A Serendipitous Love Story Captures Hearts

In the world of Hollywood, where relationships often flicker and fade under the glare of the spotlight, the love story of Ginny & Georgia star Brianne Howey and her husband, Matt Ziering, stands out as a beacon of enduring romance. Fans of the Netflix sensation have been captivated not only by Howey’s magnetic performance as Georgia Miller but also by the glimpses she shares of her real-life fairy tale with Ziering, a Los Angeles-based lawyer. Their journey, marked by a chance encounter, a postponed wedding, and the joy of welcoming their first child, has sparked widespread curiosity. On August 15, 2025, Howey took to Instagram to share a heartfelt anniversary post, featuring a carousel of photos from their travels and family moments, captioned, “Ten years of you and me, and it’s only getting sweeter.” The post, viewed over two million times, reignited fans’ fascination with their backstory, prompting a wave of comments like, “Tell us how you met!” and “This is the rom-com we need!”

The couple’s romance, which began over a decade ago in a Los Angeles bar, is a tale of serendipity, persistence, and love that mirrors the charm of a Hollywood script. Unlike the tumultuous relationships of Howey’s onscreen character, her real-life partnership with Ziering is grounded in mutual support and shared adventures. From their intimate 2021 wedding to their growing family, including their daughter born in June 2023, Howey and Ziering’s story is one fans are dying to know more about. This article delves into the details of their endearing romance, drawing from interviews, social media posts, and insider accounts to uncover the magic behind their love story.

A Chance Encounter in Los Angeles

The story of Brianne Howey and Matt Ziering began in 2014, in a setting as quintessentially L.A. as it gets: a bustling bar where mutual friends and fate collided. As Howey recounted in a 2021 interview with Los Angeles Magazine, the couple met not once, but three nights in a row at different bars across the city, a coincidence that felt like destiny. “We ran into each other three nights in a row at a couple bars in L.A.,” she said, laughing. Ziering, then celebrating passing his California bar exam, later admitted in a playful twist that these encounters “weren’t totally random.” During a June 2025 appearance on Jenna and Friends, Howey revealed that Ziering confessed in his wedding vows to calling mutual friends to track her down after their first meeting, determined to see her again. “He said he knew I was special from that first night,” Howey shared, her eyes sparkling. “It was like fate with a little nudge.”

At the time, Howey was a rising star, fresh off roles in Twisted (2013) and Horrible Bosses 2 (2014), while Ziering was establishing himself as a regulatory advisor after graduating from Loyola Law School. Their worlds—Hollywood and law—seemed miles apart, but their chemistry was undeniable. In a November 2014 interview with Complex, Howey hinted at her new relationship, saying, “I live with my boyfriend, and we see lots of movies. I love going to farmer’s markets; they’re my favorite thing in the world.” This early mention of Ziering, though unnamed at the time, marked the beginning of a partnership that would weather the highs and lows of fame, a global pandemic, and parenthood.

Their initial connection was rooted in shared values—family, adventure, and a love for life’s simple pleasures. Howey, born on May 24, 1989, in La Cañada Flintridge, California, grew up in a close-knit family, the eldest of five siblings raised by a single mother. Her grounded upbringing, detailed in a 2021 Byrdie interview, informed her approach to relationships. Ziering, a Los Angeles native with a passion for baseball, brought a complementary stability, evident in his private Instagram posts of Dodgers games and their dog, Bodie. Their early days were filled with cozy nights at farmer’s markets and spontaneous trips, setting the stage for a decade-long romance.

A Love Tested by Time and Circumstance

As their relationship blossomed, Howey’s career took off. Her roles in The Exorcist (2016), The Passage (2019), and Batwoman (2019–2020) showcased her versatility, but it was her starring role as Georgia Miller in Ginny & Georgia (2021–present) that catapulted her to global fame. The Netflix series, which amassed 967.2 million hours viewed for Seasons 1 and 2 by June 2023, per Wikipedia, made Howey a household name. Yet, through the whirlwind of auditions, filming schedules, and red-carpet events, Ziering remained her constant, a quiet presence who supported her without seeking the spotlight.

The couple faced their first major test in 2020, when their planned wedding was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally set for a grand celebration, the event was postponed, a disappointment Howey took in stride. “We couldn’t get married in 2020, but we did get a dog,” she told Los Angeles Magazine with a smile, introducing Bodie, their Australian shepherd mix, to the world via Instagram. The adoption, shared in a March 2020 post captioned, “Quarantine day 11… welp we have a puppy now! Meet Bodie,” became a silver lining, with the pup joining them in everything from road trips to Halloween costumes inspired by Ted Lasso and Justin Timberlake’s denim-clad AMA look.

