Among the 150 friends and relatives at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ larger-than-life wedding in Italy was Giorgio Armani, who recalled the Americans’ reaction to the spectacle.
The famed Italian designer, who dressed the bride, groom, and their daughter Suri, said: ‘For the Americans this was very special, because Americans do not have this kind of thing back home, and they dream of such things in our beautiful country, and you can see the surprise and the awe on their faces.’
In the nearly 20 years since two of Hollywood’s biggest stars tied the knot at a medieval castle just outside Rome, however, the European wedding has lost its sheen as famous American brides bid to outdo each other.
With Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s multi-million dollar wedding looming over Venice, branding and etiquette experts said ‘money doesn’t always buy class’ while explaining that these ‘status-signalling’ nuptials can often have the opposite effect in the UK.
‘Spending the national-debt equivalent of a small country on getting married in a European tourist hot-spot can leave a whiff of desperation in the high-society air,’ said Andy Barr, a crisis communications and reputation specialist.
Sean O’Meara, the managing director at reputation management consultancy Essential Connect, added: ‘Simply spending a lot of money on a high status endeavour isn’t enough. The more people do something, like choosing a European castle as their wedding venue, the less capacity for signalling status that choice will have.
‘If everybody is posh, nobody is posh,’ he added. ‘So it makes sense that the European castle sort of wedding is now losing a bit of its lustre,’ he continued. ‘It used to be something that royalty did. Now it’s something celebrities do.
The Amazon tycoon, 61, and former journalist Lauren, 55, are the latest celebrity couple to stage a multi-day extravaganza in Europe.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez kickstart their Italian weddng festivities with a foam party on the Amazon tycoon’s superyacht
However, their plans have sparked backlash among local residents concerned about overtourism, island-wide disruptions, and the notion that Venice can simply be sold to ‘the highest bidder’.
According to etiquette expert Laura Windsor, the couple’s grandiose wedding plans paint them in a poor light because they’re so ‘intrusive’.
‘They lack class and grace because [the wedding is] intrusive,’ she said. ‘Because it’s for publicity, it’s showing off. People who have class do things with little fuss, they keep it to themselves, they have no need to show off to gain validity.’
Bezos and Lauren’s six-day celebration joins a long list of high-profile US celebrity weddings held in Europe – from George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s Venetian wedding to Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s bash that took their guests across the continent.
But not all of them were created equal. While some were understated and private, others were flashy, over-the-top bashes that teetered on the brink of being ‘tacky’.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Tom Cruise and wife Katie Holmes with their then-seven-month-old daughter Suri as they headed to their wedding rehearsal dinner at Nino’s Restaurant at the bottom of the Piazza De Spagne (Spanish Steps) in Rome, Italy two days before their fairytale wedding
In November 2006, some of the biggest names in Hollywood congregated at the Castello Odescalchi di Bracciano in Bracciano, Italy, to bear witness to one of the most high-profile celebrity weddings in recent history
In 2006, the marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes was one of the biggest entertainment stories of the year – as the Mission Impossible Star tied the knot with Katie at 15th century castle near Rome.
As the year drew to a close, some of the biggest names in Hollywood congregated at the Castello Odescalchi di Bracciano in Bracciano, Italy, to bear witness to one of the most high-profile celebrity weddings in recent history.
The designer Giorgio Armani said Tom, then Katie, walked down a stone ramp lined with flag bearers in medieval costumes and to the roll of drums. They exchanged vows in a former stable decorated simply with white flowers.
Italian singer Andrea Bocelli serenaded the couple at the reception and the bride and groom cut a five-tiered white chocolate wedding cake, after a $100,000 fireworks display was set off in the grounds of the castle.
Guests left the celebrations with Armani goodie bags worth $5,000 – but the influence of the Church of Scientology, of which Tom remains an outspoken and active member, was explicit.
The evening wedding was performed by a Scientology minister in front of more than 150 relatives and friends, the publicists of Tom and Katie – who divorced in 2012 – said at the time.
