BEYONCE AND JAY-Z TO MARRY AT 4PM ON 4/4

BEYONCE KNOWLES and JAY-Z will marry at the rap mogul's New York apartment at 4pm on Friday (4Apr08), according to sources close to the couple.

Workers have been spotted setting up an event inside a block in the city's TriBeCa neighbourhood, where rapper Jay-Z owns a luxury home.

A marquee has been erected on a terrace at the building, and elegant bouquets of white flowers and candelabras have been delivered.

It's rumoured just 30 people will be present at the all-white ceremony, including close family members and Beyonce's Destiny's Child bandmates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams - who are known to be in New York.

The date and time is very special for the couple - four is a number close to both bride and groom.

Jay Z was born on 4 December 1969 and Beyonce was born on 4 September 1981.

The rapper, real name Shawn Carter, also owns a nightclub franchise called 40/40 and he and Knowles have matching `IV' tattoos on their ring fingers.

The couple is also planning a second wedding celebration in France on 4 May (08), according to reports.