These stars shocked fans with their surprise celebrations or otherwise kept their private event's details under wraps.
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Many fans can't get enough of their favorite celebrity couples, which is why when famous duos get married, their weddings are usually covered extensively by the media. Over time, the world gains access to information about nearly every detail, from the wedding dress to the décor. And in the age of social media, it's even easier to learn about celebrity celebrations, since guests and news outlets alike share snapshots from the events, as do the newlyweds themselves. But not every big-name pair wants one of the most personal moments of their lives displayed for everyone to see (and weigh in on). In fact, some have gone an incredibly private route for their nuptials, deciding to leave the intimate occasion out of the public eye.
But how do famous duos avoid the paparazzi to throw an affair with an air of mystery? According to the following couples, it's not as hard as you might think. The key to a hush-hush wedding? Don't tell anyone it's happening until the day of, use an awards party as a cover-up, only invite close family and friends, or don't post any photos. At least, that's what we've learned from these relationships!
Ahead, check out some of the most secretive and surprising celebrity weddings, and find out how their brides and grooms kept everything as under wraps as possible before, during, and after their big days. Chances are, our intel will leave you wanting more—and in that case, these pairs achieved their goals for privacy!
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Aidy Bryant and Connor O'Malley
Aidy Bryant didn't announce her engagement until months after Connor O'Malley proposed, so it's not a shock that the couple's April 28, 2018, wedding was a surprise, too.
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Emily Ratajkowski and Sebastian Bear-McClard
No one knew about Emily Ratajkowski's shotgun wedding to Sebastian Bear-McClard until after it happened. "Soooo, I have a surprise," she wrote in an Instagram Story following their courthouse ceremony. "I got married today." Another aspect of the model's February 23, 2018, event was unexpected, too—her yellow jumpsuit in lieu of a white dress.
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Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer
Fans weren't the only ones completely blindsided by Amy Schumer's wedding to chef Chris Fischer. The celebration was so last-minute, the comedian sent out invitations via text! The couple had only been dating for a few months before tying the knot on February 13, 2018.
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Ellen Page and Emma Portner
Juno actress Ellen Page broke the news that she got married over Instagram in January 2018. "Can't believe I get to call this extraordinary woman my wife," she wrote, tagging Emma Porter.
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Amanda Seyfried and Thomas Sadoski
In March 2017, Thomas Sadoski appeared on The Late Late Show and surprised host James Corden (and everyone else!) by calling Amanda Seyfried his wife. "We eloped," he happily shared, showing off his wedding band.
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Alison Brie and Dave Franco
Getting wedding details out of Alison Brie and Dave Franco is like pulling teeth! When the latter (finally) spoke about the March 2017 affair to Entertainment Tonight, all he said was, "It was really special. It was intimate, and it was really fun."
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Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley
Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley have been so private about their wedding, the date is still up for debate! In December 2016, Robbie posted this Instagram, seemingly confirming rumors that they got married in a private Australian ceremony that month. In 2017, though, the actress was heard saying she'd been married for three years.
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Kate Mara and Jamie Bell
Kate Mara announced her newlywed status with an Instagram photo captioned "Nuptials." That being said, the blurry image gave few clues about her secret July 2017 wedding to Jamie Bell. Later, Bell would reveal that the couple tied the knot privately on their neighbor's property.
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Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke
Gossip Girl's Penn Badgley chose to marry Domino Kirke in a Brooklyn courthouse on February 27, 2017. How fitting for the man who played Brooklyn native Dan Humphrey! The couple hosted a second wedding later that year, following their surprise first one.
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RuPaul and Georges LeBar
RuPaul didn't disclose that he was married until months after his January 2017 wedding. He wed longtime partner Georges LeBar in a small Los Angeles ceremony.
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Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson
Initially, we were led to believe that Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson's October 2016 destination wedding was their first. Later, though, the Olympic swimmer revealed they'd gotten married months earlier in June!
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Zosia Mamet and Evan Jonigkeit
The Girls star and her actor husband, Evan Jonigkeit, made it hard to guess that they were getting married—they never announced their engagement! Their intimate wedding took place on October 2, 2016, and Mamet chose to wear a
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Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy
After dating for three years, Olsen and Sarkozy exchanged vows in Olsen's Manhattan home on November 27, 2015 in front of 50 close friends and family. After everyone turned in their cellphones for the night, guests were allegedly able to enjoy an unlimited amount of cigarettes ("bowls and bowls" according to one source). Although her Full House family wasn't invited, they sent her well-wishes for the special occasion.
