Actor Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged to Sophie Hunter | Daily Mail Online comments Benedict Cumberbatch is now off the market after becoming engaged to theatre director Sophie Hunter. A spokesperson for the star confirmed the news to MailOnline - although it is not yet known when the pair will walk down the aisle. The Mail On Sunday recently reported that the 38-year-old flew to Edinburgh to ask her mother's permission for her daughter's hand in marriage. Scroll down for video Set to be married: Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged to his theatre director partner Sophie Hunter Confirmed: The engagement was revealed in a newspaper announcement, with the actor's parents taking out an advertisement in the marriages section of The Times Sophie, 36, is said to be close to her mother Katharine after her parents divorced when she was a child. The engagement was revealed in a newspaper announcement, with the actor's parents taking out a £324 advertisement in the marriages section of The Times . RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share The piece reads: 'Mr BT. Cumberbatch and Miss S.I.

Hunter: The engagement is announced between Benedict, son of Wanda and Timothy Cumberbatch of London, and Sophie, daughter of Katharine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter of London.' Loved up: They were first seen publicly together this June at the French Open (pictured) Sizzling: The couple first met when they both starred in Burlesque Fairytales in 2009 Benedict and Oxford-educated Sophie have gone to great lengths to avoid being seen together in public since they first met in 2009. They were first seen publicly together this June at the French Open but they first met when starring opposite each other in Burlesque Fairytales in 2009. The pair were last seen together at London restaurant Quaglino's, but they arrived separately and were keen not to be pictured together. Happy news: Sophie's mum Katharine and brother Patrick arrived to congratulate the bride-to-be Sophie was also Benedict's date at the wedding of the actor’s old school pal, James Rhodes, but it is believed she has wanted to remain anonymous since the beginning of their relationship. Benedict once revealed he's a fan of women who don't take themselves too seriously.

'A woman who knows that she doesn’t have to get all decked out to look good is sexy. 'A woman who can make you feel smart with her conversation skills is also sexy. I believe the sense of humour is important. I also think someone who is good at working with others is sexy. 'It’s like playing a tennis doubles match. You need to be able to work well together if you are to stay as partners for a long time.' Big plans: Benedict once said: 'It's a wonderful thing to get married young and become a father. I used to think that I'd get married by my mid-thirties and have children' What he likes: He once revealed he's a fan of women who don't take themselves too seriously. 'A woman who knows that she doesn’t have to get all decked out to look good is sexy' The Sunday Mirror reports that when asked about her daughter's relationship with the Star Trek actor, Sophie's mum Anna cryptically told the paper: 'Watch this space. You never know.’ Marriage is clearly very important to the heart throb and last year he told Elle Japan : 'It's a wonderful thing to get married young and become a father.

I used to think that I'd get married by my mid-thirties and have children. 'But now I think I can wait. I'm no longer in a hurry to get married.' Raunchy: Sophie appeared topless in BBC show Friends and Crocodiles in 2006 Three in the bed: Sophie (right) starred in the show with Damian Lewis, who went on to star in Homeland He also said: 'I would like to first get to know the partner and build a trusting relationship before making the commitment.’ However, his sister ​Tracy Peacock previously hinted that has been looking for that special someone. ​ She said: 'One of his regrets is that he hasn’t found someone to settle down with. You would have to be a pretty smart cookie to keep up with him. I think that is possibly why he has trouble with girlfriends.' Cumberbatch previously spent ten years with The Thick Of It star Olivia Poulet, who met while studying at Manchester University. What would Benedict say?

The pretty brunette appeared in a three-in-a-bed scene with hunky Damian Bikini beauty: Sophie also appeared in a skimpy two-piece in the programme which first aired eight years ago Despite the couple calling time on their romance in 2010, Benedict told Vogue US they remain close: 'It happened very gradually, very mutually. We’re still very good friends. There was no acrimony. I love her, adore her, always will.' Since then, the Sherlock star has been linked with several high-profile women, including Star Trek co-star Alice Eve and Lord Of The Rings actress Liv Tyler. More recently, Cumberbatch has dated furniture designer Anna Jones, before apparently rekindling an old friendship with Russian model and actress Katia Elizarova.

Acclaimed: Cumberbatch is perhaps best known for his role in Sherlock, in which he stars alongside Martin Freeman (left) Like Benedict, Sophie comes from a distinguished family line – her grandfather is the late General Sir James Michael Gow GCB, Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Bath who was equerry to Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester in the 1950’s and became Commander-in-Chief British Army of the Rhine and Commander Northag, the Northern Army Group of Nato. She grew up in Hammersmith, West London as the eldest of five children. Her father Charles was an Insurance Executive who went on to become a professional card player and her mother Sophie worked as an administrator, but the couple sadly divorced. After developing a love of languages at school, Sophie went on to study French and Italian at Oxford University and then L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris – an education which means she is now fluent in French. It was at Oxford where she met her first long-term boyfriend – the artist Conrad Shawcross and the couple’s early successes in the arts world led them to being seen as one of London’s IT couples.

Going places: He has earned a nomination for the British Independent Awards as takes on the role of Enigma Code breaker Alan Turing in his latest movie, The Imitation Games alongside Keira Knightley Conrad was ‘one to watch’ for his work with sculptures and in 2004 he was listed in the Observer’s list of 80 Most Talented Young People. He was also a protégé of the art collector Charles Saatchi, who bought one of his early works for £26,000. After two years of dating, the couple moved into together – into a converted warehouse that also served as Conrad’s studio. Sophie said of the relationship at the time: 'We met at Oxford and we were really good friends there, things went from there and we are very happy together. ‘To be perfectly honest, I can't imagine getting married.

I've got a lot to do before I have children - they are way off.' Benedict with former flame, fashion designer Anna Jones - who he dated fromSeptember 2012 - January 2013 While Sophie and Conrad were the darlings of the art world, they eschewed much of the party scene, preferring to hang out in a close knit circle of friends that chooses nights at the theatre over nightclubs and busy bars. She told The Evening Standard in 2004: ‘I don't go to launches or hang out with stars. 'Posing for the camera like this isn't my career. It's just a small part of it.' Her attitude towards work has served her career well. Although Sophie isn’t as well known a face among the general public, her CV matches the Sherlock star point for point. He dated Olivia Poulet (far right) for ten years after they met at Manchester University - the pair split in March 2011 She was awarded the prestigious Samuel Beckett Award in 2007 for writing and directing the play The Terrific Electric at The Barbican Theatre in central London when she was just 29 years old, which received rave reviews.

She also co-founded the Lacuna Theatre Company and directed several successful plays and operas across Europe, the Middle East and America, including the 2010 revival of Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts at Access Theatre on Broadway in New York. In 2012, she directed the North American tour of 69° S. (The Shackleton Project) – a play about the near-fatal 1914-16 Antarctic expedition led by Sir Ernest Shackleton, where the actors used stilts to give the appearance of marionette puppetry. While directing and writing plays appear to be her true life’s work, Sophie also has an extensive acting history in both theatre and film. Kind words: He said, 'We’re still very good friends. There was no acrimony. I love her, adore her, always will' Her breakout acting performance was as Maria Osborne in the 2004 film Vanity Fair, starring Reece Witherspoon, where she was hailed as the new Sienna Miller or Keira Knightley. She also recorded a French Language album in 2005 with Guy Chambers. Meanwhile, Benedict's film career is going from strength to strength.

