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Ciara, Russell Wilson Canceled First Wedding Due to North Carolina’s Transgender Bathroom Law

Third time’s the charm! Ciara and Russell Wilson had not just one, but two canceled weddings before they landed on their stunning ceremony at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, England, last month.

Related: PHOTOS: Most Over-the-Top Celebrity Weddings

“I did the whole thing — three times,” the couple’s wedding planner Mindy Weiss told The Knot. “They were first getting married in North Carolina, but they called it off due to the transgender bathroom laws.”

The anti-LGBT HB2 law mandates that transgender individuals must use the bathroom that corresponds with their birth gender and eliminates antidiscrimination protections for the LGBT community. The 2017 NBA All-Star Game was moved from Charlotte due to the controversial law, and many celebs — including Bruce Springsteen, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato and Ringo Starr — have called off their North Carolina concerts.

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrities Dating Athletes

The NFL quarterback previously lived in the state for two years while playing football and baseball for North Carolina State University.

Russell Wilson and Ciara
Russell Wilson and Ciara on July 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.

As a second choice, the “Goodies” singer, 30, and the Seattle Seahawks quarterback, 27, wanted to move their nuptials to France. “They were gonna go to Paris and it ended up being [Couture] Fashion Week and it was really difficult,” Weiss explained.

“We ended up in London,” she continued of the July 6 ceremony. “They wanted to be away. And we found a castle that was an hour out of Liverpool and they had about 110 guests.”

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrity Engagement Rings of 2016

The day turned out magical, with the bride donning a one-of-a-kind handmade gown by Roberto Cavalli creative director Peter Dundas, and the groom wearing a bespoke Giorgio Armani suit. However, there was another small snafu in the planning process: Ciara’s dress couldn’t fit inside the chapel. “Inside the castle, they had a chapel but it was too small because her dress was 13 feet,” Weiss said of the cathedral-length train.

Weiss also added that Wilson had a hand in the whole thing as well. “He has really, really beautiful taste,” she said, noting that “they really are a very cool couple. I really enjoy their relationship.”

The NFL star proposed to the pop singer after nearly a year of dating with a massive 16-carat diamond ring while they were enjoying a getaway in the Seychelles in March. 

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