Nikki Bella made a last-minute decision about her dress just 30 minutes before her wedding with Artem Chigvintsev in Paris in August. She revealed to Brides that she wore four different dresses on her big day, two of which had a history. Those gowns were purchased years ago for her previous engagement to John Cena.
A glimpse of Nikki’s bridal dress choices will be featured in a four-part E! special titled “Nikki Bella Says I Do” set to air next year. In her interview with Brides, Nikki admitted to keeping the dresses she bought for her engagement to John Cena.
Nikki had previously shared a photo on Instagram during the summer, giving fans a sneak peek of one of her wedding looks. She proudly displayed her engagement ring, while Artem wore a gold wedding band.
Despite the anticipation from fans, Nikki acknowledged that people might think she is crazy for keeping her previously purchased dresses, but she explained that she bought them for herself and not for the person or the wedding that didn’t happen.
She recalled that she chose her ceremony dress just 30 minutes before walking down the aisle, apologizing to her mother for the last-minute decision. Nikki emphasized that the dresses hold sentimental value to her, and she didn’t want others to make her think differently about them.
Nikki, also known as Stephanie Nicole Chigvintsev, is the cover star of Brides magazine. In the interview, she offered advice to brides who find themselves in a similar situation, urging them to wear the dress they love because not doing so will always leave them thinking about it. She likened it to a first love, mentioning the attachment one can have to such a dress.
During her wedding planning journey, Nikki learned that the dress a bride wears is a reflection of herself as a woman. It is less about the partner or the attendees and more about how the bride envisions herself and how she feels on that special day. She stressed the importance of staying true to one’s own vision and happiness.
Nikki first met Artem while competing on season 25 of Dancing with the Stars in 2017. Following her broken engagement to John Cena in 2018, she embarked on a romance with Artem in 2019. The couple welcomed their son, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev, in 2020.
Nikki expressed her gratitude for the journey that led her to this point, acknowledging that she wasn’t sure if she would make it down the aisle. However, she realized that being at this stage of her life is what makes her a wife and a good wife. She feels ready for this chapter.
The inspiration for Nikki’s wedding dress choices came from her great-grandmothers. She had always admired their iconic and timeless gowns, which she saw in family wedding photos displayed on her Nana’s wall. Nikki wanted to wear something that would captivate her future grandchildren and make them want to wear it at any age.
The upcoming four-part series on E! titled “Nikki Bella Says I Do” will document her three-week wedding celebration, offering a glimpse into the joyous occasion.
