It has been a headline-making summer for celebrity weddings, with star-studded ceremonies dominating the social calendar — from Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s reported £1.5 million Sicilian celebration to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s lavish Madison Square Garden affair.
But while some of the world’s biggest names have gathered to toast romance and exchange vows, the behaviour of a few high-profile guests has drawn almost as much attention as the couples themselves.
On Saturday, Billie Eilish’s brother, Finneas O’Connell, married his longtime partner Claudia Sulewski in an elegant ceremony at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California, where Justin and Hailey Bieber were among the famous faces in attendance.
However, it was not long before sharp-eyed fans began speculating about the Biebers, after the couple were photographed during what appeared to be a tense exchange at the celebration.
During the festivities, Justin and Hailey were seen talking animatedly away from other guests, with the model appearing to gesture emphatically before walking away from her husband.
A representative for Hailey declined to comment, while Our News Outlet has not yet received a response from a representative for Justin.
Body language expert Judi James told Our News Outlet: “The way that Hailey looks back at her husband as he walks away after their animated conversation gives the impression of tension or drama here.”
Still, the Biebers’ alleged moment of unease is far from the first time celebrities have found themselves at the centre of controversy while attending a wedding.
From Geri Halliwell’s white bridal look at Melanie C’s Lake District wedding, to Meghan Markle’s baby announcement during Princess Eugenie’s big day, these are the celebrities who have famously risked breaking wedding guest etiquette…
The summer of A-list weddings has been nothing short of spectacular, including Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s £1.5million Sicilian celebration, a week after their official big day at Old Marylebone Town Hall in west London
Justin and Hailey Bieber’s intense exchange
Justin and Hailey Bieber shared an intense exchange at Finneas O’Connell and Claudia Sulewski’s wedding in Santa Barbara on Saturday
The Biebers were among the star attendees at Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas O’Connell’s wedding to Claudia Sulewski in Santa Barbara on Saturday.
And while Justin, 32, posted cosy snaps from the event on Instagram, he and his wife, 29, appeared to share an intense moment at one point during the festivities.
According to body language expert Judi James, Justin’s ‘gently hunched posture and the way his arms hang slightly in front of his torso makes him look less motivated and less positive here.’
Hailey, meanwhile, was seen holding a cocktail and gesturing before the couple eventually went their separate ways.
However, the expert added that it did not appear the two were arguing, saying: ‘Hailey has been waving her arms and pointing, although not at him so no signal of conflict.’
O’Connell, 29, and Sulewski, 30, exchanged vows in a lush garden setting at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, surrounded by family and friends, as seen in photos obtained by Deuxmoi. His sister, 24, reportedly had the honor of officiating the ceremony.
The Biebers, who have a two-year-old son, will soon be celebrating their eight-year wedding anniversary – they tied the knot in a New York City courthouse on September 13, 2018.
Geri Halliwell’s all-white look
Geri Halliwell, who frequently wears white, as she does here at the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey in March, divided opinion online when she wore a romantic white dress to Melanie C’s Lake District wedding last month
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 54, divided opinion online when she attended Melanie C’s Lake District wedding last month.
Several individuals questioned her decision to wear what looked to be a romantic, flowing white dress for her friend and former bandmate’s big day.
Geri picked a cream outfit with a delicate floral pattern for Mel C’s big day, as seen in a photograph published by British Vogue.
In the snap, Sporty Spice was flanked by her former bandmates, including Geri, Emma Bunton and Melanie Brown as she beamed with joy after saying ‘I do’ to long-time boyfriend Chris Dingwall.
Speaking to Our News Outlet, stylist Lisa Talbot said: ‘I think if a dress is predominantly white, even with a pattern it can still feel risky.
‘If there’s any chance it could resemble bridalwear in photographs, I would avoid it. There are so many other beautiful colours to wear as a guest.’
Meanwhile, fans felt that Geri could have picked a different colour for her close friend’s wedding, with one person writing ‘white is only for the bride’.
