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*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.
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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.
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"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.
See more: The Most Shocking Celebrity Weddings
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.)
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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.
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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.
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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.