Serena Williams forced to skip out on bridesmaid duties at Ciara and Russell Wilson's wedding

Over 100 friends and family members reportedly watched Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Ciara tie the knot Wednesday at Liverpool’s Peckforton Castle, but one notable friend of the couple was not in attendance.

Serena Williams, a close friend of Ciara’s, had to back out of bridesmaid duties because of a minor work conflict.

Well, if you have to miss being a bridesmaid at a star-studded English countryside wedding for work, the Wimbledon semifinals are a pretty decent excuse.

“Ciara was understanding and knows Serena would be there if she could,” E! News reports. “They have spoken today and have FaceTimed each other, so it’s like Serena is in the room with all the girls.”

But that’s not to say that Serena was absent for all the fun. She attended Ciara’s bachelorette party, which no one really knew was a bachelorette party, in Las Vegas earlier this summer.

Back at the All England Club, Williams will take on Elena Vesnina Thursday to try to reach her ninth Wimbledon final.