Meet Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s wedding masterminds: Officiant at the couple’s secret wedding runs specialist marriage ‘church’ with his wife that provides ‘confidential licenses’ – and is located minutes away Kim Kardashian’s Calabasas home
The couple behind Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s wedding live just a stone’s throw from the family of the rapper’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian – and were able to keep the news of their marriage a secret by providing them with a ‘confidential’ licence.
Sheila Zamel and her husband James Mayfield co-own Whispering Oaks Chapel, a company that provides intimate wedding venues and services in Calabasas and Santa Monica.
The husband and wife duo arranged the wedding of Kanye, 46, and the Yeezy architect, believed to be 28, in Palo Alto, California, in December, just a month after he finalized his divorce from Kim.
Of course, details of their mysterious big day have been kept under wraps until now thanks to their confidential marriage license, which although legally binding, is not part of the public record and thus untraceable at the County Clerk’s office.
Sheila Zamel and James Mayfield’s company The Whispering Oaks Chapel organized Kanye and Bianca Censori’s wedding
The Gold Digger rapper tied the knot to Yeezy architect Bianca in Palo Alto in December
Tables laid out for a wedding at the Whispering Oaks venue in California
The couple share several scenic photos of their secret location where couples can get confidential licenses
Sheila and James’ business provides loved-up couples with a license and officiant package, starting at $385, offering licensed ministers, a wedding planner and a ceremony coordinator, as well as chairs and a speaker system.
They can also facilitate confidential same-day marriage licenses—a quick alternative for celebrities who want to walk down the aisle while flying under the radar.
James has officiated a number of weddings over the years, although it is not known if he resumed his role for Kanye and Bianca’s big day.
According to their website, Whispering Oaks Chapel practices “a progressive and contemporary approach to all life.”
‘We share a deep respect for the traditions of all religions, practices and beliefs of modern social, intellectual and spiritual life and our primary aim is to create love, peace, compassion and harmony among all people,’ it says.
‘Through our multi-denominational practices we welcome all religious backgrounds and practices.’
In addition to offering wedding services, Sheila and James host production and filming events at their various locations, and have apparently worked with James Corden.
They also offer prayer services, Bible study, discussion groups and guest speakers.
In 2005, Sheila spearheaded a now-defunct social group called Couples Worldwide, for couples over 40 who want to connect with other like-minded couples.
Whispering Oaks Chapel was able to provide a confidential marriage license, photo Sheila
The couple’s company practices ‘a progressive and contemporary approach to all life’
Whispering Oaks Chapel also facilitates filming events and has apparently worked with James Corden
In an effort to grow the network in 2011, she placed an ad in her local paper, The Acorn, asking those in committed relationships to attend group events such as theater nights, comedy clubs and wine tastings.
During that same year, Sheila also served as the president of the Farming Independence Harvest Festival Fundraiser, which was hosted at her Whispering Oaks Farm.
According to their marriage license, Kanye and Bianca tied the knot in Palo Alto, known as Silicon Valley.
The document was filed under their full names, Bianca Censori, and simply ‘Ye’ for the rapper, who legally changed his name from Kanye Omari West to the mononym in October 2021.
A close friend of the couple explained why the couple opted for a confidential marriage licence: ‘You’ve been a megastar for two decades and his first marriage was to someone who lives almost full-time in front of a camera.
‘Bianca and you have a totally different atmosphere. They are very private, very loving and completely devoted to each other. I think they both enjoy carving out time that is just for them.
Kanye and Bianca were previously believed to have secretly tied the knot in January
Kanye married his new bride Bianca just a month after his divorce from ex-wife Kim Kardashian was finalized
‘That’s why they were very quiet about the details of their wedding day. I don’t think anyone but them knows exactly how it went down.’
The close friend added: ‘They are in love with each other. I can assure you they are very married.’
One in five marriages in California is now officially classified as ‘confidential’ and does not appear in public records, but it is a legally binding marriage that would require a divorce if the union were to end.
It’s still unclear exactly how long the couple were romantically involved leading up to the marriage, but Bianca joined Kanye’s Yeezy company as an architect in November 2020.