It was a nuptial line-up that seemed straight out of a Hollywood script: bridesmaid Liz Taylor and best man Michael Jackson walk the bride up the aisle as Natalie Cole croons Unforgettable.
But this was no silver screen fantasy – it was Liza Minnelli’s wedding to producer David Gest in New York on Saturday. Liza, who recently shed 70 pounds, was a picture perfect bride in a silk three-quarter length dress by Bob Mackie.
She was accompanied by 15 bridesmaids ranging in age from 26 to 78, all dressed in black, and including Martine McCutcheon, Mia Farrow, Psycho star Janet Leigh, and 60s pop songstress Petula Clark.
Fifty-six year-old Liza and 48-year-old David reportedly couldn’t contain their excitement as they took their vows, holding hands and stealing kisses throughout the ceremony. Gossip columnist Liz Smith called the event “the kissiest wedding I’ve ever seen. They kissed the whole time.”
“This is one of the most thrilling weddings I’ve ever been to,” said screen star Mickey Rooney. The ceremony was the most star-studded event this side of the Oscars, with 500 guests packing the 147-year-old Marble Collegiate Church near the Empire State Building and hundreds of well-wishers lining the nearby streets.
The music world was represented by such stars as Diana Ross, Sporty Spice Mel C and Luther Vandross, while Sir Anthony Hopkins, and cinema legends Lauren Bacall and Jane Russell brought a touch of Hollywood glamour.
Rounding out the eclectic mix of celebrity guests were Andrew Lloyd Webber, real estate mogul Donald Trump, Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff and classic comedienne Phyllis Diller.
As she left the church, Liza, who reportedly danced at the altar after she took her vows, tossed her white rose bouquet to screaming fans before hopping into a limousine to head to the wedding reception.
The post-ceremony bash featured performances by Tony Bennett, Roberta Flack and Dionne Warwick, backed by an 80-piece orchestra.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Dressed in white mink and clutching the hand of her new husband David Gest, Liza emerges from the church to cheers from hundreds of wellwishers
Close friends of the happy couple, Liz Taylor and Michael Jackson
Photo: Reuters/Ray Stubblebine
Photo: © Alphapress.com
