A Look Back At Canada’s ‘Royal’ Wedding: Wayne Gretzky And Janet Jones’ Glamorous 1988 Ceremony

By JC Villamere. 17 May 2018 5:23 PM

If you spend your hobby time searching through news archives like we do, you’ll know that when Canada’s hockey heartthrob Wayne Gretzky wed doting and devoted American actress Janet Jones, it was billed far and wide as “Canada’s royal wedding.” One report noted it was the closest Canada had come to its own royal wedding since Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau married Margaret Sinclair in 1971. “Hah!” is how we respond to that: the Trudeaus eloped in a tiny Vancouver ceremony attended by only 12 people. The Gretzkys? Well, they did the opposite of that as you’ll see in our look back at the majesty and glamour of Wayne and Janet’s special day.

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All The Single Janets (All The Single Janets)

20th Century Fox Television

20th Century-Fox Film Corp

People

Macleans

Macleans

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CBC

CBC

"We Are Here Today To Celebrate A Love Story"

CBC

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The Sun

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How Big Was Gretzky In 1988?
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Wayne Gretzky was THE. BIGGEST. DEAL. As the centre and captain of the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky had led the team to Stanley Cup victories in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988. He had a contract with Nike, a company which, at the time, didn’t even make hockey equipment — Nike just wanted the Great One to wear the swoosh at his leisure.
Major Star
@waynegretzkysto
In 1984, the New York Times printed an article devoted to marvelling at just how famous Gretzky was, and his star had only risen since the piece, titled "Gretzky is Proving Equal to the Burdens of a Star," reported this of his fandom: "'Gretzky, Gretzky, Gretzky,' came the cries. Children elbowed for position. Elderly persons patiently stood back, their autograph pads held like prayer books, awaiting their chance. Wayne Gretzky has been built up and reduced to one name, ranking him with heavyweights like Ali and Pavarotti... After a recent team practice, held in a shopping mall 6 miles from downtown, nearly 100 fans milled around outside the Oiler dressing room."
Serious Fandom
@waynegretzkysto
The New York Times article reported that Gretzky received 5,000 pieces of fan mail a month, some of it addressed only to: Wayne Gretzky, Canada. "It's like writing to Santa Claus," it was reported. Gretzky was an absolute sensation.
All The Single Janets (All The Single Janets)
20th Century Fox Television
Janet Jones was a dancer on "Dance Fever" and also performing on the same episode featuring Gretzky was a 17-year-old Janet Jackson. Billed as part of the famous Jackson family, she performed "Say You Do" from her self-titled 1982 debut album.
When Wayne Met Janet
20th Century-Fox Film Corp
Even though Gretzky and Jones met on "Dance Fever", they didn't start dating until running into each other at a Celtics-Lakers game six years later. In the interim, Jones had gone from dancer to successful actress, starring in movies including "The Flamingo Kid" (1984, pictured), "A Chorus Line" (1985) and "American Anthem" (1986).
Backstory!
People
Jones had previously been engaged to tennis star Vitas Gerulaitis, and their relationship warranted a profile in the August 25, 1986 issue of People magazine. "At the moment she is committed to building a successful acting career, but not at the expense of a secure home and family," reported the mag. "By 40, she says, 'I’d like to have four kids.' To which her then-fiance replied, “I’d like to have six wives.” The pair never wed.
Brace for coincidence: While on "Dance Fever," Jones introduced Vanna White to TV host and media mogul Merv Griffin, which lead to White’s long-running “Wheel of Fortune” gig.
Magic!
Macleans
Gretzky was, by far, Edmonton’s biggest star and that was before the handsome hockey star was set to marry the beautiful actress. News of their engagement leaked after a celebratory dinner in an Edmonton restaurant on January 11.
In the aftermath of the engagement, the Los Angeles Times reported, “The Oilers' offices were besieged with calls, including one from a fan wondering if souvenir wedding invitations would be sold. Printers offered wedding stationery. Church officials offered chapels. Studios offered photographers. Publishers sought rights to the official photo album. Motel owners offered honeymoon suites. Editors requested press passes.”
Ah, The Romance!
Macleans
