Freddie and Sarah: A Love Story Through a Fan’s Eyes

I’ve totally adored both Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar ever since I first saw them in "I Know What You Did Last Summer" back in 1997. That movie was a thriller, all screams and suspense, but even with the chaos, they looked adorable on screen. They weren’t paired up romantically in the film, which was a bummer at the time, but little did I know what was coming. When they started dating a couple of years later, I turned into their biggest fan—basically a groupie minus the backstage pass. Then came their wedding in 2002, and I was over the moon for them. As the ultimate fan, I’m here to spill all the details about their love story and those gorgeous wedding pics. I just love them so much!

It all started on the set of that movie. Freddie and Sarah met while filming "I Know What You Did Last Summer," a teen horror hit that had everyone talking. He played Ray, the sweet guy with the truck, and she was Helen, the beauty queen with a scream that could wake the dead. They weren’t a couple in the story—Ray ended up with Julie, played by Jennifer Love Hewitt—but off screen, something clicked. Not right away, though. Both were seeing other people back then, so it took a couple of years for the sparks to fly. I remember watching that movie over and over, totally unaware that these two were about to become one of Hollywood’s cutest pairs.

Fast forward to 1999, and things started heating up. Freddie had been in a long relationship with actress Kimberly McCullough from "General Hospital," which he thought might lead to marriage. He’s always been a relationship guy, not into the wild Hollywood bachelor scene. But then Sarah came along, and everything changed. In an interview with Dolly Magazine, he said, “Sarah is my destiny. I care about her so much. We became friends when we made ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer,’ and remained friends. And now she’s my very best friend.” Hearing that made my heart melt—I mean, how sweet is it that they started as pals?

Freddie’s had a rough road before Sarah. He opened up in that same interview about his childhood, which wasn’t easy. His dad, Freddie Prinze, a comedian and actor, took his own life when Freddie was just 10 months old. Growing up, he felt the weight of that loss. “I had a happy, normal childhood until one day I realized I didn’t have a regular family,” he said. It hit him hard, and his love life wasn’t much smoother early on. “I’ve kissed more girls in movies than I ever did in real life. I didn’t have a girlfriend until I was seventeen,” he admitted. That first relationship didn’t last, but it showed he’s always been a romantic at heart, even if it took time to find the right person.

Then there’s this amazing story he told about a turning point five years before the interview—so around 1996 or 1997, right around when he met Sarah. He was struggling, doubting his choice to follow his dad into Hollywood. Work was slow, and depression crept in. “My greatest fear was ending up like my father,” he said. But one day, sitting in his car, something shifted. “I suddenly started crying—big, heavy, aching sobs. It was terrifying. I felt this huge weight that was just crushing me. I looked into the rear vision and saw my own eyes and suddenly everything was cool. I knew I wasn’t going to end up like my dad. It was as if God said, ‘You don’t need to worry anymore.’” From then on, things started falling into place—movies like "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday" and "The House of Yes," and of course, meeting Sarah.

By 2001, Freddie and Sarah were a solid couple, and I was living for every update. He proposed to her in April that year—she was 24, he was 25—and I couldn’t wait to hear more. In the Dolly interview, he said, “After years of feeling like an outsider, I finally have a woman I love, and people I can trust. I am the luckiest man in the world to have met Sarah.” That line gets me every time. He was so open about how much she meant to him, and it wasn’t just talk—they were planning a future together. “Now the only thing I want out of life is to be a father!” he added. “I’ll be the best father you’ll ever see in your life. And Sarah will be a fantastic mother too.” As a fan, I could already picture them with a little family.

The wedding happened on September 1, 2002, and it was everything I’d hoped for. They kept it super private—Freddie wasn’t kidding when he told Dolly, “Sarah and I want our wedding to be a private affair—the most important day of our lives. I would never in a million years tell you the date. We are engaged. We will be married. You’ll know it after it happens!” True to his word, details only trickled out later, and I devoured every bit. They tied the knot at El Careyes Resort in Mexico, a gorgeous spot with ocean views and lush vibes. It was an evening ceremony, outdoors under the stars, with about 60 guests—small, intimate, perfect for them.

Sarah wore a Vera Wang gown, and I’ve seen the pics—it was stunning. Simple but elegant, with a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt, it screamed classic Hollywood. Freddie looked sharp in a custom suit, no tie, keeping it relaxed but stylish. The setting was all white flowers and candles, giving it this dreamy glow. They wrote their own vows, which I bet were heartfelt knowing how Freddie talks about her. The reception had a Mexican flair—tacos, margaritas, a live band—and they danced the night away. I wasn’t there, obviously, but as a fan, I felt like I was celebrating with them every time I saw those photos.

