‘Real Housewives’ Star Gretchen Rossi Explains Why She Hasn’t Gotten Married Yet

Although Real Housewives of Orange County star Gretchen Rossi popped the question to boyfriend Slade Smiley back in in April 2013, the pair still have yet to make it down the aisle.

In a new interview with PEOPLE, Rossi explained the reasoning behind the wait, sharing that the couple has decided to get married when they feel justified in spending money on the wedding they really want.

“Really, the thing that ultimately held us back from pulling the trigger is the fact that Slade and I don’t do anything really small; we kind of do things over-the-top and a little snazzy,” Rossi said. “Right now, our focus is really on trying to have a baby of our own, and our money and our stuff is going towards that and towards his son. Until we kind of get some of those things figured out, I think it doesn’t feel right to spend $200,000 on a wedding right this minute. I think that’s why we’re at that place.”

Rossi and Smiley will celebrate eight years together in February, and the Bravo star shared that she’s always dreamt of a white-dress wedding.

“That is definitely my hope and dream,” Rossi revealed. “We’re just putting our resources into other things that are a little bit more of a priority for us right now. Once we feel like it’s appropriate to spend that kind of money on the type of wedding that we would like, then we will definitely consider that.”

She added that although she and Smiley aren’t officially husband and wife, they already feel like they are.

“The truth is that Slade and I already feel married and we’re in a very committed relationship as if we were married,” the reality star explained, “and so it’s not something that we feel like we have to have a marriage certificate to qualify our love for each other.”

Rossi also shared that although she’s not sure when the big day will arrive, she knows it will be a special one.

“As [viewers] know watching us on the show, we’ve gone through hell and high water to stay together and be at where we’re at,” she said of her relationship with Smiley. “We’ve both sacrificed so much for each other and that day is going to be such a special, special day for us. I’m really looking forward to that day.”