Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden surprised us all last night by throwing themselves a surprise Monday night wedding at the actress’s California home, just a couple of weeks after news of their Christmastime engagement broke out.
There aren’t any photos available yet, but due to the tattooed groom’s musical history and the bride’s easygoing, California-girl image, it’s safe to say that this wedding was more rock-and-roll than Will and Kate. On that note, we’re taking a look at some of the most famous rock weddings in history, and seeking advice from downtown clothier and tailoring expert Jay Kos.
Based on our research, January is actually a semi-popular month for marriage if you’re part of a rock couple. George Harrison and Pattie Boyd were married in January 1966, and Ronnie and Jo Wood wed in January 1985. Saint Tropez is a perennial favorite for rock stars. And City Hall is also a popular option; many rock stars are too cool to care about a big wedding.
Other hallmarks of a rock wedding? “First and most important, you need to indeed be a rock star, Mr. Kos points out. “That does not mean you need to be able to sing or be famous, but it means that in your lane, you are a true rock star.”
Also, rock stars needn’t worry about assigned seating. “Rock stars sit where they want and with who they want,” Mr. Kos said.
The bride, Mr. Kos continued, “will surely be in something unique and sexy. The days of long trains that evoke an Edwardian is over. The bride should not even slightly reference the days of a debutante.”
As our collection of photos shows, fur and wide-brimmed hats have proven especially popular. However, some rock brides and gone the poufy route: see model Lily Aldridge (who’s got a rock pedigree herself), marrying Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill and Nicole Richie marrying Mr. Madden’s twin brother, Joel Madden, with whom he started the band Good Charlotte. Kings of Leon bassist Jared Followill’s wife Martha Patterson also went the classic route. Still, all of these women gave their gowns a rock-and-roll spin, with feathers, over-the-top lace or groupie waves.
For men, the key to looking appropriate at your wedding while still letting your rock star roots show is fit. “For the man not to be too casual or disrespectful, it all comes down to fit,” Mr. Kos said. “That’s why our clients come to us for formalwear. We know how to be sexy and fun but stay traditional. There is nothing wrong with wearing python as the groom if it is fit and cut correctly.”
Some of Mr. Kos’s favorite groom looks have included python dinner jackets, velvet dinner jackets, bordeaux-colored tuxedos and suede trousers. Even sneakers are appropriate if worn correctly — “I think a fitted suede black tuxedo with black converse high tops is an amazing look.”
“Remember the best way to be in fashion and have style is [for] it to be your own. It should not be in a magazine or an ad. It has to be you,” he said. “After all, if you are a rock star, you are not copying anyone. They are copying you.”
One key rule, though, is to “never outdo the bride. It’s her day, not yours,” he said.
As for Mr. Madden and Ms. Diaz’s wedding, it might be a while before we see any photos. But it is safe to say their wedding will fall closer to the Pattie Boyd/Lily Aldridge end of the rock-wedding spectrum than the Pamela Anderson white-bikini end.
