Rhiannon Hendricks
On 31 December 1997, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith tied the knot in a New Year's Eve wedding in Baltimore, Maryland. The couple, who first met in 1994, exchanged vows at the Cloisters Castle or Cloisters Mansion, a historic venue known for its impressive architecture. Jada was three months pregnant with their son Jaden at the time, and the couple has since welcomed another child, Willow. Despite their lengthy marriage, Jada has expressed hesitation about marriage, and in 2016, the pair separated and began living apart, though they have not divorced.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 31 December 1997 |
| Location | Cloisters Castle, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Bride's dress | High-neck, long-sleeve winter gown made of silk velvet with gold earrings |
| Groom's outfit | White suit with a white ascot |
| Bride's feelings about the wedding | Upset, crying, and hesitant about marriage |
| Guests | Close friends and family |
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Jada's wedding dress
Jada Pinkett Smith's wedding dress for her nuptials to Will Smith was a velvet, bump-concealing gown. The couple married in December 1997, when Jada was three months pregnant with their son, Jaden.
Jada's dress was a high-neck, long-sleeve winter gown with an embellished neckline. She wore gold earrings and vampy lipstick, and her look was completed with a fresh-faced makeup look. The dress successfully hid any signs of a baby bump, and Jada later admitted that she was hesitant about getting married at the time.
The wedding took place at the historic Cloisters Castle in Baltimore, known for its impressive architecture, including a four-story spiral stair tower, a chapel, a garden, multiple fireplaces, and hand-painted murals. Jada's mother, Adrienne, wanted her only daughter to have a big wedding, but Jada said she would have preferred an intimate ceremony on a mountain.
Despite her initial hesitation, Jada looked stunning in her velvet dress, and the couple has now been married for over 25 years. They share two children, Jaden and Willow, and have taken an unconventional approach to their relationship, including living separately since 2016.
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Will's wedding suit
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith tied the knot on New Year's Eve in 1997 at the Cloisters Castle in Baltimore. The couple exchanged vows just a month after getting engaged. Jada was three months pregnant with their son Jaden at the time.
Will Smith wore a white wedding suit designed by Badgley Mischka. He wore a white ascot instead of a traditional tie, which coordinated with his wife's ensemble. The couple wore matching all-white outfits to their wedding.
Jada wore a high-neck, long-sleeve winter gown made of silk velvet, which gave it a textured look. She paired the dress with simple pearl earrings and gold earrings, adding a pop of colour with her bold lipstick.
Jada later revealed that she was hesitant about entering into a marriage and was in tears on her wedding day. She said, "I never wanted to get married. But my mother was like, 'You have to get married'... I was under so much pressure... I went crying down the freaking aisle getting married."
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The venue
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith tied the knot on New Year's Eve, 31 December 1997, at the historic Cloisters Castle in Baltimore, Maryland. The venue, also known as Cloisters Mansion, is a gothic manor house known for its impressive architecture, including a four-story spiral stair tower, a chapel, a garden, multiple fireplaces, and hand-painted murals. It has been featured on TV shows like "Ace of Cakes" and HBO's "The Wire."
Jada, who was pregnant with their son Jaden at the time, had wanted an intimate ceremony on a mountain. However, her mother, Adrienne, wanted a big wedding for her only daughter. Jada later shared that she was hesitant about marriage and cried as she walked down the aisle. She said she only agreed to the wedding to please her mother.
The couple exchanged vows in a private ceremony at the castle, with no invitations sent to guests to prevent leaks to the media. Jada and Will both wore all-white outfits designed by Badgley Mischka. Jada's dress had a high neckline and long sleeves, fitting the winter vibe, and she paired it with simple pearl earrings and vampy lipstick. Will wore a white wedding suit with a white ascot instead of a traditional tie.
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The guest list
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's wedding was a highly private affair. No invitations were sent, and the location was kept secret from guests until the day of the ceremony. Guests were put up in hotels and given envelopes with directions for their limo drivers on the morning of the wedding.
The couple's nuptials were held in Baltimore, Maryland, Jada's hometown. About 100 guests attended the wedding, including family members and friends. Jada's aunt, Karen Evans, commented on the couple's relationship, saying, "They're very much in love, they have fun together... They don't live a Hollywood life. They're family-oriented. They don't party."
Jada's father, Robsol Pinkett Jr., and paternal grandmother, Shirley Pinkett, both of whom lived in Baltimore, were also likely in attendance, although they avoided commenting on the wedding. Jada's mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, was probably also a guest, as Jada has spoken about their close relationship.
The couple's wedding was a joyous occasion, with guests laughing and talking before the ceremony. It was a memorable celebration of the love between Will and Jada, who have since become one of Hollywood's most prominent couples.
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Their first dance
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's first dance as a married couple was at their wedding on New Year's Eve in 1997. Jada was three months pregnant at the time, and around 100 guests attended the wedding at The Cloisters, a mansion near her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.
Jada has since revealed that she never wanted to get married, but as a young and pregnant actress, she felt pressured, and her mother urged her to get married. She was also in her first trimester during the wedding and has said she was upset and felt unwell.
Although the song for their first dance is not known, there are many popular first dance songs for weddings in Baltimore. These include Teddy Pendergrass's "You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration", The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows", and The Beatles' "Here, There, Everywhere".
Couples can also take wedding dance lessons in Baltimore to prepare for their first dance. Instructors will assess the couple's ability and work to improve their dance skills so they can feel confident and comfortable during their first dance.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith got married on 31 December 1997.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith got married at the Cloisters Castle or Cloisters Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland.
They both wore all-white outfits designed by Badgley Mischka. Jada wore a high-neck, long-sleeve winter gown made of silk velvet, with gold or pearl earrings. Will wore a white suit with an ascot instead of a traditional tie.
