Hip-Hop and R&B Stars Weddings

Big-name R&B and hip-hop stars have had weddings at exotic destinations, worn bespoke designer gowns and suits and shared all the details of lavish celebrations of their marriage. Not all big-names share their wedding day so generously with their fans. Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz had a private ceremony, but perhaps the most surprising marriage was in 2008 when Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon tied the knot.

Here are some of the outrageous, fantastical and unexpected happenings at these R&B and hip-hop weddings:

Jay Z and Beyonce, 2008

Married in April 2008, Jay Z and Beyonce after 6 years of dating. The wedding was one of the most closely held secrets in hip-hop and it was reported that it was a small wedding party of forty guests.

News of the April 4, 2008 wedding in New York City spread, but there were no wedding photographs published of the couple, their guests or the venue after the event. With no tangible evidence, a few suggested the wedding may not have taken place.

However, in 2011, the music video for "I Was Here" showed Beyonce's strapless, flowing white wedding gown with an elaborate fitted back and a long train. The clip also shows a quick glimpse of Beyonce trying on her wedding dress before the marriage ceremony.

Beyonce and Jay revealed additional footage from their private ceremony at the opening night of their "On the Run" tour in Miami. The footage showed the couple reciting their marriage vows and exchanging rings. Beyonce had her hair in a sleek bun whilst Jay looked dapper in a traditional tuxedo.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, 2014

Kim turned heads in a form-fitting, Givenchy lace wedding gown, designed by Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci, who was also a close friend of the couple. The dress was rumoured to retail at $500,000. Kim's glamorous look was completed with ivory satin four-inch heels designed by Giuseppe Zanotti. The wedding dress featured long sleeves, sheer panels, an entirely sheer back and a long train. Kanye wore a classic tuxedo and bow-tie.

Despite no expense being spared, all did not go entirely to plan. Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz pulled out of shooting the wedding a day before the Florence ceremony and the color of the flower wall wasn't exactly as expected. The couple had wanted Kim's wedding gown to match the floral backdrop of their wedding photo, but the flowers were off-color.

However, after some post-production editing, Kim released their first official wedding photograph on her own Instagram account.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, 2008

After dating for about 2 months, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were married by Bishop Clifford Petty of the National Church of God on the patio of her mansion overlooking the Atlantic. High-maintenance Mariah flew in lobsters, flowers and her own wedding cake for the day which went exactly as she wished. Nick's relatives were less thrilled, they were not invited and only heard about the wedding through media reports. Every year since the couple has renewed their vowels in various locations.

Pharrell and Helen Lasichanh

Pharell Williams and model Helen Lasichanh were married at a garden party themed evening ceremony in October 2013 at the Kampong National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Miami, Florida. Usher and Busta Rhymes performed a mini concert at the wedding which was also attended by Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Paula Patton, and Gwen Stefani.

Bobby Brown and Alicia Etheredge

Married in 2014, R&B veteran Bobby Brown tied the knot with his fiancee Alicia Etheredge in Honolulu, Hawaii, after the singer performed with New Edition on tour. A festive affair with some of the then 43-year-old Brown's children including Landon, La'Princia, Bobby Jr. and Cassius, the singer's 3-year-old child with Etheridge. The bride wore a white strapless gown and necklace and the groom wore a bright red suit, shirt, Adidas and a giant lei.