Entertainment · Celebrity · 7 hrs ago
Beyoncé says her 2008 wedding to Jay-Z was a small, private gathering
Beyoncé has shared new details about her wedding to Jay-Z, 18 years after they married.
The couple held the 2008 ceremony at their New York City home, with guests told they were coming to a party.
Beyoncé said only their parents and a few friends knew it was a wedding.
Her mother, Tina Knowles, designed her wedding dress, which Beyoncé described as simple and made with love.
She said wearing her mother's design mattered more to her than wearing a dress by a famous designer.
The private ceremony reflects how little the couple shared about the day, though some details, including the date and guests, became public over time.
Beyoncé spoke about the wedding in an interview promoting her haircare brand's British launch; no further wedding plans or announcements were reported.
Beyoncé said she and Jay-Z held a very small wedding at their New York City home in 2008.
She said guests were told they were attending a party, and only their parents and a few friends knew it was a wedding.
Beyoncé said her mother, Tina Knowles, designed her wedding dress, which she described as simple and made with love.
The couple married on April 4, 2008, and reports said about 40 guests attended.
Beyoncé shared the details in an interview with i-D published on November 11, 2026.
- Who
- Beyoncé and Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter.
- What
- They held a small, private wedding. Beyoncé said only their parents and a few friends knew the gathering was a wedding.
- When
- April 4, 2008.
- Where
- Their home in New York City.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Daily Mail reported that Beyoncé and Jay-Z began a romance.
The Daily Mail reported that Jay-Z and Beyoncé got engaged on his birthday.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z married at their New York City home.
i-D published Beyoncé’s interview sharing details about the wedding.
- Wedding date
- April 4, 2008
- Venue
- The couple’s New York City home
- Reported guest count
- 40
- Wedding dress designer
- Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother
- Interview outlet
- i-D
3 sources
What people are saying
We had a very small wedding in our home
We told the guests we were having a party, and no one knew they were coming to our wedding but our parents and a few friends.
My favorite dress my mother designed was my wedding dress — it was gorgeously simple and made with her love
Wearing a dress she designed was very important to me, and more important than any designer dress.