Picture-perfect lovebirds! Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed revealed dreamy new photos from their wedding to Brides in its October/November 2015 issue, and explained exactly how they executed their top-secret nuptials.
"We really wanted our wedding to be small, intimate, and about the two of us," the Twilight actress, 27, told the mag. To pull off their big day without anyone suspecting, the stars covertly invited their guests to what they thought would be a housewarming party. Upon arrival at the shuttle spot, the group was then transported to Topanga Canyon, where the couple held their wedding. (As previously reported by Us, the stars tied the knot in a rustic affair on April 26 at the Tuscali Mountain Inn in Topanga, Calif. Guests included Somerhalder's Vampire Diaries costars Kat Graham, Paul Wesley, Matt Davis, and Phoebe Tonkin.)
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"We didn’t want our loved ones to show up with any expectations or squeezed into formal attire," Reed told Brides. In fact, the pair wanted a low-key vibe, and tasked wedding planner, Andrea Freeman, to help them combine their love of music festivals with the unique culture of Somerhalder's native Louisiana.
"We wanted a Louisiana backyard-barbecue feel, with food stations and a dance floor for our closest friends and family," she dished of their amazing outdoor reception. "It really was all about the food, the dancing, and the love."
The stars even recruited the self-proclaimed Ambassador of Soul, Ellis Hall, to perform at their wedding. "Ellis Hall sang the night away," she shared. "Live music is so important to us, and we couldn’t imagine anyone but Ellis there with us."
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Reed and Somerhalder splurged on necessities for their big day, including her sleeved lace wedding dress designed by Claire Pettibone.
"Claire was an absolute dream to work with," Reed gushed of the couture designer, whose wedding dress sketch she shared with the mag. "Not only is she an amazing designer, but she has the most wonderful energy. We were on the same page from the moment we met."
The cake, meanwhile, was customized with a nod to 36-year-old Somerhalder's Southern roots. The three-tiered red velvet confection by Vanilla Bake Shop was decorated with a soft white buttercream frosting, and embellished with pink and green flowers.
The new issue of Brides hits stands on Sept. 8.
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This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Ian Somerhalder, Nikki Reed Reveal Dreamy New Photos From Their Top-Secret Wedding: How They Pulled It Off