Greatest wedding of all time?
Serena Williams proved her dominance off the court on Thursday, as she drew a celeb-packed group of A-listers to New Orleans for her nuptials to millionaire Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
Among those who could be seen arriving at the event were Kardashain, Venus Williams, Beyonce, and the members of New Edition, who will play a five-song set during the reception.
Jay Z was so dedicated to being there for Serena’s big day that he attended the event despite having to jet off to North Carolina immediately after to perform at his next tour stop.
He was not seen arriving at the venue, but DailyMail.com overheard a transmission just moments before a Cadillac SUV pulled in that said: ‘Jay Z party on the way.’
His mother Gloria was seen however as she deboarded a plane alongside Beyonce.
Editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour is also said to have arrived at the event, with her magazine having an exclusive on the images.
Three’s company: Beyonce was seen touching down in New Orleans for Serena’s wedding
Never not entrancing: Kim Kardashian (above) exits the airport after touching down in New Orleans on Thursday
Stunner: The reality star was celebrating the amazing million-dollar launch of her new fragrance collection
Deplaning and derobing: Kardashian changed her outfit after stepping off the plane on Thursday (above)
Sister, sister: Kardashian was joined at the evnt by close friends Malika and Khadijah Haqq (above)
Matriarch: Beyonce was joined by Jay Z’s mother Gloria Carter on the plane (above)
Off they go: Beyonce’s party was then whisked away to the wedding ceremony, bringing along a car seat
But where’s Bobby: Blast from the past: The members of New Edition were also on hand at the event
Big night: The men will be playing a five-song set after the ceremony for the 250 guests
DailyMail.com got photos of original New Edition members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant on Thursday.
Bobby Brown will not be attending per a source and when asked for details about the performance, Bivins shouted: ‘Got a gag order.’
The group will be just one of the many musical acts on hand for the big night.
DeWayne Crocker Jr., 21, a Pensacola singer who’s a rising star of gospel while perform while backed up by a New Orleans groups called Restored; New Orleans funk/jazz band Naughty Professor is set to be on hand; and the traditional marching brass band Paulin Brothers Brass Band will also be in attendance to entertain guests.
A trumpet player for the latter said each room inside has a different type of music, and the bands rotate from room to room.
‘She wants tradition New Orleans jazz from us,’ the trumpet player told DailyMail.com.
In addition to the music, guests will also get to munch on doughnuts from local favorite District Donuts Sliders Brew at the event, then take na spin on a carousel that was built just a few days ago especially for the event.
The set-up alone took four days said one woman on the production crew.
Housewife: Eva Longoria arrives with her husband Jose Baston to the wedding on Thursday
Tennis star: Caroline Wozniacki and fiance David Lee carrying the Yondr that will keep their cellular devices powered off for the ceremony
Serena arrived at the wedding venue at around 3pm on Thursday.
The winner of 39 Grand Slam titles and recent mother is set to mark another milestone as she ties the knot with her boyfriend of just under two years, Alexis Ohanian.
Ohanian, 34, we photographed by DailyMail.com as he arrived at The Contemporary Art Museum an hour before his bride, looking relaxed and neatly groomed whole outfitted in shorts, sneakers ans a sleeveless shirt.
The millionaire Reddit founder was carrying his dress shoes as he spoke with wedding planner Preston Bailey and appeared to have recently gotten his hair cut, two days after he was spotted getting a manicure.
Serena, 36, was not spotted at all as she hid between tinted windows and managed to dart into the venue out of sight thanks to the tenting covering most of the parking lot.
The bachelor: Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian (above) were spotted arriving at The Contemporary Art Museum New Orleans on Thiursday afternoon
Stunner: A three-car envoy delivered Serena to the venue, with DailyMail.com getting a shot of sister Isha (above) in the front seat wearing what appeared to be a green velvet
Last minute prep: Ohanain, 34, arrived in shorts and a sleevless tee, and spent some time speaking with celebrity wedding planner Preston Bailey (above)
Time for a change: Ohanian got to the venue roughly an hour before his bride, who is staying at a rental home while he is in a hotel
Trademark: The bridal bouquests were from Mayesh, a favorite of Jeff Leathem, and appears to feature the Vanda Orchid which were recently named after him
Stunning centerpieces: A worker carries in one of the flower displays to the ceremony
DailyMail.com did capture Isha Price sitting in the front seat of a chauffeured car as it pulled in on Thursday, with Serena’s older sister appearing to be in a green velvet look.
There will be no photos from inside the event per the bride’s request.
That was also the case on Wednesday, but Serena’s sister Lyndrea seemed to violate that request as she posted a pic of herself with WME executive Carlos Fleming.
It was a romantic day all around, with guest Eva Longoria and husband Jose Baston spotted hugging and kissing as the pair left Serena’s rental home on Thursday.
The couple visited the $1.6 million mansion with Serena’s best friend that is not her sister on the WTA Tour, Caroline Wozniacki.
She too was glowing as she walked hand-in-hand with her fiancee of two weeks, former NBA star Daid Lee, in photos taken by DailyMail.com.
Wozniacki also got a chance to flash her 8.88-carat ring, which is an upgrade from the 8-carat stone she got from he ex Rory McIlroy in 2014 before the two split.
Serena was ravishing in white on Wednesday night as she donned a Versace couture gown for her rehearsal dinner in New Orleans.
The bride-to-be, 36, was joined by a select group of family and friends including her mother and coach Oracene Price, sisters Venus, Isha and Lyndrea and celeb pals Colton Haynes, Eva Longoria, Cynthia Erivo, Selita Ebanks, Caroline Wozniacki and Nicole Ari Parker with husband Boris Kodjoe at the event, held at Emeril Lagasse’s new eatery Meril.
And Lagase himself showed up to the restaurant at 4:30pm to prepare for his famous guests, shutting down the facility for the evening to accommodate the party.
Devices allowed: The group seemed to get in as much time as possible with the cell phones before they were confiscated later in the evening
Lovebirds: Baston planted a kiss on Longoria while cradling her belly as the group left Serena’s $1.6million rental
Group outing: Eva Longoria and husband Jose Baston went to visit Serena Williams on Thursday morning with Caroline Wozniacki and her new fiancee David Lee (couples above)
Thursday night’s affair was a bit more low-key, however, with Serena staying true to her tennis roots by pairing Nikes with her gown, designed by good friend Donatella Versace.
Her couture pieces start in the five-figure range and can cost well over $100,000, with the exquisite detailing all hand-stitched using crystals and pearls.
It is unclear if Serena wore the sneakers all night or just as she left the venue with her ladies.
The greatest female athlete of all time was photographed shortly after midnight as a bodyguard escorted her to a waiting vehicle to take her back to the $1.6 million mansion she is staying in this week.
Among those who were seen getting out of the car with Serena at her New Orleans rental was her nephew Jair.
He is the teenage son of Serena’s late sister Yetunde, who was murdered in a 2003 shooting when a gang member opened fire on her believing her vehicle was that of a rival.
Jair, the youngest of Yetunde’s three children, posted a photo with a tear streaming down his face after the dinner on Wednesday, writing: ‘Real eye re cry’s.’