Beyoncé reveals how she kept her 2008 wedding to Jay-Z secret from guests

Beyoncé says guests were invited to party without knowing they were attending her wedding to Jay-Z

Beyoncé has revealed how she and Jay-Z kept their 2008 wedding a secret from almost all their guests, explaining that friends and family were initially told they were attending a party.

In a recent interview with i-D, published in early November 2026, the singer shared details of the private ceremony, which took place at the couple's home in New York.

"We had a very small wedding in our home," Beyoncé said. "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."

The couple married on April 4, 2008, a date chosen for its connection to their shared favourite number, four.

Their guest list reportedly included around 40 people, among them Beyoncé's former Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin.

The ceremony was held inside Jay-Z's 13,500-square-foot penthouse in Manhattan's Tribeca neighbourhood.

Sources previously described an elaborate setting featuring a large tent, flowers, candles and crystal decorations. Florist Amy Vongpitaka said the venue "looked like a palace".

Beyoncé also revealed that her wedding dress held particular significance because it was designed by her mother, Tina Knowles.

"My favorite dress my mother designed was my wedding dress — it was gorgeously simple and made with her love," she told i-D. "Wearing a dress she designed was very important to me, and more important than any designer dress."

The singer first gave fans a glimpse of the gown during a performance of "I Was Here" in 2011.

The wedding reception also took place at the couple's home, with DJ Cassidy providing the music throughout the event.

He later recalled that he handled the entertainment from beginning to end, apart from the couple's chosen entrance and first-dance songs.