Former X Factor winner Leona Lewis had a vegan Buddhist wedding

The fairytale ceremony took place in Italy

Updated on 06 August 2019 • Written By Caroline Hendry

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Former X Factor winner Leona Lewis had a vegan Buddhist wedding

Songstress Leona Lewis has tied the knot in Italy, with the ceremony taking place at megastar Sting’s sprawling Tuscan estate.

The 2006 X Factor winner married creative director Dennis Jauch, who proposed last year after eight years of being together. As reported by HELLO! magazine, the couple got hitched in a Buddhist ceremony which was attended by 180 of their friends and family, with celebrity guests including Keisha Buchanan of Sugababes fame, and former The Voice winner Jermain Jackman.

At the reception, guests were treated to an entirely vegan menu, while the couple’s wedding cake was inspired by a traditional Italian mille-feuille. The multi-tiered cake was the creation of Sicilian dessert stylist and pastry chef Marco Failla, and featured salted dark chocolate cream and Sicilian caramelised almonds. The cake was decorated with berries, fresh flowers and 24k gold leaf.    

Leona wore a floor-length gown by Israeli designer Mira Zwillinger, which featured an intricate lace bodice. The bride paired the dress with a long veil with bead detailing, before changing into a blush pink embellished tulle gown for the reception, then a crystal-encrusted jumpsuit for the after-party. The lively wedding reception rumbled on until 7am, and featured a tattoo artist and a drag queen.

The couple overcame a last-minute drama on the big day, when a huge electrical storm threatened to ruin the ceremony, which was originally scheduled to be held outdoors. In a last minute change of plans, the couple decided to move their ceremony indoors, believing that the change in weather was a sign from Jauch’s father, who passed just three weeks before the ceremony.

Simon Cowell, who discovered Leona on The X Factor, was invited to the big day, but was unable to make it due to filming for Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions. Cowell did give a comment to HELLO! though, saying he wished the happy couple “all the best for their journey ahead.”

If you’re planning on tying the knot soon, you can now get hitched at Manchester’s highest restaurant.