The front page of the Edmonton Sun proclaimed "WEDDING BELLS!" and the Alberta Report said the wedding would be "the closest thing to a royal wedding this country has seen since Pierre Trudeau took Margaret Sinclair as his bride almost 20 years ago."
Score!
Macleans
In the lead up to the wedding, the Edmonton Journal ran a full-page wedding preview and the Edmonton Sun ran a two-page spread. There were reports that Gretzky had gifted his bride a Rolls Royce convertible as a wedding gift and that $4,000 in edible flowers had been ordered to garnish a wedding reception diner that would include cabbage rolls, pierogies and Dom Perignon. After the wedding, it was reported that the newlyweds would take a private jet to their yacht in the Florida Keys. The Nanaimo Daily News reported the couple had registered at Birk's in Royal Doulton Albany (then $155 a place setting) and Marcus' MacKenzie Child china ($250 a place setting).
Sure, He's Mr. Big But...
@waynegretzkysto
... the hooplah surrounding the event reached such frantic heights that Gretzky held a press conference to put a lid on rumours of over-the-top spending. He denied the reported price of Jones’ wedding dress and said the rumoured $3,000-a bottle reception champagne was provided for free, thanks to a friend. Macleans ran an article called "The Future Bride," in which Jones revealed, "The Canadian press is so consumed by hockey coverage that it is almost frightening."
Janet's Gown
CBC
Jones’ dress with the dramatic train reminiscent of Princess Diana’s was designed by Los Angeles designer Pari Malik. The Nanaimo Daily News reported that the bridal gown and bridesmaids' gowns enjoyed a dedicated private flight to Edmonton from the States to prevent the dresses from creasing. Although Gretzky denied the figure, the Nanaimo Daily News reported the dress was said to have cost more than $40,000 (about $85,000 today). By comparison, Page Six reported that Kate Middleton's Sarah Burton-designed gown cost $400,000 and Kim Kardashian’s wedding dress cost an estimated $2.1 million.
We Got You
CBC
Don't worry — that's not the only photo of the dress we're going to share! Here's a whole bunch coming straight at you, including this head-to-toe shot.
Peep That Veil
CBC
Long train plus a short, kicky veil. It's a thing!
The bridesmaid gowns
CBC
Lots of poof and also because it's 1988 there are hella butt bows.
Headpiece
CBC
Here's a closeup of Jones' headpiece and earrings game.
Pardon?
CBC
Sorry, I can't turn it up because them sleeves have all the volume.
Take It All In
CBC
Here's a great shot of the dress' neckline and the bouquet shape, which compliments it.
"We Are Here Today To Celebrate A Love Story"
CBC
About 700 guests attended the wedding, held on July 16, 1988, at Edmonton’s St. Joseph’s Basilica.
In Gord We Trust
@waynegretzkysto
In attendance were hockey stars including Kevin Lowe, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Gordie Howe (pictured with a young Gretzky), was Hollywood stars such as longtime Gretzky pal Alan Thicke (who was then starring on hit sitcom "Growing Pains"). The Edmonton Symphony performed at the ceremony, which was broadcast across Canada like a royal wedding.
Sneaky Deke
The Sun
Gretzky was traded to the LA Kings less than a month after the wedding and when you heard that news on the car radio as your mom drove you to piano lessons you felt like you'd been kicked in the chest. But on the plus side, see how neatly Gretzky’s trade to the Los Angeles Kings (get it? KINGS?) ties into our story about his ‘royal’ wedding? And though he broke the nation’s heart with that trade it’s more romantic and convenient to maybe place the blame with then-Oilers owner Peter Pocklington, who, last month was charged with securities fraud in California. According to the CBC, “Pocklington's history includes a sentence of house arrest and two years' probation in 2010 after he pleaded guilty to lying to the court about his income and assets after he filed for bankruptcy... Pocklington came to be known as 'Peter Puck' when he bought part ownership of the Edmonton Oilers in 1976. Under his ownership, the Oilers won five Stanley Cups in the 1980s. He created enemies among thousands of Oilers fans when he traded superstar Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles in 1988. He sold the team in 1998 and moved to California four years later.”
On The Plus Side
@waynegretzkysto
The Gretzkys have welcomed five children together: Paulina (born 1988); Ty (1990); Trevor (1992); Tristan (2000); and Emma (2003). Wayne and Janet will celebrate their 30th anniversary this summer. What a marriage! It’s a great one, indeed.

A Look Back At Canada’s ‘Royal’ Wedding: Wayne Gretzky And Janet Jones’ Glamorous 1988 Ceremony

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