From PEOPLE Magazine Click to enlarge
Pulling off a secret wedding isn't easy when your every move is chronicled by the paparazzi. But Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds managed to get discreetly hitched on Sept. 27 by following three simple steps: First, no need for engraved invitations—the couple shared wedding plans with their guests via text messages. Second, keep it small. Less than 40 people attended the nuptials, including Johansson's and Reynolds' siblings. "Scarlett wanted a ceremony with just family and a few select friends," says a Johansson source. Finally, pick a secure location.

The weekend-long bash took place at the rugged-yet-luxurious Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, a remote outpost near the Canadian seaside village of Tofino, B.C. Located on Vancouver Island, the resort features just 20 white canvas tents filled with antiques and can only be reached by seaplane or a 30-minute boat ride. The location was inspired by Reynolds' nationality (he hails from Vancouver) and the couple's desire for total seclusion. "Scarlett wasn't going to let anything interfere with her wedding day," says a source close to them both. "They work hard to keep things private."

Johansson, 23, and Reynolds, 31, also tried to keep their big day low-key. Before celebrating with a candlelight dinner that night, Reynolds went fishing for salmon and halibut with the boys, while others enjoyed horseback riding and mountain biking. Of course the couple, who began dating in April 2007, share more than a love of privacy. "There's a lot of heat between them, a ton of chemistry on a sexual and intellectual level," says one pal. "Scarlett's the big personality of the two, but he keeps her on her toes. It's a great balance."

  • Contributors:
  • Reporting by Christine Kilpatrick/Vancouver,
  • Alexis Chiu/Los Angeles,
  • Julie Jordan/Los Angeles,
  • Alyssa Shelasky/New York City.