Serena Williams married the love of her life, Alexis Ohanian, on November 16, 2017, in New Orleans. Her wedding dress was one of the main highlights, both gorgeous and unforgettable. A dress fit for a superwoman like her!
Serena Williams’ Wedding Dress Creation and Inspiration
Sarah Burton, director of the House of Alexander McQueen, is no stranger to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Anna also happens to be Serena’s best friend. It was Anna who suggested that Serena fly to London to meet the famous designer.
Sarah was McQueen’s assistant for decades and was chosen to replace him after his tragic suicide in 2010. Sarah also collaborated closely with the Kate Middleton to design the gown she would wear at her Royal Wedding.
Top tennis superstar and actress Serena Williams’ dream wedding to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian is a Sarah Burton creation under Alexander McQueen. It featured a strapless and sleeveless top with a floor-length sheer cape.
Serena was talking to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour about what she wanted to wear for her wedding. The tennis pro said, “For the first dress, when Anna Wintour asked me what I wanted to wear, I said, ‘a cape. ‘ I just want to wear a cape.”
Anna then referred her to Sarah Burton, who is under the top designer brand, Alexander McQueen. Sarah designed her a prom-style ball gown with a full, layered tulle skirt and a flowing sheer cape with hand-beaded edges.
The result was a lovely custom wedding dress with a closed neck cape that covered her shoulders and opened over her beautiful gown with a layered A-Line skirt.
Serena thanked both of them for helping achieve her dream wedding dress with extra style and opulence, “Thanks, Anna. Thanks, Sarah. I felt like a princess and superwoman all at once,”
Sarah also adorned her wedding dress with $3.5 million worth of sparkling jewels from XIV Karats.
To complete her wedding outfit, Serena opted to trade in designer heels for bedazzled wedding sneakers. She is a tennis champion, after all.
She hired professional bedazzler Michelle Meneses to bling out her white Nikes with Swarovski crystals. Meneses took 24 hours to beautify these super comfy and stylish wedding shoes fit for a world champion.
Serena and Alexis’ Fairy Tale Romance of Chance
Often, chance meetings seem to be machinations from some mysterious forces! That’s exactly what happened when Serena met Alexis on May 12, 2015, by complete accident, seemingly written in by fate from some true-to-life rom-com or love story film.
The future sweethearts were staying in the same hotel, the Cavalieri Hotel in Rome, and by chance, during breakfast, Alexis sat at the table next to where Serena and her friends sat.
She wondered why, of all the tables available, Alexis ended up sitting next to theirs. They jokingly said there was a rat under the table, but Alexis still didn’t leave.
That’s when Serena invited him to join them. Then, she invited him to her game that day at the Italian Open.
Whether it was attraction jitters or whatnot, Serena had a bad game.
Still, she invited him again to her next game at the French Open that weekend. Alexis showed up again, and this time, they hung out all day and fell in love. They started dating soon after.
In December 2017, Alexis took Serena to the Cavalieri Hotel again in Rome. He decorated the scene with roses and went to the same table where they first met. There, he got on one knee to propose to the love of his life. Talk about super romantic!
Serena celebrated the proposal with a poem on Reddit captioned, “I said yes.”
One month later, she was pregnant. The couple welcomed Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. on September 1, 2017. They also created a joint Instagram for her, posting his many cute pictures.
A Fairy Tale Dream Wedding!
The lovely power couple married on November 16, 2017, at the Contemporary Art Center of New Orleans.
With a beautiful and fantastical Beauty and the Beast theme, the venue was perfect for an extra artsy and well-designed bridal venue.
Speaking to Vogue, Serena explained how they set up the wedding and the exquisite choice of a venue, “Alexis really wanted to do it here. It’s his favorite city besides Brooklyn. It’s got a heavy European influence, it’s fun, and has amazing food. He just loves the vibe.”
She said they both loved the place, “The venue, The Contemporary Art Center of New Orleans, was a decision we both made. Painting and art is something I’m really passionate about, so it just felt natural and different to do it at a contemporary art museum.”
The beautiful complex with masterful art and design was the perfect backdrop to the culmination of their love story.
Lovely celebrities who attended chilled on couches instead of chairs. They faced the aisle instead of the altar, creating a fashion runway vibe that was fun and elicited cheers.
Among those in attendance were Beyonce, Jay-Z, Ciara, the Kardashians, Kelly Rowland, Eva Longoria, Anna Wintour, Lala Anthony, Colton Haynes, and Caroline Wozniacki.
Her sister, Venus Williams, was one of the lovely bridesmaids, looking oh so beautiful in her Galia Lahav bridesmaid’s dress.
Oh, and Alexis Jr. was also in attendance too!
As guests arrived, chilled. and sipped cocktails, there were lovely videos of the couple on screens encased in lavish gold frames.
Serena walked down the aisle with a long floor-length veil attached to her hair. She carried a bouquet of white roses. Alexis beamed as she walked towards him under a rose-covered arch, looking super handsome in a classic Armani suit. They exchanged handwritten vows before kissing.
Guests had a grand time at the reception party with surprise performances by Cynthia Erivo and New Edition. The event also featured an illuminated white carousel ride, which was a perfect opportunity for celebrity selfies.
The reception was also fairy tale-inspired. It featured 4 long tables, each named after Serena’s grand slam championships. The bride and groom sat at lavish, golden thrones, and the dining room had colorful, beautiful flowers and impeccable, fairy tale banquet decor.
Their lovely multitiered wedding cake had adorable roses and golden motifs.
When it was their turn to dance, Serena wore a lovely strapped, sleeveless, knee-length evening dress and heels.
The couple welcomed their second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August 2023.
