARE OFFICIALLY PARTNERS FOR LIFE Stars last year. “We didn’t want By AILI NAHAS it to be stuffy,” Johnson says of the sunset nuptials, held at the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly 59 1 1. Florals by the Bouqs adorned each table. 2. The rose-gold-and- diamond wedding bands were designed by jeweler Peter Marco. 3. A personalized handkerchief was Johnson’s gift to her groom. 4. At each 3 seat was a Votivo 4 candle; the bridal party received gifts from GiGi New York. 5. Guests like Lance Bass and Michael Turchin grooved to the Gen8 2 band by Elan Artists. 6. “I was shaking,” says Johnson of the surprise Olivia Newton-John performance. 7. The five- tier cake featured layers of lemon and chocolate. 8. “It was the best night ever,” says Johnson. Johnson surprised Herjavec with a performance by a local Croatian dance group as a tribute to her groom’s birthplace. 5 8 Hills. “We just wanted everyone to let spring. After that, “things just blos- gest hits was a coordinated dance with their hair down and relax.” somed,” says Johnson. Adds Herjavec: the entire bridal party to LunchMoney The joyful celebration was all the “I fell in love with her as a person, and Lewis’s “Bills,” the first song Johnson more meaningful given the pair’s emo- from then on we were inseparable.” And and Herjavec cha-cha’d to on Danc- tional journey to the altar. Herjavec, a despite Johnson’s worry that they’d ing. “That part was a little stressful,” father of three grown chil- lose their intense connec- Herjavec recounted the morning after dren (who did not attend ‘It’s tion after Dancing wrapped the ceremony. “Nobody on my side is a the wedding), had recently incredible and they were no longer in dancer! But it was perfect.” ended his marriage of 25 to go 10 hours of rehearsals a day, Potential disaster was averted during years and battled an extreme through “it actually became even bet- the ceremony, after Johnson unknow- depression that led him to ter,” she says. “I didn’t think ingly let the train of her Monique consider suicide before he life with it was possible!” Now, “he’s Lhuillier gown pass over a candle along met Johnson in 2015. “I someone changed my world,” says the path as she walked down the aisle. never thought I’d get mar- you love’ Johnson. “From the begin- “All of a sudden we smelled something,” ried again,” says the Croa- —KYM JOHNSON ning, when Robert walked says Herjavec. “Then we looked and her tian-born, Canada-raised into that dance studio, it’s dress was on fire!” Luckily Johnson’s billionaire businessman. really been like a fairy tale.” resourceful best friend stomped out “I worried I’d become bitter or an Their first dance, to Etta James’s “At the blaze, “before I went up in flames!” old cat guy. But at the end of the day Last,” was a touching tribute to their That one mishap aside, for John- 6 everybody wants to connect to another Dancing roots. “We were given that son and Herjavec, “as excited as they human being. When I met Kym, it was song while we were on Dancing,” says were about the wedding, the focus has just effortless.” Johnson, who teared up as she walked always been on the marriage,” says For her part, Johnson had resigned down the aisle. “We were excited to do their planner Michael Russo. “They’re herself to the idea of permanent bache- it because we were falling in love. But we building a life together. And their love 7 lorette status after a decade of dating in were voted out before we could dance is truly infectious.” L.A. “I had always imagined I’d be mar- it. It’s appropriate that it was our first Now they’re focused on finally being ried before I was 30,” she says. “There’s dance as husband and wife.” husband and wife. “When I met Kym, I a stigma that if you’re single, it’s like, As a nod to Herjavec’s Croatian her- felt complete. I’m so excited about ev- ‘Poor you.’ I was happy with my life. I itage, male guests, including celebrity erything we have to look forward to,” just wasn’t ready to settle.” pals Donny Osmond, Lance Bass and says Herjavec. Adds Johnson: “To go Sparks flew as the couple rehearsed Daymond John, wore sprigs of rose- through life with someone who makes on Dancing, but it took Herjavec a mary; appetizers included Australian me feel so loved is unbelievable. I know month to get up the nerve to ask John- lamb chops and Herjavec’s favorite, it’s the real thing. And I’m so glad I wait- THIS SPREAD & PREVIOUS SPREAD: ANTHONY VAZQUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY(10) PREVIOUS SPREAD: ANTHONY VAZQUEZ THIS SPREAD & son on a date to a friend’s wedding last pigs in a blanket. One of the night’s big- ed for Mr. Right!” • August 15, 2016 PEOPLE 61.

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