Mel C, 52, Marries in a Backless Wedding Gown — but One Famous Name Missing from the Guest List — Photos

Mel C’s wedding photos revealed a sleek backless gown, a countryside ceremony and a joyful Spice Girls reunion — but one famous bandmate was missing from the celebration.

Melanie Chisholm has officially tied the knot. The Spice Girls star, better known as Mel C or Sporty Spice, married Australian model and filmmaker Chris Dingwall during an intimate ceremony at Country House Cumbria in England's Lake District on July 18. At 52, she became the last member of the iconic pop group to marry.

Photos from the celebration showed the newlyweds walking hand in hand outside the Georgian country house before strolling through the surrounding countryside. Mel C carried a bouquet of white flowers with greenery, while Chris wore a classic black tuxedo with a black bow tie and a white boutonniere.

Another portrait captured the bride standing alone on a staircase, highlighting the elegant silhouette of her gown. She wore her hair in loose waves with understated makeup and minimal jewelry, keeping the focus on the dress.

Who Was Missing From the Wedding?

The only Spice Girl missing from Mel C's wedding was Victoria Beckham.

Page Six reported that Victoria was unable to attend because she was in the United States with her husband, David Beckham, for long-standing FIFA World Cup commitments. Although she couldn't be there in person, she remained closely involved in one of the wedding's most meaningful details.

"It was a gift from Victoria, they are really close," a source said of the custom bridal gown. "Victoria would have loved to have been there if she could."

Another insider close to the fashion designer said it was Victoria's "great pleasure" to create the dress for her former bandmate.

"She was sad she couldn't be there because she's in the US with David and, of course, the World Cup plans had been set for a long time," the source added. "But she was wishing her all the best from afar for Mel's special day."

The day after the ceremony, People noted that Victoria shared photos from the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where she attended the match with David, sons Romeo and Cruz, and their partners.

She later posted another image of herself and David holding hands in the stands, writing, "I loved our football tour!" before adding, "I love you."

The Bride Wore a Custom Victoria Beckham Design

Mel C's wedding dress was created by Victoria Beckham, making the former Spice Girl part of the celebration despite her absence.

In an interview with British Vogue, Victoria revealed that the collaboration actually began months earlier, when Mel C told her she planned to marry Chris during a small legal ceremony in Sydney.

The bride had already ordered one of Victoria's ivory Lace Cami Dresses for the occasion. But just days before leaving for Australia, she discovered the dress no longer fit, and there wasn't enough time to make alterations.

"I happened to have that exact dress in my own wardrobe and offered to lend it to her," Victoria recalled.

The gown became one of the wedding's most sentimental details. "Victoria's dress was my something borrowed," Mel C said. "It was very special, having her there."

When Victoria later learned the couple planned to hold a larger celebration in England, she immediately offered to create a bespoke bridal gown. "I obviously offered to make her dream dress," she said.

The finished design preserved the minimalist feel Mel C wanted while adding handcrafted details unique to the occasion.

Made from ivory satin, the gown featured vintage Lyon lace that had been individually cut and hand-placed across the bodice. A dramatic open back became its defining feature, while a subtle train added elegance without overwhelming the clean silhouette.

"Melanie is quite minimalist and didn't want anything too fussy, conceptual or overly complicated – this is all very aligned with what I do," Victoria explained. Mel C said Victoria transformed the original concept into something deeply personal.

"She found some gorgeous vintage lace, and everything was really delicately dyed to the perfect shade," the bride said. "It's very flattering, open at the back."

The fittings also became a family affair. Mel C's 17-year-old daughter, Scarlett, attended the first appointment and encouraged Victoria to extend the train for a little extra drama.

"My daughter was at the first fitting, and she wanted a bit more drama in the length," Mel C said with a laugh. "It's my wedding too!"

A Quiet Lake District Wedding Included Some Unexpected Guests

Mel C and Chris chose an intimate celebration instead of a lavish celebrity wedding.

The guest list focused on family and close friends, with Emma Bunton, Mel B and Geri Halliwell-Horner representing the Spice Girls. Mel C's daughter, Scarlett, served as one of the bridesmaids, making the day an especially personal family occasion.

The Lake District setting reflected the couple's vision for the wedding. Rather than a grand ballroom or extravagant venue, they exchanged vows surrounded by rolling countryside and the historic Georgian estate.

The ceremony briefly took an unexpected turn when a herd of cows wandered toward the property during the vows.

According to the Daily Mail, guests were momentarily distracted before the celebration continued, adding an unscripted moment to the otherwise elegant afternoon.

The relaxed atmosphere was exactly what Mel C had envisioned. She described the celebration as "quite low-key, relaxed, romantic and chic" — a wedding centered on the people closest to her rather than celebrity spectacle. That approach also reflected the journey that led her to Chris.

One Swipe on Raya Changed Mel C's Life

Mel C opened up about her relationship with Chris during a November 2025 interview on Australia's "The Project," sharing how an unexpected match on the exclusive dating app Raya eventually led to marriage.

After the end of her previous relationship, she assumed she would focus on herself and her daughter, Scarlett, rather than look for another partner. She admitted she had little interest in dating and believed she might remain single.

Everything changed after a night out with friends, who persuaded her to create a Raya profile. The group turned the experience into what they jokingly called "boy bingo," scrolling through potential matches together for fun.

One profile immediately caught her attention.

Mel C matched with Chris while she was living in London. Although he was based in Sydney, the distance didn't discourage her. In fact, she later joked that it was part of the appeal because she wasn't looking to jump straight into another serious relationship.

As it happened, she already had a DJ tour scheduled in Australia, giving them the chance to meet in person.

She landed in Sydney early that morning, but instead of resting after the long flight, she agreed to meet Dingwall for dinner later that evening.

He had booked a table at a restaurant that was notoriously difficult to get into, making a memorable first impression. "We've been together ever since," she recalled.

Looking back, Mel C said she realized almost immediately that Dingwall was different from anyone she had dated before.

"He is a real gentle soul," she said, explaining that one of the things she values most is his quiet, unwavering support. "He's quietly in the sidelines being uber supportive," she added.

The singer also believes their personalities complement each other. She has said they share similar values, a similar outlook on life and even a comparable sense of humor, something she partly attributes to his Australian upbringing and her own northern English roots.

Although Chris is often described as a model, his career extends beyond fashion. According to his Instagram profile, he is represented by IMG Models and has also worked as a filmmaker, writer, director, and cinematographer.

His IMDb credits include the 2019 short film "The CNO" and "Jimmy the Hud," reflecting his work behind the camera as well as in front of it.