British comic Russell Brand has wed his American singer love Katy Perry – real name Katheryn Hudson – at a luxury resort in India. "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 Family," said a spokesman for the couple. "The backdrop was the inspirational and majestic countryside of northern India". The wedding took place on Saturday at the Aman-e-Khas resort outside the Ranthambhore tiger sanctuary. At the entrance, trees lining the path were lit up with white and gold lights, and the sound of Indian instruments and singing could be heard throughout the night.
Following Indian custom, the bridegroom and his relatives went to meet Katy in a procession featuring camels, elephants and horses. He was also accompanied by traditional dancers and musicians. Russell's gift to his bride – who turns 26 on Monday – was reportedly one of the Ranthambhore sanctuary's rare female tigers. Named Machli, she will stay in her jungle home, with the thousands paid invested in her welfare and the park's conservation projects.
The wedding celebrations began on Friday night with a Bollywood-themed party. Russell, 35, wore a white "kurta pyjama", and Indian outfit of loose trousers and a tunic, while Katy is said to have worn a red sari. "As the guests entered, my troupe of drum players played our Nagara drums (Indian kettle drums) to welcome them," Rafiq Khan, a performer at the party, told People magazine.
On Sunday, the showbiz couple moved their Indian extravaganza to Jaipur for a gala reception.Held at the Taj Rambagh Palace Hotel – the resort where Russell reportedly proposed – the party was expected to follow an East-meets-West theme with performances by P Diddy and classical Indian dancers.Katy and Russell: How a pop princess tamed the bad boy of Brit comedy