Writing on Mumsnet, one person said the floor-length gown teetered on being inappropriate, adding: ‘[Not wearing white] is a sign of respect, not about being mistaken for the bride. If you and your friends don’t care then crack on, but there’s nothing wrong with brides who don’t want other women wearing white to their wedding.’
Reacting to the photo of Mel C, Geri and Emma and Melanie Brown, another said: ‘I actually really thought she wouldn’t do that.’
Others defended Geri, writing that the floral-patterned frock ‘looks nothing like a bridal gown’.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s pregnancy announcement
When Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank tied the knot in 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, pictured greeting the late Queen, used the joyous occasion to share their own good news
Princess Eugenie, pictured arriving at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on her wedding day, and her mother, Sarah Ferguson, were particularly displeased by the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes timing and were said to be ‘furious’
When Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank tied the knot in 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were thrilled for the couple and had even postponed the departure of their Royal Tour to Australia to attend the ceremony, Harry wrote in Spare.
However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also used the joyous family occasion as an opportunity to share their own good news.
They were pregnant with their first child, Archie – and though some were delighted, the timing of their announcement to family members left others a little disgruntled.
Writing in Spare, Harry revealed: ‘The various gatherings connected to the wedding would give us a chance to pull aside family members one by one and tell them our good news.’
They told Prince Charles shortly before Eugenie and Jack’s drinks reception at Windsor while he was in his study.
Charles was ‘delighted to learn that he was going to be a grandfather for a fourth time,’ Harry wrote.
The royal couple informed Prince William later on, after the drinks reception, and then Princess Kate who congratulated them.
However, the announcement coming at the same time as the bride and groom’s celebrations was not welcomed by everyone in the Royal Family.
‘Many wondered why Meghan chose to reveal her news on the bride’s big day,’ Tom Bower wrote in his 2022 book, Revenge: Meghan, Harry And The War Between The Windsors.
Eugenie and her mother, Sarah Ferguson, were particularly displeased by the timing and were said to be ‘furious’.
Victoria Beckham accused of ‘hijacking’ first dance
In January, Victoria Beckham hit the headlines after her son Brooklyn publicly claimed that his mother had ‘hijacked’ his first dance at his wedding
Brooklyn Beckham with his wife Nicola on their wedding big day. He claims he was left ‘humiliated’ when his mother ‘danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone’
In January, Victoria Beckham hit the headlines after her son Brooklyn publicly claimed that his mother had ‘hijacked’ his first dance at his wedding.
During a take down of his parents shared to Instagram, Brooklyn wrote: ‘My mum hijacked my first dance with my wife, which had been planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song.’
Brooklyn went on to claim in his statement that he was left ‘humiliated’ when Victoria ‘danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone.’
He even stated that his and Nicola’s decision to renew their vows last year without his family present was ‘so we could create new memories of our wedding day that bring us joy and happiness, not anxiety and embarrassment.’
However, Brooklyn’s claims that his mother ‘hijacked’ his first dance at his wedding are at odds with Vogue’s official account of the nuptials.
Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn’s April 2022 wedding was covered by US Vogue, which went into lavish detail about how the wedding party followed American traditions of a mother and son and father and daughter dance.
Vogue say the newlyweds’ first dance was to South African singer Lloyiso’s rendition of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love.
The publication then states that Marc Anthony, a close friend of David and Victoria, took to the stage much later into the reception at 11pm to perform his track I Need To Know.
It was at this point ‘Brooklyn invited his mother on stage for a dance and they were joined by David and their 10-year-old daughter, Harper.’
The claim that Brooklyn ‘invited’ his mother to dance is in direct contrast to his statement that ‘Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead.’
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s ‘big fight’
When Chrissy Teigen and John Legend were guests at Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s luxurious nuptials in Florence, Italy, in May 2014, tensions were somewhat high between the pair
During a sit-down conversation with Kim in 2016, Chrissy revealed: ‘John and I got in THE biggest fight at Kim and Kanye’s wedding,’ adding, ‘that you have ever seen in your whole life’
When Chrissy Teigen and John Legend were guests at Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s luxurious nuptials in Florence, Italy, in May 2014, tensions were somewhat high between the pair.
