Rachel Virginia Scott, ABC News’s seasoned senior political correspondent, is no stranger to sudden schedule changes. When a major news story breaks, she’s always prepared to go live, demonstrating incredible adaptability and professionalism.
“My job demands that I’m always ready to cover a breaking story,” she explains, a truth her now-husband, Elliott Smith, learned early in their relationship.
During one of their initial dates in September 2019, a lunch outing at National Harbor in Maryland was suddenly interrupted by a news call for Ms. Scott. What followed was an adventurous quest to find a quiet spot for her to record an audio piece. They traversed the boardwalk, explored hotel closets, and even commandeered an empty conference room table at a convention center. Ultimately, an Uber became her makeshift recording studio, complete with her ever-present microphone.
“That moment revealed Elliott’s incredible partnership,” Ms. Scott recalls fondly. “He simply embraced the challenge, saying, ‘Okay, this is our new game plan.’ He was genuinely committed to helping me pursue my passion for reporting.”
At 32, Ms. Scott is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, a prominent face reporting on President Trump, his administration, and Capitol Hill for ABC News programs like “Good Morning America.” After earning her journalism degree from the University of Southern California in 2015, she started at ABC in New York as a production associate, always holding onto her dream of becoming a political reporter and correspondent.
Her ambition was realized in January 2019 when she moved to Washington for what she described as the “opportunity of a lifetime” – a production role covering the White House and Mr. Trump’s initial re-election campaign.
Just a few months after her move, in May 2019, Ms. Scott, despite a demanding 5:30 a.m. call time for “Good Morning America,” decided to attend a friend’s going-away party. At Right Proper Brewing Company in Washington’s Shaw neighborhood, the non-beer-drinker sought wine at the bar. There, she encountered Mr. Smith, 30, and his best friend, Jose Sotelo, who frequented the spot for its friendly bartender and occasional complimentary drinks.
When Ms. Scott inquired about wine, Mr. Smith, overhearing, confidently declared, “You’re at a brewery. There’s no wine in here.” Ms. Scott remembers thinking, “’Okay, who is this guy telling me what this bar has? Uh, excuse me, sir?’”
To Mr. Smith’s surprise, the brewery did indeed offer wine. After ordering a glass, Ms. Scott returned for a refill, sparking their first genuine conversation. “I just remember seeing his smile and feeling utterly compelled to keep talking,” she recounts. They delved into his globe-trotting experiences in Mozambique, Eswatini, and Mexico, contrasting them with her upbringing in suburban Diamond Bar, California. “He had such a vast knowledge of the world and diverse cultures; I was completely mesmerized,” Ms. Scott shared. His best man, Jose Sotelo, played the perfect wingman, “lobbing up alley oops” by highlighting impressive facts about Mr. Smith, including his fluency in Spanish.
Mr. Sotelo, acutely aware of their burgeoning chemistry, tactfully engaged another patron, noting, “I could feel the sparks.” Years later, he proudly served as the couple’s best man.
The Washington native, Mr. Smith, secured Ms. Scott’s number by offering to be her city guide. The following morning, he checked in on her White House arrival, a thoughtful gesture after her late night and a coffee spill that day. Two weeks later, their first date at Barcelona Wine Bar saw a jittery Mr. Smith arrive early for the perfect outdoor table, while Ms. Scott was delayed by breaking news concerning the Mueller report.
Over the next few months, Mr. Smith introduced her to the city’s charms: jazz in the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden, strolls along the Wharf boardwalk, and deep conversations by the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Their shared explorations of Washington’s landmarks and history deepened their connection. “Experiencing different parts of the city together felt truly special,” Ms. Scott reflected.
Yet, Ms. Scott playfully recalls, “Elliott waited five dates to kiss me, leaving me completely in suspense about his feelings.” Mr. Smith, still playfully defending himself, explains he wanted to ensure she felt comfortable, not wanting to appear “too upfront.” (He, however, remembers it as closer to their third or fourth date.)
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That summer brought frequent travels for both. Mr. Smith, then an executive assistant at Repairers of the Breach, was dedicated to building the Poor People’s Campaign, while Ms. Scott was immersed in covering the 2020 presidential election. Despite the distance, they nurtured their connection through postcards, sharing updates and expressing their eagerness to reunite.
