Mel C marries 'gentle' boyfriend in 'understated' Cumbria wedding - but Victoria Beckham is forced to miss out


Mel C is walking down the aisle at a gorgeous country home, but one of her closest friends, Victoria Beckham, is sadly missing the wedding


Melanie C and husband Chris Dingwall smiling, in a field. He wears a black tuxedo, she a white gown and holds flowers.
Matthew Moore
Matthew MooreSenior Evening Writer
Updated: July 21, 2026

Spice Girls star Mel C married her long-time boyfriend, Chris Dingwall, on Saturday, with the pair walking down the aisle at The Country House in Cumbria.

Among the guests spotted arriving for Sporty Spice's nuptials were her fellow Spice Girls co-star, Geri Halliwell-Horner, and her bandmates Emma Bunton and Melanie Brown.

Melanie C and Chris Dingwall walk hand-in-hand down steps in front of a large house.© Andrew Timms
Spice Girls star Mel C married her long-time boyfriend, Chris Dingwall, on Saturday

Ginger Spice was seen pulling up to the venue in a black car alongside her own husband, Christian Horner. Other guests were seen arriving in coaches and local taxis.

The venue itself is owned by Ben Forster, a close friend of the singer's, with the pair first meeting back in 2013 when they co-starred in Jesus Christ Superstar. The gorgeous property dates back to the 19th century and is located in a secluded countryside area.

The Mail reported that Mel's teenage daughter, Scarlett, 17, served as a bridesmaid for the ceremony. Mel shares her daughter with her ex-partner, Thomas Starr.

Four women, including Melanie C, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, and Melanie Brown, stand together on a grassy lawn
Mel posed with her bandmates Melanie Brown, Geri Halliwell-Horner and Emma Bunton

Although most of Mel's Spice Girls co-stars are there for her big day, there was one key absence, with Victoria Beckham skipping the ceremony.

Posh Spice is currently in the United States with her family, and they have been watching England play live in many of their matches. Although the Three Lions were knocked out of the tournament by Argentina, they will be playing France on Saturday evening in Miami.

Gorgeous photos from the special celebration, taken by Andrew Timms, show the beautiful bride wearing a Victoria Beckham silk design with lace detailing as she goes hand-in-hand with her handsome husband. 

Later in the evening, Mel slipped into a custom Adidas look - an elevated interpretation of a tracksuit, with high-waisted, wide-legged trousers and a cropped jacket - channelling her alter-ego Sporty Spice.

Mel C's relationship with Chris

Melanie C, wearing a white gown, walks hand-in-hand with Chris Dingwall in a black tuxedo in a grassy field.© Andrew Timms
The gorgeous wedding photos, taken by Andrew Timms, show the bride in a Victoria Beckham dress

Mel is the last of the Spice Girls to marry, and when she first met Chris on celebrity dating app Raya, she wasn't expecting to find love. After a previous bad break-up, Mel had no intention of finding anyone else, revealing she only downloaded the celebrity dating app as a joke.

"We’d go through [Raya] to see if there were any hotties on there — see what celebrities we could spot, which is always fun," she joked on the Life Uncut podcast. She matched with Chris, who was living in Australia, and when Mel travelled there for a DJ gig, she agreed to a dinner date.

"I didn't want to let the dude down," she confessed. "And we've been together ever since."

The singer has previously referred to her partner as a "real gentle soul", saying: "He's one of those people that just doesn't get all up in your business, you know? He's quietly on the sidelines being uber supportive, and he's wonderful."

Melanie C in a white satin outfit dances with her arms raised at a party.© Andrew Timms
Mel later changed into a Sporty Spice inspired tracksuit

Back in January, Mel confessed that Chris was her first partner that she'd ever thought about marrying. She told the Sunday Times: "You know what? It's something I didn't think would be part of my story, but I’m so happy with Chris.

'"Maybe it is something that will be in my life. I just think, just do all the things. Do you know what I mean? Have all the experiences."

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