Tom and Katie's first dance: Songbird

[Livia]

Tom and Katie exchange 'vows'By Silvia Aloisi in Bracciano, Italy
November 20, 2006 01:00am

TOM Cruise and Katie Holmes were married in a medieval castle near Rome in an evening ceremony attended by some of Hollywood's biggest stars.

With torches burning from the battlements of the 15th-century castle, the couple exchanged vows out of sight of the thousands of onlookers and paparazzi camped outside or perched on window ledges and balconies.

A fireworks display from a castle tower later lit up the sky, winning applause from those who had braved rain to stay to the end.

The bride and groom wore Giorgio Armani, Holmes in an ivory silk crystal-studded gown and Cruise in a dark suit for the ceremony presided by a Scientologist minister and later cut a five-tier white chocolate cake, according to Cruise's publicist, Arnold Robinson.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli serenaded the couple at the wedding reception, according to a statement issued by Robinson. The celebrations, which were estimated to cost over €2 million ($3.34 million).

Entertainment Tonight, quoting Mr Robinson, said the couple shared their first dance while Fleetwood Mac's Songbird played. It also said guests danced past 1am (Rome time).

Mr Robinson said the couple officially tied the knot last week.

"As is customary for couples marrying outside of the United States, Cruise and Holmes officialised their marriage in Los Angeles prior to their departure for Italy," he said.

The twice-divorced Cruise is an ardent follower of the church founded by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. Holmes, 17 years his junior, was raised a Catholic.

Hollywood stars including Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony, Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett and Brooke Shields were among 150 guests in attendance.

Local media reported Victoria Beckham arrived at the wedding alone, wearing a black dress and slanted hat, after football star husband David was called away to Spain to play for Real Madrid.

Other celebrities who attended included Mission: Impossible III director J.J. Abrams and John Travolta, who shares Cruise's belief in Scientology.

Shields, in a red evening gown, and Lopez, sporting a dusty pink floor-sweeping gown and white fur wrap, were among stars who posed for cameras when they left their hotel in Rome.

Fans in Bracciano, however, saw little more than dark Mercedes with tinted windows whizzing past to a side entrance.

Frenzied excitement in the run-up to the wedding gave away to disappointment among the throngs waiting outside once word spread the wedding was over. Bottles and litter were left behind in a square teeming with hopeful fans earlier in the day.

"I'm really disappointed, they came to have their wedding here and it would have been fair to say at least a little hello from far away," said Michele Pagano, who had hoped to take pictures with his mobile phone outside the venue.

Most missed Cruise's wave to the crowd as he arrived in a black Mercedes in the afternoon.

Holmes earlier arrived clutching their baby daughter, Suri, in her arms, then briefly appeared at a castle window when Cruise's vehicle pulled up.

Holmes, 27, gave birth to their daughter in April. Cruise, 44, also has two older children adopted during his marriage to Nicole Kidman.

Local authorities said this week Cruise, star of Hollywood hits like Top Gun and the Mission: Impossible trilogy, had not sought permission for a civil service, meaning the wedding could be purely ceremonial and have no legal value.

The couple later left Italy for their honeymoon in the Maldives.

[kenzo]

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

[vermicious knid]

Christine's song is being used for the purposes of evil. She should sue.

[PsychCat]

Originally Posted by vermicious knid

Christine's song is being used for the purposes of evil. She should sue.

I AGREE!!

[Serrart]

Originally Posted by Livia

Holmes earlier arrived clutching their baby daughter, Suri, in her arms, then briefly appeared at a castle window when Cruise's vehicle pulled up.

Yes, she appeared gloomy and dressed in black, not really a happy picture. By the way, at least they've good taste in music.

Romy

[mylittledemon]

Weird. I buried my father to that song. It's not a wedding song.

[SortaSavageLike]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Weird. I buried my father to that song. It's not a wedding song.

I think Fleetwood mac has more songs than can be played at either weddings or funerals than any other band.

[ryan8472]

Originally Posted by kenzo

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Totally. I'm gonna vom now.

[ontheEdgeof17]

They might not have a good taste in "religion", but they have a good taste in music.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by SortaSavageLike

I think Fleetwood mac has more songs than can be played at either weddings or funerals than any other band.

The song is kind of a sad little thing. It's not about staying together...or being together...it's about being apart. At least, that's why we agreed to play it at my Dad's funeral.

[Sahara]

Originally Posted by SortaSavageLike

I think Fleetwood mac has more songs than can be played at either weddings or funerals than any other band.

Interesting point!

[aleuzzi]

Maybe "Heroes are Hard to Find" would've been a better choice.

[lilymoon]

omg. they are on my top ten list of annoying people and knowing they used songbird at that wedding insults me.

[golddustwoman77]

I think of it as a song to God. I think it is about loss, and that you hope that the departed will find peace. Also, that the one left behind can find peace with the loss. I want it played at my funeral. A wedding song? I think not!

[PsychCat]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Maybe "Heroes are Hard to Find" would've been a better choice.

In Katie's case... "Hypnotized".