How to Pull Off a Secret Wedding Like a Celebrity

Engaged but don’t want any of the hoopla? Make like these famous stars and elope (or, like Keanu and Winona, accidentally exchange vows on set). If they can pull off surprisingly secret weddings, surely you can too!

Jon Batiste (L) and Suleika Jaouad attend the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

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Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad

Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste and New York Times bestselling author Suleika Jaouad secretly tied the knot just one day before her bone marrow transplant. Jaouad was diagnosed with leukemia for a second time (she chronicles her first in a best-selling memoir Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted. Jaouad told CBS Sunday Morning, “We have known that we wanted to get married, I think, from the first week that we started dating. That’s when Jon first brought up the topic of marriage to me. So, we’ve had eight years. This is not, you know, a hasty decision!” She described the wedding as a tiny, beautiful, little ceremony."

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Billie Lourd and Austen Rydell

The Scream Queens star, 29, tied the knot with her fiancé, Austen Rydell, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, according to People. Last month, she appeared to be gearing up for the wedding when she shared photos that appeared to be from her bachelorette party on Instagram. The couple got engaged in 2020, the same year they welcomed their first child together.

Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton attend a dinner to celebrate The Prince's Trust, hosted by Prince Charles, Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace on March 12, 2019 in London, England.

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Josh Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton

Looks like the Pearl Harbor star pulled a fast one on us. It turns out Josh Hartnett and his long-time love Tamsin Egerton got married several months ago in a very intimate ceremony, safely away from the prying eyes of Hollywood. The actor's rep confirmed the wedding to E! News, and while details are sparse, The Sun reported it took place at London's The Old Marylebone Town Hall back in November. In fact, the ceremony apparently took place in Soho Room, which only seats 12 people. Hartnett consciously stepped away from the glitz and glam of Hollywood life back in the mid-2000s. At the time he shared that the move was "the best thing for my mental health and my career." His now-wife, also an actor, share three children, who he also works to keep out of the public eye.

James McAvoy and Lisa Liberati attend The Fashion Awards 2021 at Royal Albert Hall on November 29, 2021 in London, England.

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James McAvoy and Lisa Liberati

James McAvoy shared in a recent interview that he's a married man. The Atomic Blonde actor told The Guardian that he wed his girlfriend, Lisa Liberati. The Scottish star, 42, refused to say more, not wanting to fuel "tabloid fodder." The star was first rumoured to have married Liberati in 2019, but he never formally addressed this. The pair met on the 2016 set of the horror Split, where Liberati was working as M. Night Shyamalan’s personal assistant.

Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves at a Hollywood event

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Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder

Imagine pulling off a wedding so secretive that even the bride and groom didn't realize they were exchanging vows? Well, that's what happened to Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder back in 1992 while the stars filmed Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Back in 2018, Ryder revealed to Entertainment Weekly that she and Reeves had been married by a real Romanian priest while shooting a scene for the film. "We actually got married in Dracula. No, I swear to god I think we're married in real life," she said at the time. "We shot the master and he did the whole thing. So I think we're married."

Now, in a video with Esquire released on Nov. 22, the topic came up again... this time with Reeves. His answer? "We did a whole take of a marriage ceremony with real priests. Winona says we are. [Director Francis Ford] Coppola says we are. So I guess we're married under the eyes of God," he said.

But what would their respective partners think? Reeves has been linked to artist Alexandra Grant since 2018, while Ryder has been with Scott Mackinlay Hahn since 2011. So, this might go down as the most (accidentally) secret celeb wedding of all time.

Uzo Aduba attends the FX Networks' Star Walk Winter Press Tour 2020 at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 09, 2020 in Pasadena, California.

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Uzo Aduba and Robert Sweeting

In Treatment and Orange Is the New Black alum Uzo Aduba revealed she married filmmaker Robert Sweeting sometime last year. The 40-year-old and three-time Emmy-winning actor shared the news on her Instagram, posting a wedding pic of herself with Sweeting. She captioned the photo with, "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.' — When Harry Met Sally," adding, "For some of us, it can feel like we spend our whole lives waiting for our special someone. My heart, my love — I'm so happy my life started last year with you. You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

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Lily Collins and and Charlie McDowell

Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell are finally married after nearly a year of being engaged. The Emily In Paris star took to her Instagram to share photos of their wedding, which featured the actress in a stunning Ralph Lauren lace gown. "I’ve never wanted to be someone’s someone more than I do yours, and now I get to be your wife. On September 4th, 2021 we officially became each other’s forever," she captioned one of the images.

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Issa Rae and Louis Diame

Issa Rae, 36, announced on Instagram that she married her longtime beau Louis Diame in a destination wedding in the South of France. Sharing gorgeous photos of the ceremony and her stunning Vera Wang dress, Rae excitedly spilled details with her fans.

