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Mel B’s traditional white wedding and £28k glitzy bash will be a far cry from first two nuptials which saw her don a showgirl headdress for Jimmy Gulzar ‘do before marrying Stephen Belafonte in $60 secret Vegas ceremony

BBG News

On Saturday, Mel B is planning to get married for the third time, as she walks towards matrimony with her fiancé, Rory McPhee, in St Paul’s Cathedral.

50-year-old Spice Girl is set to marry her hairstylist sweetheart, 37, in a reported traditional church ceremony at the cathedral, with a grand £28,000 reception taking place at The Shard following the nuptials.

It seems that Mel is planning to switch from her iconic leopard-print outfit to a traditional white wedding dress, as she expressed a desire to appear “grand” and “proper” on her special occasion.

Mel’s upcoming wedding will be quite different compared to her previous two weddings. Her initial wedding was an extravagant event where she chose a striking outfit, and her second one was a more casual, impromptu ceremony in Las Vegas.

At her initial wedding to Dutch backup dancer Jimmy Gulzar in September 1998, Mel opted for an unexpected style inspired by a Las Vegas showgirl, wearing a feathered headdress along with a white and golden dress instead of the traditional flowing white gown.

Simultaneously, the man who had asked for her hand after a captivating seven-week courtship mirrored her stunning appearance in a gleaming gold suit and white cowboy hat.

At Mel’s event, her band members Mel C, Emma, and Victoria showed up, but Geri, who had departed from the group this year, was not there. Interestingly, every guest wore white attire.

The wedding ceremony lasting about 40 minutes was held at St. John the Baptist church in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire, which is near Mel’s old 16th Century Manor House. Many well-wishers lined the streets hoping to catch a peek of the wedding procession.

Nevertheless, attendees felt let down when they saw dark vehicles pull up and a lengthy, white veil of a tunnel extending from Mel’s garden adjacent to the 12th-century church all the way to the church entrance, creating an enigma around the proceedings.

Mel’s representative, Alan Edwards, stated prior to the event: “It will be a simple, intimate gathering with family and acquaintances” as reported by BBC News.

In Mel’s backyard, a spacious, two-level marquee measuring 120 feet by 40 feet was reportedly set up for the occasion. For the feast, guests were served Mel’s preferred dishes: jerk chicken and red snapper.

It is said that the singer was too busy for a bachelorette party, as the Spice Girls were performing at Don Valley outdoor stadium in Sheffield the day prior to the wedding, which fell during their successful Europe and North America concert tour.

At the time of their wedding, the singer was already three months along with their daughter Phoenix Chi, who was born in February 1999.

Mel and Jimmy separated in January 2000, with their divorce finalised in June that year. 

Later, Melanie got married to her second spouse, Stephen Belafonte, in a clandestine ceremony held in Las Vegas, during the month of June in the year 2007.

In less than four months of being together, they pledged their commitment to each other at the Special Memory Wedding Chapel, with Reverend Marie Stapleton officiating their marriage ceremony.

Later, Marie commented about their understated wedding: ‘They chose to use his credit card for the $59 cost. It seemed like nothing special. I believe she didn’t have a traditional wedding gown.’ (as reported by Digital Spy)

Immediately following the ceremony, it was announced that the couple had chosen to make a personal vow to one another in private.

At the given moment, Mel’s representative stated that the pair, being 32 years old each, preferred to maintain their wedding away from the public glare. They intended to hold a more official gathering for friends and relatives at a later point in the year.

Melanie and Stephen found themselves content with their current state in life and decided to privately pledge their affection. For quite some time, they’ve shared a strong bond of friendship.

The Las Vegas wedding was followed by a vow renewal in Egypt the following year.

In 2008, the pair renewed their vows at the Jaz Makadi Golf Hotel in Madinat Makadi, Hurghada, in a ceremony that surpassed the scale of their previous one.

Attendees at the event were reportedly Spice Girls members Emma Bunton and Melanie C, Denise Van Outen, Fearne Cotton, and the sadly departed Sarah Harding.

In that period, the pair secured a £200k contract with OK!, an influential celebrity magazine. According to reports, one of the conditions was inviting several well-known individuals, regardless of their personal relationships.

Prior to the grand affair, a source informed The Mirror: ‘Mel and Stephen envisioned an extravagant event to honor their bond. They consented to having the occasion documented by a magazine, but they have certain conditions to meet. One such condition is a specific number of well-recognized individuals – family and close friends alone are insufficient.’

‘Nowadays, most of her friends are Americans, and she avoids the bustling entertainment world in London. This has made her feel somewhat obliged to invite celebrities she doesn’t personally know. However, no matter what occurs, both Stephen and Mel will have an extraordinary day.’