He has earned a nomination for the British Independent Awards as takes on the role of Enigma Code breaker Alan Turing in his latest movie, The Imitation Games alongside Keira Knightley. The film which was directed by Morten Tyldum is also up for the Best British Independent Film and Best Screenplay. Scary: The actor is currently starring in a stage adaptation of Frankenstein alongside Jonny Lee Miller BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH'S DATING HISTORY Sophie Hunter (June - present) Benedict was first spotted with his now fianée Sophie Hunter at the French Open in June but they first met when starring opposite each other in Burlesque Fairytales in 2009. Like Benedict, Sophie comes from a distinguished family line – her grandfather is the late General Sir James Michael Gow GCB, Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Bath who was equerry to Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester in the 1950’s and became Commander-in-Chief British Army of the Rhine and Commander Northag, the Northern Army Group of Nato.

Alice Eve (Summer 2013) Celebrity weddings 2015: the stars who married this year - Photo 14 Celebrity weddings 2015: the stars who married this year 14/31 Brides August 19, 2015 by hellomagazine.com From Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter to Andy Murray and Kim Sears, flick through our gallery of all the celebrity couples who have married this year so far... More on: Celebrity Weddings Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick Billy Joel and his girlfriend Alexis Roderick hosted a fourth of July party to remember. The couple, who just welcomed their first child in August, tied the knot in a surprise ceremony over the American bank holiday weekend. The intimate ceremony was held at Billy's estate on Long Island, with his daughter Alexa Ray and actor Kevin James among the small group of guests. The nuptials were led by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a long-time friend of the singer. A photo released from the couple's big day sees them looking blissfully happy together. As Billy gazes into the camera, his new bride Alexis has her eyes closed and cosies up to her husband.

The pretty blonde wore a traditional strapless wedding gown and clutched a floral bouquet while she debuted her wedding ring. Photo: © Getty Images Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux took the celebrity world by surprise when they tied the knot in secret on Wednesday 5 August. The couple said "I do" in the privacy of their home in Bel-Air, California in front of more than 70 of their closest friends and family members including Orlando Bloom, Lisa Kudrow, Ellen DeGeneres and Chelsea Handler. Courteney Cox, Jennifer's best friend and former Friends co-star, acted as the maid of honour while Jimmy Kimmel, a good friend of the groom, officiated the ceremony. Few details have been disclosed about the top-secret wedding but guest Howard Stern did reveal that Jennifer and Justin enjoyed their first dance to a Sia song, performed live by the singer at the wedding. The bride is said to have worn a simple but very elegant and beautiful off-white strapless gown. Photo: © Getty Images Heather Morris and Taylor Hubbell The Glee star, better known as cheerleader Brittany, married her long-term love and the father of her child Taylor Hubbell in May.

The couple exchanged vows in the Old Canyon Ranch in California – a beautiful outdoor space in Topanga Canyon, not far from the pair's home in Los Angeles. Heather, 28, and her new husband Taylor encouraged their friends and family to share photos from their special day online, with some captioning the pictures "#thehappyhubbell". One video showed Heather and Taylor enjoying their first dance while their bridesmaids and ushers swayed in a circle around them. The couple also released professional photos from the day, which featured Heather and Taylor sharing their first kiss as newlyweds, and also posing with their toddler son Elijah, who was born in 2013. The actress' co-stars Vanessa Lengies, Naya Rivera, Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz were among the celebrity guests in attendance. Photo: © Rex David Arquette and Christina McLarty Newlyweds David Arquette and Christina McLarty certainly had a lot to smile about. A few days after their April wedding the couple released an official photo taken from their big day, which captured David and Christina sharing a sweet embrace and mirroring each other's joyful expressions.

The beautiful bride wore a strapless gown that featured a guipure lace overlay and flowing train, while David, 43, known for his quirky style, wore a navy tartan suit that featured olive green stripes. The couple tied the knot in front of family and friends in Los Angeles, including their 11-month-old son Charlie, and David's ten-year-old daughter Coco, from his previous marriage to Courteney Cox. They were also joined on the day by their two basset hounds. Ledley King and Amy Kavanagh In July the ex-Tottenham Hotspur star tied the knot with his long-term love Amy Kavanagh at Syon House in West London. The nuptials were exclusively covered by HELLO! magazine, in a day that Ledley described as "so special". "Amy looked amazing," said the groom. "She gets more and more beautiful. It's not often that you get to see your friends and family in the same room. It's so special." Spurs stars past and present, including Jermain Defoe, Jermaine Jenas, Anthony Gardner and Kyle Walker, all watched Amy walk down the aisle in a stunning Suzanne Neville gown and Jimmy Choo shoes.

She was given away by Ledley's son from a previous relationship, Coby. "We wanted him to be a big part of our day," Amy added. Photo: © HELLO! David Seaman and Frankie Poultney Football ace David Seaman and Dancing on Ice favourite Frankie Poultney wed in front of fellow football legends and skating stars in a ceremony exclusively covered by HELLO! magazine. The couple, who met during the show's live tour in 2008, said "I do" in February. "She looked so amazing, I could hardly speak," said David, 51, of his blushing bride. "I'd kind of had the picture in my mind of how she would look but it surpassed anything I could have imagined." "Getting married has brought another level to the happiness we already had. We're in a bubble of wedded bliss and it's wonderful," added Frankie, 42. Photo: © HELLO! Brad Jones and Dani Lawrence Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones and his model love Dani Lawrence married in a beautiful wedding in July, in which Brad's beloved six-year-old son Luca, who lost a battle with leukaemia, played a big part.

Luca's photo was pinned onto the bride's bouquet of lilies, roses and peonies. With the tragic young boy very much in the thoughts and hearts of all the guests, the couple took a few precious moments to lights candles in his honour – one for each of his life – as the gospel choir sang the Beyoncé track Halo at the end of the service. "That was the hardest part, but we were so glad that we did it," Dani told HELLO! magazine, which exclusively covered the emotional day. "It was a quiet, reflective, very personal moment that Brad and I shared together and it was really important to us both that we had that. Although Luca is no longer here, he will always be a huge part of our family." Luca, Brad's much-loved son from a former relationship, lost his 17-month battle with leukaemia in November 2011. Brad and Danielle have two children of their own – Nico, who is three, and 17-month-old Romi. Photo: © HELLO! Stephen Fry and Elliott Spencer Stephen Fry and Elliott Spencer surprised fans when they married in secret in the Norfolk town of Dereham.

