Kristin Luna
Outrageous places to say "I do"
Their actual marriages may last no longer than they take to consummate. Yet, living in a world where Brangelina, Bennifer and TomKat have become staples in the general population’s lexicon, it’s no surprise that we look to celebrities for tips on everything – beauty, fashion, and particularly weddings – especially since, when it comes to a bash, the rich and famous spare no expense. And although our notable idols could have their pick of wedding locales – from Scottish castles to private islands in the Mediterranean – many of them opt for hotel soirees for a number of reasons, first and foremost convenience...
Outrageous places to say "I do"
Their actual marriages may last no longer than they take to consummate. Yet, living in a world where Brangelina, Bennifer and TomKat have become staples in the general population’s lexicon, it’s no surprise that we look to celebrities for tips on everything – beauty, fashion, and particularly weddings – especially since, when it comes to a bash, the rich and famous spare no expense. And although our notable idols could have their pick of wedding locales – from Scottish castles to private islands in the Mediterranean – many of them opt for hotel soirees for a number of reasons, first and foremost convenience...
Kristin Luna Outrageous places to say "I do" Their actual marriages may last no longer than they take to consummate. Yet, living in a world where Brang... more
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1
Hotel Bel-Air
Los Angeles, Calif.
With the beauty and class of one of Southern California's most famed hotels easily accessible for Hollywood residents, it's not uncommon for stars to get hitched at the sophisticated, cream-of-the-crop Hotel Bel-Air. Acting duo Jay Mohr and Nikki Cox tied the knot there in 2006, as did Kate Beckinsale and her filmmaker hubby Len Wiseman in 2004. Exuding a romantic air with its fusion of colonial Spanish accents and Tuscan-inspired interiors, Hotel Bel-Air's 91 guest rooms and suites all have terra cotta pavers, Alicante marble, private terraces and wood-burning fireplaces. The 12-acre garden provides a serene setting for a wedding with its fountains and lush flora. Standard rooms run from $395 to $625; suites cost $825 to $4,000 per night.
2
Wakaya Club
Wakaya, Fiji
Some people might find traveling halfway around the world to exchange vows excessive. But not Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott. The bride and groom, who met on a set in Ottawa in 2005, were the only two in attendance at the non-denominational ceremony held in the South Pacific the following year. "It's all about personalizing the experience," Rosie Amodio, editor of InStyle Wedding, says. "I don't know if everyone would want to fly to Fiji to get married, but it's a totally different experience. You kind of take your honeymoon, too, so you don't have to travel more. I think it's all about finding something different for you or something you've always dreamed of and having it happened." A private retreat, the Wakaya Club is located on the island of the same name. The club's 10 1,500-square-foot cottages feature such extremities as lava rock shower stalls, cathedral ceilings, Tibetan rugs and indigenous yaka timber flooring.
3
Ashford Castle Hotel
County Mayo, Ireland
In true fairytale fashion, Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith were pronounced man and wife in 2001 at an 11th century abbey and rented out an 800-year-old castle hotel in which to commemorate the union. The lakeside property opened its doors to the public in 1939 and is surrounded by hundreds of acres of pristine hills and woodland. Activities at Ashford include fishing, falconry, clay shooting, archery and other outdoor activities. Rooms rates range from $245 to $1,000.
4
Four Seasons Resort
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Punky pop princess Pink and her white knight Carey Hart (of Surreal Life fame) veered off-the-beaten-path to the altar in a sunset ceremony on Costa Rica's western peninsula. A local official married the couple as 100 of their closest friends joined them in celebrating. "Costa Rica is really sort of unspoiled, so I can see them wanting to get married there," says Laura Schreffler, senior writer at OK! Magazine. "Four Seasons is saying, 'yes, we're going somewhere unspoiled, but we've got money ®a lot of it.'" Standard room rates start at $425 a night, and the beachfront hotel boasts a tropical-inspired ballroom that opens to a shaded terrace overlooking the Pacific, as well as halls custom-made for weddings and other events.
