Parties You Will Never Get Into

Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s December 2000 wedding was one of that year’s most anticipated. The couple had reporters in the dark about the wedding details until several hours after the ceremony took place in Scotland’s Skibo Castle.

The music icon wore a traditional wedding gown made by her close friend, Stella McCartney. It was topped by an Edwardian tiara with 765 diamonds.

After the traditional wedding ceremony, guests were treated to a champagne reception. Dinner followed shortly afterwards with the newlyweds garbed in fashionable evening wear. Madonna was stunning in a Jean Paul Gaultier creation that showed off her best figure. Guy looked every bit of the dashing groom in his elegant midnight blue suit.

The reception was held in a luxurious oak-paneled dining room, with the castle’s Highland piper leading them into the area. Dinner was a sumptuous four-course banquet that left all 50 guests full and satisfied.

Then the guests were led into the castle’s Great Hall where Sting took the center stage as he serenaded the newlyweds. Sting’s wife — Trudie Styler — introduced Madonna and Guy to each other at a party in 1996.

One of the highlights of the evening, though, was when Madonna and Guy gamely trooped to the floor, to the delight of the guests, when a ceilidh band started playing.

Madonna and Guy’s guest list included some of today’s most popular celebrities. Aside from Sting and Trudie, Gwyneth Paltrow, who was the chief bridesmaid, celebrated with the couple. Football player-turned-actor Vinnie Jones was the best man. Also spotted in the fabulous and beautiful ceremony were designers Jean Paul Gaultier, Donatella Versace, Stella McCartney, Rupert Everett, Elton John, and then-married couples Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston and Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The official photographer for the event was Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

Of course, Madonna’s father, Tony Ciccone, was also present. In fact, it was he who gave the bride away. The singer’s siblings, Chris Ciccone and Melanie Henry, also joined in the celebration. Guy’s dad did not hide his excitement when he exclaimed how lovely the wedding was.

The newlyweds spent the next few days in Sting and Trudie’s 41-room Tudor mansion in England.