Elton John kisses Renate Blauel on their wedding day in 1984 (Image: Getty)
One way to ensure that you never forget your wedding anniversary is to tie the knot on a very significant date. If it also happens to be the most romantic day of the year all the better.
Several celebrities decided to forgo the supermarket flowers and chocolates and instead give their other half a ring on St Valentine’s Day.
While mere mortals can struggle to get a table in their local restaurant, these celebrities managed to organise a wedding breakfast on the busiest day of the year for the catering industry.
From Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch to music legend Elton John and even music bad boy Liam Gallagher all pledged their troth on Valentine’s Day.
Express.co.uk takes a look at some of the couples who will be celebrating their anniversary today.
Elton John and Renate Blauel – 1984
Elton John and Renate Blauel married in Australia on Valentine’s Day 1984 (Image: Getty)
David Furnish isn’t Elton John’s first spouse. Back in 1984, he tied the knot with German recording engineer Renate Blauel on Valentine’s Day.
Elton was on the Australian leg of his Too Low for Zero tour and they wed in St. Mark’s Church the area of Darling Point in Sydney, Australia.
They were married for four years divorcing in 1988 and soon after Elton John came out as gay. He is now happily married to David, with whom he shares sons Elijah and Zachary.
Addressing his first marriage when urging Australians to vote in favour of same-sex marriage in 2017, Elton John took to Instagram and wrote: “Many years ago, I chose Australia for my wedding to a wonderful woman for whom I have so much love and admiration.
“I wanted more than anything to be a good husband, but I denied who I really was, which caused my wife sadness, and caused me huge guilt and regret.”
Elton tied the knot with German recording engineer Renate in Sydney, Australia on Valentine’s Day 1984. They stayed married until 1988. Elton is now happily married to David Furnish.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter- 2015
Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch married on Valentine’s Day 2015 (Image: Getty)
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Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch married Sophie Hunter on Valentine’s Day 2015. The wedding took place on the not-very showbizzy Isle of Wight in an intimate 12th-century medieval church.
However, despite the low-key location security was tight with police closing off the area, blocking the road to the church to keep fans 250 yards away.
Appropriately the reception took place in the reception took place in a Baskerville-style manor that hosts murder mystery weekends.
The bride, who was pregnant, wore a stunning Valentino gown for the occasion and the couple welcomed their first son, Christopher, just four months later. They have since had two more sons Hal and Finn.
Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault – 2009
Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault got married in 2009 (Image: Getty)
Given their huge wealth, Salma and her billionaire beau Francois’ nuptials were surprisingly low-key as he whisked her away to the city of romance, Paris, so they could marry in City Hall.
It was second time lucky for the pair who had previously called off their earlier wedding plans.
However, they obviously couldn’t resist a glamorous shindig and after the official Valentine’s Day ceremony, they held a second, star-studded lavish ceremony and reception in Venice just two months later.
Salma wore a dreamy traditional dress for that event and the guest list included Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz and Ashley Judd, plus U2 frontman Bono and Vogue editor Anna Wintour, as well as former French President Jacques Chirac.
However, despite the redo of their wedding Valentine’s Day holds a special place in their hearts as they even named their daughter Valentina!
Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton – 2008
Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton married on Valentine’s Day 2008 but have since divorced (Image: Getty)
Given their much-publicised feuds over the years, it will come as no surprise that Liam Gallagher’s brother Noel did not attend his wedding to All Saints star Nicole Appleton back in 2008.
The couple had a low-key civil ceremony at London’s Westminster Register Office before moving to the nearby five-star Landmark Hotel for a celebration.
Sharon Stone and Phil Bronstein – 1998
Sharon Stone and Phil Bronstein held a surprise wedding on Valentine’s Day 1998 (Image: Getty)
Basic Instinct star Sharon Stone and San Francisco Examiner Executive Editor Phil Bronstein had been dating for nine months when she invited guests to what they thought was a lavish Valentine’s Day bash at her Benedict Canyon mansion in 1998.
However, upon arrival, they learned that they were actually at the couple’s nuptials.
Limos dropped off 120 guests, including then couple Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas.
They adopted a son Roan, but the marriage didn’t last. After six years they announced an “amicable” divorce in July 2003.
Source: NewsFinale