"A) Impromptu photo shoot in a custom @verawanggang dress. B) My girls came to help me, but they all coincidentally had on the same dress! They were sooooo embarrassed. C) Then I took a few flicks with Somebody's Husband," she joked about the photos. "Big thanks to @whiteedenweddings for being so gracious and accommodating and making this feel so real and special."

Jenna Ushkowitz and David Stanley together at a red carpet event

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Jenna Ushkowitz and David Stanley

Glee alum Jenna Ushkowitz and her longtime boyfriend David Stanley got hitched on July 24 in an intimate Los Angeles ceremony. “We were elated and so grateful that we didn’t have to push our wedding and that we got to have the day of our dreams,” Uskowitz, 35, told Brides Magazine. “It was such a gift that we were able to share it with our friends and family.”

Uskowitz and Stanley, 37, who works with nonprofits, met on the dating app Hinge and announced their engagement in 2019. The outdoor ceremony included 104 guests at the Lombardi House. “Having our closest family and loved ones there (safely) was a priority for us,” she said.

Anna Faris at a taping of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen

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Anna Faris and Michael Barrett

During a taping of her podcast, Anna Faris is Unqualified, the actor dropped the news that she has wed fiancé Michael Barrett. The Mom star, 44, and Overboard cinematographer, 51, met while working on the film in 2017. The stars were first spotted together a month after Faris announced her split from ex-husband Chris Pratt (the pair were together for eight years and share son Jack, 8). Faris didn't reveal too much about the nuptials other than to say, "It was at a local courthouse up in Washington State, it was great."

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Emma Bunton and Jade Jones

Talk about a long engagement! Spice Girl Emma Bunton, 45, and longtime beau Jade Jones, 42, officially exchanged vows in early July. The couple, who have been together since the 1990s and engaged since 2011, have two kids together. Bunton revealed the news of their nuptials on Instagram July 13, writing: "Mr. and Mrs. Jones!" Earlier that same week, Bunton celebrated the 25th anniversary of the smash Spice Girls hit, "Wannabe." Jones, an R&B singer, is a former member of British boy band Damage.

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani hug, while seated, at a Hollywood event

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Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton

After much speculation as to whether wedding bells would be in their future, Gwen Stefani, 51, and Blake Shelton, 45, announced that they exchanged vows on July 3. The low-key nuptials took place on Shelton's Oklahoma ranch. Stefani first sparked rumours that she was already wed in early June after she was spotted sporting what looked like a wedding ring. The couple first started dating in November 2015.

Shelton was previously married to fellow country music star Miranda Lambert from 2011 to 2015, while Stefani used to be wed to Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale for 14 years. Stefani and Rossdale share three sons together, Kingston, 15, Zuma, 12, and Apollo, 7.

(L-R) Robbie Arnett and Elizabeth Olsen attend the Rape Foundation Annual Brunch 2019 at a Beverly Hills Private Estate on October 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California.

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Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett

Turns out the WandaVision star is, in fact, married to long-time sweetheart, Robbie Arnett. The star casually dropped the news during a video appearance on Variety's Actors on Actors series.

In her convo with actress Kaley Cuoco, Olsen referred to Arnett, who took charge on her set design for the call, as her husband: "I also just noticed that my husband put Little Miss Magic. You know, the Little Miss books?"

Although she made no mention of a wedding or her marriage, the couple are notoriously private about their life together. A source revealed back in 2019 that the pair were engaged, but it was never confirmed. The two sparked dating rumours back in February 2017 and have been an item ever since.

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Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez

If you thought the pop star would go all out with an extravagant wedding ceremony, you'd be wrong. The singer, 27, tied the knot with real estate agent Gomez, 25, during an intimate ceremony (less than 20 people were present!) at the couples Montecito, California home.

Few details are known about the wedding, other than that "the couple and both families couldn't be happier," according to Grande's rep. The pair announced their engagement on Instagram in December and, more recently, Grande shared a collection of romantic snaps of her beloved.

Kristen Wiig arrives at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood

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Kristen Wiig and Avi Rothman

Kristen Wiig has a good reason to paaartyyy! The Bridesmaids star, 47, recently revealed that she married actor Avi Rothman, 48, during the pandemic.

While promoting her new film Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Wiig confirmed to Colbert by saying "he's now my husband" while sharing a story of their engagement during the interview.

The couple have been mostly private about their relationship — with news of their relationship first being reported back in 2016. They confirmed their engagement in August 2019 and welcomed twins via surrogate in June 2020.

Jonathan Van Ness attends the Biossance launch at Botanic House on February 27, 2020 in Sydney, Australia.

