Mel B's secret marriage

Aug 9, 2007, 11:00 GMT

Melanie \'Scary Spice\' Brown EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT

Mel B has married her new lover in secret.

The Spice Girl tied the knot with film producer Stephen Belafonte in a low-key Las Vegas ceremony in June, just one month after reports surfaced they were dating.

Mel said: "Stephen and I have known each other for seven years. We wanted to make a commitment.

"We wanted it to be private and have a big wedding with our families later in the year."

The couple held their quickie nuptials at the 'drive-thru' Special Memory Wedding Chapel.

The ceremony cost just $59 and Mel didn't even wear a wedding dress for the occasion.

Reverend Marie Stapleton, who officiated, said: "They paid $59 on his Visa card. They made no big deal of it. I don't think she had a wedding dress."

Their State of Nevada wedding certificate shows Melanie Janine Brown of Leeds, wed Stephen Brian Belafonte of Los Angeles, on June 6.

It is believed the couple signed a prenuptial agreement.

The newlyweds are currently enjoyed a sunshine break in Miami, where they were pictured frolicking in a pool at the Nikki Beach Club.

Mel's 'drive-thru' ceremony is a far cry from her extravagant first wedding to Dutch dancer Jimmy Gulzar - the father of her eight-year-old daughter, Phoenix Chi - in 1998.

The singer also has a four-month-old daughter Angel Iris from her romance with actor Eddie Murphy.

(C) BANG Media International