The author and TV presenter tweeted the happy news shortly after the occasion, alongside a photo of the couple. "Gosh. @ElliottGSpencer and I go into a room as two people, sign a book and leave as one. Amazing," he wrote. Stephen, 57, and Elliott, 27, signed the registry and had their vows witnessed in the presence of a tiny Oscar Wilde doll, another Twitter photo revealed. The couple wore green carnations on their lapels, in a nod to the late author, as Victorian men would often wear the flowers made popular by Oscar. The QI presenter had only announced his engagement a couple of days before the wedding, again using social media to tweet: "Oh. It looks as though a certain cat is out of a certain bag. I'm very very happy of course but had hoped for a private wedding. Fat chance! Thank you all SO much for your kind congratulations. Deeply touched xxx." Photo: © Twitter Johnny Depp and Amber Heard As stars gathered ahead of the BAFTA and Grammy awards, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were busy holding their own private celebrations in early February.

Days after legally tying the knot at their LA home, the newlyweds headed to Johnny’s private island in the Bahamas for a second wedding ceremony. Johnny, 52, and Amber, 29, were joined by just a handful of their closest friends and family for the beautiful beach wedding, which took place on the picturesque Little Hall's Pond Cay island. The couple exchanged vows under a white marquee decorated with white flowers, smiling and gazing into each other's eyes as guests looked on. Amber wore a long-sleeved white vintage wedding gown and veil that fell to the floor. Johnny was dressed in a white tuxedo jacket and black trousers, as was his 13-year-old son Jack, who was reportedly his best man. The star's 16-year-old daughter Lily Rose was also in attendance. Photo: © Getty Images Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed After a whirlwind romance, Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed married as the sun was setting in Santa Monica, California in late April. The couple had only been dating for six months before The Vampire Diaries star proposed.

Photos from the day showed Ian, 36, and Nikki, 27, walking through fields and at one point the groom carried his new bride across the grass. Nikki looked picturesque in a custom couture Claire Pettibone beaded ivory gown, which featured a plunging low back, illusion lace neckline and delicate long sleeves. Ian was smartly dressed in a pale suit and shirt. Photo: © Getty Images Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden "I waited because I didn't want to settle," Cameron Diaz said in her toast to her new husband Benji Madden. "Now I got the best man ever. My special man. He's mine." The 42-year-old actress and her musician love Benji Madden married in Cameron's Beverly Hills mansion in early January, with 127 guests in attendance including Christina Applegate and Wiz Khalifa. The bride's close friends Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon are also believed to have attended. Cameron, a four-time Golden Globe nominee, walked down the aisle to Nat King Cole's Stardust in a sparkly gown with a low-cut back.

Unexpected comedy came in the form of the couple's five-year-old ring bearer Sparrow Madden – the son of Benji's twin brother Joel and Nicole Richie – dropping one of the couple's wedding bands. When both brothers Benji and Joel got on their hands and knees looking for the ring, the guests broke out into full laughter. As an A-list Hollywood actress, there was naturally a dress change for the bride, who slipped into a short-sleeved reception gown after the ceremony. Photo: © Getty Images Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis' quiet nuptials took everyone by surprise, and appropriately enough the wedding took place in an idyllic venue called the Secret Garden. The actors – who met on That 70s Show when she was 14 and he was 20 – gathered their friends and family in a secluded orchard on Parrish Ranch in Oak Glen, California for the celebrations over the Fourth of July weekend. According to People, the couple were already legally married and the party, for which guests camped in luxury tents, was just to mark the occasion. Both the Black Swan star and their baby daughter Wyatt Isabelle wore white.

Mila was radiant in a strapless tulle dress with crystal beading and a low-cut back, with her hair swept back in a chignon. Meanwhile, Ashton wore a dark tuxedo with a bowtie. The photogenic duo became parents last October when Mila gave birth to little Wyatt. Ashton and Mila began dating in 2012 but had long been friends before. Photo: © Getty Images Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo After a seven-year engagement Amy Adams and her long-term partner Darren Le Gallo tied the knot in secret in May. According to People, the Hollywood star wore a Marchesa dress for the intimate ceremony that took place in Los Angeles, California. Amy, 40, and Darren were together for 14 years before they married and are the proud parents to five-year-old daughter Aviana. "Amy and Darren had always planned on getting married, but her career has been on such an amazing trajectory, it has been hard for her to take the time out," a source told Page Six at the time.

"But now she has deliberately taken some time off work to be with her family and finally get married." Photo: © Getty Images Zooey Deschanel and Jacob Pechenik The New Girl star and her movie producer partner had a lot to celebrate after it emerged in August that Zooey had become both a new mother and a wife. The actress and her love Jacob tied the knot, shortly after welcoming a healthy baby girl. Back in January Zooey announced that she was expecting her first baby with Jacob, saying they were "over the moon" and "so excited" to meet their little one. A week later the couple, who began dating in the summer of 2014, announced their engagement. Photo: © Getty Images Chris Klein and Laina Rose Thyfault The American Pie actor tied the knot with his girlfriend Laina Rose Thyfault in August in Montana, his publicist confirmed. Chris and Laina married eight months after they announced their engagement, on the banks of the Gallatin River, beneath the Rocky Mountains. According to People, the bride and groom exchanged their vows at the Rainbow Ranch's outdoor church in front of 115 friends and family members.

"Laina and Chris wanted to stay true to the nature of Montana and chose native grasses, sage and flowers in a soft colour palette to reflect the beauty of Montana," their wedding planner Jennifer Horsley of Habitat Events said. The groom, who popped the question last December after three years of dating, wore a smart custom-made Shoreditch London three-piece suit for his big day. Photo: © Getty Images Vanessa Williams and Jim Skrip Vanessa Williams shunned tradition at her Fourth of July wedding to Jim Skrip. The 52-year-old actress wore two custom designs by Carmen Marc Valvo on her big day – the first was a sleek top and skirt combo for the ceremony, followed by a true statement gown for the reception. Her second dress was covered in gold leather petals. "It almost looks like it's metal, but they're little petals made out of leather [sewn] on top of organza," Vanessa told People. "It was magnificent. I felt like an Egyptian goddess and that was exactly the theme I was going for." The former Miss America and her groom met in Egypt, hence the theme of their big day. Photo: © Instagram Matt Dallas and Blue Hamilton "Introducing Mr. & Mr.

Hamilton," a photo of newlyweds Matt Dallas and Blue Hamilton was captioned. The couple, who have been together for six years, finally made it official in July and happily took to Instagram to share their exciting news with fans. Matt and Blue posted the same picture of themselves holding up their marriage certificate after their city hill ceremony. Their wedding announcement came one week after the Supreme Court announced that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide in the US. Photo: © Instagram Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright On 24 May Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan's dreams came true as they married in a spectacular ceremony, covered exclusively by HELLO! magazine. The former TOWIE star and the ex-Coronation Street actress chose the historic venue of Hengrave Hall in Suffolk to say "I do". Michelle chose an exquisite bespoke ivory wedding gown by Galia Lahav at Browns Bride, which was adorned with French lace and Swarovski crystals and featured a cascading silk tulle fishtail and a plunging lace-trimmed deep V back. The 28-year-old teamed her gown with a delicate Italian veil from Peter Langner. "She looked so amazing.

