Sealed with a Kiss
After proposting two year ago on stage in Las Vegas. AJ finally tied the knot with his “best friend” Rochelle.
AJ’S MCLEAN GOTH WEDDING
From skeletons to swords the backstreet boys and his bride take In Touch inside their spooky celebration.
When the Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean and his MakeUp artist fianceé, Rochelle Deanna Karidis bagan planning their wedding, they envisioned a “Glam Goth” affair that wouldn’t look out a place in Time Burton’s eerie escapade Beetlejuice. “We had some petty off-the-wall ideas”, AJ reveals to In Touch in an exclusive interview. So with the help of wedding planner-to-star Mindy Weiss – Who masterminded Katty Perry and Rusell Brand’s inovative indian “I do’s” – AJ and Rochelle tied the knot in suitably ghoulish style at the Bervely Hills Hotel on December 17.
“It was a complete fantasy” recalls AJ. “We had ‘blood’ dripping off of tables, crosses, candles, daggers and skulls, plus thousands and thousands of red and black roses”
Though the couple went away over budget (spending close to $400.000), AJ says the splurge was well worth it: “It was bigger and better than we ever could have imagined”
Personal Touches
But while the wedding had a sinister and spooky theme, it didn’t lack a sweet and sentimental sensibility:
The bride walked down the aisle to Guns N’ Roses “November Rain” (a dedication to Rochelle’s dad); AJ’s close friend celebrity photographer Tyler Shields officiated the deeply personal ceremony; and the couple – who postponed their first attempt while AJ sought treatment for his alcohol addiction – exchanged heartfelt vows in front of 250 loved ones. “We said, “Let’s be honest in the moment and just say what’s on our minds and in our heart” explains AJ. “We barely made it through without crying!”
Their first dance song? OneRepublic’s “All this time”. “It’s about being on the road and being away from the person you love and who – and I know this many sound king of cheessy and Jerry Maguire – but who really does complete you” says AJ, who serenaded his new bride while they danced. After which guest boogied down on the red lacquer floor and noshed on ricotta-stuffed gnocchi, Crapese salad, sea bass and filet mingnon.
Next up for the couple? “We want to star a family” reveals AJ. But first it’s off to a 10 days honeymoon in Bora Bora. “We can’t wait”
FASHION-FORWARD
In keeping with the black-and-red theme, Rochelle wore a “soft and elegant” Vera Wang gown, while AJ accesorized a Hugo Boss suit with a bright-red bow tie and shoes!
BACKSTREET BAKCK’S ALRIGHT!
AJ’s bandmates Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough, hare with New Kids On The Block’s Joey McIintyre, gave “inspirational, heartfelt” speeches. “Ir’s really cool to see all my boys happy for me, and they all love Ro” notes AJ.
THE CAKES
From red velvent to fudge brownie, each layer of the five-tier cake by Charm City Cakes differed.
GOTH DECOR
“The most unusual request was for hand-painted ‘blood’ dripping down the tablecloths” says wedding planner Mindy Weiss.
SERIOUS BLING
XIV Karats in Beverly Hills designed one-of-a kind infinity bands with black and white diamonds and rubies.
CELEB GUEST
“Katty Griffin has always had a little crush on AJ” laughs Rochelle of the comedian, who brought along marketing manager Randy Bick.
Credits: In Touch Magazine // Transcription: AJ McLean Argentina
