Katy Perry and Russell Brand Marry In India with "private and spiritual ceremony"

Katy Perry and Russell Brand married on Saturday, 23 October. The wedding took place at the Aman-e-Khas luxury resort outside the Ranthambhore tiger sanctuary, 80 miles from the "pink city" of Jaipur.


The ceremony started with an elaborate wedding procession which included 21 camels, elephants and horses, with the groom riding into the venue on an elephant. Russell was dressed in white; his bride wore a traditional sari


The lovebirds worshipped at a statue of elephant-headed Hindu God Lord Ganesh before sitting on ornate thrones in front of a Hindu priest, as a select group of friends and family watched on. They then followed traditional rituals such as walking around a sacred fire seven times and trying a scarf together to symbolise their unity.


Celebrity guests in India for the ceremony included Diddy, Jonathan Ross, David Walliams and David Baddiel. It’s thought that Rihanna, who organised Katy’s hen weekend in Las Vegas, couldn’t make it due to work commitments.


The wedding is the centre of six days of celebrations which included a Bollywood-themed party on Friday night with Russell, Katy and all their guests wearing traditional costumes. The party will continue until after Katy’s 26th birthday on 25 October.


The newlyweds chose a Hindu wedding because the comedian proposed to Katy in Jaipur on New Year’s Eve.


A spokesman for the couple said the service was conducted by a friend of the bride's family.


He said: "Russell Brand and Katy Perry are overjoyed to confirm that they were pronounced Mr and Mrs Brand on October 23.


"The very private and spiritual ceremony, attended by the couple's closest family and friends, was performed by a Christian minister and long time friend of the Hudson (Perry) Family.


"The backdrop was the inspirational and majestic countryside of northern India."


A hotel official told the Associated Press that both Brand and Perry wore traditional Indian clothes, with the bride and other female guests dressed in saris.


The venue's trees were illuminated by colourful lights and luxury tents were decorated with flower garlands.


News agency Press Trust of India reported that 21 camels, elephants and horses formed part of Brand's wedding procession from a nearby resort. He was also accompanied by traditional dancers and musicians.


The couple, who met at the MTV Video Music Awards in September 2009, where Brand was host, tried to keep their celebration under wraps.


 
http://www.mirror.co.uk & http://www.mtv.co.uk