Melanie Chisholm, known as Sporty Spice, recently married model Chris Dingwall, but the celebration was reportedly overshadowed by a wardrobe choice from bandmate Geri Halliwell. Halliwell wore a white, floor-length floral dress to the July 18 wedding, an outfit that friends described as looking “undeniably bridal” and a breach of wedding etiquette.
While Chisholm herself acknowledged the incident with a “little giggle” in a radio interview, sources close to the singer expressed more significant frustration. "Mel is lovely, she’s kind and she would do anything for Geri, yet Geri couldn’t just wear a different colour for the day," one source told the Daily Mail. "To do that to Mel feels very dismissive and bordering on the unkind."
Another source characterized Halliwell as a “diva,” suggesting her actions were typical, comparing her behavior unfavorably to Victoria Beckham, who, despite her absence, contributed to Chisholm's wedding dress.
Mel B wore a peach-toned mini dress, and Emma Bunton opted for a pink checked trouser suit, contrasting with Halliwell’s chosen attire. Halliwell’s white outfit, a reported £2,000 two-piece by Australian designer Zimmermann, drew private “snide comments” at the event.
Halliwell has frequently worn white in recent years, describing it as her “uniform” for simplicity and a sense of calm and control, drawing inspiration from figures like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. "I went through a period when I was in my 20s, wearing black all the time," she previously explained. "But I’ve gone through different theories. I looked at a lot of guys, and they always wear the same thing."
Sources also suggest Halliwell has been curating a more sophisticated image, moving away from her more flamboyant Spice Girls past. This transformation is reportedly influenced by her life as a married mother of two living in a large country estate, and a desire to distance herself from elements she views as “tacky” or potentially embarrassing to her husband Christian Horner's family.
Despite the controversy surrounding her outfit, Halliwell has faced her own public challenges, including the scandal involving her husband Christian Horner, former Red Bull Racing CEO, who was investigated for alleged inappropriate behavior. He denied the allegations, and Red Bull dismissed the claims, though the situation was described as embarrassing for Halliwell.
Mel C began dating Chris Dingwall in 2023 after meeting on the dating app Raya. The wedding took place at The Country House in Cumbria.