It seemed absolutely crazy to me that Serena Williams was planning her wedding during her pregnancy. Honestly though, Serena’s whole year was crazy, from her surprise pregnancy to winning the Australian Open while two months pregnant, to maintaining that she would come back to Melbourne to defend her title next year and more. When she talked about her wedding, I kept thinking “this won’t happen, she’ll have the baby and then push back her wedding.” She didn’t push back sh-t. She’s apparently getting married tomorrow, in New Orleans.
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian are headed to the altar! The tennis champion, 36, is saying “I do” to the Reddit co-founder, 34, in an intimate ceremony in New Orleans, Louisiana.
A source tells PEOPLE wedding guests are flying in to the city as early as Wednesday. Rumored guests are expected to be Kris Jenner, Beyoncé, JAY-Z, and perhaps Prince Harry’s girlfriend and actress Meghan Markle. According to the source, the couple’s wedding will be held at the Contemporary Arts Center.
The couple are exchanging vows less than three months after the birth of their first child together, Alexis Ohanian Jr., on Sept. 1 — almost two years after they began dating in 2015.
In early November, the 23-time Grand Slam champion gathered with her friends and family for an all-out girls weekend in New York City. The ladies went to the opulent Baccarat Hotel & Residences, the first hotel from France’s eponymous crystal brand, the luxurious weekend included five-star spa treatments, trapeze’ing, tea brunches, and dancing out on the town. The weekend concluded with pampering by the luxurious Spa de La Mer at the Baccarat Hotel and lounging poolside in the cabanas inspired by the Côte d’Azur.
Williams and Ohanian announced their engagement in December 2016. Rumblings of a wedding location started in October, when reports surfaced that the two had taken a brief trip to New Orleans to scope out potential venues (with their Yorkshire Terrier, Chip, in tow).
Maybe it’s a good thing, I guess, to get all of this done during her “year off,” her year away from the tour. She’ll have everything settled, she’ll be married and she’ll have her baby girl and then she’ll be hyper-focused for the 2018 season. Is it so wrong that I’m thinking that way? Like, I’m happy for Serena and if Alexis Ohanian is the guy, then so be it. What I like most about him is that he’s seems happy to let Serena be “the star” and he doesn’t seem to be dictating her schedule in the least. He seems to be 100% supportive of her return to tennis.
She’s been giving us glimpses of her post-baby figure too, at the Glamour WOTY Awards this week, and on her social media. She looks fit and ready for Melbourne. While I think we should make peace with the idea that Serena might not defend her AO title, can I just say? I think she’ll do really well at Wimbledon next year.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Instagram.
Best wishes!
The CAC is an odd choice for an intimate wedding – it’s usually slated for larger events. But it’s a pretty building.
The weather is gorgeous and perfect here this week, so here’s to a perfect day for the bride and groom!
Update: yep. The tents are going up.
Right? Like when were they at the CAC? White Linen?
Yeah that’s where I’m at rregarding her rreturn. Not expecting much in Australia. But if she can stay healthy maybe summer will be good.
wishing them the best.
Congrats to them both!
I follow baby Olympia on Instagram and she’s so freaking cute and big!
Yes. She is so adorable
They seem really sweet together, and that baby is delicious! Mazel Tov!
They are the ultimate power couple!
Congrats!! I’m really happy for them.
The only wrong note is Kris Jenner… How does she fit in? Please don’t tell me she is officiating this wedding.
It’s so incredibly satisfying to see Serena so happy and so successful. Best wishes to you and yours, Serena!
Congrats to her!!
Such lovely news – congratulations! (We’ll miss Serena in Australia, though. Sigh.)
She’s a goal-oriented woman. I like that!
Such lovely news. Alex seems like a great guy.
You think Prince Harry & Megan are going to attend? I bet they want to.
Don’t think so. Meghan seems to have become a hermit, which is unfortunate.
I’m so happy for her!
& I’m not even a wedding person but New Orleans is such a fantastic choice.
The architecture, food, people, & drinks are amazing ;D
That’s gonna be a helluva second line! Wish I was there to join in!
Congrats to the happy couple!
Why wouldn’t she plan her wedding during her pregnancy? It’s not like she was on tour. She had plenty of free time and all the money in the world. A lot of women do the same thing she did, while working full-time jobs and with financial limitations. Serena’s an amazing athlete, but she’s not superwoman.
My money is on she gets knocked up again as soon as possible! I think she wants to recreate Venus and Serena. She might get in a few good matches in 2018 first though.
I love this couple. Not the greatest fan of serena but wishing her a happy ending.