'Dancing with the Stars' third-season alum Sara Evans ties the knot

Sara Evans is presumably hoping her second time down the aisle has a happier ending than her first.


The Dancing with the Stars third-season celebrity participant tied the knot with former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker on Saturday evening in an outdoor ceremony near Evans' home at a Franklin, TN farm.

"It was hard for me to believe he was real and that he loves me the way he loves me," Evans told People. "I thank God many times a day for bringing me Jay."

Evans was walked down the aisle by her 8-year-old son Avery while her two daughters -- 5-year-old Olivia and 3-year-old Audrey -- preceded them, People reported, adding her children then watched the ceremony while seated with Barker's four children from his previous marriage.

Christian minister Joe Beam -- who introduced the couple last fall -- performed the ceremony, which included approximately 145 guests.


"It was really very elegant, but Sara wanted it to feel like you were at her house," friend and wedding planner Traci Phillips told People.

Evans and Barker -- who hosts The Opening Drive on WJOX, a Birmingham, AL radio station -- began dating before last Thanksgiving, less than two months after her divorce from Craig Schelske was finally finalized.

Both Evans and Barker reportedly turned to Beam for support after their respective divorces before getting engaged in March.

"He was our own personal matchmaker," Evans told People about Beam. "I think God told Joe to get us together."

Evans competed in Dancing with the Stars' Fall 2006 third season with professional partner Tony Dovolani before she unexpectedly decided to quit only hours after she filed for divorce from Schelske, her husband of 13 years. 


While she alleged Schelske was having an affair with their nanny and using pornography and he subsequently requested Evans admit to alleged affairs with nearly a dozen people, including Dovolani -- the divorce settlement included an agreement that the couple drop the pending allegations against one another.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio