The journey was worth it. Celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss, who planned Ciara and Russell Wilson’s magical castle wedding, opens up to The Knot in an exclusive interview about orchestrating the lavish destination affair.
Weiss caught up with The Knot earlier this month while co-hosting a Bachelorette finale viewing party with Wedding Paper Divas at her NYC apartment. According to the hostess — who’s planned numerous A-list nuptials — Ciara and the NFL player’s wedding was re-routed several times.
“I did the whole thing — three times,” Weiss reveals. “They were first getting married in North Carolina, but they called it off due to the transgender bathroom laws.”
The couple then hoped to marry in the City of Light. “They were gonna go to Paris and it ended up being [Couture] Fashion Week,” says Weiss. “And it was really difficult.”
Ultimately, the stars settled on a venue in a neighboring country. “We ended up in London,” recalls Weiss. “They wanted to be away. And we found a castle that was an hour out of Liverpool and they had about 110 guests.”
Celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss opens up to The Knot about planning Ciara and Russell Wilson’s gorgeous destination wedding last month — find out why she orchestrated it three times! (Photo credit: Getty)
The “1, 2 Step” singer and NFL superstar exchanged vows inside Peckforton Castle, a breath-taking 19th century venue in Cheshire, England, that’s surrounded by thousands of acres of forestland. “I used a florist out of London — McQueens. They were very cool!” Weiss shares. “Inside the castle, they had a chapel but it was too small because her dress was 13-feet.”
Ciara’s elaborate wedding dress was custom-designed by Roberto Cavalli’s Peter Dundas. “Her dress in person was so much more spectacular than in the pictures, though in the pictures, they’re beautiful. In person, it was shockingly beautiful.”
Weiss says the couple opted for a neutral color palette. “All whites and creams,” the planner notes. “For dinner, it was big centerpieces. And then, the surprise after dinner was they had Earth, Wind & Fire perform in a separate tent. That was really beautiful. And it just worked. Thank the Lord!”
How exactly did the couple connect with the beloved planner? “I knew Ciara because of La La [Anthony] who’s married to Melo [Carmelo Anthony],” Weiss tells The Knot.
Ciara’s bridal party included Anthony, Kelly Rowland and Serena Williams, who wasn’t able to make the wedding in person due to Wimbledon. “I knew all the girls,” Weiss adds. “When they’re bridesmaids, you become close with the bridesmaids too. They’re all so lovely. When I say lovely, kind, spiritual, low-maintenance, all of them.”
Weiss also praised the groom, who apparently has “ridiculous” taste. “He has really, really beautiful taste. He just — you should see what he looks like,” she muses. “And [Ciara’s] son is delicious. Baby Future. Very delish!”
She also took a moment to appreciate the pair. “I think my favorite part [of Ciara and Russell’s wedding] was the ceremony because they were so happy,” Weiss notes.
“They are delicious,” she says. “They really are a very cool couple. I really enjoy their relationship.”
