Kate Ritchie Stuart Webb wedding ceremony

 

The couple shunned offers of up to $500,000 for a television and magazine deal to keep their low-key nuptials private.

They tied the knot at Quamby Estate, a 64 ha old-English property about 20 minutes drive from Launceston.

Ritchie walked down the aisle in a specially created Steven Khalil gown. Matching her traditional dress, the reception area was also decked in white.

Among the high-profile guests were a smattering of Ritchie’s former Home and Away castmates. Judy Nunn attended with author and actor husband Bruce Venables, as well as actors Sam Atwell and Kylie Watson.

“I’m very happy for them,” said Watson, who played lifesaver Shauna on the Seven soap. Bec Hewitt, who is pregnant with her third child, and tennis-ace husband Lleyton were also there.

Ritchie’s best friend Bek Tuqiri came without her footballer husband Lote, who was in Sydney for last night’s preliminary final between the Dragons and Wests Tigers.

Ritchie’s sisters, Rebecca and Susan, were bridesmaids.

Invitations were sent out in March, when guests were asked to keep details of the wedding a secret. Friends began arriving in Launceston on Friday.

“I was surprised it got out because it was all so hush hush,” said one high-profile guest. “We were told to keep it secret. She really wants it to be quiet and private.”

Another guest explained Ritchie’s desire for privacy on her big day.

“Kate has lived her whole life in public, so she really wants to keep this most special occasion between their families and closest friends,” she said.

Stuart Webb and Kate Ritchie

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz

From Hello Magazine

Alicia Keys married her long-term boyfriend, music producer Swizz Beatz, in a private ceremony on Saturday.

The 29-year-old bride wore a stunning Grecian-style Vera Wang dress and the groom chose a Tom Ford tuxedo.

They wed in a small, intimate ceremony in front of family and close friends on the French island of Corsica.

VIP guests included Queen Latifah and U2 frontman Bono.

Alicia Keys married her long-term boyfriend, music producer Swizz Beatz, in a private ceremony on Saturday.

Alicia – who sung at the World Cup ceremony in June – was glowing as she showed off her ever-growing baby bump in her elegant gown.

The star announced her pregnancy and engagement back in May. The new arrival will be the couple’s first child together.

Thirty-one-year-old Swizz Beatz, who has written and produced music for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, has two sons from a previous relationship.

Alicia and Swizz – real name Kasseem Dean – have been together since autumn 2008.

And judging by the first photo of the wedding – in which they share an intimate kiss – they won’t be Fallin’ out of love any time soon.

Nadine Coyle

“Girls Aloud” singer Nadine Coyle is engaged to NFL star Jason Bell.

Bell proposed last week while at home in Los Angeles.

“I just got back from London and he was in New York and he surprised me with a ring and stuff, while I was in my pajamas!” Coyle tells Radio 1. “If I had known I would have had a blow-dry or at least had a manicure or something!”

Coyle and Bell have been dating for two years and met through a mutual friend.

“He was really nice about it,” she adds of the proposal. “He got down on two knees, not one knee because he had played football for a while so he was all banged up.”   – CelebrityBrideGuide.com

Jason Bell and Nadine Coyle

FROM WeddingChannel.com

By — Tia Albright

Celebs go all out on their weddings — but how much do they end up costing? Here’s the Forbes list of the most expensive celebrity weddings.

Celebrities have been known to go all-out for exotic vacations and expensive nights on the town, and it seems that weddings are no exception. Rumor has it that Salma Hayek was set to spend $3.5 million for her nuptials before she called it off. Wondering what other celebs have spent on their big day? Lucky for you, we found a Forbes list of the most expensive Hollywood weddings! Check it out.

Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar

Elizabeth Hurley & Arun Nayar: $2.5 Million

Why have one wedding when you can have two? That’s what model-actress Elizabeth Hurley did when she married Indian businessman Arun Nayar in March 2007. Three hundred guests (including designer Valentino and singer Elton John) attended the first ceremony at the medieval Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, England. Next, the couple went to India for a Hindu ceremony at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur where the couple stayed at the Maharani suites that cost upward of $10,000 per night. The bride and groom eventually logged in eight days of celebration.

Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman

Christina Aguilera & Jordan Bratman: $2 Million

When pop diva Christina Aguilera married music executive Jordan Bratman in November 2005, the power couple decided to get away from the limelight by throwing a three-day event in California wine country. On the final night, guests met at the Staglin Family Vineyard for a winter-themed wedding. The couple said their “I dos” in a pew-filled, stained-glass Castilian castle that was built over a swimming pool. Afterward, everyone made their way to the tented reception. Inside, elaborate decorations included silver drapery, a sparkling chandelier and white roses.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas

Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas: $1.5 Million

This Oscar-winning couple spared no expense for their elaborate New York wedding in 2000. Guests received special hologram-embedded invitations that they needed for access to the event space at New York’s Plaza Hotel—talk about exclusive! Sean Connery and Jack Nicholson were two of the lucky few that made it inside. Catherine wore an antique Chantilly lace gown by Christian Lacroix that she accessorized with a tiara. Later in the evening, guests looked on as Grammy-winner Bonnie Tyler wowed the audience with a private performance.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie wedding day

Madonna & Guy Ritchie: $1.5 Million

The Material Girl went all-out when she married British film director Guy Ritchie in December 2000. The pop icon decided on a royal event at Scotland’s Skibo Castle—the couple booked all 21 of the estate’s rooms for guests, who included Sting and Gwyneth Paltrow. Madonna accessorized her strapless, cream, silk gown by Stella McCartney with a 1910 diamond tiara (once worn by Monaco’s Princess Grace) while Guy wore a customary Scottish kilt. Following the ceremony and dinner, everyone headed down to the castle’s basement to dance the night away.

Donald Trump and Melania Knauss

Melania Knauss & Donald Trump: $1 Million

In January 2005, real estate mogul Donald Trump married model Melania Knauss in an extravagant Florida wedding. The affair began with the bride walking down the aisle in a strapless Christian Dior masterpiece complete with 300 feet of satin beaded with 1,500 crystals and ending with an exquisite 50-pound, 13-foot train. Following the ceremony, guests gathered at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate where they enjoyed the sounds of a 36-piece orchestra during an elaborate meal catered by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Prince William and Kate Middleton

From Herald Sun

PRINCE William will end the marathon wait for Kate Middleton – by making her his bride in 2012, just before the London Olympics.

The News of the World reported yesterday that the couple would marry just before his 30th birthday in June.

The couple want their big day when the world’s spotlight is on London – for the Queen’s diamond jubilee in June and the Games, which start on July 27.

A senior insider said: “William and Kate are aware a royal wedding followed by the jubilee celebrations and the Olympics will really put Britain on the map again.”

Secret plans are being drawn up for the nuptials to fit in with both major events.

Britain's Prince William

The source said: “This will be a landmark occasion.

“The Chinese may have put on a great show for the last Olympics but nobody can do royal pomp like we can. It will be spectacular.

“There is no doubt that Kate is the right girl for William.

“Their future together is sealed.

“The powers that be, and I mean right to the top, see this as the perfect opportunity to secure the monarchy at the heart of the people at a time when the media focus is on our country.”

Rumours have been rife about when the couple will wed.

They met at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and have dated for eight years, splitting up twice along the way.

Now Princess Tatiana Blatnik and Prince Nikolaos of Greece

from HelloMagazine

As the sun dipped low over the hills on the picturesque island of Spetses, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, for years one of Europe’s most eligible bachelors, promised to love and honour events planner Tatiana Blatnik in a ceremony that mixed pomp with traditional touches.

A cheer went up from the crowd as Nikolaos, 40, the third of King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie’s five children, arrived at the whitewashed monastery of Ayios Nikolaos, flanked by his mother.

