Dax Shepard Initially Opposed Marriage to Kristen Bell Due to Beliefs

Dax Shepard initially resisted marrying Kristen Bell, not believing in the institution of marriage itself. He shared this detail on his "Armchair Expert" podcast during a conversation with Bell.

Bell recalled Shepard explaining his stance, stating, "A piece of paper filed at a courthouse somewhere in California is not going to dictate how I treat you...So I’m going to treat you well and act like your partner for the rest of your life, but it has nothing to do with that piece of paper."

Shepard elaborated on his perspective, describing it as an "anarchist point of view" where he didn't want to need state permission to be together or to separate. He also noted that his view was influenced by both coming from divorced families.

Despite his initial reservations, Shepard proposed to Bell after a Christmas Eve gathering with his family. He recounted the moment, stating, "We were in bed that night, and you were kind of expressing gratitude for this little family we were making." He decided to propose spontaneously rather than wait for a planned dinner proposal.

Bell became emotional as Shepard retrieved the engagement ring, anticipating the proposal. "She’s already crying by the time I got back to the bed," Shepard said. Bell described sobbing uncontrollably upon hearing his proposal, as it was an unexpected turn of events for her.

The couple began dating in 2007 and announced their engagement in 2010. They welcomed their first daughter, Lincoln, in March 2013, and married later that year. Their second daughter, Delta, was born in December 2014.

Shepard and Bell have openly discussed their relationship, including their decision to forgo a prenup and their experiences with couples therapy since they began dating.