Maybe it’s the need to get out of the constant glare of the spotlight but many bigtimes stars are opting for surprise weddings far from the prying eyes of papparazzi and overzealous fans. From Gossip Girl stars like Blake Lively or Leighton Meester to A-List royalty Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, celebs are keeping their “I do”s as low-key as possible. Whether it’s in an intimate ceremony or a last-minute back-yard bash, the common thread is keeping their special day a secret.
Here’s the DL on some of the most under-the-radar weddings from your faves.
18. Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley
When: December 2016 (We think)
Where: Byron Bay, Australia
This I, Tonya actress and her assistant director hubby met on the set of the 2013 film Suite Francaise. Robbie admitted to having feelings for her longtime friend but was worried he wouldn’t see her in the same light. Obviously the feeling was mutual. The two reportedly tied the knot in a very private ceremony in Robbie’s native Australia. Her mother walked her down the aisle and her siblings were among the guests. There is a rumor floating around that the couple may have actually gotten married a couple of years prior. So, what’s the real story? The world may never know.
17. Emily Ratajkowski and Sebastian Bear-McClard
When: February 23rd, 2018
Where: New York City
This was a surprise in more ways than one. Until Ratajkowski announced her surprise nuptials, many were under the impression that she was still seeing her longtime boyfriend Jeff Magid. Instead, the model had just married Bear-McCLard, who she had reportedly been dating for only a few weeks before their city hall ceremony. It was a low-key affair in which the bride wore a mustard Zara pantsuit and was witnessed by none other than social media star The Fat Jewish. Sources close to the pair have since clarified that the two have known each other for years.
16. RuPaul and Georges LeBar
When: January 2017
Where: Unknown
In March 2017, this RuPaul’s Drag Race star revealed he and his longtime love LeBar had been married since January. The two met at the now-defunct, popular NYC club Limelight back in 1994. LeBar was celebrating his birthday that night when RuPaul set his eyes on the Australian. The television star and his spotlight-shy hubby spend most of their time tucked away at their 50,000 acre ranch in Wyoming. According to RuPaul, LeBar is literally the answer to his prayers. He told BuzzFeed, “I remember praying, ‘I want a sweet, sensitive man,’ and I got an Australian who’s just lovely.”
15. Misty Copeland and Olu Evans
When: July 31st, 2016
Where: Laguna Beach, California
In 2015, Misty Copeland made history as the first African American Female Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. A year later, she was celebrating a different chapter of her accomplished life: becoming a wife. Copeland married her boyfriend of ten years, Olu Evans, in a seaside ceremony at the Montage Hotel in Southern California. The bride wore an Inbal Dror gown and tied the knot in front of 100 family and friends surrounded by pink hydrangeas and white roses. Sounds just as elegant as the ballerina herself.
14. Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard
When: October 17th, 2013
Where: Beverly Hills, California
Kristen Bell and Dax Shephard got engaged in 2010 but refused to marry until the privilege was extended to everyone. So when the Defense of Marriage Act was passed in 2013, legalizing gay marriage in the state of California, the duo made good on that promise. But instead of a blowout bash, they opted for a super low-key courthouse wedding. Bell wore a simple black top and trouser combo with a statement necklace while Shepard went for more glam look in a classic tux. According to Bell, “It was still one of the best days of my life.”
13. Hannah Davis and Derek Jeter
When: July 9th, 2016
Where: St. Helena, California
The former New York Yankees captain vowed to wed when his playing days ended. Less than two years after retiring in 2014, Jeter said “I do” to Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Hannah Davis. The pair exchanged vows in front of 100 family and friends at the Meadowood Napa Valley Resort. The bride wore custom Vera Wang, the groom donned a Nigel Curtiss tux, and the bridesmaids were outfitted in lavender, one-shoulder chiffon dresses. Davis’s adorable nephew served as a ring bearer. Jeets hit this one out of the park.
12. Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy
When: November 27th, 2015
Where: Manhattan, New York
Michelle Tanner is all grown up y’all! Mary-Kate Olsen took the world by surprise when she tied the knot with French banker Olivier Sarkozy in front of 50 guests in a private ceremony at an NYC residence. The pair tried to keep their nuptials as under the radar as possible by asking that all cellphones be turned off. Super sleuths were able to unearth a few tidbits like cigarette filled bowls for the attendees and outdoor cocktails before dinner. The Full House fam weren’t in attendance but sent much love to their former co-star. Bob Saget, who played dad Danny Tanner summed it up best: “I’m very happy. I love her very much. I hope they’re happy.”
11. Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer
When: February 13th, 2018
Where: Malibu, California
Just a day short of Valentine’s Day, comedian Amy Schumer had her own day of love when she sealed the deal with chef Chris Fischer. To say it was a surprise would be an understatement. Reportedly most guests found out via text on the Sunday before that the wedding was happening on Tuesday. That was still enough notice for Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lawrence, Judd Apatow, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Larry David to make it to the laid-back affair. Schumer wore a spaghetti strap Monique Lhuillier gown to the oceanview wedding, which had pal J. Law sobbing. According to her stylist, the whole event was pulled together in just four days! Talk about whirlwind.
10. Allison Williams and Ricky Van Veen
When: September 19th, 2015
Where: Saratoga, Wyoming
The Get Out star and College Humor co-founder went a bit off the beaten path for their surprise nuptials by holding the ceremony at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming. The couple hosted between 150 – 200 guests including her Girls co-stars Lena Dunham, Zosia Mamet, and Jemima Kirke, as well as Bruce Springsteen, Seth Meyers, John Mayer, and Katy Perry. The Oscar de la Renta clad bride was walked down the aisle by her dad Brian Williams, as guests sat on pillows. But by far the coolest part of this wedding was having none other than Tom Hanks officiating. Epic!
9. Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
When: August 5th, 2015
Where: Bel Air, California
When friends of Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux were invited to a backyard birthday party to celebrate Theroux’s 44th birthday, they probably never imagined that they were in fact about to witness the couple’s secret nuptials. The approximately 70 guests included Aniston’s former Friends co-stars Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres, Sandra Bullock, and Sia. Actually, there may have been one couple who foresaw what was to come. Aniston shared a story on the Ellen DeGeneres Show about couple Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fischer, who were making a point of showing up to her gatherings in formal wear just in case anything big went down. Shared Aniston, “And we were like, ‘Guys, it’s the Fourth of July, we’re in cutoffs and eating hot dogs. We will actually let you know!'”
8. Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
When: July 2015
Where: Oak Glen, California
Ashton Kutcher admitted that the couple went to great lengths to keep their ceremony as under-wraps as possible. The subterfuge included red herrings designed to throw eagle-eyed paps off the trail. “It was a ninja effort,” he said. “We really didn’t want helicopters at our wedding and it’s a legitimate concern. I was, like, posting things on social media that were in different locations to avoid it.” Sources said the couple was already legally married before a post-nuptial party with close family and friends was held at The Secret Garden at Parish Ranch, amidst ponds and apple orchards. Sounds magical!
7. Zoe Saldana and Marco Perego
When: June 2013
Where: London, United Kingdom
Saldana sure knows how to keep a secret. The actress wed Italian artist Perego in June 2013 but the public didn’t find out until September. Actually, many barely even knew the two were a thing. Tabloids had just caught wind of the relationship that May when they were seen kissing after the Star Trek: Into the Darkness L.A. premiere. But according to the bride, the two had known each other for five years before they agreed to do the one thing they never wanted to do – get married. And once they decided getting hitched was in their future, they wasted no time. The wedding took place just three weeks later. Hey, when you know, you know.
6. Leighton Meester and Adam Brody
When: 2014
Where: Parts Unknown
This isn’t the only secret Gossip Girl wedding to make the list. Not much is known about this clandestine affair other than they got married. The twosome have never even actually confirmed their relationship. What we do know is that they met on the set of 2011’s The Oranges. Also, Meester may or may not have had her bachelorette party at West Hollywood restaurant Hamburger Mary’s. That’s literally all we got!
5. Alexis Bledel and Vincent Kartheiser
When: June 2014
Where: Ojai, California
Rory Gilmore married Pete Campbell! Gilmore Girls star Bledel met Mad Men’s Kartheiser when she guest starred on his show during season five. The couple kept their relationship low-key, so it was no surprise that they would choose to wed in secret, too. The festivities were held at the Rolling Thunder Ranch resort with family and friends. The bride wore a floor-length gown and the groom teared up as she walked down the aisle. This was a match made in T.V. heaven.
4. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
When: August 23rd, 2014
Where: France
When you’re a powerhouse couple, sometimes just one wedding won’t do. To be fair, the duo dubbed Brangelina couldn’t legally marry in France so they officially married in California before having a small ceremony with family in the European country. They chose the intimate setting of their Château Miraval estate in Correns. Personal touches were sprinkled all over this union. Older sons Pax and Maddox walked Angie down the aisle, Zahara and Vivienne served as flower girls, while Shiloh and Knox were ring bearers. But those weren’t the only roles the kids had in the nuptials. They helped hand write the vows and their drawings were sewn into Jolie’s Versace gown and veil. Adorable!
3. Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden
When: January 5th, 2015
Where: Beverley Hills, California
After a whirlwind seven month romance, the Charlie’s Angels star married the Good Charlotte rocker at their Beverly Hills home. The couple was introduced by Madden’s sister-in-law Nicole Richie, who was one of the bridesmaids at the surprise ceremony, along with Drew Barrymore, Diaz’s sister Chimene Cain, and assistant Jesse Lutz. They carried white bouquets and were clad in black dresses. Madden had brothers Joel and Josh at his side. Joel and Nicole’s son, Sparrow served as his uncle’s ringbearer. According to Diaz, the wedding was held in the living room and guests partied on the tennis court in the backyard. Considering Diaz’s upbeat persona, the least surprising thing about this wedding is the fun factor.
2. Beyoncé and Jay-Z
When: April 4th, 2008
Where: New York City
The super couple cemented their “Crazy in Love” status with a private ceremony at Jay-Z’s New York City penthouse, surrounded by forty guests including her Destiny’s Child group mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Over 70,000 orchids were flown in from Thailand for the big day but the pair kept other aspects of the wedding low-key; they didn’t even have a bridal party. But party, they did. Until 5 a.m. the next day, in fact. Fun fact: the couple married on the fourth day of the fourth month because four holds special meaning for both of them. Bey and Jay were born on the fourth day of September and December respectively. Thus, when Jay released his album 4:44 in 2017, people felt fairly certain there’d be some songs written for his queen.
1. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
When: September 9th, 2012
Where: Charleston, South Carolina
Blake Lively starred on Gossip Girl, where the secrets of high society were constantly being aired out. But when it came to her wedding to Ryan Reynolds, everyone involved managed to keep their lips tightly sealed until after the fact. Years later, we have yet to catch more than a tiny glimpse of the custom-designed tulle Marchesa gown Lively wore. Martha Stewart Weddings got exclusive access and dished on the deets. Along with the massive Martha Stewart bouquet, Blake and Ryan called in Maggie Austin Cake in Virginia for a vanilla and sour cream wedding cake with peach apricot preserves and Earl Grey milk chocolate buttercream. Yum.