Their love story is full of cute details that kept me hooked. They bonded over shared interests—martial arts, tap dancing, even goofy stuff like playing pranks. Freddie said in the interview, “I think Sarah is going to be the biggest movie star in the world. She is amazing, and talented and other people will tell you the same thing. I love her.” He wasn’t wrong—she’d already killed it as Buffy on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and he was proud as could be. Meanwhile, he was riding high after films like "She’s All That" and "Summer Catch," where he banked $2 million and famously refused to bare it all on screen. “Nobody is going to see my butt besides Sarah,” he bragged, and I loved that he kept it just for her.

By 2013, when I’m writing this, Freddie and Sarah had been married for over a decade, and my fandom was stronger than ever. They’d welcomed two kids—Charlotte in 2009 and Rocky in 2012—and settled into a $3 million five-bedroom home in the Hollywood Hills. That house was their base, a place they’d filled with love and plans for more. Freddie’s romantic side never faded—he told Dolly, “With me and Sarah, every day is like Valentine’s Day. I’ve always felt that Valentine’s Day is kind of a crock coz, in my opinion, I believe a man should make his girl special every day of the year. I’m a big believer in surprises. You’ve got to be romantic all of the time.” I mean, come on—how does Sarah not swoon daily?

He’s always been big on keeping things real, too. Growing up with his dad’s tragedy shaped him—he doesn’t touch drugs, barely drinks, and lives clean. “Drugs are the sucker’s way, and I’m not a sucker,” he said. “I don’t smoke, do drugs and hardly even drink, but there’s still a fear—what if it’s genetic? So I don’t do drugs but I’m high every day. I’m playing cowboys and Indians and getting paid to do it.” That fear of ending up like his father stuck with him, but he turned it into a strength. “In a way, my dad taught me the greatest lesson in life and that’s to make sure the people around you feel loved,” he said. “So I owe him one.” Hearing that as a fan made me admire him even more.

Their wedding pics are still some of my favorites. There’s one where Sarah’s laughing, her dress catching the light, and Freddie’s looking at her like she’s the only person in the world. Another shows them cutting the cake—chocolate, because of course they’d pick something fun—and you can see the joy on their faces. The Mexico backdrop, with palm trees and the ocean, made it look like a movie set, but it was all real. I’ve got a folder of those images saved, and every time I flip through, I get that same rush of excitement I felt when I first heard they’d tied the knot.

By 2013, they’d built this solid life together, and I couldn’t get enough of it. Freddie’s career had shifted—he was doing voice work, like "Star Wars Rebels," and stepping back from the spotlight a bit—but Sarah was still shining, balancing acting and family. They’d kept their private vibe, rarely spilling details, which only made me more obsessed. I’d scour magazines and websites for updates, piecing together their story like a detective. The fact that they’d gone from co stars to soulmates, weathering Hollywood’s craziness, was inspiring. They weren’t just a couple—they were a team, and I was rooting for them every step of the way.

Freddie’s faith played a big role too. He told Dolly, “I feel the need to thank God for everything. I don’t want to mess up like my father did.” His routine of praying in the shower—hands and knees, every day—cracked me up but also showed how serious he was about staying grounded. “I get in the shower every single day, get on my hands and knees and pray,” he said, laughing. “Honestly, I’m the happiest guy on Earth.” That happiness radiated through everything—his love for Sarah, their kids, their life. As a fan, it made me happy too, knowing they’d found their groove.

Their love wasn’t flashy—it was steady. Freddie called her “Pie,” a nickname that’s too cute for words, and she kept him in line, like with that "Summer Catch" scene. They’d built something real, away from the tabloid mess. I’d imagine them in that Hollywood Hills house, chasing after Charlotte and Rocky, laughing over dinner. It’s the kind of life I dreamed they’d have back when I saw them in that first movie, and by 2013, they were living it. Their wedding might’ve been 11 years ago, but it still felt fresh—those pics, that love, that vibe.

So here I am, October 1, 2013, still gushing about Freddie and Sarah. From "I Know What You Did Last Summer" to their Mexico “I do’s,” they’ve been my Hollywood obsession. I love how they started as co workers, grew into best friends, and ended up engaged in under four years from dating. The wedding was the peak—private, perfect, pure them. I’ve got no insider scoop, just a fan’s heart and a stack of clippings, but sharing this feels like celebrating them all over again. Freddie said it best: “It’s so great to find something and someone that you can completely embrace and love.” I couldn’t agree more—they’re the real deal, and I’ll always be their biggest cheerleader.

Here's wishing the lovely couple always a happy life :)