5
Villa la Massa Hotel
Florence, Italy
As unconventional a couple as they come, it's not surprising that singer David Bowie and wife, Somali-born model Iman, would wed in Lausanne, Switzerland before doing it all over again in a summer ceremony in Italy. The 1992 affair featured original tunes that the rockstar penned for his blushing bride (now, that's amore!), and fellow musicians Bono and Yoko Ono were there to help celebrate with their longtime friends. The guest rooms, each a unique design with traditional Florentine flair, are decked out with marble, wrought iron, and antique furnishings and overlook the rolling Tuscan hills. Rooms from $620 to $930 a night.
6
Cuixmala
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Sporting a stunning Vera Wang gown in front of 40 guests, a pregnant Heidi Klum married pop singer Seal in 2005 on a beach at this 25,000-acre resort. With eye-popping colors and Moorish furnishings, Cuixmala's villas and casitas range from the reasonably modest to the ridiculously lavish (the 37,342-square-foot, La Loma suite—actually a house—goes for $9,000 to $15,000 a night). Sister resort Hacienda de San Antonio, located just down the road, was the setting for NASCAR stud Jeff Gordon and Belgian model Ingrid Vandebosch's secret 2006 wedding.
7
Mauna Lani Hotel
Big Island, Hawaii
Neither one new to the wedding scene — it was Lisa Marie Presley's third and the second for Nicholas Cage — it only made sense that the singer and her thespian beau would make their commitment to each other official in a mellow affair away from the hustle and bustle of their celebrity lives. Attended mostly by close family members, the wedding took place during the 25th anniversary week of the death of Presley's father, Elvis. (The marriage lasted only four months before the couple called it quits.) An oceanfront resort on the Big Island's Kohala coast, Mauna Lani claims three miles of secluded shoreline, 3,200 acres of lush Hawaiian grounds and luxury bungalows. The Mauna Lani Spa offers packages such as "Lava Love for Couples" (featuring a variety of lava-infused treatments) and private hula lessons.
8
Sandy Lane
St. James, Barbados
Tiger Woods hit a hole-in-one by throwing the paparazzi off his trail when he rented out the entire five-star resort — as well as the island's sole helicopter charter company — during his 2004 wedding to Swedish model Elin Nordegren. "Barbados isn't a typical celeb destination," explains Schreffler. "Hidden spots like this tend to attract only A-listers and the occasional sports star like Tiger." Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Michael Jordan and other pals were present for the $1.5 million affair, for which the couple rented out all 112 rooms (which cost from $950 to $25,000 per night). Hootie and the Blowfish performed at the 19th hole of the island's Green Monkey golf course as a fireworks display illuminated the night sky. Woods and Nordegren spent the days leading up to the wedding snorkeling, jet-skiing and fishing in the Caribbean's crystal waters.
9
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Ojai, Calif.
Four months after meeting her own McDreamy, Kate Walsh rushed movie executive Alex Young down the aisle here. One hundred and ten guests made the journey out to Ojai, including a handful of Walsh's former Grey's Anatomy co-stars — many of whom booked lodging in the property's 308 deluxe guest rooms. There's a 31,000-square-foot spa for those who love pampering, and a golf course, tennis courts and horseback riding for the more athletically inclined. Or reserve a personal poolside cabana and soak up the Southern Californian sun.
10
Parrot Cay Resort
Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Most people aren't fortunate enough to call Bruce Willis a friend. Even fewer have the luxury of using his private villa in Parrot Cay as the setting for their nuptials. Most people aren't Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck. When the big-screen duo said "I do" in the summer of 2005, the scene couldn't have been more picturesque: Affleck and Garner exchanged rings at sunset on the white sandy beach of the 1,000-acre property. A celebrity hotspot — Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Barbra Streisand and Julia Roberts have been known to vacation here — Parrot Cay's rooms don't come cheap: they start at $1,580 a night for a one-bedroom unit. Precisely why we suggest befriending Die Hard's posterboy before you go.
[source: https://www.forbestraveler.com/resorts-hotels/celebrity-wedding-hotels-story.html ]
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