Fairytale wedding for Hollywood star Kidman
Nicole Kidman married country singer Keith Urban today, shunning Hollywood glitz for a fairytale ceremony at a clifftop chapel in her hometown of Sydney attended by close family and just a smattering of A-list stars.
Wearing a white Balenciaga gown, draped in a veil and clutching a bouquet of white roses when she arrived, the Oscar-winning actress and Nashville-based singer exchanged vows in what the pastor involved said was a traditional Roman Catholic service.
Details were closely guarded, and no general media coverage was allowed. But about 90 minutes after Kidman arrived at the church, its bells pealed a cacophony that indicated the service was over.
The couple later released a photograph of the marriage showing them smiling and holding hands, Kidman in her flowing white gown and Urban in a black suit and tie with a white rose in his lapel.
“We just want to thank everyone in Australia and around the world who have sent us their warm wishes,” the couple said in a brief statement accompanying the photo.
A beaming Kidman, accompanied by father Antony, had arrived at the church in a cream limousine after driving from her harbourside mansion across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge – followed all the way by media helicopters.
She held a bouquet and wore drop pearl earrings, her face partly obscured by a willowy veil – in keeping with the traditional theme expected. She smiled and waved to well-wishers who had gathered outside the venue and her house.
Her golden hair hung around her shoulders. Australian Associated Press reported the gown was designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga.
The imposing gothic-style St Patrick’s College building was dramatically floodlit for the dusk-to-evening ceremony, which was held in the a small chapel on the compound. The guests then moved to a marquee erected on the grounds for the reception.
Kidman’s adopted daughter with ex-husband Tom Cruise, Isabella, 13, sister Antonia arrived in a separate limousine dressed as bridesmaids. Cruise and Kidman’s adopted son Connor, 11, was also expected to take part in the ceremony.
Urban, who wasn’t seen arriving at the church, was reportedly attended by his brother Shane, and friend Marlon Holden.
The event was in contrast to Kidman and Cruise’s marriage ceremony, which was held in private according to the rites of the Church of Scientology to which Cruise belongs.
Outside the venue today, helicopters buzzed overhead and hundreds of people - including a throng of paparazzi – lined the streets outside the compound in the beachside suburb of Manly as guests arrived in black luxury sedans and minibuses.
Some onlookers climbed trees and the stone wall outside the compound trying to catch a glimpse of activity inside. Police, black-suited private security guards and a high wire fence kept out unwanted guests.
As Kidman’s Rolls-Royce limousine drove down the street leading the venue’s gate, a crowd of cheering people swarmed into the street, causing the car to slow down. Police moved in to clear a path.
Australian action star Hugh Jackman was the first to arrive, followed by Kidman’s mother Janelle was next, winding down her car’s window to smile for photographers. White minibuses and a fleet of black luxury sedans brought other guests, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch and wife Wendi Deng. Australian Hollywood stars Naomi Watts and Russell Crowe were expected to be among them.
Other guests flew in from Maroochydore, the Outback town in Queensland state where Urban’s family live. The bulk of the 230 or so guests were reportedly Australian friends and family.
Kidman was born in Hawaii but raised in Australia, and Urban was born in New Zealand but raised in Queensland. She held low-key celebrations in Sydney this week marking her 39th birthday. He is 38.
Reports today suggested the couple recently signed a prenuptial agreement which allegedly includes an escape clause for Kidman should Urban revert to excessive drug or alcohol abuse. Details of the alleged agreement could not be confirmed.
Urban, who won a Grammy this year for best male country vocalist, has publicly acknowledged his former cocaine addiction, but now reportedly refrains from alcohol and drugs.
The Kidman family priest who conducted the ceremony, Father Paul Coleman, said beforehand that said Kidman and Urban were “totally focused on their commitment.”
“It’s the priority in their lives,” he said. “It is an uplifting occasion for the community – to see people of this profile making this commitment in Australia.”
Urban’s manager Rob Potts said Saturday the couple wanted a “normal wedding.”
Media have predicted that “Moulin Rouge” director Baz Luhrmann will have a hand in the wedding video. A quartet from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is expected to perform, as is Jackman, who sprang to fame in the Broadway musical ”The Boy from Oz” before striking success in Hollywood.
Urban was expected to serenade his bride.
It is Urban’s first marriage, and Kidman’s second after her 10-year union with Cruise ended in 2001.