The 45-minute service ended with red and white rose petals – the colours of Scientology – falling from nets held in the hall ceiling. Guests, who included Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, Will Smith, Brooke Shields and Victoria Beckham, were then led indoors for a three-course wedding breakfast and all-night dancing.
Pamela Anderson & Kid Rock
Pamela Anderson’s short-lived marriage to Kid Rock may only have lasted four months, but it didn’t stop the couple from splashing out on their 2006 yacht wedding in Saint-Tropez
Instead of donning a white gown, the former Baywatch star put her on spin on the bridal dress code by wearing a white string bikini and captain’s hat
Just months prior, however, another American celebrity wedding in Europe had made waves – but for very different reasons.
Pamela Anderson’s short-lived marriage to Kid Rock may only have lasted four months, but it didn’t stop the couple from splashing out on their 2006 yacht wedding in Saint-Tropez.
Instead of donning a white gown, the former Baywatch star put her on spin on the bridal dress code by wearing a white string bikini and captain’s hat.
Meanwhile, Kid Rock opted to go shirtless for the wedding ceremony while accessorising with his signature fedora – with one of the most famous images from the pair’s celebrations showing him posing with Pamela while holding a bottle of Corona beer and a cigar.
While Pamela and the tattooed rapper, who would go their separate ways four months later, spared no expense on the elaborate wedding, the free-wheeling ceremony wasn’t considered legal under French law.
George and Amal Clooney
George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s $4.6 million Venice wedding was notably smaller than Bezos and Sanchez’s planned festivities – with the couple exchanging vows before 100 guests before hosting their reception at the seven-star Aman Canal Grande Venice hotel in September 2014
The last time Venice saw a wedding as high-profile as the Bezos-Sanchez celebration was, most likely, in 2014 when George Clooney married British human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin.
However, their $4.6 million wedding was notably smaller – with George and Amal, then 36, exchanging vows before 100 guests before hosting their reception at the seven-star Aman Canal Grande Venice hotel in September 2014.
By contrast, the wedding of Bezos and Sanchez, a former journalist, is expected to be attended by 200 people across multiple historic venues in Venice.
Strict non-disclosure agreements, a blanket ban on photography, and an extensive security detail meant the only pictures of George on the day showed him and his guests arriving at the historic waterside venue where Amal was waiting.
It was later revealed that guests were met with champagne and canapes including polenta with wild mushrooms and prosciutto ham with figs, after the ceremony was concluded.
The reason George and Amal picked Venice as their wedding destination was because they were first introduced to each other in Italy, at the actor’s Lake Como villa.
Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka
The first official confirmation of their wedding came from Neil’s spokesperson, followed by a tweet from the How I Met Your Mother star who shared a stunning photo of the grooms taken at sunset
After 10 years together, Neil Patrick Harris and his partner David Burtka exchanged vows in what was described as an intimate, moving, and joyous celebration in the historical Italian city of Perugia in 2014.
The first official confirmation of their wedding came from Neil’s spokesperson, followed by a tweet from the How I Met Your Mother star who shared a stunning photo of the grooms taken at sunset.
And while their dreamy European destination wedding was, undoubtedly, special, it was also ‘very quiet, very private,’ according to Kelly Ripa – one of the few in attendance.
‘It was a beautiful family affair in Perugia, Italy. They rented a castle – or I think they rented it. I hope we didn’t break into a castle and just stayed there,’ the talk show host said. ‘Sir Elton John performed. There were fireworks. The food was amazing. There were magic tricks, because, you know Neil is way into magic. Their wedding vows were so beautiful.’
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen
A source previously revealed that John Legend and Chrissy Teigen chose to get married at Lake Como in Italy because that’s where ‘they fell in love’
At the time, an insider added that the couple’s guests would be staying in a hotel in the region for about four or five days for the celebration
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen were married during an intimate ceremony at a lavish estate in Lake Como on Saturday.
