Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Star NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and his bride-to-be, pop star Ciara, moved their planned wedding in North Carolina out of the state in response to the state’s controversial “bathroom bill,” according to reports. The couple’s wedding planner told The Knot that she started planning the couples’ wedding in North Carolina, but they moved it following passage earlier this year of the Tar Heel state’s controversial “bathroom bill,” also known as House Bill 2, or HB2.
The law requires transgender people to use the bathroom of the gender listed on their birth certificate. The bill has been highly controversial, and opposition to the law has been cited by other high profile celebrities/musicians for moving events out of the state. The NBA also recently cited its opposition to the law when it announced that it would move its 2017 All Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans.
Unconfirmed reports put the planned wedding at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. The beautiful Biltmore is a stunning, well-known wedding destination, with the average wedding there estimated to cost between $44,612 and $45,665 for a ceremony and reception for 100 guests, according to wedding-spot.com, which also has some great photos of the Biltmore as a wedding venue. A Biltmore Estate spokeswoman told me Tuesday morning that weddings on the estate are private affairs, and she could not comment on any couple’s plans.
Wilson, who played football at N.C. State, is familiar with Asheville at the Biltmore Estate. He was an Asheville Tourists baseball player in 2011 and apparently still has family in the state. Ciara has family in Georgia. Wilson and Ciara were spotted touring the Biltmore Estate back in April.
Wilson and Ciara got hitched last month at Peckforton Castle outside London in what, by all appearances, was a fairly tale wedding. Ciara wore a gorgeous gown designed by Roberto Cavalli, while Wilson donned an Armani suit. They band Earth, Wind & Fire provided music for the rocking reception, according to eonline.com.
Wilson favors using his status to help social change, according to si.com.
“Well, I think we all have a responsibility,” he said last month, according to ESPN. “It’s not just on athletes, it’s not just on coaches, it’s not just on anybody in particular. It’s on all of us. I think ultimately it comes down to love and appreciating one another and respect for one another.”
Photo via Ciara on Instagram.
This is true. Wedding was scheduled for July 4th weekend.