Her wedding dress was just perfect," Mark, who looked handsome in a black tuxedo and bowtie, told HELLO!. "Seeing Mark looking back at me as I walked down the aisle was the best feeling ever," the new Mrs Wright added. Photo: © HELLO! Andy Murray and Kim Sears After being in a relationship for almost a decade, Andy Murray and Kim Sears officially became husband and wife on 11 April when they said "I do" in the groom's hometown of Dunblane. The newlyweds emerged from the town's cathedral to cheers and applause from the scores of waiting well-wishers, with Kim taking the spotlight in her bespoke Swarovski crystal-encrusted Jenny Packham wedding dress. Her Wimbledon champion love looked dapper in his Highland dress of a tartan kilt, sporran and black jacket. Once the ceremony was over the guests made their way to the Cromlix House Hotel, which is owned by Andy, to let their hair down and toast the newlyweds. Speaking exclusively to HELLO! Online, Andy's grandmother Shirley Erskine went as far as to say that Kim is "the best thing that's ever happened" to Andy.

"The whole family has taken to Kim," said Shirley, whose daughter is Judy Murray. "She's very attractive, very artistic and so supportive." Photo: © Rex Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner The former Spice Girl and her Formula One boss partner tied the knot on Friday 15 May at St Mary's Church in Bedfordshire in front of their family and friends. Geri, 43, walked down the aisle in a backless lace couture dress made especially for her by Phillipa Lepley, a Chelsea-based designer. Geri was accompanied by her nine-year-old daughter Bluebell, who wore a blue dress and a large floral crown made up of freesias. Alongside Bluebell, Geri was also joined by her fellow Spice Girl Emma Bunton's sons, Beau and Tate. The bride and groom began dating in early 2014 after being friends for many years. They announced their engagement quietly with a small notice in The Times – in the same way that Benedict Cumberbatch's engagement was revealed.

Photo: © Rex Beatrice Borromeo and Pierre Casiraghi Princess Caroline of Monaco's son Pierre Casiraghi and his fiancée Beatrice Borromeo married twice – the first time in Monte Carlo in a civil ceremony, and the second in the bride's native Italy. Beatrice had no less than six bridal gowns for the double celebrations, and at her religious wedding, she chose to walk down the aisle in a beautiful lace Giorgio Armani dress. The 29-year-old journalist wore a bespoke ivory wedding dress from the label's Privé collection, which featured a demure high neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. For the reception, which was held on her family's Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore, Beatrice changed into a glamorous silk tulle evening dress. She perfectly epitomised a Greek goddess with her hair tied up into a braided bun. Photo: © Instagram Guy Ritchie and Jacqui Ainsley Jacqui Ainsley – the new Mrs Ritchie – married her famous film director love in what was the "happiest day" of her life.

The 33-year-old model and mum-of-three shared a few photos from her big day on Instagram, and encouraged her guests to follow suit. Jacqui and Guy married in an outdoor ceremony in the grounds of their sprawling country estate, Ashcombe House in Wiltshire, with celebrities including Brad Pitt and David Beckham in attendance. One picture shared by Jacqui was of the bride and her five bridesmaids – "My Best Girls" – posing in the leafy grounds. The brunette beauty looked picture perfect in her bespoke lace Phillipa Lepley gown, which she paired with a very feminine floral crown. Afterwards, the newlyweds celebrated with their friends and family in a huge marquee, where they dined on food reportedly created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. Photo: © Instagram Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton Strictly Come Dancing stars Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton married in a ceremony held at One Great George Street in Westminster in mid-July. Sharing their photos exclusively with HELLO! magazine, Kevin, 32, and Karen, 33, opened up about their big day. "Dancing in front of millions of people is way easier than that," said the groom, adding that his bride looked absolutely breathtaking.

"I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life," he said. "Karen looked absolutely stunning." The Venezuela-born beauty, who wore a stunning Inbal Dror wedding gown, added that she was remarkably stress-free. Karen said: "When I was getting ready, I said to my make-up artist, 'Is it weird that I'm so calm?' She said the best thing ever, 'You're so calm because you've made the right choice.' And it made me think, 'I have nothing to worry about because I'm going to marry the person I've been in love with since the day we met.'" Photo: © HELLO! Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild Nicky Hilton and her fiancé James Rothschild married in a venue fit for royalty – Prince William and Kate's London home of Kensington Palace in July. Nicky and James exchanged vows at The Orangery, next door to the royal couple's Apartment 1A, and it seems that Nicky also took inspiration from the Duchess in her wedding dress choice. The model and socialite seemed to channel Kate on her big day, wearing a strikingly similar lace wedding dress that also featured long sleeves, a flowing train and a lengthy veil.

One stark difference, however, was that Nicky's dress was designed by Valentino. "Ever since I was a little girl I wanted Valentino to design my wedding dress. Valentino is the definition of timeless elegance, I don't think there's another couture house like it," the bride told Harper's Bazaar ahead of her big day. Nicky was supported by her big sister Paris, who wore a long light blue gown. Other famous faces on the guest list included Chelsea Clinton and Petra Stunt. Nicky and her groom James were introduced at Petra's 2011 wedding. Photo: © Instagram Declan Donnelly and Ali Astall The wedding of Declan Donnelly and Ali Astall was an "amazing, magical, wonderful day", the groom told well-wishers on Twitter. The much-loved Geordie presenter married his girlfriend of three years in his home town Newcastle on Saturday 1 August in front of family and friends, including a whole host of famous faces. The bride and groom, who have known each other for ten years, got engaged in November last year and the wedding lived up to expectations.

Dec and Ali said "I do" at St Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Elswick, close to where the presenter was born. When the newlyweds exited the church, Dec was pictured giving a thumbs-up to the scores of crowds outside. "Thank you for all the kind and lovely messages," the 39-year-old wrote on Twitter. "They are appreciated. My wife and I had the most amazing, magical, wonderful day. D x." Photo: © Rex Ronan Keating and Storm Uechtritz Ronan Keating and Storm Uechtritz travelled to Scotland for their lavish wedding, where they married in front of close friends including Dannii Minogue and Ronan's Boyzone bandmates Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham. The couple were spotted arriving at the picturesque Archerfield House and Golf resort, where Ronan is a regular visitor and hosted a charity event there back in May. The beautiful bride is thought to have been escorted down the aisle by her father Gordon, with Ronan's daughters Missy, 14, and Ali, nine, joining the bridal party as Storm's bridesmaid and flower girl. Meanwhile the groom had an extra special best man on hand in the shape of his 16-year-old son Jack.

