Monday, June 26, 2006

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Wedding

Kidman waved to the crowd as a small fleet of white Rolls Royce shuttled her and the other guests into the compound in the suburb of Manly at 5:30 p.m. local time.


"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 released with the photo.


The Oscar winner walked down the aisle clad in a pearly lace-and-chiffon Balenciaga creation, complete with veil, clutching a bouquet of white roses


She was given away by her father, Antony, while a quartet from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra played in the background. The traditional, candlelit ceremony lasted a little over an hour and was conducted by longtime family friend Father Paul Coleman and included readings from the Gospel selected by Kidman's mother, Janelle. Kidman's two children from her previous marriage to Cruise, 13-year-old Isabella and 11-year-old Connor, were in the wedding party, which also included her sister, Antonia, and her niece, Lucia.


As church bells signaled the end of the vow-swapping, the newlyweds and their 230 guests celebrated at a reception held under a towering white marquee, decorated with thousands of pink and white roses. Jackman and singer Neil Finn helped to provide the soundtrack for the party.


Rather than bringing gifts, wedding attendees were instead asked to donate to several charities earmarked by the happy couple.


The actress first announced that she and Urban planned to wed last month at the 30th anniversary gala for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the organization for which she serves as goodwill ambassador.


"He's actually my fiance," Kidman told People magazine at the event. "I wouldn't be bringing my boyfriend." Urban's rep later confirmed that the twosome were indeed engaged.


The couple touched down in Sydney on Monday and embarked on a week of celebrations leading up to their wedding.


Kidman celebrated her 39th birthday on Tuesday and attended a low-key bachelorette party on Wednesday. Urban's bachelor party took place on Thursday. In between various events, the twosome enjoyed downtime with family and friends.


Kidman and Urban, 38, met in January 2005 at an awards dinner where they were both being honored by the Australian government. Though neither of them was born in Australia--Kidman was born in Hawaii and Urban was born in New Zealand--both grew up there.


The newlyweds have both distinguished themselves in their respective careers. Kidman won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2002 for The Hours, while Urban won the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 2005 for "You'll Think of Me." More from Yahoo!


Oscar-winning actor Nicole Kidman, seen in a car, leaves her home in Sydney Saturday, June 24, 2006. Kidman is set to marry country music star Keith Urban in a lavish wedding this weekend. Details have been carefully guarded.


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