Look Back at Beyoncé and JAY-Z’s Wedding Day as the Couple Celebrates 16 Years of Marriage
Fifteen years ago Tuesday, music’s power couple said “I do.”
In light of the “Crazy in Love” couple’s wedding anniversary on Tuesday, PEOPLE is looking back on Beyoncé and JAY-Z’s luxurious (and secret) wedding.
The date was April 4, 2008 — which the couple chose as a nod to their shared love for the number four — and it was held at JAY-Z’s 13,500-sq.-ft. Manhattan penthouse with only 40 guests in attendance.
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“It was a very emotional wedding — lots of crying — and really very spiritual,” a source told PEOPLE at the time of the soirée.
At the time, however, the <em>Lemonade</em> singer, 41, and the rapper’s plan to keep the celebration under wraps hit a small bump on the road when they traveled to Scarsdale, New York, to pick up their marriage license in hopes of flying under the radar.
Beyoncé and JAY-Z.
The stars — who had been dating for six years at that point — were spotted entering the Scarsdale Village Hall and news outlets pieced the celebration together.
But that didn’t stop them.
The fairytale wedding, held inside JAY-Z’s penthouse, was under a large white tent in his living room. By mid-afternoon, candelabras and flowers began showing up on the sidewalk outside his lavish Tribeca spot.
“It looked like a palace,” said florist Amy Vongpitaka at the time, who had 70,000 white dendrobium orchids flown in from Thailand.
Beyoncé and JAY-Z. Kevin Mazur/Getty for The Recording Academy
“It was a really pure, white wedding,” said a source at the time of the wedding, which was attended by guests including Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin: “It was just beautiful. Gorgeous. Opulent.”
The reception carried on until 5 a.m. and neither of them performed, though “everyone danced to a lot of hip-hop and oldies, including Jackson 5 and Whitney Houston,” said another source. There was also a first dance.
Beyoncé and JAY-Z kept the intimate theme alive with no maid of honor and best man. However, they did stick to tradition with the “Love on Top” singer’s gorgeous white gown (chosen by her mom!) and his black tux.
She “looked beautiful,” said a source at the time.
While there wasn’t much in the way of social media at the time, the couple did ask for everyone to surrender their phones for the celebration.
Beyonce, JAY-Z, Sir, Rumi and Blue Ivy. Beyoncé/instagram
Beyoncé later talked about the marriage for the first time in her December-January 2008 <em>Seventeen</em> cover story.
“I guess probably that we’re all human,” she said. “I don’t care if you’re picture-perfect on every magazine cover, and you’re the most handsome, successful, coolest guy — you still get sad, and you still get your feelings hurt, and you still get confused and vulnerable and nervous and scared. You have to find a person you can make it through the tough times with.”
In 2017, Queen B gave fans an inside look at her wedding and marriage to JAY-Z in the video for “Die with You,” where fans saw the couple making their way down the aisle as guests tossed rose petals at them.
Since the wedding, the couple has gone on tour together, released music and welcomed their three children: 11-year-old daughter Blue Ivy and 5½-year-old fraternal twins Rumi and Sir.
Jaylen Brown Likes A Tweet That Could Destroy His Partnership With Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown's social media activity sparks speculation about his role and relationship with Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum.
Jaylen Brown recently stirred up speculation about the dynamic between him and teammate Jayson Tatum by liking a tweet suggesting he could be an NBA MVP candidate if not for playing in Tatum's shadow.
"If Jaylen Brown was the #1 on a team he would average over 30 ppg and be in the MVP conversation."
Credit: Jaylen Brown/ Twitter
The tweet insinuated that Brown's potential for MVP consideration might be stifled by his role as a supporting player to Tatum. This action has sparked discussions among NBA fans about the relationship between the two stars and the implications it may have for their partnership on the court.
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Brown's decision to like the tweet could be interpreted as a subtle expression of his desire for greater recognition and leadership within the Celtics organization. By acknowledging the possibility of being an MVP candidate in the absence of Tatum's dominant presence, Brown may be signaling his aspiration to take on a more prominent role within the team.
However, such sentiments could potentially strain his relationship with Tatum, who has been the primary focal point of the Celtics' offense in recent years. If Brown sees himself as a viable MVP contender, it may lead to questions about his willingness to defer to Tatum and collaborate effectively with him on the court.
The liking of the tweet raises concerns about potential locker-room tension and the impact it could have on team chemistry. While both players have been instrumental in the Celtics' success, conflicts over leadership and hierarchy could disrupt their ability to work together cohesively.
As the Celtics continue their pursuit of an 18th NBA championship, Brown and Tatum will need to address any underlying issues and find ways to reconcile their individual aspirations with the team's collective goals. Their ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial in determining the success of their partnership moving forward.
