Serena Williams may not have descended from a royal family, but the tennis superstar just got married in a wedding fit for royalty.
The world champion and her fiance, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, tied the knot in a ceremony and reception that appeared to be straight out of a Disney movie.
Inspired by Beauty and the Beast, the star-studded affair was held in New Orleans on November 16, and the pictures definitely prove that it was a magical night for the couple and everyone else involved.
The special even was just another chapter to be added to the couple's fairy-tale romance, which started in Rome with a typical boy-meets-girl, but girl isn't easily impressed-type of scenario. However, Williams gave Ohanian another chance by taking him up on a invite to Paris, where they had their first date.
Eighteen months later, Ohanian flew the athlete to Rome, back to the exact spot they met, and proposed. This past september, they welcomed their daughter, Alexis "Olympia" Ohanian, Jr.
Two months after the couple settled into parenthood, they gathered their closest friends and family members at the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans to say "I do."
Vogue was given the exclusive opportunity to photograph the wedding, and every single aspect of the night, from the blushing bride's ball gown to the guest favors, looked amazing.
The couple chose November 16 as an ode to Ohanian's mother, who passed away nine years ago.
"It is her birthday, and we wanted her to be represented at the wedding," explained Williams. "Obviously, we wish that she could be here for this, but choosing her birthday as our wedding date was a nice way of making sure she's still involved and made us feel more connected to her on our day."
As for the venue, Williams told Vogue that it was another decision that she and her husband made together for very good reasons.
"Alexis really wanted to do New Orleans," said Williams. "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. The venue"”the Contemporary Arts 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 date and the venue weren't the only things that the couple paid extra attention to. From Serena's Sarah Burton by Alexander McQueen ballgown to the sofas paving the aisle, every detail was crucial in bringing their theme together.
The couple wrote their own vows, and by the end there was no dry eye in the room.
"You are the greatest of all time, not just in sport," Ohanian told Williams. "I'm talking about as a mother and as a wife. I am so excited to write so many more chapters of our fairy tale together. And my whole life I didn't even realize it, but I was waiting for this moment. And everything that I have done, everything that I am so proud of in my career, and in my life, for the last 34 years, pales in comparison to what we're doing today. And I am so grateful, and I am so in love."
Once the ceremony wrapped up, the wedding party took their portraits, while guests, including Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Kelly Rowland, were ushered into another room where a band played "Be Our Guest" and an around-the-world themed dinner was served.
The couple later took to the floor for their first dance to the classic "Tale as Old as Time," before it segued into "If I Can't Have You." After hours of dancing, popular 80s band New Edition serenaded the room before Ohanian surprised his new wife with an illuminated all-white carousel, which was the perfect way to end the night.
Take a look at more photos from the wedding that reportedly cost upwards of $1 million:
Wait! There are even more photos from the event...
We're wishing Williams and Ohanian all the best as they embark on this new journey!
[H/T: Vogue]
