Former rugby player Danny Cipriani and his Hollywood partner, AnnaLynne McCord, have launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance their upcoming wedding, sparking controversy among friends and former family members.
The couple’s online registry invites guests to donate “any amount” to cover expenses such as the rehearsal dinner, photography, catering, and even the marriage licence. Suggested contributions range from £75 to £450, with a call to help build a dream wedding and honeymoon.
Victoria Rose O’Callaghan, Cipriani’s ex‑wife, publicly criticized the initiative, calling it “tacky” and likening it to “handing round a begging bowl.” She questioned the need for donations when the couple reportedly holds a combined net worth of eight million dollars.
She suggested that the honeymoon donations were acceptable but argued that the couple could afford to cover other costs. O’Callaghan added that a simpler, more intimate celebration would be more appropriate for their financial situation.
During the separation, Cipriani released a statement acknowledging their shared past while noting that they were on different paths. The ex‑wife later expressed feeling “knifed in the heart” for not being informed about the split announcement.
She has also sold more than forty items from Cipriani’s sporting career on a resale platform, citing storage fees and a lack of interest from him to reclaim the memorabilia. Items were priced up to £280, reflecting his former career achievements.
O’Callaghan explained that she had stored the items for years, believing he would eventually want them. When he declined to retrieve them, she decided to sell them instead.
The controversy highlights the tension between public fundraising for personal events and perceptions of financial propriety, especially when the individuals involved possess significant wealth.
