They looked happy, relaxed, and in love. On Oct. 28, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth rented WaveRunners and explored the sea around Georgia’s Tybee Island. The same day, they visited a local surf shop and picked up a skateboard and some souvenir sweatshirts and tees. The next day, the pair were seen holding hands as they strolled through nearby Savannah, where Liam’s been shooting the movie Killerman. During each outing, it was hard to miss the smiles plastered across their faces — and the glint of precious metal on their left-hand ring fingers.

the last song premiere

Miley and Liam at the LA premiere of The Last Song in March 2010.

Miley and Liam have finally tied the knot, multiple sources tell In Touch exclusively. They secretly eloped on Tybee Island. It’s a very special place for the pair, who met there eight years ago while shooting The Last Song. It’s where they shared their first kiss. And it’s where Liam, 27, has said he and Miley, 24, first fell in love. “Neither Miley nor Liam planned to get married when she booked the trip to see him, but that all changed once she arrived,” says a source. “They felt so nostalgic and spent hours reminiscing about old times. They both realized that the island was the ideal setting because it has such sentimental value to them.”

There was no fuss. “Miley enjoys leading a hippie life and never wanted to have a big Hollywood wedding, so it all worked out perfectly,” the source explains, noting that the pair, who have been engaged on and off since 2012, didn’t have time to organize a wedding party because it was all so last minute. The bride simply put on a casual long white dress before they exchanged vows on the beach. Instead of a big reception, “they celebrated their nuptials over a romantic candlelit dinner,” the source shares.

Liam always preferred to keep their romance out of the public eye. He hated the fanfare associated with dating Miley, and “that was one of the reasons they split up in 2013,” says an insider. “One of the conditions of reuniting [in late 2015] was to live their lives more privately, and Miley has done a complete turnaround on that front.” He dreams of having a marriage like the one big brother Chris Hemsworth has with Elsa Pataky. “Chris is Liam’s role model,” adds the insider. “He married his best friend, and that’s the advice he gave his little brother. Marry someone you like hanging out with.”

They’ll celebrate with loved ones soon. “Miley and Liam plan to have an intimate wedding party back in LA,” says the source. And they can’t wait to start the next chapter of their lives together. “Despite going through their ups and downs over the years, Miley and Liam realize that they can’t live without each other. They’re in a great place right now and looking forward to starting a family.”