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Updated Apr 28, 2026Family, Faith and Food Were the Focus of NFL Star Jaylon Johnson and Wife Janessa's Destination Wedding
An exclusive first look inside the Chicago Bears cornerback's refined tropical nuptials in Punta Cana, loosely inspired by 'Love Is Blind.'
The idea of hosting a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic came to Jaylon Johnson and his wife, Janessa Johnson, while they were watching Love Is Blind. (Stars: They really are just like you.) The honeymoon episodes from season six of Netflix's smash-hit reality series were filmed at a resort in Punta Cana—and the setting left a lasting impact on the Chicago Bears cornerback. "[Janessa] put me onto the show, and when we were watching it, we thought that would be a really good spot to go to for a vacation," Jaylon recalls. "Then I thought, 'We could have a destination wedding. What if we got married there?' We brainstormed a few places, but the Dominican Republic ended up sticking."
The NFL couple officially tied the knot on May 2, 2026, at Eden Roc Cap Cana, a luxury oceanfront resort on the easternmost point of the Dominican Republic. Just 50 guests joined the couple and their daughters to celebrate their love story, which began nearly two decades ago. The athlete and registered nurse met as middle schoolers in Fresno, California. "During college, life took us in different directions," Janessa says. "He went out of state and played football. I stayed in Fresno and pursued my nursing career." When they reconnected in 2022, things were "completely different," she explains: "We built a deep bond almost immediately and just picked up where we left off."
Proud parents to two daughters, it was at the gender reveal party for their youngest when Jaylon decided to pop the question. "I got the ring before I knew when I was going to propose," he says. "Nobody knew except for my agent, who helped me get the ring, and my two best friends."
While Janessa knew an engagement was imminent, she never anticipated such a joyful surprise on an already special day. "He made it super intimate and intentional," she says. "Everybody that we loved and wanted to be a part of our gender reveal was there for the proposal, which was really special."
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Once the couple landed on Punta Cana for their destination setting, they enlisted the help of Candace Hernandez from Fawn Events to bring their dream day to life—and they say that hiring a planner was one of the best wedding planning decisions they made. "I don't know what we would have done without her," Janessa says. "Between juggling the NFL season, our children, Jaylon's training and my [nursing] classes, she was our lifeline."
While the couple did create a mood board, there wasn't necessarily a theme that tied the vision together. Instead, they wanted the entire destination wedding weekend to feel like a warm and welcoming getaway for their nearest and dearest. "We were intentional about making them feel seen from beginning to end," Janessa says. To do so, they prioritized little touches, like welcome bags filled with local trinkets and gifts and personal golf carts to help guests explore the villas. "The whole weekend was catered to involve them in the experience," she adds. "All of our guests have played a unique, intricate role in our relationship, so we wanted to thank everybody who contributed to the foundation of our marriage."
Hernandez echoes this sentiment. "Janessa and Jaylon's wedding at Eden Roc Cap Cana was designed to feel like an elevated tropical escape that blended the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic with a refined, fashion-forward aesthetic," she tells The Knot. "From the very beginning, the vision was centered around creating an experience that felt intimate, immersive and effortlessly luxurious for their closest family and friends."
The weekend began with a lively welcome party that embraced the relaxed energy of Cap Cana. The bride wore a dazzling mini dress encrusted with gemstones and playful fringe strands, while the groom opted for a coordinating shimmery suit from Bulgari. Guests enjoyed thematic cocktails, including "Tropic Like It's Hot" (Caribbean punch) and "The Best Man" (peach bourbon).
On the wedding day, Janessa wore a fitted gown with a lace bodice, exposed boning and draped strands of crystals, which she paired with Christian Dior heels and a cathedral-length lace veil. It was the very first style she slipped into during her dress shopping appointment at Blanche Bridal. "I tried on a bunch of other ones, but I came right back to that dress. It just felt like it was made for me," she recalls. "I came back another day and put it on again, and I just knew."
Selecting the right attire was just as important to the groom, who often wears flashy game-day outfits and attends runway shows around the world. "I went with a different vibe," he says of his dark green suit from Unique Threads, which he styled with a button-up shirt that he left open to frame an oversized diamond cross necklace from GLD. But perhaps the most heartfelt detail was his nail art: an infinity sign with his wife's name written into the curve that accented his left ring finger. "That's just me: always trying to stand out and be a little different."
