Lionel Richie says he didn’t need ‘to vet’ Elliot Grainge before he married Sofia

Lionel Richie has revealed he didn’t have to “vegetate” Elliot Grainge before marrying daughter Sofia on Saturday.

Sofia, 24, married Elliot, a 29-year-old music executive, in Antibes, France, last weekend and was walked down the aisle by her doting father.

Lionel, 73, has now revealed he wasn’t worried about Elliot as he’s known him for years.

He told Entertainment Tonight, “This is [my] baby girl. All I can say to you is, for any dad who has ever been like this or is about to experience it, it’s a humbling time in your life. Because you’re giving away one of the loves of your life.

“But really, I’ll tell you a story, I’ve known Elliot since he was nine. Interestingly, I didn’t have to examine the child. I know who he is!’

Lionel also revealed that the wedding was a very emotional event.

He shared, “I mean, I was crying. It was a great ceremony. I love that it was one of those moments I will never forget.”

The 24-year-old model exuded beauty on her big day as she posed for photos in a beaded ivory dress alongside the British music director.

After saying “yes” in front of her closest loved ones, she beamed with joy as she cozy up to her husband for official wedding photos.

Sofia took a moment to herself, then stood at the top of a flight of stairs for her own bridal photos, smiling from ear to ear as her guests looked on in awe.

The newlyweds posed for a series of family portraits and were joined by their closest ones: Sofia’s parents, Lionel Richie and Dianne Alexander and Elliot’s father Lucian Grainge and stepmother, Caroline Grainge.

Sofia also shared a sweet embrace with her father who kissed her tenderly on the forehead.

Earlier in the day, the couple shared a special moment together as Lionel lovingly walked her down a flight of stairs and down the aisle to marry Elliot.

Sofia looked sensational as she linked arms with the four-time Grammy winner, who led his youngest daughter, dressed in a stunning, bespoke wedding dress, to her groom.

The blushing bride – who had a total of three Chanel dresses for her wedding weekend, including the one she wore to her rehearsal dinner the day before – wore a delicate dress with iridescent white sequins and a crossover neckline, which was inspired by a look from the Chanel fall 2023 collection.

The groom looked dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie as he stood next to his father Lucian Grainge and stepmother Caroline Grainge.

The couple opted for a traditional Jewish ceremony, after Christian-born Sofia revealed she had converted.

Vogue first confirmed that the couple exchanged vows in the South of France on Saturday evening.

In a video posted to the publication’s Instagram, Lionel’s daughter gushed about her groom, 30: “I’m so excited. [It’s] because I’m getting married to Elliot, I know that sounds lame, but he’s the man of my dreams.’

Of what he would think of her wedding dress, she said, “I really think Elliot will love it. He’s my biggest cheerleader when it comes to everything I wear. If he doesn’t cry, I’ll be very sad.’

Elliot is the son of Lucian Grainge, the chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group.

He works as the CEO of the indie record label 10K Projects and collaborates with Trippie Redd and Tekashi 6ix9ine.

Sofia and Elliott got engaged in April 2022 and at the time took to Instagram to announce the news as they shared snaps of the sweet candlelit proposal.

The couple started dating in early 2021 and they became Instagram official in April 2021.

A source spoke Entertainment tonight at the time and indicated that the happy couple had known each other for an extended period of time before their romance began.

They’ve been friends for years and Elliot also has a close relationship with Sofia’s brother, Miles. It’s really nice for Sofia to date someone her family approves and likes,’ they said.

Meanwhile, another source told US Weekly of their early romance at the time: “Their relationship took off and they got closer and closer and spend practically every day together.”

Sofia was previously in a high-profile relationship with reality TV personality Scott Disick, who she started seeing in 2017. He reportedly tried to keep busy leading up to the wedding.

The former couple, who had a 16-year age difference, were together for almost three years before breaking it off in May 2020.

They subsequently reconciled in July, although they broke up for the last time in August.

Sofia has also been linked to a string of eligible bachelors, including Cha Cha Matcha founder Matthew Morton and Israeli shipping heir Gil Ofer.