Photo: © Getty Images Vincent Simone and Susan Duddy "I felt incredibly emotional and was worried I wouldn't keep it together," said Vincent Simone of his wedding to Susan Duddy. "I couldn't look back at Susan as she walked up the aisle because I was afraid I would dissolve into tears. She looked so beautiful, really breathtaking." The couple married in July in the beautiful Castle Leslie in Co Monaghan, Ireland, with their five-year-old son Luca acting as ringbearer. Speaking exclusively to HELLO! magazine, the Strictly Come Dancing star added: "Susan didn't want to do a choreographed first dance. She's very shy and doesn't like to be the centre of attention. She asked me to perform with one of my Strictly ex-partners but I said, 'No, it's our wedding, I want to dance with you.' We decided to do the normal smooch." Susan, who wore a princess-style Suzanne Neville gown, added: "Dancing is his career and I am so used to him dancing with Flavia and the girls on Strictly. It may sound strange but Vincent and I had never really danced together." Photo: © HELLO!

Tina Knowles and Richard Lawson In April Beyoncé Knowles' mum Tina and her long-term partner Richard Lawson married in an all-white wedding. The couple and their 300 guests, who all wore white, celebrated the union aboard a luxury yacht moored outside of Newport Beach. Beyoncé shared a picture on her website of the newlyweds toasting to their marriage with a glass of champagne. Tina, 61, wore a slinky white Romona Kevez design while her groom matched her in an all-white suit, white bow tie and white boat shoes. Beyoncé, her husband Jay Z and their daughter Blue Ivy were among the invitees, as was the singer’s younger sister Solange. It was the second marriage for fashion designer Tina, who filed for divorce from Beyoncé's father and former manager Mathew Knowles in 2009 after more than 30 years of marriage. In October, Tina opened up about finding love again after her divorce. "I'm at my happiest I've been in a long, long time," she admitted.

Photo: © Instagram Peter Andre and Emily MacDonagh After going back and forth with their wedding date, Peter Andre and Emily MacDonagh officially tied the knot at Mamhead House in Exeter on Saturday 11 July. The couple, who are parents to young daughter Amelia, said "I do" in front of their nearest and dearest, with Peter's children from his previous marriage Princess and Junior playing starring roles. The leafy grounds of the Georgian estate, which is surrounded by 164 sprawling acres of land, provided the perfect backdrop for Peter and Emily's wedding photos. The glamorous wedding came around sooner than expected, as the Mysterious Girl singer had previously said that he would marry his long-term fiancée in 2016. Photo: © Getty Images Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter Benedict Cumberbatch officially came off the market when he married theatre director Sophie Hunter on Valentine's Day on the Isle of Wight. After saying "I do" at the medieval church of St Peter & St Paul in Mottistone, Benedict and Sophie and their guests headed to the stunning period property of Mottistone Manor for their reception.

The venue held particular significance for the English bride, who is said to be related to the Nicholson family who once owned the manor. Sophie, who was pregnant with the couple's first baby at the time, dressed her bump in a striking silver grey Valentino wedding gown. The dress, which featured an elegant high neckline, long sleeves and a sweeping train, was described as a "high-waisted medieval gown". Guests at the couple's nuptials included British actors Tom Hiddleston, Tobias Menzies and Andrew Scott – who plays Moriarty in Sherlock. It is thought that Martin Freeman acted as Benedict's best man. Photo: © Getty Images A Valentine's Day wedding for Benedict Cumberbatch - CNN.com A Valentine's Day wedding for Benedict Cumberbatch By Henry Hanks , CNN Updated 11:35 AM ET, Sun February 15, 2015 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: Surprise! We're married! Margot Robbie offered a saucy confirmation of her marriage to British director Tom Ackerley. Australian news sources indicated the duo married in a secret, private ceremony.

Hide Caption 1 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! A marriage certificate dated June 13, 2016, confirms that Olympian Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson did the deed in Paradise Valley, Arizona, without telling anyone. The pair are the parents of infant son Boomer. Hide Caption 2 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! "Shark Tank" star Robert Herjavec married his former "Dancing With The Stars" partner, Kym Johnson, 39, on July 31 in Los Angeles. Hide Caption 3 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! "Cosby Show" actress Keshia Knight Pulliam wed former NFL player Ed Hartwell, she revealed on January 22 in an Instagram post featuring a photo of the newlyweds locking lips. The news comes just a few weeks after Pulliam let slip in another post that the pair were engaged. Hide Caption 4 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Actress Bridget Moynahan revealed on her Instagram account that she married businessman Andrew Frankel in October 2015. Hide Caption 5 of 39 Photos: Surprise!

We're married! Tracy Morgan and Meghan Wollover married in a moving ceremony on Sunday, August 23, according to People. The couple are the parents of a 2-year-old daughter, Maven. Hide Caption 6 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at home on Wednesday, August 5, sources told People magazine. Hide Caption 7 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! "American Idol" season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino announced July 19 that she married fiance Kendall Taylor. The singer posted photos of their yacht wedding on her Instagram account, surprising fans who thought the couple was already married. Hide Caption 8 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick got married during a July Fourth party at Joel's Long Island estate. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a longtime friend, presided over the ceremony. It's the fourth marriage for Joel, 66. One of his ex-wives, Christie Brinkley, even posted online wishing congratulations to Joel and Roderick, 34.

Hide Caption 9 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Entertainer Vanessa L. Williams married fiance Jim Skrip on July 4 in Buffalo, New York, according to People magazine. The singer and "Ugly Betty" star announced her engagement in September on "The Queen Latifah Show." Hide Caption 10 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! We knew actor Benedict Cumberbatch was engaged to theater director Sophie Hunter, but their Valentine's Day wedding sneaked up on us with little fanfare. The couple wed in a small ceremony on the Isle of Wight "surrounded by their close friends and family," Cumberbatch's publicist, Karon Maskill, said. "It was a magical day." Hide Caption 11 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Actor and comedian Stephen Fry married fiance Elliot Spencer on January 17. Fry shared a picture on Twitter of the couple with an Oscar Wilde doll witnessing their vows. Fry announced the engagement January 6. Hide Caption 12 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Ludacris didn't waste much time marrying his fiancee, Eudoxie.

He proposed to her on December 26 and apparently married her before 2014 was out. Hide Caption 13 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden wasted no time heading down the aisle. The couple, who were reportedly set up by Madden's sister-in-law, Nicole Richie, began dating in May and were engaged around the holidays. By January 5, they were tying the knot in a small wedding at their home in Los Angeles, reports People magazine. Hide Caption 14 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Joseph Gordon-Levitt and girlfriend Tasha McCauley, here in NYC in August, married in a quiet ceremony at their home on Saturday, December 20. The "Don Jon" star, 33, is known for keeping his private life quiet. Tasha is the CEO of Fellow Robots, a NASA-based robotics company. Hide Caption 15 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Scarlett Johansson and French journalist Romain Dauriac were married for more than a month before the rest of the world caught on.