Their resilience shone through on July 24, 2021, when they finally tied the knot in an intimate backyard garden ceremony in Palos Verdes, California. With just over 100 guests, the wedding was a celebration of love and perseverance. Howey, radiant in an A La Robe gown from Loho Bride, walked down the aisle to Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day,” while the reception featured catering from Jon & Vinny’s and a Spice Girls dance party. “It was the most beautiful feeling to be surrounded by so many people we love,” Howey told People. “The night was more magical than I could have ever imagined.” Ziering’s vows, where he admitted to orchestrating their “chance” meetings, drew laughter and tears, cementing their story as one of fate and effort intertwined.

Building a Family: A New Chapter

The couple’s love story reached a new milestone in March 2023, when Howey announced her pregnancy at a Hugo Boss fashion show, showcasing her baby bump in a body-hugging dress. “@boss show with my forever new +1,” she posted on Instagram, sparking excitement from fans and co-stars like Ginny & Georgia’s Antonia Gentry. On June 18, 2023, Howey and Ziering welcomed their daughter, whose name they’ve kept private. “My whole world just got a whole lot sweeter. And smaller. Welcome my little love 💛,” Howey wrote, sharing a tender hospital photo. The birth, coming after a decade together, marked a triumphant moment, with Howey later reflecting on how motherhood deepened her connection to her Ginny & Georgia role. “I thought Georgia’s obsession with Ginny was over-the-top,” she told People in 2025. “Now, as a mom, I get it—my heart’s bigger than ever.”

Parenthood has only strengthened their bond. Howey’s Instagram is a treasure trove of family moments, from their May 2025 Hawaii vacation, where they frolicked on beaches with their daughter, to cozy home scenes with Bodie. Ziering, though private on social media, is often tagged in Howey’s posts, highlighting his role as a devoted father and husband. Their shared love for travel—documented in trips to India, Mexico, Australia, and Niagara Falls—reflects a partnership built on adventure and joy. “Yes, [Matt] sang ‘Don’t Go Chasin’ Waterfalls’ the whole time,” Howey captioned a Niagara Falls photo, showcasing their playful dynamic.

The Public’s Fascination: Why Fans Are Obsessed

Fans’ curiosity about Howey and Ziering’s backstory stems from their authenticity in an industry often marked by fleeting romances. Unlike Georgia Miller’s chaotic love life in Ginny & Georgia, Howey’s real-life relationship is a model of stability, resonating with viewers who see her as relatable. Social media platforms like X buzz with admiration, with posts like, “Brianne and Matt are couple goals! Their story is straight out of a rom-com,” and “Three nights in a row? That’s fate!” The couple’s decision to keep their daughter’s name private while sharing glimpses of their life strikes a balance that fans respect, fueling interest in their journey.

Howey’s openness about her personal life, from her childhood with a single mother to her career struggles, adds depth to her public persona. In a 2025 People interview, she discussed drawing inspiration from her mother for Georgia Miller, saying, “My mom had me at 21, so I know that fierce, survivalist love.” This vulnerability, paired with Ziering’s low-key support, makes their story compelling. Hello! Magazine called them “a refreshingly normal couple in Hollywood,” noting their farmer’s market outings and Dodgers game dates as relatable touchstones.

The Impact of Ginny & Georgia and Beyond

Howey’s rise to fame with Ginny & Georgia has amplified interest in her personal life. The series, renewed for a third season released on June 5, 2025, and a fourth to come, has been a Netflix juggernaut, with 967.2 million hours viewed for Seasons 1 and 2, per Wikipedia. Her role as Georgia, a cunning yet loving mother, showcases her range, earning praise from The Hollywood Reporter for “stealing every scene.” Off-screen, her chemistry with Ziering mirrors Georgia’s passion, but without the drama, making their story a counterpoint to her character’s chaos.

Ziering, a regulatory advisor since passing the bar in 2017, per Elle, complements Howey’s spotlight with his grounded presence. His love for baseball, evident in retweets about the St. Louis Cardinals and L.A. Dodgers, adds a quirky charm, with Howey often sharing photos of them at games. Their shared hobbies—travel, food, and family—paint a picture of a couple who thrive on connection, not fame.

A Love Story for the Ages

As Sullivan’s Crossing and other Netflix dramas vie for streaming records, Howey and Ziering’s real-life romance steals the show. Their story, from a serendipitous bar meeting to a decade of love, marriage, and parenthood, is a testament to resilience and devotion. Fans, eager for more, continue to scour Howey’s Instagram for updates, with comments like, “Your love story needs a movie!” and “Matt’s vow confession is the cutest thing ever.” As Howey prepares for Ginny & Georgia Season 4 and her 2025 film Kinda Pregnant, where she drew on her real-life birth story, per People, her partnership with Ziering remains her greatest role.

Available to stream on Netflix, Ginny & Georgia offers a glimpse into Howey’s talent, but it’s her off-screen life that truly captivates. Whether they’re dancing to the Spice Girls or raising their daughter, Brianne Howey and Matt Ziering are proof that love, when nurtured, can be as enduring as any Hollywood hit. Their backstory, unveiled through interviews and heartfelt posts, is one fans will cherish—a romance that’s truly the whole truth.