EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Inside Nikki Reed & Ian Somerhalder's Secret Wedding

*Actors Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder pulled off the near-impossible in Hollywood: a secret wedding, in front of all their friends and family. So how did they do it? In our October/November 2015 issue — on stands September 8! — the stars give us an exclusive look at their dream day. *

When you and your groom both count "creature of the night" among your acting credits, stealth comes second nature. So instead of a high-profile Hollywood affair, Twilight's Nikki Reed and The Vampire Diaries's Ian Somerhalder decided to throw a surprise wedding for their closest family and friends.

Guests were invited to an epic housewarming party, but after arriving at a shuttle location, they were transported to a secret ceremony site in Topanga Canyon, where Nikki and Ian exchanged vows.

"We didn't want our loved ones to show up with any expectations or squeezed into formal attire," Nikki says. She and Ian didn't skimp on the glam, though: She wore a dramatic lace Claire Pettibone gown — which paired beautifully with her boho-chic bouquet of roses, peonies, wildflowers and lush greenery, created by Eiji's Florist — and he looked red-carpet ready in a white bespoke suit by Nedo Bellucci.

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For their backyard reception, Nikki and Ian asked planner Andrea Freeman to help them combine the freewheeling, sun-soaked energy of their favorite music festivals (they're Coachella diehards) with New Orleans's unique, soulful vibe. (Ian's a native.)

The result? A bash that felt like both a beachside dance party and a Louisiana cookout, with taco stands presiding next to Cajun stations and guests gabbing at succulent-topped driftwood tables as a blues band played.

As a nod to Ian's southern roots, the couple sliced into a red velvet wedding cake, which was decorated with white buttercream and pretty pink flowers, created by Vanilla Bake Shop.

And while the couple's nocturnal characters share the same favorite drink, for this occasion Nikki and Ian each crafted a signature cocktail — hers with pear vodka, St. Germaine, and citrus bitters, his a spicy hibiscus margarita. "It really was all about the food, the dancing, and the love," Nikki says.

For the best wedding dresses, advice, and big-day inspiration — plus more exclusive photos from Nikki and Ian's wedding — pick up the BRIDES October/November 2015 issue when it hits newsstands on September 8.