Reba McEntire shares why her wedding to Rex Linn will be completely different

Country legend Reba McEntire is planning a nontraditional wedding with her fiancé, actor Rex Linn, emphasizing fun, comfort, food, and friends over formality.

The couple, who got engaged in 2024, are in no rush to set a date, preferring to enjoy their engagement phase. This will be Reba’s third marriage and the first for Rex, and it’s already clear that their approach is a complete departure from her past, high-profile ceremonies. They’ve promised a low-key, celebratory atmosphere that reflects their dorky and comfortable love story.

Reba and Rex are currently having a blast making the most of their engagement period. They’re thrilled to share this special time while co-starring on their new sitcom, Happy’s Place.

Here’s what you need to know about the unconventional plans for their big day.

Why a ‘Nontraditional’ Wedding is the Only Way for Reba and Rex

The country queen and her actor fiancé are deliberately avoiding the stiff, formal wedding expectations that often accompany a high-profile celebrity event.

Reba has been very open that her goal for the wedding day is simply to have fun, calling their shared motto as a couple “have fun.” She feels this approach perfectly encapsulates their relationship.

“A Reba-Rex wedding is going to be very different,” the singer shared recently on the 3rd Hour of Today. The overall vibe they are aiming for is “low-key,” focusing on a comfortable gathering for loved ones. Reba’s previous marriages to Charlie Battles and Narvel Blackstock included elements of traditional formality and structure, making this upcoming celebration a clear shift in perspective.

The couple’s relaxed attitude is a reflection of how naturally their relationship blossomed. After decades of friendship, they reconnected in 2020 and grew closer during the pandemic through “Coffee Camp,” their daily check-in calls. This comfortable, easygoing dynamic is what they want to carry into their wedding day.

The Long-Kept Secret of Their Engagement

Despite confirming their engagement publicly at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2025, the actual proposal happened nearly a year prior on Christmas Eve in 2024.

Rex, who lovingly calls Reba his “Sugar Tot,” had a beautiful, private moment planned on their Tennessee ranch. He proposed on bended knee by their favorite creek.

Reba recalled the endearing exchange where Rex asked, “Would you marry me? I want to cross the finish line with you.” The proposal was sweet and authentic, exactly like their relationship. Rex presented her with a striking rose-gold engagement ring set with black diamonds, which Reba gushed, “sparkles all the time.”

The couple chose to keep the joyful news private for nine months. They delayed the announcement out of respect for the devastating California wildfires that were occurring around the time they had originally planned to share the news publicly. They felt there was “not room for our joy in the devastating situation” everyone else was facing.

Friends, Food, and Comfort: The Big Three for the Big Day

When Reba describes her vision for the wedding, she lists three primary components: friends, food, and comfort.

This simple, yet meaningful, list shows that the priority is on creating a memorable experience rather than an extravagant production. It won’t be a high-stakes, stressful event.

“It’s gonna be low-key, lots of fun, lots of people, lots of food,” Reba explained. It’s a clear indication that guests should expect a relaxed atmosphere, potentially more like a giant, comfortable party than a formal, sit-down affair. The emphasis on “lots of people” suggests they plan to celebrate with a large circle of friends and family.

Reba, now 70 years old and having been through two divorces, admitted that a marriage certificate wasn’t necessarily important to her, stating she didn’t “have much faith in being bound by a piece of paper or a ring.” She is truly committed to Rex, but agreed to the ceremony because Rex, who has never been married, wanted the experience.

She has sweetly embraced the prospect, feeling “happier now than I’ve ever been in my life,” and joking that “God saved the best for last.”

Working and Living Together: The Sweetest Part of Their Story

Reba and Rex’s on-screen chemistry on their new NBC sitcom, Happy’s Place, is effortless because they are playing a couple, and their real-life connection makes the acting easy.

Reba shared that portraying a love interest for her real-life fiancé is simple, saying, “It doesn’t take much acting at all.” The two are frequently praising how much they love working together.

Rex is a noted “workaholic,” which Reba says she appreciates because he keeps her on her toes with her lines, especially since she’s “not so much on the rehearsal part.” They’re grateful they get to “work together, work together, and then go home together,” making their professional and personal lives perfectly intertwined. Their relationship has truly “enhanced their scenes,” making their on-screen romance even more authentic for fans.

They are content with just enjoying the engagement for now. Given Reba’s packed schedule, which includes filming, music, and her role as a coach on The Voice, setting a specific date is a challenge. Rex noted that his fiancée has limited free days in the coming year, so they’re not rushing to the altar but instead soaking up every joyful moment of being engaged. Their love story provides hope for many fans.

TL;DR

• Reba McEntire and Rex Linn are planning a “nontraditional” and “low-key” wedding.
• The focus will be on “comfort, friends, and food”, more of a fun celebration than a stiff formality.
• The engagement, confirmed at the 2025 Emmys, actually took place on Christmas Eve 2024 on their Tennessee ranch.
• They delayed the announcement due to respect for the California wildfires.
• Reba agreed to the wedding primarily because it’s Rex Linn’s first marriage; she is “truly committed” to him regardless of a paper certificate.
• The couple is currently enjoying their engagement and is in no rush to set a date due to Reba’s busy schedule.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.