Everything You Need to Know About the Kim Kardashian-Kanye West Wedding

5 minute read

On Saturday the rapper, “god” among men and noted fan of minimalist architecture Kanye West will marry professional famous person Kim Kardashian, whose resume as a model-actress-reality-star-designer-singer-Internet-personality surpasses those of all other multi-hyphenate Hollywood overachievers. It is the media event of the century, or something.

Here’s what you need to know about the holy matrimony about to occur between these pop culture juggernauts, together known as Kimye.

I don’t have time to read this, so just give me the cliff notes — preferably in the form of a song. Kanye closed out the harsh, industrial sounds of his 2012 LP Yeezus with the jarringly soulful “Bound 2.” The track is pretty much the definitive musical take on all things Kim and Kanye. On it, Kanye appears to address: their sex life in great detail; rumors that he once asked Kim for a threesome; the story of how they met (kind of—he doesn’t really remember); and his surprising realization that they could “make it to the church steps.” If that doesn’t convince you to listen, the music video (above) features Kanye “riding” a motorcycle in front of a green screen while a topless Kim lets her hair billow around in the wind. Welcome to “the new uncanny.”

Has Kanye always addressed his relationships in song? “Kanye has never shied away from shining a light on his true emotions toward the women in his life, for better or worse,” the folks at Revolt write in a quick review of his romantic history in his music. In fact, his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak was recorded in the wake of his ended engagement with then-fiancée Alexis Phifer. Perhaps Yeezy fans can look forward to a cheerful album documenting his marital bless whenever the rapper decides to release his Yeezus follow-up.

Wait, didn’t they get married already? As far as the media knows, the answer is no. There were rumors that the two had tied the knot earlier this month in a secret Los Angeles ceremony designed to take care of marriage license logistics ahead of their European nuptials. But PEOPLE, citing a source close to the family, said such reports were false.

Where is it happening? Here’s something to fuel your frequent-flyer envy: The wedding weekend will begin in Paris, France, but the actual ceremony will take place in Florence, Italy, which is just a quick, casual private jet flight across international borders, no big deal. Earlier this month, Kanye opened up to an Italian newspaper about his love of the city: “To tell you the truth, I already came to the banks of the Amo [river] with Kim last year, just the two of us, incognito…I think that our daughter North was conceived here among the Renaissance masterpieces.”

Let them eat cake! While their guests are in Paris, Kimye have organized a private tour of the Palace of Versailles, where the two had reportedly hoped to wed until the Parisian landmark shut them down.

Who will be at the wedding? Kim’s family, which includes sisters Kourtney and Khloe, brother Rob, mom Kris Jenner, stepdad Bruce Jenner, half-sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner and her maternal grandma, who’s already shown up on Instagram. Us Weekly reports that tennis star Serena Williams, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Scottie Pippen, Q-Tip, Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis and La La and Carmelo Anthony are all attending. Vogue’s André Leon Talley is going, but Anna Wintour, who put the couple on the cover of her magazine with the hashtag #worldsmosttalkedaboutcouple, is reportedly not. E! says to expect Ciara, who attended Kim’s bridal shower, and possibly Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who was one of the first mortals allowed in the presence of Kimye’s 11-month old daughter North “Nori” West.

Okay, but what about the children? If you’re worried about who will entertain North while her parents celebrate lavishly, HollywoodLife.com says not to fear — none other than Blue Ivy Carter, flawless spawn of Beyoncé and Jay Z, will be in town for the ceremony along with her parents. Expect North to sit there and sleep and cry and drool and do whatever precious 11-month-olds do while Blue silently fumes about not getting to be the flower girl (as far as we know).

Will Kanye still love Kim when she’s no longer young and beautiful? Who knows, but according to one British tabloid, Kanye reportedly offered Lana Del Rey a six-figure payment to get her to perform her Great Gatsby soundtrack contribution at the wedding after she apparently turned him down initially. It’s unclear why Lana wouldn’t want to take part in such a historic event considering her obsession with America’s most iconic symbols — what’s more iconic than being the #worldsmosttalkedaboutcouple?

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's Relationship, As Told In Pictures

Intermix Store Opening
Ah, Sept. 25, 2007: Even though Kimye's friendship began in 2004, this was the very first time the two posed together in public. Sure they were "just friends"—Kanye was at the store Intermix's grand opening with his former fiancé and Kim was dating Reggie Bush— but pictures don't lie. That is one couple begging for a lifetime of being photographed next to each other. Chris Weeks—WireImage/Getty Images
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2009 - Y-3 - Front Row and Backstage
In February 2009, Kim and Kanye were spotted sitting almost next to each other at the Y-3 show during New York Fashion Week. Kim was with boyfriend Bush. Later that week, Kanye outed his relationship with model Amber Rose.Mike Coppola—FilmMagic/Getty Images
"Cruel Summer" Premiere - 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival
Kimye became an official romantic thing in April 2012—there had been rumors that they were sneaking around when Kim was still married to Kris Humphries, but no matter. In May the couple was photographed in Cannes before the premiere of the rapper's 30-minute short film Cruel Summer.Mike Marsland—WireImage/Getty Images
2012 BET Awards - Roaming Inside And Backstage
How's this for a double date? Kimye sat next to Mr. and Mrs. Carter (all hail queen Bey) at the BET awards in July 2012.Christopher Polk—Getty Images
Kanye West Show : Front Row - Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2012
The fashionistas went to Paris Fashion Week in September 2012.Michel Dufour—WireImage/Getty Images
Kim Kardashian Halloween Birthday Bash At LIV Nightclub
Come October 2012, the couple were spotted dressed up as Batman and Catwoman for Halloween. Because leather.Alexander Tamargo—Getty Images
Kanye announced that Kim was pregnant at a December 2012 concert. That probably helped secure the Feb. 2013 cover of L'Officiel Hommes. L'Officiel Hommes
Kim Kardashian And Kris Humphries Attend Their Divorce Hearing
In April 2013, a very pregnant Kim finally got her pesky divorce with Kris Humphries fully sorted. David McNew—Getty Images
"PUNK: Chaos To Couture" Costume Institute Gala
Kimye had a chance to celebrate the divorce for May's Met Gala. Kim wore a dress that was very memorable—for obvious reasons. Jamie McCarthy—Getty Images
And baby makes three. Come June, North West (get it?) was born! @kimkardashian via Instagram
Kanye decided to take Beyonce's wise words to heart: he put a very large ring on it after an uber-elaborate surprise engagement at AT&T Park in October as Kim's birthday surprise.@kimkardashian via Instagram
But no engagement is finalized until you star in a supremely awkward music video together. Here's a shot for Kanye's classic-in-the-making: "Bound 2." We imagine this is how they will come down the aisle.Vevo
Vogue Magazine cover
Kimye set their wedding date in March and celebrated on the cover of Vogue.Mario Testino—Vogue
Kim Kardashian Kanye West Paris Wedding
This is Kimye's version of pre-wedding sweatpants in Paris before their fashion-forward nupitals at Forte di Belvedere in Florence in May 2014, where Kim wore a Givenchy Haute Couture gown.Jacques Brinon—AP
Kim Kardashian Kanye West Met Gala
The king and queen of couture attend the 2015 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City—just weeks before they would announce that Kim is pregnant again.Taylor Hill—FilmMagic/Getty Images

 

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Write to Nolan Feeney at nolan.feeney@time.com