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Jonathan Van Ness and Mark Peacock

Jonathan Van Ness put a ring on it! The Queer Eye’s staple dropped the news of the secret wedding on New Year’s Eve, sharing he married his “best friend,” Mark Peacock. Following that post on Instagram, he shared how he and Peacock met, saying the couple first went on a date while JVN was on a comedy tour in London. Fellow co-stars joined in on the well-wishes and congratulations.

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Taissa Farmiga and Hadley Klein

On November 27, the American Horror Story star revealed via Instagram that she tied the knot with screenwriter and director, Hadley Klein, back in the summer. Her Instagram caption "Married my best friend" was paired with "08.08.2020" — revealing the exact date of the couple's nuptials.

Farmiga, 26, and Klein, 37, who have been together for over four years, celebrated their first Thanksgiving together as a married couple. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Klein wrote "still feeling thankful this year" while sharing the same photo as Farmiga of their wedding day on Instagram.

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost attend the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California.

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Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost

Jost married! Scarlett Johansson and SNL cast member Colin Jost tied the knot in an intimate ceremony, according to the official Instagram account for the non-profit Meals on Wheels America. The post captioned “We’re thrilled to break the news that Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost were married over the weekend in an intimate ceremony with their immediate family and love ones, following COVID-19 safety precautions as directed by the CDC.” The organization added, "Their wedding wish is to help make a difference for vulnerable older adults during this difficult time by supporting @mealsonwheelsamerica. Please consider donating to celebrate the happy couple by clicking the link in our bio."

Lily Allen and David Harbour in formal outfits

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Lily Allen and David Harbour

It looks like English singer, songwriter and author Lily Allen and Stranger Things actor David Harbour have tied the knot, according to multiple reports.

Rumour has it the couple exchanged I dos at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Vegas — ceremony completed with an Elvis Presley impersonator officiating the sweet union.

Congrats to the happy newly weds!

Raven-Symoné and Miranda Maday

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Raven-Symoné and Miranda Maday

The “That’s So Raven” star shared in an Instagram snap that the couple officially wed in a surprise ceremony, saying "I got married to a woman who understands me from trigger to joy, from breakfast to midnight snack, from stage to home. I love you Mrs. Pearman-Maday! Let’s tear this world a new asshole!!! I’s married NOW."

Related: Pregnant celebrities: all stars due in 2020.

Dwane Johnson and Lauren Hashian secretly marry in Hawaii

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Lauren Hashian

Studly, kind-faced Dwayne Johnson married his longtime lady love, singer Lauren Hashian, in Hawaii on Sunday. The Rock revealed the news to his Instagram friends on Monday morning.

"We do. August 18th, 2019," Johnson wrote on his post — where he also took the opportunity to share some gorgeous shots of his wedding festivities.

The newly weds have two small daughters together: Jasmine Lia, 3, and Tiana Gia, 1. Also apart of the fam is Johnson's 18-year-old daughter from his previous marriage.

See also: Celebrity power couples with the highest net worth.

Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz secretly married

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Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz

Following a two month engagement, supermodel Heidi Klum, 45, and Tokio Hotel musician Tom Kaulitz, 29, were officially married in February.

While this very attractive surprising new couple started their sweet love story last year — they leveled up to husband and wife pretty quickly. Of course, the pair have been making headlines for their surprisingly big age gap — but Klum's four kids approve and she's visibly beaming with happiness — so good for her.

And yes, this is Klum's third marriage — she was previously married to celeb hairstylist Ric Pipino and then to singer Seal. It's Kaulitz's second one.

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Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley

Not only are The 100 actors Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley showing us how to pull off a secret wedding — the pair have also been successfully secretly dating for a while. The newly weds, who play Clarke Griffin and Bellamy Blake on the show, tweeted out the news this weekend pumping up the "Bellarke" fandom — after all, the couple have been co-starring on the CW drama for more than six years. Taylor sent out a tweet on June 7 announcing the news and asked folks to keep comments kind and for privacy to be respected.

Details haven't been released on the specifics of the wedding — but these two sure aren't one of these on-screen couples who actually hated each other — that's for sure.

Newly weds Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger 2019

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Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger

Guardians of the Galaxy actor officially tied the knot with Katherine Schwarzenegger on Saturday June 8, the couple announced on Instagram.

The couple started dating back in the middle of 2018 and were apparently set up by Katherine's mom. The pair announced their engagement earlier this year.

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas just married

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Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas

Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner headed down to Las Vegas where she married musician Joe Jonas at a surprise ceremony in Sin City.

The couple exchanged vows at their ceremony before an Elvis impersonator. Classic.

These two just couldn't help falling in love — and sealing the deal. The pair have been engaged since 2017.

Soon, they'll be another celebrity couple who prove that true love stands the test of time.

