When the stars get hitched, a simple ceremony at the local registry office doesn’t quite cut the mustard. Whether it’s for the cameras and the magazine deals or simply for friends and family, celeb weddings seemingly have to have something extra special to them.
From being married by the mayor and massive fireworks ceremonies to wilderness retreats and zoo receptions, we track down where some of the biggest names have tied the knot in recent years.
Who? Eva Longoria and Tony Parker
Where: Paris, France
The desperate housewife and her basketball-fondling beau tried to cover all bases on their big day in July 2007. They kicked the whole circus off with a civil ceremony at Paris City Hall, conducted by the mayor of Paris.
They then moved over to the Church of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois for a proper Catholic shebang. The church, which is pretty much opposite the famous Louvre museum, hosted royal weddings back in the days before the French got into chopping regal heads off. It’s well known for being a church attended by the seriously moneyed-up.
They then followed it up with a lavish reception at Vaux-le-Vicomte. This opulent château was built by King Louis XIV’s superintendant of finances, Nicolas Fouquet.
For indication of quite how pricy this shindig must have been, bear in mind that the king had Fouquet arrested and imprisoned for life after deciding Vaux-le-Vicomte was too impressive. Lovely Louis then hired the three artists responsible for building it to make an even more outlandish pad nearby. This one – the Palace of Versailles – is rather better known.
Who: Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster
Where: The Italian Riviera
The mullet-bearing Scottish midget managed to snag his latest ridiculously tall blonde in what was described as an ‘intimate’ ceremony on the Italian Riviera.
Like Longoria and Parker, the pair had two ceremonies. The first was conducted by a town hall pen pusher in front of two witnesses at the Villa Durazzo in Santa Margherita, but they had a show wedding later on in front of 100 specially-invited guests.
This took place in the medieval abbey known as La Cervara near the town of Portofino. The reception was typically subtle, overlooking the Riviera coastline and featuring a massive fireworks display.
And for that romantic first night as a married couple, Rod whisked Penny off to his private yacht which was moored near the coast. Smooooooooooooth.
Who? Lleyton Hewitt and Bec Cartwright
Where? Sydney Harbour
Lleyton and Bec’s bash looked suspiciously like the sort of Sydney highlights tour that a holiday company would put on for a group of time-poor Japanese tourists.
The ceremony took place at the Sydney Opera house in July 2005, after which they went on a short catamaran cruise of Sydney Harbour. The wedding itself was the sort of classy affair that celeb mags love, complete with harpist and snow white carpet. A couple of thrones would have topped it off nicely.
The reception took place at another favourite haunt for overseas visitors – Taronga Zoo. John Farnham thoughtfully broke off from his eight zillionth ‘final’ tour to sing for the bride and groom. The animals must have been delighted.
Who? Chris Evert and Greg Norman
Where? The Bahamas
The Great White Shark chose a hilltop Caribbean wedding for his ill-fated nuptials with former US tennis star Evert.
The pair tied the knot at sunset with views over Nassau harbour shamefully competing for attention with the bride’s dress.
The venue was a bizarre slice of France transported to Paradise Island. The 12th century Augustinian cloisters were brought over by American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and the surrounding gardens are modelled on those at Versailles.
The post-ceremony drinks were downed at the rather exclusive One and Only Ocean Club, which is next door to Versailles Gardens.
Public roads were shut off and helicopters patrolled the skies as Norman and Evert tried to keep undesirable media types away.
It appears as though it was all money down the drain, however – Greg filed for divorce less than 18 months later.
Who? Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds
Where? Vancouver Island, Canada
Johansson and Reynolds went for the country approach when they tied the knot in September 2008. They hotfooted it to an isolated spot on Vancouver Island, although they didn’t exactly rough it. The pair stayed at the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, where guests are put up in a series of luxury tents with queen beds, Chesterfield sofas and all manner of modern amenities that you don’t get at your regular camp site.
Oil lamps, antique decorations, expensive rugs and down duvets come as standard in each tent.
Fewer than 40 people were invited (partly due to the fact that not many more could be accommodated).
Meanwhile fishing, horse-riding and mountain biking were deemed more important activities than downing as much sparkling wine as possible before passing out in the corner as a DJ churns out the greatest hits of the 80s.
This article was originally written for Ninemsn.
Copyright David Whitley