A source previously revealed that they chose the scenic location for their wedding because ‘that’s where they fell in love.’
At the time, an insider said that the couple’s guests would be staying in a hotel in the region for about four or five days for the celebration.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
More than a decade ago, the Hollywood superstars tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at a small chapel on the grounds of Chateau Miraval – the winery they purchased in 2011. The wedding was attended by 22 guests
As far as celebrity weddings go, you would be hard-pressed to think of one more understated than Brangelina’s 2014 ceremony during a year that would see multiple A-listers make the leap.
For the former couple, who finalised their divorce settlement after an acrimonious eight-year battle, the decision to wed in France was also sentimental.
More than a decade ago, the Hollywood superstars tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at a small chapel on the grounds of Chateau Miraval – the winery they purchased in 2011.
Part of the reason they picked the estate for their low-key wedding, which was attended by only 22 guests – including their six children – was to honour Angelina’s promise to her late mother that she would marry in France before her death.
Marcheline Bertrand died in 2007 at the age of 56, following an eight-year battle with ovarian cancer.
The wedding also coincided with the 10-year anniversary of the filming of Mr and Mrs Smith – when Brad and Angelina met and fell in love.
The Maleficent actress filed for divorce from Brad in 2016 after two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Kim Kardashian and the rapper now known as Ye arriving for their pre-wedding party at the Palace of Versailles in 2014
They decided to host a glamorous dinner at the French monument after the palace denied the now-former couple’s request to be married at the palace
Kim and Kanye as they arrived at the palace in a carriage that once belonged to the French monarchy
A pre-wedding party at the Palace of Versailles, private jets on standby to transport 200 wedding guests from France to Florence, and private performances by Andrea Bocelli, John Legend, and Lana Del Rey.
These were just some of the highlights of Kim Kardashian and Kanye ‘Ye’ West’s 2014 wedding in Italy that is estimated to have cost the ex-couple an eye-watering sum of $12 million.
The bride wore custom Givenchy as Kim picked a $500,000 wedding gown created by Riccardo Tisci and recruited a ‘glam squad’ to ensure all the guests at the Kimye wedding were picture-perfect – a service that reportedly cost $65,000.
They also paid $410,000 to secure their wedding venue, the 16th century Forte di Belvedere in Florence, but only after they were turned away by the Palace of Versailles, the former home of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Ahead of their wedding, the palace took to X/Twitter to quash any rumours that Kim and Kanye would be married at the royal chateau in a statement.
Not to be deterred, the former couple settled for a pre-wedding party at the historical French monument – arriving in a carriage that once belonged to the French monarchy – before treating guests to a glamorous dinner and a ‘private surprise tour’.
But the lavish event was allegedly branded ‘tacky’ by Beyonce and Jay-Z, who famously skipped the media spectacle at the time.
Before the wedding, radar online reported that Beyonce dreaded the thought of the lavish affair.
‘Jay and Beyoncé’s wedding was shrouded in secrecy and extreme lengths were made to make sure their wedding was an intimate affair for friends and family, only,’ an insider told Radar in March.
‘This will be the complete opposite. She thinks it’s just tacky.’
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker
Family drama aside, Kourtney and Travis’ Italian wedding was criticised after MailOnline revealed it was being sponsored by luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana following a slew of controversies at the time
Eight years after her younger sister Kim’s Italian wedding, Kourtney Kardashian and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker headed to Portofino for their third ceremony.
To add insult to Kim’s injury, Kourtney and Travis also enlisted legendary singer Andrea Bocelli fo perform at the event – as the founder of Skims ranted ‘You stole my f***ing wedding country and my wedding performer’ during a confessional on their reality TV show.
Family drama aside, Kourtney and Travis’ wedding was criticised after MailOnline revealed it was being sponsored by luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana following a slew of controversies at the time.
