Aretha Franklin - Aretha Franklin Snubs Wedding Planner

The Respect hitmaker announced this week (begs02Jan12) she's set to marry William Wilkerson in June or July (12) and she's already hard at work organising the ceremony.

Franklin previously revealed they planned to exchange vows in Miami Beach, Florida, but she's now considering a venue in The Hamptons, New York.

She tells the Associated Press, "I'm kind of leaning that way because it's closer to home, and more friends could get there easily.

"You know I am very hands-on. There is no way in the world anyone else could do my wedding other than myself, along with whomever I select to do various things."

Franklin is also eyeing a top name to perform at her reception, adding, "I would love to have Smokey (Robinson) sing, my dearest, oldest friend."

This will be the Queen of Soul's third trip down the aisle - she was married to Ted White for eight years before the two divorced in 1969 and she ended her six-year marriage to actor Glynn Turman in 1984.