Crystal Hefner recently unveiled images from her picturesque wedding to her second husband, James Ward.
On Saturday, April 4, the author of Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself, aged 39, shared a series of photos capturing her wedding day in the Cook Islands on Thursday, April 2. The images highlighted Hefner’s exquisite long-sleeved “Margo” gown by designer Oksana Mukha, adorned with over 5,400 Swarovski crystals.
In an interview with People, Hefner explained her choice of the lace “Margot” gown, noting it made her feel like a “Disney princess.”
Another photograph offered a detailed view of Hefner’s dazzling diamond wedding ring, complemented by a floral crown worn during the ceremony.
The couple revealed that during the ceremony, Hefner walked down the aisle to the sounds of a local band playing the Māori love song, “Akaipoipo Taua.” Their first dance was set to Ike Dweck’s “Safe With Me.”
They chose a “simple, elegant, and ocean-inspired” theme, reflecting the breathtaking setting of the Cook Islands.
“We chose the Cook Islands because of its remoteness,” the bride shared with People. “Without big chain hotels, it feels incredibly peaceful and authentic. It’s also home to one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons. Since James and I both cherish the ocean and nature, it felt like the perfect place to begin this chapter of our lives.”
Ward expressed his joy at marrying his bride.
James Ward and Crystal Harris. Crystal Harris/ Instagram
“Crystal’s heart, especially towards me and all living creatures, is truly remarkable,” he stated. “All creatures, big and small, receive a generosity and kindness from her that I’ve never witnessed before. She’s the most classy, intelligent, and adventurous partner I could have ever hoped for. My life has improved in every way, and I feel like the luckiest man alive to spend my life with her.”
The newlyweds decided to remain in the Cook Islands for their honeymoon.
Looking ahead, Hefner hinted at their future plans, saying, “[We hope for] more travel, more adventures in nature, and continuing to build a life centered around love, animals, the ocean, and meaningful experiences together.”
“We’re excited to keep exploring the world together, spending time in nature, and building a life that reflects the things we both love,” she added.
Crystal Hefner has raised a dispute with the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation over the potential release of the late Playboy editor-in-chief’s explicit scrapbooks. At 39, she filed regulatory complaints with the attorney generals of California and Illinois, expressing concerns about the foundation’s handling of Hugh Hefner’s private documents, including scrapbooks that may contain explicit content.
Hefner had hinted at her impending nuptials on Thursday, sharing a “wedding day” video of Ward lifting her in his arms, along with a sneak peek of their beachside venue, where stones were arranged in a heart shape.
“Baby where the hell is my husband… probably waiting for me to walk down the aisle 🥹💍 Today is the day,” she captioned the post.
Us Weekly exclusively reported in March 2025 that Ward proposed to Hefner near their Hawaii home with a six-carat, vintage mine-cut diamond ring set on a slender band.
“It truly feels like a full-circle moment. James completely surprised me. He had a hidden staircase and a winding trail cleared to reveal a handcrafted deck perched above a dramatic cliffside overlooking the ocean,” Hefner told Us.
She continued, “It was the exact spot where we’d had a quiet picnic together a year ago — a place that became ‘ours.’ I had no idea he was secretly turning it into something permanent and symbolic. I thought we were just going for a walk, but when I saw the flowers, the handwritten notes, and the sea stretching endlessly in front of us, I knew something extraordinary was about to happen.”
Crystal was previously married to the late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017. (Hugh had been married twice before, to Mildred Williams from 1949 to 1959 and to Kimberley Conrad from 1989 to 2010. The Playboy magnate was a father of four children.)