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Guests were seated in front of a curved altar, which was intentionally crafted to highlight the venue's stunning natural scenery. "The ceremony design focused on blending seamlessly into the environment, featuring a circular-inspired layout with floral accents that felt as though they naturally grew from the space itself," Hernandez says. "Throughout the weekend, every detail was intentionally selected to reflect Janessa and Jaylon's personal style—modern, stylish, warm and deeply centered around creating meaningful moments with their guests."
There was never a question that their daughters would hold significant roles on the wedding day. As the proceedings began, they tossed petals down the aisle ahead of the bride's arrival. The couple shed tears during the religious ceremony, which was officiated by San Diego-based pastor Greg Hendricks. Looking back now, Jaylon references the Bible verse Matthew 19:6 NIV: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." To his wife, he says, "I choose you, forever and always."
After the Johnsons were formally pronounced as husband and wife, cocktail hour commenced with a menu that celebrated their favorite flavors and local Dominican fare. Guests sipped on more festive drinks: "Casa de Love" (a pineapple margarita), "Forever on the Rocks" (whiskey), and "The Wedding Crash-er" (a vodka lemonade).
As for the food, the couple wanted a few different options to satisfy everyone's cravings—including the bride's. "As I was talking to my wedding planner, I was like, 'Girl, I need to get me a cheeseburger. I need to know that's gonna be on the menu,'" she quips. In addition to snackable grab-and-go options, attendees dined on lobster bisque, creamy sweet potato stew with coconut milk and curry, New York strip steak, slow-cooked short rib, fresh snapper and marinated shrimp. Dessert was a dreamy, decadent molten chocolate lava cake.
The reception decor served as a natural extension of the florals and textures that appeared throughout the ceremony space. "Soft draping was incorporated throughout the Palapa structure to add movement and intimacy, while custom pendant lighting installations brought warmth and depth to the space after sunset," Hernandez explains. "The tabletop design featured a curated mix of natural textures, refined dinnerware, layered linens and understated floral moments that allowed the overall atmosphere to feel sophisticated yet inviting."
The newlyweds shared a first dance to "First Time" by Teeks—but perhaps the more anticipated moment was the dance they shared with their daughters. "It's not just about us, it's about our family as well," Janessa says. "We wanted it to feel as special for them as it is for us."
From Hernandez's perspective, that goal was certainly exceeded: "Ultimately, the wedding was less about over-the-top extravagance and more about creating an atmosphere that felt emotionally rich, visually layered and incredibly intentional—a celebration that felt both editorial and deeply personal at the same time."
Looking back on their wedding planning journey, Janessa credits their faith and their strong relationship foundation with helping them remain focused on the big picture. "Stay grounded in what matters and communicate," she suggests to other to-be-weds. "Don't lose sight of your vision or your own values. Whenever things feel overwhelming, lean on each other, take a step back and remember that this is one moment compared to what you're building."
Now as they step into married life, Jaylon says that promise of building something great is at the forefront of his mind. "When my girls have their own family, I want them to remember what love felt like from their dad and their mom," he says. Adds his wife: "We want the kind of love that our kids look back on and say, 'I want a love like Mom and Dad's.'"
Jaylon and Janessa Johnson's Wedding Vendors
Wedding Venue: Eden Roc Cap Cana; Photographer: Shauna and Jordon; Videographer: Live Storytellers; Content Creator: The One Content Studio; Planner: Fawn Events; Florist: Petal Productions; Officiant: Greg Hendricks; Hair: Beauty by Jen S; Makeup: Yanet Contreras; Rental Companies: Mixar, Divano, and Eventos Alquileres Del Ciabo; Catering: Eden Roc Cap Cana; Cake: Eden Roc Cap Cana; Live Music & Dj: Grupo de Camara in ART; All Signage & Welcome Bag: Studio Cynth; Groom Attire: Unique Threads; Groom Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Groom Welcome Suit: Bulgari; Groom & Groomsmen Accessories: GLD; Bride's Attire: Blanche Bridal; Bride's Shoes: Christian Dior; Groomsmen: Unique Threads; Bridesmaids: Azazie
