Nikki Reed pretended her wedding was going to be an epic housewarming party.
Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder
The 27-year-old actress, who married Ian Somerhalder in Topanga Canyon, California in April, has opened up about their surprise nuptials and admits most of their guests, who were shuttled to the venue from their home in Santa Monica, had no idea they were planning to exchange vows.
The 'Twilight Saga' star explained: "We really wanted our wedding to be small, intimate and about the two of us. We didn't want our loved ones to show up with any expectations or squeezed into formal attire."
The brunette beauty walked down the aisle in a Claire Pettibone lace gown, and the couple asked their wedding planner, Andrea Freeman, to help them create a festival-style atmosphere based on their favourite annual events Coachella and the New Orleans' Jazz Festival.
Nikki told the October/November issue of Brides magazine: "We wanted a Louisiana backyard-barbecue feel, with food stations and a dance floor for our closest friends and family. It really was all about the food, the dancing and the love."
Guests enjoyed a Louisiana cookout, Mexican tacos and Cajun food before tucking into a red velvet wedding cake at driftwood tables while a blues jazz band provided the entertainment at the relaxed reception.
Both Nikki and 'The Vampire Diaries' star Ian, 36, also created a signature cocktail for the occasion.
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