Share

New Orleans abuzz over Serena wedding

New Orleans - Star wattage abounded in New Orleans on Thursday as A-list celebrities gathered for the wedding of tennis superstar Serena Williams and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

Despite the media frenzy, the happy couple released few details of their ceremony. But unnamed sources told People magazine and the Daily Mail that some 250 guests were invited to the festivities at the southern US city's Contemporary Arts Centre. 

Music royalty Beyonce, legendary Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, actress Eva Longoria and singer Ciara were all also seen arriving at the arts complex.

Security for the event, anticipated to last into the wee hours, was tight. An entire block in the Big Easy - a city known for its jazz music, good food and party atmosphere - was closed to traffic.

A steady train of black SUVs brought members of the wedding party to the event, as workers hurried final preparations for the festivities. 

According the entertainment website ETonline, the wedding was to have a "Beauty and the Beast" theme. It said the tennis star's sister Venus was seen late Wednesday leaving the arts centre. 

Workers could be seen early on Thursday transforming the arts complex for the ceremony, while the parking lot besides the building was full of tents and trucks unloading flowers, tables, carpets, wardrobe, and musicians. 

The locally popular New Orleans funk and jazz band Naughty Professor was seen arriving in the late afternoon, as was the traditional Paulin Brothers Brass Band. 

Chefs cooked in an outdoor tent, with feasting options including two food trucks as well as an outdoor bar. 

The Daily Mail said the event would cost more than $1 million and guests would be asked not to bring their cell phones, because an exclusive photo deal had been signed with Vogue. 

Williams, 36, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, and Ohanian, 34, welcomed their first child, daughter Alexis Olympia, on September 1. 

They announced their engagement in December after meeting in 2015 in Rome. 

While New Orleans was no stranger to celebrities and weddings, the star wattage Thursday stirred up extra excitement in the city. 

Linda Davis and Cora Riley drove four hours from the small Louisiana town of DeRidder just to get a glimpse of the tennis champion. They waited outside the arts complex for hours. 

"We love her. She's classy. She and Venus. They never complain," Riley said. 

"We're so glad she found happiness. Little baby Alexis is so precious," said Mary Huber, who was among a small group who took a break from work to observe the hectic scene. 

Williams won this year's Australian Open while pregnant, and is expected to defend her title in Melbourne in 2018 - just four-and-a-half months after giving birth to her child. 

The Contemporary Arts Centre is a large, four-story, multi-disciplinary complex boasting approximately 929 square metres of gallery space.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE