Mel B and Rory McPhee got married last month, on July 5. It was a tasteful ceremony at The Crypt at St. Paul’s Cathedral followed by a reception at the Shangri-La hotel inside of the Shard building. Guests included Cara Delevingne, Daisy Lowe, and Emma Bunton, who was the only Spice Girl there. Reportedly, the other Spice Girls all had conflicts and couldn’t make it. After the wedding, we learned that Mel and Rory were having another celebration, which would be “more informal, sexy, and beautiful.”
Mel and Rory’s second wedding took place this past weekend in Morocco. This time, Mel C. (Sporty Spice) was there. For their first ceremony, Rory wore a kilt and Mel wore a tasteful, mermaid-style, ivory gown with pearl embellishments that was custom made for her by Josephine Scott. For her second wedding, Mel totally changed it up. She wore a gorgeous red fit-and-flare dress with a sweetheart neckline, hand-beaded red crystals and bulge beads. Mel worked with Justin Alexander to custom make it.
“Morocco is all about color and flamboyance, and I had in my head an idea for a classic figure-hugging gown covered in dazzling ruby-red gemstones, very dramatic but also quite old-school Hollywood,” Mel B exclusively tells PEOPLE. “And as it is boiling hot in Morocco in August, I also wanted it to be light and easy to move in — so quite a challenge!”
The dress was designed by Justin Alexander Creative Director Justin Alexander Warshaw and Chief of Design Terri Hilferty. The intricate craftsmanship required a team of six artisans and over 850 hours to complete.
“The plunging sweetheart neckline is framed with concentrated red crystal detailing that gradually disperses across the structured corset. Exposed boning subtly peeks through layers of sheer tulle, while asymmetrical draping at the waistline adds dimension,” the Justin Alexander team tells PEOPLE. “A sexy side slit reveals a glimpse of leg as the crystal beading lightly scatters down the length of the skirt. The back features a lace-up corset with red ribbons to highlight her hourglass figure, while a cascading godet flows into a dramatic cathedral-length train.”
“Mel B wanted a wedding look that felt powerful, romantic, and unapologetically her. She envisioned a bold color palette, intricate detailing, and a silhouette that celebrated her figure,” [Warshaw] shares. “It was important that her dress made a statement while still feeling meaningful and deeply personal. She also wanted to bring in cultural inspiration and incorporate her signature edge and glamour.”
After two fittings in New York City and two fittings in London, Mel B was in awe of the final gown.
“When I put it on honestly I cried,” she says. “It was beyond my best hopes, beyond my greatest expectations. This dress was everything, and I could move and dance, and it was covered in gems but felt as light as a feather. Ecstatic does not come close to how I felt.”
The designer adds: “Every element of the dress, from silhouette to sparkle, was designed to celebrate Mel’s spirit, confidence, and individuality. It’s a look that tells a story, and it was a joy to create it with her.”
Mel B was most drawn to “the color [and] the glamour” of her red wedding dress, and believes that its juxtaposition with her first ivory dress is symbolic.
“To me it summed up the point of difference in the ceremonies — the second ceremony was about fun, about reflecting Marrakesh, something completely different but equally as breathtaking,” she says. “I’m a Gemini — there’s two sides to me … both dresses capture who I am.”
I absolutely freaking love this red dress. It is very much Mel B’s style, too, much more so than her first dress was. It’s funny that she explains the difference in gowns away as being a Gemini. I won’t argue with her on those grounds. Anyway, the beading is gorgeous, the color is perfect, and it fits her like a glove. That said, it is absolutely wild that it took more than 850 hours to make! Doing the math, it took 36 full days to sew together (if it was being worked on 24/7), and most likely, was closer to that three-month mark. It’s a beautiful dress, and clearly, a lot of work went into it. I’m looking forward to seeing more pictures of Mel in it, including ones with the veil.
Mel also wore a custom leopard print Justin Alexander mini-dress for their welcome party. Leopard print is kinda Mel B’s thing, so no complaints here. It was appropriately fierce, with a cinched waistline and a long bow that trailed down the back. I am kind of bummed that we don’t have any pictures of her wearing that one yet! I bet we’ll get some exclusive pictures from People or another outlet within the next few days. Congrats again to Mel and Rory! Here’s to a lifetime of health, happiness, and fierce fashion.
Photos credit: Avalon.red, Cover Images and via Instagram
I don’t know. It all feels over the top. The dresses were beautiful.
But it seems to be the most important thing?
I really wish them well but my guess is that the marriage will not last long.
All those hours and they couldn’t line it so we don’t see her underwear? It looks like an off the rack prom dress to me. At least she looks happy.
The showing the underwear thing/sheer dress is kind of in right now in certain circles. I’m sure it was very intentional.
I’m happy for her, she seems to love this guy, and she looks so beautiful and fit. I don’t get this whole thing of having multiple wedding ceremonies but it seems to be the trend amongst the rich.
Good luck to them!!!
I’m so over not only multiple dresses in a wedding but multiple weddings…
Just donate the money people…elope…
Ha, right lol
She has an amazing figure. That’s all I got