According to Gossip Cop , the couple set off for Philipsburg, Montana, to tie the knot in secret on October 1. Hide Caption 16 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! When "High School Musical" star Ashley Tisdale married musician Christopher French on September 8, she reportedly had a plan in place to keep the ceremony private. According to E! , the couple had guests arrive at a different location before shuttling them over to the wedding's private venue. Hide Caption 17 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! After a 10-year relationship and two kids together, David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris finally tied the knot in Italy the weekend of September 5 without a peep of advance notice. Hide Caption 18 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! The same weekend that Harris and Burtka married, TV star Fran Drescher was quietly marrying Shiva Ayyadurai at their home. Drescher met Ayyadurai, who developed an email program when he was a teenager, just over a year ago. She shared the surprise marital update on Twitter on September 7.

Hide Caption 19 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Despite being one of the most closely watched couples in the world, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie managed to get married in complete privacy. Their French wedding on August 23 was so secretive, it took five days for the rest of the world to hear about it. Hide Caption 20 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Beyonce and Jay Z are professionals in every sense of the word, especially when it comes to keeping their private life hidden. The couple dated for six years before secretly marrying in New York on April 4, 2008. They were so insistent on keeping it just between them that Jay Z pretended not to know what a reporter was talking about three days after tying the knot. Hide Caption 21 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Good luck guessing what Natalie Portman is going to do next. The star isn't known for sharing much about her private life, but when she does she drops some doozies.

In December 2010, the actress caught fans off guard with her out-of-the-blue engagement to French dancer Benjamin Millepied , which was announced at the same time as her first pregnancy. Portman keeps her personal life so hush-hush that onlookers thought she and Millepied had wed months before they actually tied the knot in August 2012. Hide Caption 22 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner declined to officially announce their engagement in April 2005, and they were just as elusive with their secret island wedding that June. Hide Caption 23 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Janet Jackson just isn't one to marry and tell. The pop superstar wed Rene Elizondo, Jr. in 1991, but no one knew about it until Elizondo filed for divorce around 2000. Jackson's so good at keeping secrets that she pulled off another hush-hush wedding in 2012, when she married Wissam Al Mana in a "quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony." Hide Caption 24 of 39 Photos: Surprise!

We're married! Cutting down on the number of attendees is one way to keep your matrimony on the DL. In 2006, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher swapped vows in Paris in front of just six wedding guests. Hide Caption 25 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Zoe Saldana appears to be the type who'd rather show than tell. The actress and her artist husband, Marco Perego, were spotted wearing gold wedding bands in September 2013, which led to confirmation that the couple had actually married earlier that summer in front of a small gathering of family and friends. And with the couple now expecting their first child, Saldana stayed quiet until she confirmed her pregnancy by getting her husband to take the ALS bucket challenge for her. Hide Caption 26 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Like Saldana, Kerry Washington has been extremely reluctant to talk about her husband or her baby. There were multiple reports that the "Scandal" actress had wed football player Nnamdi Asomugha in June 2013 in Idaho, but the actress refused to say whether it happened or not .

She played it similarly close to the vest when she became very evidently pregnant toward the end of 2013. Hide Caption 27 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! In 2012, we knew that Ryan Reynolds was romantically linked to "Gossip Girl" actress Blake Lively, but no one saw their Southern wedding coming . That August, Lively and Reynolds secretly said "I do" in South Carolina. Even though the wedding had Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine performing, somehow the couple managed to keep the ceremony so under wraps, we still don't know what the bride wore. Hide Caption 28 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! The courtship of "Skyfall" star Daniel Craig and actress Rachel Weisz is a little hazy. As far as the public knows, the former "Dream House" co-stars became romantically involved following Weisz's breakup with director Darren Aronofsky in November 2010. But before anyone could get a good sense of the newest Bond's new dating life, the couple quietly married in upstate New York in June 2011. Hide Caption 29 of 39 Photos: Surprise!

We're married! When Anne Hathaway wanted to create a low-key wedding, she made like Natalie Portman and headed for Big Sur in California. The Oscar winner didn't fully escape all eyes as she wed Adam Shulman in September 2012 -- paparazzi caught the bride in her custom Valentino dress -- but at least the walkup to her private affair wasn't publicized. Hide Caption 30 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! When Britney Spears wants to get married, she doesn't hesitate. The singer first had a quickie wedding to childhood friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas in January 2004. Then, after getting that 55-hour marriage annulled, she held a second surprise wedding in September 2004 to backup dancer Kevin Federline. Her secret there was the switcheroo: The ceremony was held a month prior to the date that was publicized. Hide Caption 31 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! In 2011, LeAnn Rimes played a Britney Spears card and tricked the media.

While friends and family thought they were attending an engagement party for Rimes and actor Eddie Cibrian that April, they were actually attending their wedding. Hide Caption 32 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! It's hard to be inconspicuous when your husband-to-be's last name is Rocknroll, but Kate Winslet managed it anyway. After quietly getting engaged in the summer of 2012, Winslet and Ned Rocknroll had a super-private wedding in New York in early December -- and the rest of the world was none the wiser until the end of the month. Hide Caption Like Brangelina, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell declined to get married until their gay friends could legally wed, too . But once that was accomplished , Shepard and Bell didn't make a big deal out of their ceremony. In October 2013, they went over to the Beverly Hills County Clerk's Office and had a "no-frills" ceremony that Shepard later said set them back just $142. Hide Caption 34 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Former Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland is just as secretive as her friend Beyonce.

The singer kept her engagement to her manager, Tim Witherspoon, to herself for months before revealing the news in December 2013, and was just as private when it came to their wedding in Costa Rica that May. The couple is now expecting their first child. Hide Caption At first, Kelly Clarkson tried to trick us into believing that she and Brandon Blackstock wouldn't have a wedding, and instead would just elope. But in October 2013, she shared photos of herself and her new husband getting hitched at Blackberry Farms in Tennessee. Hide Caption 37 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Jessica Alba and Cash Warren were so intent on keeping their marriage private that they did away with wedding guests altogether. The only other person present at the couple's uber-private ceremony at a Beverly Hills courthouse in May 2008 was the official who married them. Hide Caption 38 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! In December 2003, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin happily shared their baby news , but tried to keep their status as newlyweds a secret. It didn't quite work.

While fans were anticipating the arrival of Paltrow and Martin's first child, the press sniffed out the news that the couple had gotten married in a surprise, secret ceremony two days after announcing they were expecting. Hide Caption Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter confirm they're expecting first child | Daily Mail Online comments Benedict Cumberbatch and his fiancée Sophie Hunter have confirmed they are expecting their first child. Just two months after announcing their engagement, the 38-year-old actor and his 36-year-old theatre director partner are looking forward to becoming parents for the first time. A spokesperson for Benedict confirmed to MailOnline: 'I am delighted to confirm that Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are expecting their first child. They are both over the moon.' Scroll down for video Baby news: Benedict Cumberbatch’s fiancée Sophie Hunter, seen here on Saturday at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, is pregnant with their first child The New York Post's Page Six were the first to report that the Imitation Game star was 'delighted and excited about becoming a dad'. A source told the site: 'Sophie is a few months along, and both she and Benedict are very excited about it.