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Allison Williams and Ricky Van Veen
Zosia Mamet wasn't the only Girls star to tie the knot in a sneaky way. Allison Williams and Ricky Van Veen went to great lengths to keep their Wyoming wedding venue a secret. The couple wed on September 19, 2015.
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Jake Lacy and Lauren Deleo
Jake Lacy of Girls secretly married his wife back in August 2015, but waited until February 2016 to announce it! The identity of his wife was a mystery for quite some time, but she's now been identified as Lauren Deleo.
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Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder
Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder got married just months after getting engaged. Their surprise April 26, 2015, ceremony was disguised as a housewarming party.
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Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
Even after it was over, the That '70s Show alumni kept tight-lipped about their July 4, 2015, wedding at the Parrish Ranch in Oak Glen, California. A few months after the couple tied the knot, Kunis appeared on The Late Late Show and just couldn't quite hide her excitement. She didn't confirm the wedding, but that smile said it all. Now if only we could see the wedding photos!
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Zooey Deschanel and Jacob Pechenik
Deschanel and Pechenik had a very eventful 2015. Not only did they secretly tie the knot on June 21, but two months later, the couple also welcomed their first child together—a healthy baby girl. Not much is known about their actual wedding, but we're sure it was gorgeous!
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Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden
Diaz and Madden kept their wedding a surprise by telling neighbors that they were hosting a pre-Golden Globes party, but the arrival of party rental trucks and notable celebrity party planners Yifat Oren and Stefanie Cove made it clear that this was more than just an awards show celebration. Only family and very close friends were invited to the January 5, 2015, celebration, with Drew Barrymore, Nicole Richie (Madden's sister-in-law), and Diaz's sister Chimene Cain serving as bridesmaids.
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Alexis Bledel and Vincent Kartheiser
Bledel and Kartheiser's tied the knot in June 2014 and we still don't know much about the celebration, other than the fact that it was small and intimate with only close friends and family in attendance. The couple met while filming Mad Men in 2012. Bledel and Kartheiser's characters were having an affair, and the on-screen chemistry led to their off-screen romance.
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Leighton Meester and Adam Brody
The Internet went a little crazy after hearing about Blair Waldorf and Seth Cohen's secret February 15, 2014, wedding. Everything around their nuptials was so hush-hush, we didn't even get to see the ring until months after the ceremony! A match made in teen TV heaven, Meester and Brody started dating after starring together in 2011's The Oranges and have been inseparable ever since.
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Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka dated for a decade before tying the knot. Nevertheless, their September 6, 2014, wedding was largely a surprise. Harris revealed the news on Twitter, writing, "Guess what? @DavidBurtka and I got married over the weekend."
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Zoe Saldana and Marco Perego
After a months-long whirlwind romance, the actress and artist tied the knot in a secret European ceremony in June 2013.
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Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha
The Scandal star is known for keeping the details of her relationship to Nnamdi Asomugha private, and their wedding, which was held on June 24, 2013, was no exception. The event was kept so under wraps that many had no idea the pair were even dating.
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Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock
Leading up to their October 20, 2013, big day, the American Idol star and her husband kept their wedding plans hush-hush.
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Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard didn't share photos from their October 17, 2013, wedding until years later. When they did, we finally saw their courthouse event—and Bell's bridal pants!
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Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish
The details of Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish's August 31, 2013, wedding were kept under wraps until we released them!
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Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied
Fans found out about Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied's August 4, 2012, wedding after the fact.
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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
We may have gotten the exclusive on Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's Charleston wedding, but you'll notice something about the photos we have: None show the couple. The bride and groom decided to keep their portraits from the September 9, 2012, event private, and few knew it was even happening.
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Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady
Believe it or not, this very public marriage started with an intimate—and secret—wedding ceremony that took place on February 26, 2009.
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Beyoncé and Jay Z
Bey and Jay have always been private about their 2008 nuptials, but they've offered a few sneak peaks of their celebration over the years.
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Jessica Alba and Cash Warren
Who knew so many celebrities would choose courthouse weddings over more glamorous affairs? Jessica Alba and Cash warren held their private one on May 19, 2008.
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Julia Roberts and Daniel Moder
Roberts and Moder met while filming 2001's The Mexican—he was a cameraman and she was the star. After years of marriage, their July 4, 2002 wedding at their New Mexico ranch is still shrouded in mystery, but we can bet Roberts looked gorgeous in her wedding dress.
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Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
The actor and actress kept their August 5 wedding details under tight wraps right up until the day of, and most guests didn't even know they were attending a wedding until they arrived! The celebration took place in 2015, and the couple later announced their split in 2018.
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