Parties You Will Never Get Into

In the late afternoon of June 25, 2006 (Australian EST), Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and Grammy Award-winning country music star Keith Urban tied the knot at a small cliff-top chapel in the beachside Sydney suburb of Manly. Although Nicole Kidman was born in Hawaii and Urban was born in New Zealand, both of them were practically raised in Australia.

The two were married in a traditional Roman Catholic ceremony inside the gothic-style Cardinal Cerretti Chapel that rests on the grounds of the former St. Patrick’s Seminary. Along with a slender veil and a pair of pearl drop earrings for her accessories, Nicole Kidman was dressed in a flowing white gown designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga. Kidman also held a long-stemmed bouquet of white roses. Urban, on the other hand, wore an elegant black suit with a white rose pinned on his suit’s lapel. Escorted by her father, Nicole Kidman rode on a cream Rolls-Royce Limousine coming from her mansion by the harbor on the way to the chapel, while eager spectators lined on the streets in order to get a glimpse of Australia’s sweetheart. While the there were several media and onlookers standing outside the compound desperately trying to capture shots of the event, the couple managed to hold a solemn and private ceremony inside the gothic chapel. The chapel was simply romantic as it was lit by around 1,000 candles. The entire compound was fully guarded by the police, private security guards, and a high-wire fence to prevent unwanted guests from gaining access. A gazebo was also mounted on the grounds to accommodate the couple’s guests.

The wedding ceremony was officiated by Father Paul Coleman and around 230 family and friends attended the event. Actor Hugh Jackman was one of the first visitors to arrive. Other prominent guests included Media mogul Rupet Murdoch and wife Wendy Deng; director Baz Luhrmann; actor Russel Crowe; actress Naomi Watts; and Nicole Kidman’s children from ex-husband Tom Cruise, Isabella and Connor. After the wedding, Urban grabbed his guitar and serenaded his wife with his song Making Memories of Us.