As part of the deal, the ceremony was held at Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s villa in the Italian seaside village, with the fashion house involved in every aspect of organising the festivities.
The most famous reality TV stars were all dressed in D&G, with Kourtney walking down the aisle in unique D&G white silk lace and satin mini dress and a dramatic hand-embroidered veil.
The worldwide coverage of the reality stars showcasing the brand’s clothes against the idyllic backdrop of the Italian Riviera was set to give millions of pounds worth of free publicity to Dolce & Gabbana which has been hit by controversies in recent years.
Unlike the Kimye wedding, Kourtney and her rocker beau filmed their wedding for a spin-off Hulu series Till Death Do Us Part.
Sia & Dan Bernad
The Italian designers hosted two very different celebrity weddings at their lavish villa in Portofino in quick succession.
After Kourtney and Travis’s televised nuptials, their Villa Olivetta was transformed into the venue for Australian songstress Sia’s wedding to Dan Bernad in 2023.
The guest list was restricted to just four people, according to Hello! magazine, who watched as Sia – famous for the half-and-half wig that conceals her face in public – and Dan exchanged vows under an iron gazebo during a candelit ceremony.
Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake
Justin and Jessica – who share two sons – reportedly dropped a cool $5.6 million on their big day that, ultimately, was remembered for a ‘distasteful’ wedding video mocking the homeless
Justin Timberlake and long-time partner Jessica Biel headed to Puglia in Italy for their dream wedding in 2012, when they brought together 100 of their nearest and dearest for a week-long celebration.
The couple booked out the lavish Borgo Egnazia resort where their guests could let their hair down without fear of being papped, the bride wore a soft pink, bespoke Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown – and so did the entire bridal party.
The bills kept adding up as Justin and Jessica – who share two sons – reportedly dropped a cool $5.6 million on their big day that, ultimately, was remembered for a ‘distasteful’ wedding video mocking the homeless.
The video was created by Justin’s real estate friend Justin Huchel. It shows real homeless people on the LA streets purporting to be acquaintances who couldn’t make it to the opulent ceremony.
The video, which was first obtained by Gawker and was allegedly shown at their post-ceremony bash, starts with the message, ‘greetings from your Hollywood friends who just couldn’t make it’.
The singer later apologised in a 700-word statement posted on his website that read: ‘My friends are good people. This was clearly a lapse in judgment which I’m sure no one who is reading this is exempt from. But, I don’t believe it was made to be insensitive.
‘More so, I think it was made as a joke on me not having that many friends attending my own wedding (which IS kind of funny if you think about it).
He added: ‘I think we can all agree that it was distasteful, even though that was not its intention.’
Avril Lavigne & Chad Kroeger
Avril Lavigne and Nickelback rocker Chad Kroeger said their vows while standing in a medieval castle in the South of France as red backlighting illuminated their goth-themed wedding. They are pictured here during a red carpet appearance in 2013
Avril Lavigne and Nickelback rocker Chad Kroeger said their vows while standing in a medieval castle in the South of France as red backlighting illuminated their goth-themed wedding in 2013.
The Sk8er boi hitmaker and Kroeger were married before 110 of their closest friends and family during a three-day blowout in Cannes that Avril later described as a ‘crazy vacation’.
Some of the wedding’s more unusual details included a black bridal gown custom-created for Avril by Monique Lhuillier as well as an ‘intimate and emotional candelight ceremony’ at the Chateau de la Napoule medieval castle near Cannes.
In signature Hollywood style, however, the celebrity wedding wasn’t complete without a wild party as Avril and Chad hosted a dinner and reception that went on until 6am the following day.
Avril, then 29, reflected on the festivities in an interview with Hello! magazine, explaining: ‘I’ve been planning this wedding for a really long time,’ she said. ‘I showed him everything and he let me take the reins and bounce ideas off of him.
‘I wanted to make sure it’s a crazy vacation and an experience of a lifetime for our guests,’ she added.