Constantine was deposed in 1974 – but it was clear from the hundreds of enthusiastic well wishers clamouring to greet the groom that the family still has a hold on the public imagination.

Also lending an aura of royal glamour to the occasion was the dazzling array of distinguished guests, decked out in full evening attire.

Expectant Princess Mary, her blossoming figure swathed in a pretty patterned gown, represented the Danish royal family, along with her mother-in-law, Queen Margrethe, who is Anne-Marie’s sister – making her the groom’s aunt.

Nikolaos’ aunt on his father’s side, Queen Sofia of Spain attended with her children.

Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and her new husband Prince Daniel, just back from their own honeymoon a few weeks ago were also in the congregation.

Of course, though, the bride was the one everyone wanted to see.

Sweeping up to the monastery in the horse-drawn carriage customary on the island, Tatiana, who works for Diane von Furstenberg, more than lived up to the expectations.

Every inch the princess, Nikolaos’ bride was breathtaking in an ivory Angel Sanchez gown with a chantilly lace overlay, teamed with a matching bolero and full-length veil.

Completing the regal but feminine look was a pair of diamond drop earrings and the antique corsage tiara, lent by her new mother-in-law.

Since her own father sadly passed away when she was small, the 29-year-old was escorted up the aisle by her stepfather Attilio Brillembourg.

Once inside the elegant blonde received a wedding band to complement a stunning engagement ring, topped with a sapphire that was given to Nikolaos by his mother, who received it from her own parents, King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid of Denmark.

Having arrived Ms Tatiana Blatnik she left HRH Princess Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark.

But the applause that rang out from the throngs when she received a passionate kiss from her groom appeared to be prompted as much by the sight of a couple deeply in love as by thoughts of their status.

State Of Matrimony

10 Obscure Marriage Laws

By Woman’s Day

Last month the New York state legislature approved no-fault divorce, the last state to do so, siding with opponents who viewed the law as antiquated and passé. This landmark decision got us thinking about what other outdated marriage laws might exist in the U.S. Read on to find out which states have (or had) the wackiest rules around.

Montana

Marriage by proxy, which means someone stands in for a bride/groom who can’t be present at his/her wedding, is limited to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. But of the four states that allow the practice — California, Colorado, Texas and Montana — Montana is the only one that allows double-proxy weddings. Essentially, neither the bride nor groom has to show up. Call us old-fashioned, but it doesn’t seem like the ideal start to the biggest commitment of one’s life.

Arkansas

For a few months between 2007 and 2008, anyone under 18 could get married in Arkansas with parental consent. (Yes, even babies — as their parents agreed!) The original law was meant to allow pregnant teenagers to get married if their parents approved, but lawmakers forgot to put in an age minimum. The law was corrected in April 2008, making the minimum age 17 for boys and 16 for girls.

Delaware

Ever been dared to get married … as a prank? Neither have we. But apparently this happens often enough in Delaware that it’s actually an option when couples file for an annulment. Along with the basic reasons such as marrying “without the capacity to consent” or “under duress,” couples can now check “because of a jest or dare” when applying to dissolve their nuptials.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, it’s illegal to remarry the same man four times. Honestly, good for Kentucky: If you’ve already divorced him three times, someone should step in. Of course, as long as it’s different men, you can get married and divorced as many times as you like.

Mississippi

In Truro, Mississippi, a groom-to-be must “prove himself manly” prior to marriage by hunting and killing either six blackbirds or three crows. Manly is a good thing. Dead birds? Not so much.

Massachusetts

Despite the fact that the infamous witch trials were over 300 years ago, religious conservatism is still alive in Salem, Massachusetts — at least on the law books. Apparently, married couples are not allowed to sleep in the nude in a rented room. Of course, reflecting on numerous media reports about germs on hotel bedspreads, who would want to?!

South Carolina

In South Carolina it’s illegal for a man over 16 years old to propose marriage and not mean it. Doing so means he’s committing a misdemeanor under the Offenses Against Morality and Decency Act. Not sure if that means he will be forced to marry the woman in question, or if he can’t ask for a woman’s hand as a way to seduce her. We hope it’s the latter.