They are also quietly planning to marry in early spring.' Sources told the column that the couple - who got engaged in early November - are now planning wed in the next few months, sooner than previously expected. Keeping covered up: The actress wore a long and flowing silk Just Cavalli dress and kept her clutch in front of her stomach as the pair were photographed Sophie was last seen publicly on Saturday with her husband-to-be at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Walking hand-in-hand with Benedict, the actress wore a long and flowing silk Just Cavalli dress and kept her clutch in front of her stomach as they posed for photographs. At the film festival the English actor was asked about his marriage plans by the press but said he was too busy. Change of plan: Sources told the column that the couple are now planning wed in the next few months, sooner than previously expected - they announced their engagement in November He told Popsugar when asked about heading down the aisle: 'One thing at a time. I'm playing Sherlock now - just about to start - so my main focus is going to be on that.' Marriage is clearly very important to the heart throb and last year he told Elle Japan : 'It's a wonderful thing to get married young and become a father.

I used to think that I'd get married by my mid-thirties and have children. Traditional courtship: The actor announced rather modesty in the forthcoming marriages section of the Times of London that he was engaged 'But now I think I can wait. I'm no longer in a hurry to get married.' He once said that talking about his life away from work ‘always came back to haunt me in strange ways. I have been judged for my relationships or for not being a father in the weirdest ways.’ He told Event magazine in 2013: 'I was happy as an only child, but I’ve always wanted to be part of a bigger family. I would love to have children. ‘Everyone wants to know when I’m going to settle down and who is going to be Mrs Cumberbatch. I can’t wait to do an interview like this and just talk about my child. Working hard: On Tuesday, Benedict was pictured arriving at the Colston Hall, Bristol to film the latest instalment of the massively popular Sherlock TV programme 'My stepsister – my mother’s daughter from her first marriage – had a kid when I was about 11.

I thought, “Wow, this is incredible, they come in much smaller sizes!”... I was always the one at parties who looked after the younger children. I really enjoyed it.' In 2010, he told the Telegraph : 'I am very broody. I have been broody for the last five years because I have two godchildren. 'I know you pick up an amazing amount of stamina the minute you become a dad, but I would like to be a young dad. I would love to have the ability to juggle a career and have a young child.' Happy times: While the actor is revered for his role in the acclaimed show, fatherhood is likely to be his most exciting project yet The star has always been rather quiet when it comes to his love life but chose to announce his betrothal to Sophie with a £324 advertisement in The Times newspaper. The traditional heart throb flew to Edinburgh to ask her mother's permission for her daughter's hand in marriage before getting down on one knee. The piece read: 'Mr BT. Cumberbatch and Miss S.I.

Hunter: The engagement is announced between Benedict, son of Wanda and Timothy Cumberbatch of London, and Sophie, daughter of Katharine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter of London.' Benedict and Oxford-educated Sophie, who first met in 2009, had gone to great lengths to avoid being seen together in public since they started dating last year ahead of their engagement announcement. They can't get enough of him: The popular actor was shielded by an umbrella as she made his way back to his car surrounded by a throng of people They were first seen publicly together in June 2014 at the French Open but they first met when starring opposite each other in Burlesque Fairytales in 2009. But since becoming engaged, they have walked down the red carpet together at events such as The London Evening Standard awards and The Imitation Game premiere. Sophie was also Benedict's date at the wedding of the actor’s old school pal, James Rhodes, but it is believed she has wanted to remain anonymous since the beginning of their relationship.

Supporting role: Sophie took pride of place on Benedict's arm at the New York premiere of his latest movie, The Imitation Game on November 17 A ratings hit: The star plays Alan Turing in the wartime biopic alongside Keira Knightley (left) - who is also pregnant with her first child Cumberbatch previously spent 10 years with The Thick Of It star Olivia Poulet, who met while studying at Manchester University, before splitting in 2010. Since then, the Sherlock star has been linked with several high-profile women, including Star Trek co-star Alice Eve and Lord Of The Rings actress Liv Tyler. More recently, Cumberbatch has dated furniture designer Anna Jones in 2012, before apparently rekindling an old friendship with Russian model and actress Katia Elizarova in 2013. Leather look: The couple once again enjoyed a moment in the limelight together at the Independent Film Awards at Old Billingsgate Market on November 7 Read more: Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux get married - CNN.com 1 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married!

A marriage certificate dated June 13, 2016, confirms that Olympian Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson did the deed in Paradise Valley, Arizona, without telling anyone. The pair are the parents of infant son Boomer. Hide Caption 2 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! "Shark Tank" star Robert Herjavec married his former "Dancing With The Stars" partner, Kym Johnson, 39, on July 31 in Los Angeles. Hide Caption 3 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! "Cosby Show" actress Keshia Knight Pulliam wed former NFL player Ed Hartwell, she revealed on January 22 in an Instagram post featuring a photo of the newlyweds locking lips. The news comes just a few weeks after Pulliam let slip in another post that the pair were engaged. Hide Caption 4 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Actress Bridget Moynahan revealed on her Instagram account that she married businessman Andrew Frankel in October 2015. Hide Caption 5 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married!

Tracy Morgan and Meghan Wollover married in a moving ceremony on Sunday, August 23, according to People. The couple are the parents of a 2-year-old daughter, Maven. Hide Caption 6 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at home on Wednesday, August 5, sources told People magazine. Hide Caption 7 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! "American Idol" season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino announced July 19 that she married fiance Kendall Taylor. The singer posted photos of their yacht wedding on her Instagram account, surprising fans who thought the couple was already married. Hide Caption 8 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick got married during a July Fourth party at Joel's Long Island estate. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a longtime friend, presided over the ceremony. It's the fourth marriage for Joel, 66. One of his ex-wives, Christie Brinkley, even posted online wishing congratulations to Joel and Roderick, 34. Hide Caption 9 of 39 Photos: Surprise!

We're married! Entertainer Vanessa L. Williams married fiance Jim Skrip on July 4 in Buffalo, New York, according to People magazine. The singer and "Ugly Betty" star announced her engagement in September on "The Queen Latifah Show." Hide Caption 10 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! We knew actor Benedict Cumberbatch was engaged to theater director Sophie Hunter, but their Valentine's Day wedding sneaked up on us with little fanfare. The couple wed in a small ceremony on the Isle of Wight "surrounded by their close friends and family," Cumberbatch's publicist, Karon Maskill, said. "It was a magical day." Hide Caption 11 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Actor and comedian Stephen Fry married fiance Elliot Spencer on January 17. Fry shared a picture on Twitter of the couple with an Oscar Wilde doll witnessing their vows. Fry announced the engagement January 6. Hide Caption 12 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Ludacris didn't waste much time marrying his fiancee, Eudoxie.

He proposed to her on December 26 and apparently married her before 2014 was out. Hide Caption 13 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden wasted no time heading down the aisle. The couple, who were reportedly set up by Madden's sister-in-law, Nicole Richie, began dating in May and were engaged around the holidays. By January 5, they were tying the knot in a small wedding at their home in Los Angeles, reports People magazine. Hide Caption 14 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Joseph Gordon-Levitt and girlfriend Tasha McCauley, here in NYC in August, married in a quiet ceremony at their home on Saturday, December 20. The "Don Jon" star, 33, is known for keeping his private life quiet. Tasha is the CEO of Fellow Robots, a NASA-based robotics company. Hide Caption 15 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Scarlett Johansson and French journalist Romain Dauriac were married for more than a month before the rest of the world caught on.

