Chris Harrison Sparks Marriage Rumors With New Photo

Bachelor Nation fans are buzzing with excitement after Chris Harrison shared a photo on April 27 that looks like it could be from his own wedding. In the snapshot, which he posted to Instagram, Harrison dons a suit and kisses his longtime girlfriend Lauren Zima who appears to be in a white gown. In the caption, he wrote, "'I'd stop the world and melt with you' @laurenzima there's no one I'd rather celebrate love with and I'll be your plus one anytime."

This marks Harrison's second post on Instagram since he officially took some time away from the Bachelor franchise after he came under fire for defending Season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell's past racist actions. The only photo he posted following the drama was to support former Bachelor Colton Underwood's coming out announcement in mid-April.

Fans, friends, and Bachelor Nation alumni immediately flooded Harrison's comment session with well wishes for his supposed marriage. Former Bachelor Nick Viall was shocked by the photo and wrote, "CONGRATS!?!" with a red heart. Underwood simply left three red hearts under the picture. News personality Ashley Brewer commented, "CHRISTOPHER!!!!! This is beautiful.

While many of the comments left under Harrison's head-turning photo were congratulatory of his supposed nuptials, not everyone was convinced that he actually got married. Luckily for fans, Zima quickly responded to the speculation so they could get the full story. 

Lauren Zima had something huge to say about the marriage speculation

Former Bachelorette contestant and ex to Kaitlyn Bristowe Jason Tartick commented under Chris Harrison's sweet photo and said after going "full CSI mode," he determined that he has "no conclusion other than this is a beautiful picture." It turns out that he was right.

Lauren Zima commented under the photo as well, and cleared the air about the marriage speculation. "I love you so much and appreciate all the 'congrats'! This *bridesmaids dress is really living above its potential," she wrote with an array of emojis.

It turns out the excitement wasn't for what people expected, but that does not mean there are no wedding bells in Harrison's future. The couple have been together since 2018 and often show their appreciation for each other on social media. While Matt James' season of The Bachelor was airing, for example, Zima shared a photo with the benched host of Bachelor Nation and said, "Missing you so much. Longing for cozy dinners and easy laughter and a nice glass of red wine by a fire pit. So grateful that I'm with someone so wonderful to miss."

In a March 2020 interview with Access, Harrison, who has been married once before, said he is "not against" marriage and admitted to being in love. Furthermore, he told Insider in October 2020 that the coronavirus pandemic made his relationship with Zima stronger than ever.  

Maybe the next wedding they attend together will be their own. Only time will tell!