Kansas

Many husbands would probably say their mother-in-law isn’t their favorite person in the world. But for those who really, really dislike their wife’s mother, moving to Wichita, KS, might be a good option. In this city, a man’s mistreatment of his mother-in-law may not be used as grounds for divorce.

Connecticut

Imagine it: You get a babysitter so you and your hubby can go out for a romantic dinner. Afterward you take a stroll around town. Caught in the moment, you lean in for a passionate kiss. Busted! The police can cuff you and throw you in jail — that is, if you live in Hartford, Connecticut … and it’s Sunday. Well, maybe not these days, but technically, it’s still illegal in this city for a man to kiss his wife on the Lord’s Day.

Louisiana

It’s most likely that your wedding was officiated by a religious figure or judge. Or, if you’re a bit more eccentric than some, you had a friend become ordained so he or she could marry you. New Orleans has made it illegal for palm readers, fortune tellers, mystics and the like to officiate a wedding. Guess they don’t want you peeking at your future — you’ll just have to go into it with blind faith like everyone else!

http://glo.msn.com/relationships/10-obscure-marriage-laws-5450.gallery?gt1=49006#stackState=0__%2Frelationships%2F10-obscure-marriage-laws-5450.gallery

FROM UsMagazine.com

A week after tying the knot, Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin hit the red carpet at the Emmys Sunday in L.A.

“It was a great day,” he gushed when asked about the wedding on E!’s pre-show. “It couldn’t have been better.”

Asked for details, he joked that it was a small affair with just “a few thousand friends and family.”

He was then asked how he knew 28-year-old Paquin (in Alexander McQueen), his True Blood costar, was The One.

“It just felt right,” said Moyer, 41, who got cozy with his new wife Friday at an Entertainment Weekly pre-Emmys bash in West Hollywood. “I’ve never felt it quite so much as I did with this. It was just obvious.”

As for their new steamy Rolling Stone cover, she joked, “There are certain things that needed to be covered or it would have to be sold in a different venue. No one’s covering their own bits!”

Click here to order this Rolling Stone issue

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/stephen-moyer-wedding-anna-paquin-couldnt-have-been-better-2010298

FROM KARE11.com

By Kyle Porter

Wedding at Minn State Fair

ST. PAUL, Minn. — There is plenty to see at the Minnesota State Fair, but in between the massive crowds, rides, and stuff on a stick, is a wedding on a stick.

Kathryn and Damian, a St. Paul couple, met five years ago and decided a day before the fair, to tie the knot at the Crossroads Chapel on the fairgrounds.

“I grew up at the fair, we came every year, we still come five or six times a year, it seems natural to have my wedding here,” Kathryn Sanchez said. “I’m surprised I’m the first one, I would think everyone would want to do it at the fair.”

Friends and family attended the 10:00 a.m. wedding, the first ever for Crossroads Chapel, which has been at the fair for about 35 years.

It was Kathryn’s idea to have the fairgrounds as the venue. She hopes her new husband will someday appreciate the fair as much as she does.

“It’s really a special day, I’m so happy,” Damian said.

Kathryn said she doesn’t have a honeymoon location in mind yet — but they may end up choosing the fairgrounds.

Wedding cake-on-a-stick was not available, since the decision to get married happened with only one day notice.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=868737

From People.com

Julio Iglesias weds Miranda Rijnsburger

Spanish singer Julio Iglesias is no longer Un Hombre Solo – the 66-year-old fast-living Lothario on Tuesday married Dutch model Miranda Rijnsburger, who has been his girlfriend for the last two decades.

The native of Madrid – full name Julio Jose Iglesias de la Cueva – wed his bride at the Virgen del Carmen church in the posh resort town of Marbella, Spain. The pair have five children together, the latest, a boy, born in 2007, when Rijnsburger was 41.

Julio Iglesias and Miranda Rijnsburger

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20416242,00.html