Jaylen Brown vs. Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics' roster since they were drafted as the 3rd picks in the 2016 and 2017 NBA Drafts, respectively. Their arrival signaled the Celtics' acquisition of a dynamic wing partnership that was expected to define the team's identity for years to come. Now, with Brown at 27 and Tatum at 26, they are firmly established as the faces of the franchise.
Examining their individual resumes, Brown boasts a solid track record with three All-Star selections and one All-NBA team nod over his eight-year career. On the other hand, Tatum has garnered more accolades in his seven years, with five All-Star selections, four All-NBA team selections, and an All-Star Game MVP under his belt. Tatum's impressive resume reflects his status as one of the league's premier talents.
When comparing their career statistics, Brown has averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game, shooting 48.0% from the field and 34.9% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Tatum has posted averages of 23.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, with shooting percentages of 46.0% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. These numbers underscore Tatum's versatility and efficiency on both ends of the floor.
In the current season, Brown has maintained strong numbers with averages of 22.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 50.0% from the field and 34.9% from beyond the arc. However, Tatum has elevated his game further, averaging 27.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 47.3% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. Tatum's improved efficiency this season solidifies his position as the Celtics' primary offensive threat.
Tatum's all-around game is widely regarded as exceptional, with his ability to score from all areas of the court, handle the ball, and play solid defense. Conversely, Brown, while possessing similar skills, has been criticized for his weakness when forced to his left-hand side. Despite his efforts to improve, Brown's limitations in this area have been evident, impacting his effectiveness on the court.
While both Brown and Tatum are integral to the Celtics' success, Tatum's superior performance and versatility make him the clear leader of the duo. Brown's contributions are valuable, but he remains in Tatum's shadow as a secondary option. As they continue their careers together in Boston, Tatum will likely continue to shine as the team's undisputed star, while Brown plays a supporting role as his trusted teammate.
In the dynamic duo of Brown and Tatum, comparisons to the legendary Batman and Robin pairing are inevitable. Much like Batman and Robin, Tatum stands out as the main protagonist, with his multifaceted skill set and ability to lead the team. Meanwhile, Brown fills the role of Robin, providing essential support and contributions while operating in Tatum's shadow.
While Brown may aspire to take on a more prominent role, for now, he remains the sidekick to Tatum's leading role on the Celtics' stage.
Jayson Tatum announces upcoming release of his children's book
Jayson Tatum is a five-time All-Star and a four-time All-NBA selection. He is also soon to be a best-selling author.
The 26-year-old announced on social media Wednesday night the upcoming release of “Baby Dunks-a-Lot,” a picture book co-written by Tatum and author Sam Apple. Available for pre-order now, the book is set to hit shelves on August 27th.
The book is inspired by Tatum’s life as an NBA superstar and a devoted father. It depicts the journey of a youngster stepping into the role of an NBA teammate. The story is a cross between the films “The Boss Baby” and “Space Jam.”
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Jayson Tatum fires back at claims Grant Williams is a 'bad locker room guy'
Tatum took to his social media to defend his former Celtics teammate, calling him a great teammate.
Jayson Tatum has chimed in on the claims that former Celtics forward Grant Willams was a “bad locker room guy”. The comments come after Mike Gorman joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's morning show Toucher & Hardy. Gorman, a play-by-play commentator for the Boston Celtics, didn't mince words when he was asked if Williams was “a huge pain in the a**”.
“He was annoying to everybody,” Gorman replied. “I think he — I think initially, everybody thought, ‘Oh, isn’t he kind of a wise a–, but he’s kind of cute, and he’s kinda funny.’ And then it just kinda wore thin, and it got thin quickly in Dallas obviously. If you start to take on [Luka] Doncic, you’re not gonna be around for long. So, yeah, he had some issues in that area that if he doesn’t get rid of — he’s not good enough to have teams say, ‘Well, okay, but despite that, we’re gonna keep him here ’cause he’s a great player.’ He’s not — he’s an extra. He’s an eighth, ninth, 10th guy on your roster, so those guys are very replaceable, especially if you get a guy that’s a bad locker room guy. If you’re a bad locker room guy and you’re the eighth or ninth guy, you’re not gonna be the eighth or ninth guy for long because you’re not gonna be on the team for long.”
Tatum responded to the comment with a post on his Twitter/X page saying, “Grant Williams= Great teammate!”
Jayson Tatum has firsthand experience, having played alongside Williams for four seasons following the former Celtic forward's selection by the team in 2019. Williams was a key role player in the team's 2022 playoff run that resulted in an appearance in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. He departed the team in 2023 in a sign-and-trade to the and was recently traded to the Hornets in a move that landed the Dallas P.J. Washington.
Mavericks GM’s Grant Williams take
In February, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison spoke on the rumors of Williams being a bad teammate and that leading to his subsequent trade to the Hornets.
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