Melanie C, the singer also known as Sporty Spice, married model Chris Dingwall in a wedding ceremony held at The Country House Cumbria in the Lake District on Saturday. The event saw Melanie C reunited with three of her fellow Spice Girls: Mel B, Geri Halliwell, and Emma Bunton. Victoria Beckham, another bandmate, contributed to the celebration by designing the bride's wedding dress.
Melanie C, 52, wore a sleek white gown created by Victoria Beckham. The dress featured clean lines and understated tailoring, characteristic of Beckham's fashion label. The bride was joined in a wedding portrait by Mel B, 51, Geri Halliwell, 52, and Emma Bunton, 50, who were dressed in pastel outfits. Victoria Beckham, who was in New York, was unable to attend but her design influence was evident.
The couple first had a legal ceremony in Australia. As a sentimental detail for that occasion, Melanie C had the words "Sydney" and "7.6.2026" embroidered in blue onto the inside of her custom Victoria Beckham gown, commemorating the date and location of their official marriage. For the Australian ceremony, she also wore a "something borrowed" item from Victoria Beckham's wardrobe.
Melanie C met Chris Dingwall, who is reportedly in his 40s, in 2023 via the dating app Raya. She had previously expressed doubts about marriage, particularly after her split from long-term partner Thomas Starr. She told Vogue that the spark with Dingwall was immediate and that he has become a "beautiful addition" to her and her 17-year-old daughter's life.
For the Lake District wedding, Melanie C incorporated elements nodding to her "Sporty Spice" persona. She wore a custom ivory silk Adidas robe with white silk stripes and custom white and gold sliders featuring the wedding date. Later in the evening, she changed into an elevated Adidas tracksuit ensemble, also in ivory silk with white silk stripes, paired with custom Superstar trainers.
The venue, The Country House Cumbria, is described as a picturesque setting suitable for intimate weddings. The co-owners are West End actor Ben Forster and property developer Paul Longman. Melanie C's daughter, Scarlett, served as a bridesmaid.
During the ceremony, a brief interruption occurred when a herd of cows approached the venue. The reception continued into the early hours of Sunday, with Mel B reportedly giving a speech that evoked both laughter and tears.
Melanie C has spoken previously about her past struggles with loneliness and depression during her time in the Spice Girls, contrasting with her bandmates who were often in settled relationships. She noted that being single was a significant theme in her adult life for an extended period before her relationship with Dingwall.