Searching For Nikki Bella & John Cena Wedding Photos? Here's The Real Story

For years, the relationship between WWE superstars Nikki Bella and John Cena captivated fans worldwide. Their romance, highly publicized through reality TV shows like "Total Divas" and "Total Bellas," culminated in a grand, public proposal at WrestleMania 33. The world eagerly awaited their wedding, imagining the lavish ceremony and, of course, the stunning wedding photos that would follow. However, if you've been searching for "Nikki Bella and John Cena wedding photos," you've likely come up empty-handed. The truth is, despite a long engagement and much anticipation, John Cena and Nikki Bella never actually tied the knot. This article delves into their journey, the wedding that never was, and the surprising twist involving a very special wedding dress.

The Anticipated Nuptials: A High-Profile Romance

John Cena and Nikki Bella were one of the most prominent power couples in the entertainment world. Their relationship, which began in 2012, was frequently in the spotlight, often showcasing the complexities of two strong personalities navigating demanding careers. Fans witnessed their ups and downs, including John Cena's initial reluctance regarding marriage and children, a significant point of contention that played out on their reality series.

The peak of their public romance came at WrestleMania 33 in April 2017, where John Cena famously popped the question to Nikki Bella in front of a roaring crowd of over 75,000 people. It was a fairytale moment that seemed to promise a happily ever after. Following the engagement, details about their "upcoming wedding" began to emerge. Nikki revealed that not only did they have to move the date, but where they were having it as well, indicating the logistical challenges of planning such a high-profile event.

A Shocking Split and the Wedding That Wasn't

Despite the public engagement and the apparent progress towards their big day, doubts lingered. As documented in "Total Bellas," Nikki Bella was at times plagued with doubt about her "back-on nuptials" to John Cena, even during her Parisian bachelorette getaway. These underlying issues eventually led to a shocking announcement in April 2018: after being engaged for six years, Bella and Cena broke up. This news sent shockwaves through their fan base, as many had invested emotionally in their journey towards marriage. The highly anticipated wedding, and thus any "Nikki Bella and John Cena wedding photos," would never materialize.

Nikki Bella's New Chapter: Love with Artem Chigvintsev

Following her split from John Cena, Nikki Bella embarked on a new chapter in her life. She began dating "Dancing With the Stars" professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev in 2019, having met him when they were partnered together on Season 25 of the show in 2017. Their relationship blossomed, leading to an engagement and the birth of their son, Matteo, in 2020. This new love story culminated in their own beautiful wedding.

The Wedding Dress That Sparked Conversation

Nikki Bella finally married Artem Chigvintsev in August 2022 in a lavish ceremony in Paris. While photos of her wedding to Artem are abundant and stunning, one particular detail about her bridal attire captured significant public attention and became a major talking point: one of her four stunning looks was initially intended for her wedding to John Cena.

An Unconventional Choice

Nikki Bella made the unconventional choice of wearing a dress she’d previously purchased while engaged to ex John Cena. She revealed this ahead of the premiere of her E! special, "Nikki Bella Says I Do," which featured her wedding journey. This revelation quickly became a topic of discussion among fans and media alike.

Why She Wore It

Nikki Bella openly explained her decision, defending wearing the same dress she bought for her wedding to ex-fiancé John Cena to marry her husband, Artem Chigvintsev. Her reasoning was simple and heartfelt:

She "fell in love with the dress" when she bought it for her nuptials with then-fiancé John Cena.
She kept it because it was a dress she truly adored.
She considered it her "something old" for her wedding to Artem, giving it a unique historical significance.

Bella told Us Weekly that she bought her wedding dress when she was engaged to her ex John Cena. She later opened up about her decision to wear the dress originally intended for her wedding to John Cena during her recent nuptials with Artem Chigvintsev, even admitting in an interview with Brides magazine that she kept dresses she bought for her engagement to John.

The photos from her wedding to Artem Chigvintsev, including those featuring the iconic dress, were shared widely, offering fans a glimpse into her beautiful Parisian celebration. (Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty).

John Cena's Path Forward

While Nikki Bella found her happily ever after with Artem, John Cena also moved on. He married Shay Shariatzadeh in October 2020. Interestingly, the data also mentions that Nikki Bella "finally reached out to married ex John Cena to address his wedding to Shay Shariatzadeh," indicating a level of closure and mutual respect between the former couple.

The Enduring Legacy of a High-Profile Split

In conclusion, while the internet might be searched tirelessly for "Nikki Bella and John Cena wedding photos," such images do not exist because their highly anticipated wedding never took place. Their story serves as a reminder that even the most public romances can take unexpected turns.

However, Nikki Bella's journey to marrying Artem Chigvintsev, complete with the poignant choice of wearing a dress originally purchased for her planned wedding to John Cena, offers a unique narrative about moving forward while acknowledging one's past. It speaks to her personal strength and her ability to embrace her history as part of her present happiness. Her Paris wedding to Artem was a beautiful event, filled with joy and, notably, a dress with a remarkable backstory.