According to Gossip Cop , the couple set off for Philipsburg, Montana, to tie the knot in secret on October 1. Hide Caption 16 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! When "High School Musical" star Ashley Tisdale married musician Christopher French on September 8, she reportedly had a plan in place to keep the ceremony private. According to E! , the couple had guests arrive at a different location before shuttling them over to the wedding's private venue. Hide Caption 17 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! After a 10-year relationship and two kids together, David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris finally tied the knot in Italy the weekend of September 5 without a peep of advance notice. Hide Caption 18 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! The same weekend that Harris and Burtka married, TV star Fran Drescher was quietly marrying Shiva Ayyadurai at their home. Drescher met Ayyadurai, who developed an email program when he was a teenager, just over a year ago. She shared the surprise marital update on Twitter on September 7.

Hide Caption 19 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Despite being one of the most closely watched couples in the world, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie managed to get married in complete privacy. Their French wedding on August 23 was so secretive, it took five days for the rest of the world to hear about it. Hide Caption 20 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Beyonce and Jay Z are professionals in every sense of the word, especially when it comes to keeping their private life hidden. The couple dated for six years before secretly marrying in New York on April 4, 2008. They were so insistent on keeping it just between them that Jay Z pretended not to know what a reporter was talking about three days after tying the knot. Hide Caption 21 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Good luck guessing what Natalie Portman is going to do next. The star isn't known for sharing much about her private life, but when she does she drops some doozies.

In December 2010, the actress caught fans off guard with her out-of-the-blue engagement to French dancer Benjamin Millepied , which was announced at the same time as her first pregnancy. Portman keeps her personal life so hush-hush that onlookers thought she and Millepied had wed months before they actually tied the knot in August 2012. Hide Caption 22 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner declined to officially announce their engagement in April 2005, and they were just as elusive with their secret island wedding that June. Hide Caption 23 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Janet Jackson just isn't one to marry and tell. The pop superstar wed Rene Elizondo, Jr. in 1991, but no one knew about it until Elizondo filed for divorce around 2000. Jackson's so good at keeping secrets that she pulled off another hush-hush wedding in 2012, when she married Wissam Al Mana in a "quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony." Hide Caption 24 of 39 Photos: Surprise!

We're married! Cutting down on the number of attendees is one way to keep your matrimony on the DL. In 2006, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher swapped vows in Paris in front of just six wedding guests. Hide Caption 25 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Zoe Saldana appears to be the type who'd rather show than tell. The actress and her artist husband, Marco Perego, were spotted wearing gold wedding bands in September 2013, which led to confirmation that the couple had actually married earlier that summer in front of a small gathering of family and friends. And with the couple now expecting their first child, Saldana stayed quiet until she confirmed her pregnancy by getting her husband to take the ALS bucket challenge for her. Hide Caption 26 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Like Saldana, Kerry Washington has been extremely reluctant to talk about her husband or her baby. There were multiple reports that the "Scandal" actress had wed football player Nnamdi Asomugha in June 2013 in Idaho, but the actress refused to say whether it happened or not .

She played it similarly close to the vest when she became very evidently pregnant toward the end of 2013. Hide Caption 27 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! In 2012, we knew that Ryan Reynolds was romantically linked to "Gossip Girl" actress Blake Lively, but no one saw their Southern wedding coming . That August, Lively and Reynolds secretly said "I do" in South Carolina. Even though the wedding had Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine performing, somehow the couple managed to keep the ceremony so under wraps, we still don't know what the bride wore. Hide Caption 28 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! The courtship of "Skyfall" star Daniel Craig and actress Rachel Weisz is a little hazy. As far as the public knows, the former "Dream House" co-stars became romantically involved following Weisz's breakup with director Darren Aronofsky in November 2010. But before anyone could get a good sense of the newest Bond's new dating life, the couple quietly married in upstate New York in June 2011. Hide Caption 29 of 39 Photos: Surprise!

We're married! When Anne Hathaway wanted to create a low-key wedding, she made like Natalie Portman and headed for Big Sur in California. The Oscar winner didn't fully escape all eyes as she wed Adam Shulman in September 2012 -- paparazzi caught the bride in her custom Valentino dress -- but at least the walkup to her private affair wasn't publicized. Hide Caption 30 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! When Britney Spears wants to get married, she doesn't hesitate. The singer first had a quickie wedding to childhood friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas in January 2004. Then, after getting that 55-hour marriage annulled, she held a second surprise wedding in September 2004 to backup dancer Kevin Federline. Her secret there was the switcheroo: The ceremony was held a month prior to the date that was publicized. Hide Caption 31 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! In 2011, LeAnn Rimes played a Britney Spears card and tricked the media.

While friends and family thought they were attending an engagement party for Rimes and actor Eddie Cibrian that April, they were actually attending their wedding. Hide Caption 32 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! It's hard to be inconspicuous when your husband-to-be's last name is Rocknroll, but Kate Winslet managed it anyway. After quietly getting engaged in the summer of 2012, Winslet and Ned Rocknroll had a super-private wedding in New York in early December -- and the rest of the world was none the wiser until the end of the month. Hide Caption Like Brangelina, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell declined to get married until their gay friends could legally wed, too . But once that was accomplished , Shepard and Bell didn't make a big deal out of their ceremony. In October 2013, they went over to the Beverly Hills County Clerk's Office and had a "no-frills" ceremony that Shepard later said set them back just $142. Hide Caption 34 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Former Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland is just as secretive as her friend Beyonce.

The singer kept her engagement to her manager, Tim Witherspoon, to herself for months before revealing the news in December 2013, and was just as private when it came to their wedding in Costa Rica that May. The couple is now expecting their first child. Hide Caption At first, Kelly Clarkson tried to trick us into believing that she and Brandon Blackstock wouldn't have a wedding, and instead would just elope. But in October 2013, she shared photos of herself and her new husband getting hitched at Blackberry Farms in Tennessee. Hide Caption 37 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! Jessica Alba and Cash Warren were so intent on keeping their marriage private that they did away with wedding guests altogether. The only other person present at the couple's uber-private ceremony at a Beverly Hills courthouse in May 2008 was the official who married them. Hide Caption 38 of 39 Photos: Surprise! We're married! In December 2003, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin happily shared their baby news , but tried to keep their status as newlyweds a secret. It didn't quite work.

While fans were anticipating the arrival of Paltrow and Martin's first child, the press sniffed out the news that the couple had gotten married in a surprise, secret ceremony two days after announcing they were expecting. Hide Caption

Question: Which well-known actor did the actress and theatre director Sophie Hunter marry in 2015?
Answer: Benedict Cumberbatch