During a sit-down conversation with Kim in 2016, Chrissy revealed: ‘John and I got in THE biggest fight at Kim and Kanye’s wedding,’ adding, ‘that you have ever seen in your whole life.’
‘I feel like there were so many fights at our wedding!’ Kim disclosed – although not revealing who else argued.
‘Everyone was so wasted from the Versaille night’ Kim added.
Chrissy continued: ‘You know when you think everything’s about you? I was like, “we ruined the wedding and everyone noticed” and everyone’s like “no, not really, nobody noticed,” oh my gosh.’
‘Wait! Was this before or after John sang our first dance song?’ exclaimed Kim.
Chrissy replied: ‘This was before cause I remember standing with your mom and being so mad at him and everyone was like: “he’s so amazing, isn’t he amazing?” and I was like, “NO!”.
Kim then revealed that her and Kanye, who filed for divorce in 2021, also ‘got into a fight’ during Chrissy and John’s nuptials in Lake Como in 2013.
The Keeping up With The Kardashians star revealed: I got into a fight with Kanye during your wedding when…I didn’t go because she [North] was just born and I was so fat and I was like “I have nothing to wear” and so then he kept texting me being like, “Babe this is the most beautiful wedding”, “Babe this is so pretty, I really wish you were here at Lake Como” and this…
‘Then he’s like telling me that like, “And Stevie Wonder sang,” – literally a text – like a play by play text,’ remembered Kim.
‘You got FOMO?’ Chrissy established.
Kim continued: ‘And I was like – I – we got into the biggest fight – I was like just stop texting me – go enjoy the wedding, cause you’re making me feel so bad.’
Kendall Jenner’s risqué look
When Kendall Jenner attended the wedding of close friend Lauren Perez to David Waltzer in November 2021, her figure-hugging cutout dress was branded ‘tacky’ by numerous social media users
When Kendall Jenner attended the wedding of close friend Lauren Perez to David Waltzer in November 2021, her figure-hugging cutout dress was branded ‘tacky’ by numerous social media users who deemed it inappropriate and ‘disrespectful’ for the occasion.
The striking Monot gown saw the model even face criticism for attempting to ‘upstage’ the bride during the reception.
One social media commentator wrote: ‘Cute dress but nothing could be worse for a wedding. All that money and no class or consideration for others.’
In response, Lauren took to Instagram to defend Kendall and wrote that she ‘looked stunning and I loved it’.
Kendall also clarified that she had in fact asked for the bride’s permission on the day to wear the dress.
Ms Talbot noted that while ‘cut-outs, plunging necklines and sheer fabrics can work’, balance is key.
She added: ‘I always say choose one statement feature rather than everything at once.
‘Celebrities often push boundaries because fashion is part of their personal brand and weddings are highly photographed events.
‘Someone like Victoria Beckham or Kendall Jenner will naturally dress in a way that feels authentic to their image, even if it divides opinion. But public reaction usually comes when people feel the outfit risks overshadowing the bride.’
Molly-Mae’s unconventional choice of all-black
Molly-Mae Hague faced a backlash earlier this year over her unconventional decision to wear all-black to Venezuela Fury’s high-profile wedding
In May, Molly-Mae Hague faced backlash over her unconventional decision to wear all-black to Venezuela Fury’s high-profile wedding.
The influencer, 27, who is due to give birth to her second child with Tommy Fury any day now, made a brief appearance at the ceremony on the Isle of Man on May 16 with her daughter Bambi, three, who was a bridesmaid.
‘Black at a wedding?,’ questioned one Facebook user, while another added: ‘Black is a no no at a wedding sorry’.
Traditionally, wearing black to a wedding is heavily frowned upon, as the colour is usually reserved for funerals.
Ms Talbot previously told Our News Outlet: ‘Ultimately, the best wedding guest style is polished, respectful and appropriate for the setting.
‘The key is how it’s styled. If it feels elegant and sophisticated rather than sombre or attention-grabbing, it can absolutely work,’ she added.
‘Ultimately, the best wedding guest style is polished, respectful and appropriate for the setting. You want people remembering how chic you looked, not questioning whether you broke the dress code.’
