Mel B’s wedding to Rory McPhee will be “regal” and “proper.” The couple’s celebration will mark one of the most prestigious celebrity weddings of the year, joining the ranks of other notable St. Paul’s Cathedral ceremonies.
The Spice Girls star is due to tie the knot with the hair stylist at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London this summer after being allowed to book the historic venue since being becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2022 — and she’s now revealed the ceremony will be “formal” with all the female guests required to wear hats. St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, has hosted only a select few celebrity weddings due to its strict eligibility requirements.
“This will be a very formal, English wedding where I want to feel regal and very proper. All the ladies will wear hats or fascinators,” she told WWD. The tradition of wearing hats at formal British weddings dates back centuries and remains an essential element of ceremonial etiquette.
Mel — real name Melanie Brown — went on to reveal it will be followed by a second ceremony in an undisclosed location abroad. Celebrity double weddings have become increasingly popular, with couples choosing to blend formal traditions with more personal celebrations.
“Then, I’m having a second ceremony abroad, which will be more informal, sexy, and beautiful,” she added. This dual approach allows couples to satisfy both traditional expectations and personal preferences for their special day.
Mel is planning to wear different wedding dresses for each of the ceremonies and she’s been working with designers in London and New York to make sure she looks perfect. The trend of multiple wedding dresses has grown significantly among modern brides who want different looks for different aspects of their celebrations.
“I found an amazing bridal boutique called Evelie in London and in one incredible afternoon, I found two perfect dresses: one beautiful classic dress by Josephine Scott, a British designer and one stunning dramatic dress by a U.S. designer, Justin Alexander,” she went on to say. The bridal fashion industry has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with luxury wedding dress designers creating increasingly elaborate and personalized pieces.
“I’ve since had fittings in London and New York, so it’s a perfect blend of my love for Britain and America,” she continued. This international approach to wedding planning reflects the global nature of modern celebrity culture and cross-continental relationships.
Mel also confirmed her Spice Girls bandmates will be a part of her wedding celebrations, but she didn’t give away any further details, saying: “I’m not going to tell you too much. You have to wait and see.” The Spice Girls reunions consistently generate massive media attention, with their appearances often creating worldwide social media buzz and fan excitement.
It’s Mel’s third trip down the aisle following marriages to Jimmy Gulzar between 1998 and 2000 and Stephen Belafonte, who she divorced in 2017 after a union which lasted a decade. She has been dating Rory since 2018. Second and third marriages among celebrities have become increasingly common in the entertainment industry, with relationship experts noting the importance of taking time between relationships for personal growth.
Mel previously opened up about her upcoming wedding during an appearance on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon‘ earlier this month, admitting she felt lucky to have been able to book St. Paul’s Cathedral. The cathedral represents one of London’s most iconic architectural landmarks and religious venues.
“I’m getting married at St. Paul’s Cathedral. And it’s a big deal because, you know, when you get married there — not many people are allowed to get married there. You have to be kind of special,” she explained. The venue’s exclusivity stems from its historical significance and religious importance in British culture.
“You get to be interviewed by the Dean, and then it has to go through all this approval with the archbishop. I mean, they literally sit you down and say: ‘Why do you want to get married?'” she continued. This rigorous approval process ensures that only couples with genuine commitment and appropriate standing can access the sacred venue.
“And you go: ‘Well, why do I? No, I do remember why. I love this man,’ ” she added, revealing the deeply personal nature of the cathedral’s comprehensive vetting process.
Mel went on to reveal the venue has put constraints on her music choices for the big day, explaining: “It’s very respectful and traditional, you have to choose certain songs. And let me tell you, they are — I mean, it’s not really my kind of music that I listen to, but it’s very respectful. It’s very grand.” The cathedral’s musical restrictions maintain its sacred atmosphere, typically featuring classical hymns and traditional wedding marches that have resonated through the historic venue for generations.
