Claudia's wedding gets blanket coverage

THE dress was apparently a lovely ivory silk – not that you could see past the blankets and umbrella that she was hiding behind.

Claudia Schiffer, the supermodel with one of the world’s most famous faces, went to extraordinary lengths to shy away from onlookers keen to catch a glimpse of her at her English wedding yesterday.

A crowd of around 100 who had waited for several hours outside Schiffer’s Suffolk hotel, booed as the wall of blankets was bundled out of the hotel’s goods entrance to the ceremony.

Even in the car on the way to the 14th century village church of St George’s at Shimpling, a blanket prevented well-wishers from seeing the beautiful bride.

Around 50 guests, including former Wimbledon Champion Boris Becker and Sting’s wife Trudie Styler, turned up to see Schiffer marry film producer Matthew Vaughn.

Among them was Italian designer Valentino, who designed the dress that could not be seen – an elegant ivory silk gown according to reports.

If the tight security was not enough to deter gatecrashers and ensure their privacy, the fearsome Vinnie Jones and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director Guy Ritchie were ushers for the occasion.

Schiffer had prepared for the wedding at the Swan Hotel in nearby Lavenham. Onlookers gathered throughout the day hoping to catch a glimpse of the model as she left. But to their disappointment she was smuggled out of the goods entrance and slipped into a waiting car without being seen.

“I didn’t boo but a lot of people did,” said Janet Damant, 57, of Ipswich.

“They drew the car right up to the doors and then she came out with security people holding blankets either side of her and another one holding an umbrella over her head so nobody could see a thing.”

Her husband Peter Damant, 64, a builder, added: “One person said he saw a brief glimpse of a cream shoe but that was about it.”

The Rev Ian Friars, rector of St George’s Church, said in a statement: “With Matthew and Claudia’s agreement, I can confirm that they married at St George’s Church this afternoon.

“The service was according to the rites of the Church of England in which I was assisted by Monsignor Vladimir Feltzmann.

“It was a service that reflected the couple’s faith and commitment to each other.”

Others guests were also not willing to give too much away.

Becker said: “It was very beautiful.” Styler said: “It was a very uplifting service. Her dress was very beautiful.”

Valentino added: “It was charming. Beautiful.”

Details of the wedding have been clouded in secrecy. Asked why Schiffer had been so secretive, her spokesman said: “I can only say five words – it is a private wedding.”

Schiffer and Vaughn have been a couple for 16 months. The model, who was formerly engaged to US magician David Copperfield, apparently fell for Vaughn, 31, after he presented her with a tortoise.

The reception at the Elizabethan mansion Coldham Hall in Shimpling, which Schiffer bought for a reported 5m, was said to include a meal of gulls’ eggs and Dom Perignon champagne, followed by a 1980s themed disco.

The soccer-mad newlyweds were planning to top off festivities with a celebrity football match in the grounds of Coldham Hall this morning.

Schiffer, who has a reputation for being frugal with money, reportedly chose a mixture of budget practical goods and pricey designer ware for her wedding list, with items ranging from 10 dinner plates to a 925 cut glass cup.

The couple, both multimillionaires, said they had not signed a pre-nuptial agreement but had verbally agreed not to claim any of the other’s fortune in the “unlikely event” of a split.

You can always tell a lot about newly-weds from their wedding list.

Charles Kennedy, the Scottish leader of the Liberal Democrats, and fiancee Sarah Gurling apparently intend to entertain royally with drinks parties after they get married in July.

Guests have been asked for eight sherry glasses, eight champagne flutes, eight whisky tumblers, eight brandy goblets and two decanters.

Of the 3,533 worth of presents on the wedding list, no less than one-third are connected with alcohol.

Lochaber-born Kennedy, the MP for Inverness West, Ross and Skye, 42, is known as one of Westminster’s bon viveurs and is renowned for his love of whisky.

Such is the importance he attaches to elegant quaffing that the most expensive items on the entire list are three sets of crystal glasses each costing 152 per box of eight.

It will not all be endless drinking in the Kennedy household, however. Other presents asked for include a potato peeler at a modest 4, a spatula at 6, a ladle at 6 and other kitchen instruments. Not known for his culinary attributes, they must be for Kennedy’s future wife.