Brian Littrell, Alexander Mclean
Brian Thomas Littrell and Alexander James Mclean were married August 25, 2002, at St. John’s church in California. Rev. John Marshall performed the ceremony.
Son of Jackie and Harold Littrell, Brian was presented in marriage to his life partner by his father. Jackie Littrell presented AJ in marriage to his life partner.
Best Men were Kevin Richardson, Howard Dorough, Nick Carter and Harold Littrell Junior.
The Maid of honor was Mikayla Rashers, a longtime friend of Groom Alexander.
*US Magazine*
Today we bring you the exclusive inside look to the shocking wedding between one AJ Mclean and one Brian Littrell. I was lucky enough to gain permission to sit down with the happy couple and discuss their nuptials as well as the speedy engagement. Sitting in their beautiful California home I was treated to a cup of delicious black tea, which is apparently a standby in their house. All part of their healthy lifestyle that they adopted after AJ became sick.
“The doctors told me that the best way to keep my medications working and to keep from getting any infections was to improve my lifestyle.” AJ told this reporter as he served the tea. “So I took away the coffee, the greasy foods, all that extra sugar and added in tea and healthier cooking and plenty more fruits and vegetables.”
Apparently it’s worked well for the two of them. I asked Brian how he was adapting to living that kind of a lifestyle. “It’s easier than people think.” Brian told me happily. The happy couple sat together on the couch, looking like any newlywed couple. “The food is delicious and after a while you really don’t miss all that other stuff. The other guys like to tease us about being health nuts, but they love the meals we make any time they’re here.”
For two and a half years now AJ Mclean has been living with the knowledge that he is HIV positive. They spoke very candidly about this with me for a short while.
“I’m not ashamed of this.” AJ explained to me. “There was a mistake at a hospital and the blood I received was tainted. It’s just like we told the press when all of this first came out. This wasn’t something that I got by sleeping around or by doing drugs, though people do still try to say that. It was just a horrible mistake on someone’s part that I have to pay for. It’s a tremendous thing to live with, but after a while you just learn to do what you have to do. I don’t know how I would have got through that first year without Brian by my side, though.”
That brought our talk around to the wedding. People all over the world had been shocked when they’d learned that the two men, two of the most famous men in the music industry, were a couple. For a while the Backstreet Boys had to deal with the bad publicity that came from it. Eventually it had all died down. But it had been another shock when their wedding announcement was posted on the band’s website and the photos were released to the press.
Brian gave me his famous smile when I asked him about the engagement period. “We really didn’t see any point in waiting. Once the idea was brought up to us, we kind of latched onto it. Actually, our engagement was as unique as we are.”
It was AJ who explained that answer. “We were actually sitting with Brian’s parents in the back yard one day, talking with them about all the press going on around us about our relationship and my illness. Jackie looked over at us and asked if we’d ever thought about having a commitment ceremony and ‘marrying’ one another. To their amusement, Brian and I looked at each other and smiled and told her ok. We gave her free reign to plan the wedding itself, just asking that she keep it small. From there it didn’t take much until we found ourselves at the altar.”
True to what they said this is a rather unique way of getting engaged. But as unique as it is it seems to suit the two of them. This reporter could see how happy they were together. They showed me their simple gold wedding bands. Apparently neither of them had wanted to go with something flashy. But what surprised me and will most likely surprise my readers was when AJ told me about their names.
“Before we even married one another, Brian and I discussed how we wanted our names to be. It was a simple decision and one that I will never regret. After the marriage we signed the paperwork that officially makes me AJ Littrell. Nothing in the world could have made me happier than to take on my husband’s last name.”
With a notoriously impish grin, Brian told me “Again, the guys like to tease us. They say AJ’s the bride and I was the groom. But we don’t mind that so much.”
Well, this reporter thinks that this wedding was wonderful, and I could plainly see the love in the house. Their happiness was obvious as they discussed their plans to head out on their honeymoon the next day. Where they were going they wouldn’t divulge, but in a moment of sweetness, Brian told me “The location doesn’t really matter. What matters is that we get the time together with one another.”
Though girls all over the world are no doubt crying at the loss of two of the most handsome and popular men in the pop industry, there is no doubt that these two make a wonderful couple. Best wishes on a happy and fulfilling life together!