Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are officially, well, a union. The Miami Heat guard and Think Like a Man actress were married as expected on Saturday in a lavish Miami ceremony.
Janine Rayford Rubenstein of People confirmed the nuptials, describing the guests as "an intimate crowd of family and friends." Wade and Union have been together off and on since 2009. The 10-time NBA All-Star proposed to Union in December.
"It's seriously awesome," Union said last year, per E! News' Brandi Fowler. "When you've been a couple for so long, people are like 'When's the baby!'... We both kind of rushed into marriage and neither one of us was successful at that, so we're both kind of like, let's take our time. If the goal is forever, what are we rushing for."
Wade, 32, was previously married to Siohvaughn Funches in 2002. The couple separated in 2007, and Wade eventually won custody of their two children in 2011 after a tense court battle. Union, 41, was previously married to former NFL player Chris Howard from 2001 to 2006.
Wade has three children from other relationships and has primary custody of his young nephew. Union and Howard did not have any children while married.
Their lavish event took place at the famous Chateau Artisan, a moated castle in one of Miami's most secluded areas, per TMZ. While guests and those working at the wedding were forced to sign confidentiality agreements—ones that included potential fines for guests who leak news to the press—details of the ceremony have slowly begun to emerge.
Singer John Legend performed at the ceremony, which had an upscale 1930s theme. Famed violinist Lee England Jr. was also tapped for a performance, according to a TMZ report. England and Wade knew each other from their time signed to Nike's Jordan Brand.
There were roughly 200 guests in total, the crowd littered with NBA stars and celebrities alike. Entertainer La La Anthony sent out an Instagram photo of her and husband Carmelo Anthony outside the estate:
"We celebrated AMAZING LOVE tonight....partied nonstop..gotta fix my baby's bowtie...LOL..love u @gabunion & @dwyanewade #thewadeunion," she wrote.
Also in attendance were Heat owner Micky Arison, Blazers forward Dorell Wright, Think Like a Man producer Will Packer and many others. As Arison highlighted in an Instagram post, there was a stand with the phrase "Hollywood as Hell" written where guests could take pictures. The reference, of course, is to a Joakim Noah quote from 2011 describing the Heat's former Big Three.
As for the two other members of the former Miami Big Three, at least one of the two was in attendance. Chris Bosh and his wife, Adrienne, sent out a pre-wedding photo, with the Heat forward saying he's ready to share "a special moment" with the newlyweds:
Regardless of the attendees, Wade and Union seemed more than satisfied on their big day. And given the positivity being shown on social media with the hashtag #TheWadeUnion—which was used by most guests throughout the evening—odds are they left satisfied as well.
Then again, it's pretty hard to be upset when you're partying in a castle with a moat.
-bleacherreporter.com
N.B. Sorry for the long absence, my aunt is getting married next month and i have been very busy with the maid of honour duties. Hope to make it up to you all. XOXO