Holmes and Cruise at their wedding Photo by: Robert Evans |
As breathtaking as it was joyful, the Nov. 18 union of Cruise, 44, and Holmes, 27, combined Hollywood glitz, old-world grandeur and the warmth of an all-in-the-
famiglia Italian wedding – albeit one that included celebrity couples like Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, Brooke Shields and Chris Henchy, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith and Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy. Held shortly after sunset within the medieval Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano, Italy, the extravagant bash capped three days of festivities that briefly transformed much of nearby Rome into a rolling red carpet. "It's nutty – nutty in a good way!" said Elfman, speaking to PEOPLE by cell phone from inside the reception at 3 a.m. Mapother describes the vibe of the entire affair as "celebratory, family-oriented, like a reunion of old friends getting together." As for the couple of the hour, "they did not seem nervous at all. It was more joyous, as in, 'Bring it on!' "
So how did the new Mr. and Mrs. Cruise – who famously debuted their romance in Rome in April 2005 and were engaged in Paris six weeks later – pull it all off? "It was all Katie," a guest says of the wedding planning, which was co-coordinated by Roberta Armani (Giorgio's niece). "It was the wedding every little girl dreams of." Particularly "after this crazy year," says Elfman, alluding to the intense scrutiny of the couple's relationship. "I've known how genuine their love has been, but it was nice to see them share it in this way." (Hoping to pull off a similarly sprawling extravaganza? Better budget in the ballpark of $3.5 million, say several top celebrity wedding planners – though Tom and Katie's star power may have helped lower costs.)
