Congratulations are in order for Crystal Harris and her now-husband, James Ward. <\/p>\n
The former Playboy model, 39 \u2014 who was previously married to Hugh Hefner for five years<\/a> until his 2017 death \u2014 eloped with Ward, 42, on Thursday in a romantic island ceremony held on Aitutaki, one of the Cook Islands. <\/p>\n \u201cWe chose the Cook Islands because of how remote it is,\u201d Harris told People Magazine<\/a> in an interview posted on Saturday. <\/p>\n Crystal Harris and James Ward, both pictured above, tied the knot on April 2 after two years of dating. Instagram\/Crystal Harris<\/p>\n The couple married in a romantic island ceremony on Aitutaki, one of the Cook Islands. Instagram\/Crystal Harris<\/p>\n \u201cThere are no big chain hotels, which makes it feel incredibly peaceful and authentic. It\u2019s also home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. Since James and I both love the ocean and nature it felt like the perfect place for us to start this chapter of our lives,\u201d she continued. <\/p>\n The couple worked with wedding coordinator Sandi Brown, who helped them plan their \u201creally peaceful\u201d ceremony that was \u201csimple, elegant, and ocean-inspired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause the wedding is small, it allowed us to focus on the meaningful details rather than managing a large event,\u201d Harris added. <\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t want a huge production. We wanted something quiet and personal where we could really be present with each other and the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t want a huge production. We wanted something quiet and personal,\u201d Harris, pictured above with Ward, said of the ceremony. Instagram\/Crystal Harris<\/p>\n She wore a white fitted long-sleeved lace dress decorated with over 5,400 Swarovski crystals for the ceremony. Instagram\/Crystal Harris<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tWant more celebrity and pop culture news?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with Page Six Daily.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The model walked down the aisle in the \u201cMargo\u201d gown by Oksana Mukha. The white fitted long-sleeved lace dress featured over 5,400 Swarovski crystals.<\/p>\n \u201cThey had sent me a message and when I saw the dress I instantly fell in love with it,\u201d Harris told the outlet. \u201cIt reminded me of a Disney princess dress \u2014 romantic, timeless, and very feminine.\u201d<\/p>\n Ward couldn\u2019t help but gush over his new bride as he told the outlet all of the things he loved about Harris. <\/p>\n \u201cCrystal\u2019s heart, specifically for me and all non-human living things, is a thing to behold. All creatures, great and small are bestowed a generosity and kindness, the likes of which I\u2019ve never seen. She\u2019s the classiest, brainiest, most adventure-seeking partner I could have ever hoped to find. My life is now better in every way, and I feel like the luckiest guy alive that I get to spend my life with her,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n \u201cThey had sent me a message and when I saw the dress I instantly fell in love with it,\u201d Harris said of the gown. Instagram\/Crystal Harris<\/p>\n Ward raved over his new bride saying he fell in love with her \u201cheart.\u201d Instagram\/Crystal Harris<\/p>\n