Instead of having a traditional wedding reception, the ex-pair opted for a grand wedding celebration at sea, which included a relaxing cruise on the Red Sea while loosening up and enjoying themselves.

Following their separation in 2016, she alleged instances of emotional and physical abuse against him, something he has consistently refuted. It was stated by his legal representation that during their marriage, a significant portion of her £50 million wealth was expended.

Mel grew close to new husband-to-be Rory after the breakdown of her marriage to Stephen.

Instead, Mel’s previous weddings bucked traditional trends, but her forthcoming event will embrace a classic English “white wedding” theme, devoid of any leopard print accents.

According to multiple sources, it has been reported that Alison Boshoff of The Mail will don a creation by British designer Josephine Scott for the service taking place in the same church crypt where Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were married on July 5, 1981.

It’s been disclosed that additional festivities, including another wedding ceremony, are planned at a Moroccan hotel in July, with Mel donning an eye-catching gown designed by Justin Alexander from the U.S. for the occasion.

In the spirit of sharing, let me express that I recently shared with Women’s Wear Daily my vision for our upcoming nuptials in May: it will be a traditionally formal, quintessentially English wedding, where I aspire to embody an air of royalty and impeccable decorum. The ladies, on this special day, shall adorn their heads with elegant hats or fascinators.

‘Then, I’m having a second ceremony abroad, which will be more informal, sexy and beautiful.’ 

Following her previous wedding, it has been disclosed that this time the style will be quite traditional. A friend mentioned, “The dress is classic, and the ceremony will strictly adhere to tradition. She’ll walk down the aisle accompanied by organ music.

After securing the Shard in London for their wedding reception, Mel will subsequently host an extravagant “sky celebration” afterwards.

It’s been disclosed that the Spice Girl will share an evening with her companions, filled with dining, cocktails, and dancing, at the Shangri-La location nestled within a skyscraper offering 95 stories and breathtaking vistas of the city.

At night, the bride and groom have assured that their loved ones – friends and family – will carry on dancing well past midnight, making it a memorable event, dubbed by them as “the party of the century”.

Mel, 50, will also stay at the hotel on Friday night with her bridesmaids and close family.

According to a source connected with the wedding, it’s anticipated to be quite grand. The Shard, with its breathtaking vistas, serves as an exceptional venue, ensuring the occasion will be unforgettable.

The location is quite handy near St. Paul’s as well, making it the third opportunity for Mel. She’s determined this time around and plans to make a grand celebration.

The Shard suggests that couples can celebrate their unique day amidst the clouds, enjoying captivating vistas of London, making their special occasion just as awe-inspiring as their love tale. And this is precisely what Mel desires.

Preparing for those celebrations won’t be budget-friendly. Shangri-La sets each guest back approximately £280, which amounts to a hefty £28,000 for the singer’s meal and limited beverages alone.

There will then be other costs including DJs, venue hire and extra beverages.

Standing at a towering height of 310 meters with 95 stories, The Shard is currently the United Kingdom’s tallest structure, ranking it as the fourth tallest building in Europe. Over the years, this iconic landmark has been host to numerous high-profile events in the entertainment industry, such as Sony Music’s afterparty following the BRIT Awards.

Mel has arranged for her guests to be transported via classic Routemaster buses from St Paul’s Cathedral to The Shard, located at the base of London Bridge’s south end. This mode of transportation resembles the bus used in the movie Spice World, a refurbished vintage model.

On the other hand, it appears that the star-studded guest list for the event may be lacking some big names, as TopMob has announced that neither Victoria Beckham nor Geri Halliwell will be in attendance. Furthermore, either Emma Bunton or Melanie Chisholm is expected to miss out, though their specific absence remains uncertain at this time.

Reports indicate that Posh, who is 51 years old, is expected to travel overseas, whereas Geri’s absence is rumored to stem from the tumultuous relationship between her and Mel.

The two women became adversaries following Mel’s disclosure, during an appearance on Piers Morgan’s show “Life Stories,” about her past romantic involvement with Geri at the beginning of their band’s career.

Instead, Mel rejoiced at her forthcoming wedding by hosting a vibrant hen party in Tunisia, complete with leopard-spotted swimsuits, a coordinated dance performance, and a tranquil gathering, or “Zen party”.

Her daughter Phoenix, along with thirty-five companions, participated in the celebrations, featuring an extravagant feast and dancing near the sea.

The hen do also included a leopard print themed night, as well as a belly dancing class.

In November 2022, Mel officially got married to Rory, following three years of being together. He proposed by kneeling down and presenting her with a £100k diamond ring.

The singer has credited Rory for making her feel ‘more confident than ever’.

Speaking in an interview in October 2023, Mel said her new partner calls her ‘beautiful every day’.

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2025-07-05 12:36

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