Inside Ciara and Russell Wilson's Fairytale Romance
Ciara and Russell Wilson went all-out for their dreamy 2016 nuptials. The Grammy award-winning singer and the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback did up their wedding day by keeping the big picture in mind: above all else, they wanted to host a getaway for their loved ones, something that would be personal, meaningful and memorable.
In many ways, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had a fairytale romance from the start, so it was especially fitting that they exchanged vows in a literal castle. This famous NFL couple met in March 2015, got engaged the following year, and married in a secret wedding that summer—and are now living happily ever after with their four children and legions of fans. Read on to see how the pair's whirlwind romance unfolded, and to get all the details of their special day.
- Ciara is married to Russell Wilson. They have been together since 2015.
- Ciara and Russell Wilson met at a University of Wisconsin basketball game.
- Ciara and Russell Wilson got married on July 6, 2016, in Cheshire, England.
- Ciara and Russell Wilson share four children: son Future Zahir (whom Ciara has from a previous relationship), daughter Sienna Princess, son Win Harrison, and daughter Amora Princess.
In this article:
- How Ciara and Russell Wilson Met
- Ciara and Russell Wilson's Relationship Timeline
- All About Ciara's Wedding to Russell Wilson
How Ciara and Russell Wilson Met
Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara met for the first time at a University of Wisconsin basketball game in March 2015. The chemistry was instant: Russell asked Ciara out to dinner following a conversation at the game, even though he'd already made plans with friends. The singer accepted, and they ended up having such a good time that Wilson forgot about his other plans. "I completely forgot about the 10:30 [p.m.] dinner," he said during an Instagram Live. "Next thing I knew, it was 12:00 [a.m.], 12:30 [a.m.], and I was sold on you."
Ciara and Russell Wilson's Relationship Timeline
Ciara and Russell Wilson seem to be a match made in heaven, and indeed, the Wilsons have never wavered in their love since the moment they met. But what's perhaps even sweeter than the family they've created for themselves today is looking back at how it all began.
Summer 2015: Ciara and Russell Wilson's Relationship Goes Public
Although this A-list pair tried to keep their relationship under wraps initially, by July 2015, the cat was out of the bag. Not only that, but the couple also made headlines by vowing to abstain from sex until marriage. "I asked her, 'What would you do if we took all that other stuff off the table and did it Jesus' way, no sex?'" Wilson said during an interview at The Rock Church. "I knew God had brought me into her life to bless her and for her to bless me and to bless so many people with the impact that she has and I have. We're not going to be perfect, by any means."
March 2016: Russell Wilson Proposes to Ciara
Luckily for this famous couple, they didn't have to wait *too* long. In March 2016, a little over a year after they first met, Russell Wilson whisked Ciara away on a surprise trip to Europe, where he proposed in the most romantic way possible: on the beach. "She was shocked when they landed in the Seychelles at the exclusive resort North Island," a rep told Us Weekly at the time.
"The biggest surprise was that Russell proposed to his new fiancé at the romantic, private Honeymoon Beach, located on North Island." Fans were thrilled to see Ciara rock an impressive 16-carat diamond ring upon their return, which is now one of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings of all time.
July 2016: Russell Wilson and Ciara Get Married
Ciara and Russell Wilson wed in a lavish wedding ceremony in Cheshire, England, at Peckforton Castle. As far as celebrity weddings go, it was equal parts regal and red carpet: the wedding party wore all black, while Ciara donned a fairytale-like, bohemian lace gown. The couple also celebrated with their loved ones at a rehearsal dinner one day prior. "I definitely can say it was two of the most perfect days in my life," Ciara said at the time. "The day before and the day of the actual wedding was a special time. When we get married, we only get it once; you can't repeat it. So, it was like, man, it's over already?"
October 2016: Ciara Shares the Secret to Her Marriage
Perhaps the most poignant way that Ciara has summed up her ongoing relationship was what she said while co-hosting Live with Kelly in October 2016. Reflecting on her wedding day, she gushed, "After a special day like that, life is a honeymoon within itself. It keeps going on and on."
April 2017-December 2023: Ciara and Russell Wilson's Kids Join the Family
The day after their wedding, Ciara and Russell Wilson took to social media to cheekily announce to fans that they had done the deed. "So, baby. Maybe you know what we're doing tonight," Ciara joked to her husband at the time. Wilson replied with a grin: "From what we did last night, I'm gonna do it multiple times."
From there, the couple's love and adoration for each other has only grown. In October 2016, they announced they were expecting their first child together. Their daughter, Sienna, was born the following April. Then, in July 2020, they expanded their family again, welcoming son Win into the world.
Three years later, the Wilson clan grew a little bigger with the arrival of their daughter Amora in December 2023. The mom shared the exciting news alongside a photo of her bump on Instagram, writing, "2 Days before sweet Princess Amora arrived, got my last belly selfie in!:) So many things I reflected on and am looking forward to," she wrote. "Creating life is truly a blessing! I'm Grateful for this time 🫶🏽Raising all my little ones together. So far it's going good! 4!"
All About Ciara's Wedding to Russell Wilson
Ciara and Russell Wilson shocked the world when they revealed that they'd gotten married in a secret ceremony on July 6, 2016. As more details of the fête began to trickle out, it became apparent that the wedding was no small ceremony: the guest list, the venue (a 19th-century castle), and Ciara's stunning wedding dress all made it a certified red-carpet affair.
"It was honestly so beautiful and I really felt like I was in a fairy tale," the singer said of the event. "It was everything I hoped for. Everything I could have hoped for, dreamed of, happened on that day."
One of Ciara's best friends designed her wedding gown.
Ciara's jaw-dropping, bohemian lace wedding dress was a custom, couture Roberto Cavalli dress. The gown—which is one of our all-time favorite celebrity wedding dresses—was made just for her by the brand's creative director Peter Dundas, who also happens to be one of the singer's closest friends. "He was with me every step of the way in the process, and he contributed to helping me feel like the most beautiful girl on that day," she said. "It was my dream dress. My dress, everything, my family and friends that were there, the man I was marrying, everything was absolutely a dream come true." The dress featured lace embroidered bell sleeves with a corset top. Wilson wore a dapper Giorgio Armani suit.
The bride's veil had a surprise detail.
To cap off her bridal look, Ciara wore a cathedral-length veil that practically floated behind her down the aisle. The singer shared a snapshot of the accessory in all its glory in a post to Instagram a few days after the wedding, noting: "I wanted to wear a #Veil like my Mom. @peter_dundas surprised me with R.C.W. Initials in the back at our second fitting. I was blown away by the detail, and thought! #StillDreaming… #weddingdress."
The wedding party was full of A-listers.
The bride's closest friends were (mostly) on hand for the singer's nuptials. Her bridesmaids included La La Anthony, Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Hudson, and Serena Williams, though the tennis pro was unable to make it to the wedding due to Wimbledon.
Ciara's son, Future Zahir, served as ring bearer.
When they got married, it was never a question of whether or not Ciara's son, Future, would be a part of the wedding, but how. The toddler was just over two years old at the time but played his part well. "Motherhood, oh my gosh, it's one of the best jobs in life," Ciara previously said. "My family, my son, and my husband, those are the things that keep me grounded and centered, and there's no better feeling than coming back and seeing him smile after a long day."