Jude Law and Phillipa Coan secretly married

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Jude Law and Phillipa Coan

After a quiet day-time ceremony in London, British actor and Captain Marvel star Jude Law married Phillipa Coan.

The private ceremony for the adorable newly weds resulted in a surprise wedding for the rest of us. But it's not such a shock, considering what he told Harper's Bazaar. "She's mine and no one else's. I'm very, very happy," Law told the publication. "Our relationship is a very private thing, and I think part of the fact it works so well is exactly because of that."

RELATED: celebrities that you never knew dated.

Pascal Le Segretain

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

After nine years of dating (and teasing the world with their prolonged wedding plans!) Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt escaped to France this past weekend for a secret wedding. Though they kept totally hush hush about deciding to make it official, their six children played a special part in the wedding ceremony. Ang walked down the aisle with her eldest children Maddox and Pax, while Zahara and Vivienne threw flower petals and Shiloh and Knox served as the ring bearers. Keep your eyes on this page as more details are revealed!

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Jay Z and Beyonce

Beyonce never wanted a big wedding, and she got her wish when her and Jay snuck into a village hall in New York to get a marriage license. A few days later, the newlyweds threw a small celebration at their penthouse in Tribeca, where only close friends and family were present.

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Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

There's no need to stick to conventional timelines. After dating for six weeks, these two decided to get right to it—marrying in the Caribbean quietly.

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Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck

Does your idea of the perfect wedding involve you, your loved one, and a tropical getaway? Copy Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck with a private Turks and Caicos ceremony.

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Kate Winslet and Ned Rocknroll

Kate Winslet and Ned Rocknroll had a ceremony so secret, the bride and groom's parents didn't even know about it! Have a trusted friend (Kate picked Leonardo DiCaprio) give you away instead.

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Adam Brody and Leighten Meester

Unlike many couples in this day and age, these famously private stars stayed off of social media leading up to the big day. They managed to keep their nuptials so hush-hush, few details have leaked to this day.

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Cash Warren and Jessica Alba

Considering heading right to the courthouse? That's what Cash Warren and Jessica Alba did, marrying so secretly that Jessica's own brother only heard the news via Us Weekly.

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Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott

Just because you elope, it doesn't mean you don't get to wear white. Barefoot and in all-white ensembles, Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott were wed on a private island in Fiji. "We didn't want to wait another day to get married," Tori gushed to People magazine.

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Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth

Though over 100 of her dearest family and friends were invited to attend, when Reese Witherspoon walked down the aisle, the paparrazi were none the wiser. It's all about careful planning and trustworthy guests.

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Sandra Bullock and Jesse James

If an over-the-top affair just isn't your cup of tea, surprise guests with an outdoor-birthday-party-turned-wedding à la Sandra Bullock and Jesse James. (Though the two later divorced in 2010.)

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Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher

Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher also kept their nuptuals on the down-low. They only told their six guests about their plan to wed moments before the ceremony took place!

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Julia Roberts and Danny Moder

Gather your loved ones for a relaxing day at your place, and convince them to stay for a surprise. That's how Julia Roberts and Danny Moder lured guests to their secret wedding. After arriving to celebrate Independence Day at Julia's ranch, the couple urged them to stick around until nightfall, when the wedding ceremony happened.

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Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen

Yet another pair of tricksters! Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen got married in Santa Monica during a ceremony that many guests believed was set to be a christening for Tom's baby.

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Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds

Getting married in the middle of nowhere is a pretty solid way to avoid being spotted. That's why Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds tied the knot in a remote location in the wilderness near Vancouver. They later divorced in 2011.

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Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively

Keeping mum about location worked for Ryan yet again when he wed Blake Lively in 2012. The two said "I do" quietly in South Carolina.

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Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied

Rumour has it that Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied didn't even send out wedding invites. They simply arranged to have a private ceremony in Big Sur in front of 60 of their closest friends.

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Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green

Shying away from the spotlight, Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green eloped in Hawaii a few years ago. Their only witness? Brian's son, Kassius.

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Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin (RIP) pulled off a secretive wedding ceremony at a hotel in Southern California in 2013 without any family in tow. After 10 years, news of their split marks the end of an era for these two A-listers.

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Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard

Make last-minute memories like Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. They walked into the Beverly Hills City Clerk's Office to apply for a marriage license when a court employee offered to marry them on the spot.

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Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem

Hop on a plane to escape family, friends and reality. These two headed straight to the Bahamas for a small wedding in front of family and friends.

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Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom

Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom were married out of the blue, without their family present. Miranda's own grandmother told The Sydney Daily Telegraph that though she found out about their marriage on TV, Miranda's mom knew about it beforehand and supported their decision.

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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett

Everyone's already in a party mood on New Year's Eve. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett used this to their advantage by keeping their NYE wedding a total secret.