Once their relationship blossomed, so did Ms. Scott’s career. She rapidly increased her on-air appearances, culminating in her appointment as a White House correspondent in July 2020. “When Elliott and I first met, I was hardly ever on TV,” Ms. Scott muses. “Now we often laugh about how far my career has come. He’ll say, ‘Who would’ve thought that girl I met at the bar would become a television journalist?’”
Her demanding career, covering major events like the attempted assassination of Mr. Trump, anchoring coverage of former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s withdrawal from his re-election campaign, and conducting a heated interview with Mr. Trump at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, has made navigating her schedule even more complex.
Given the intensity of her professional life, it’s no surprise that their cherished moments are the simple, everyday activities: a trip to the farmer’s market, a shared workout class, or an evening at their favorite local wine bar. “For me, that was a huge sign of how deeply I was falling in love,” Ms. Scott reveals. “It didn’t matter what we did; everything felt special.”
Ms. Scott has been an equally strong advocate for Mr. Smith, who successfully transitioned careers to become a program administrator for student engagement at Yale Divinity School’s Center for Public Theology & Public Policy. Holding degrees in political science from Radford University and public administration from American University, he now balances his time between New Haven, Conn., and their shared home in Washington’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Their journey culminated in the summer of 2023 with Mr. Smith receiving her father’s blessing during a family trip to Italy, followed by a romantic proposal in December 2023 at the Waldorf Astoria in Dana Point, Calif., against the backdrop of a picturesque gazebo overlooking the water.
On September 6, surrounded by 182 guests at the enchanting Bella Vista Estate in Santa Barbara, Calif., Rachel and Elliott exchanged vows. The ceremony was officiated by Hayley Gallian, one of Ms. Scott’s closest friends, specially ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Mr. Smith made his entrance to the soulful sounds of a violinist playing “Candy Rain” by Soul for Real, adding a touch of his signature “groove and shimmy” to the moment. Ms. Scott, escorted by her father, walked down the aisle to Selena’s “Dreaming of You.”
“I was absolutely shaking,” Ms. Scott confessed, despite her extensive public speaking experience. “Stepping into this new chapter felt incredibly nerve-wracking.” To soothe her, her father recited childhood riddles, a comforting tradition from their past.
In a moment of pure emotional immersion, Ms. Scott recounted, “We were so captivated by each other during the ceremony that we genuinely forgot to say ‘I do.’”
The ring exchange featured a touching moment as their mothers presented the rings. Breaking tradition, Ms. Scott forewent a bouquet toss, instead giving her bouquet to her mother as a heartfelt gesture of appreciation.
A highlight of the reception was a surprise for Ms. Scott’s grandfather, the renowned oldies singer Gene Chandler, famous for “Duke of Earl.” The brass band performed some of his classic hits, completely surprising the 80-year-old. “He got up and danced with me and my mom; it was such a sentimental moment,” Ms. Scott shared.
“It truly was the best night of our lives,” Ms. Scott concluded with joy.
On This Day
When: September 6, 2025
Where: Bella Vista Estate, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Her Father’s Choice: During a dress fitting, Ms. Scott’s father chose a gown for her that was outside her usual style. The hand-painted floral dress stunned her best friends and mother, proving her dad’s impeccable taste once again. “My dad typically knows best,” Ms. Scott affirmed. “He was right once again.”
Blanket Wrapping Ceremony: Eschewing a traditional first look, the couple honored Mr. Smith’s Ramapough Lenape heritage with a Native American blanket-wrapping ceremony. Led by his uncle, Steven Smith, who spoke in the native Munsee language, the ceremony symbolized their unity: “For so long all of your lives, you each have had two blankets, but now you are under one blanket,” Ms. Scott recounted. His mother presented Ms. Scott with cultural mementos, including a 5-pointed star charm for her bouquet, destined to be passed down through generations.
A Sentimental Gift: On their wedding morning, Mr. Smith surprised Rachel with a large bouquet and a cherished scrapbook. It contained all the postcards they had exchanged over the years, culminating with two new ones for their next chapter: one from New Haven, where he recently moved to for his Yale position, and another from Santa Barbara, their wedding locale. “He wrote sweet messages on the back as we begin our new chapter,” Ms. Scott shared.