Minnelli ties knot for fourth time in star-studded wedding ceremony

Newly weds Liza Minnelli (56) and David Gest (48) were reported to be planning to adopt four children, after their star-studded…

Newly weds Liza Minnelli (56) and David Gest (48) were reported to be planning to adopt four children, after their star-studded wedding and glitzy reception brought Hollywood to New York.

The Cabaret star walked down the aisle on Saturday night for the fourth time with producer David Gest, after an hour-long ceremony described by guests as "beautiful".

In an interview with OK! magazine, which bought exclusive rights to cover the wedding, Mr Gest said he and Ms Minnelli planned to spend half the year at their New York apartment and half in France.

He told the magazine: "We are going to spend half the year living just outside Paris, where we will raise our children.

READ MORE

"We are adopting four children . . . of all races, a black child, a white child . . . it doesn't matter at all. Liza is going to be the best mother in the world. She has the greatest heart of anyone I've ever met."

The couple and their 300 guests, who included Michael Jackson, Joan Collins, Martine McCutcheon and Diana Ross, partied the night away at the expensive St Regis Hotel on New York's Wall Street.

Hundreds of onlookers lined the streets to catch a glimpse of some of Hollywood's oldest stars, including Mickey Rooney and Kirk Douglas, being dispensed from a fleet of blacked-out limousines before the ceremony, in New York's Marble Collegiate Church.

They were rewarded afterwards when Ms Minnelli, dressed in a white mink-trimmed coat, walked out with her new husband.

The impromptu gesture prompted shouts of "Liza, Liza" from fans who stood three deep behind police barriers to see the veteran singer.

The bride had arrived early for her own wedding, defying tradition so she could change into her white Robert Mackie gown, while it was the best man, Mr Jackson, who arrived last, 15 minutes after the ceremony was due to begin.

Dressed in a black-embroidered coat, he arrived with matron of honour Elizabeth Taylor, who has been married eight times, and Diana Ross, at a side entrance to the church before he gave away Ms Minnelli, walking down the aisle as Natalie Cole sang Unforgettable.

His brothers were among the groomsmen and ushers, while the bridesmaids - all told to dress in black - included Ms McCutcheon, actress Mia Farrow, and Hollywood veterans Janet Leigh and Petula Clark.

Every guest had gone through a metal detector before being allowed into the church to prevent them bringing in cameras, as Ms Minnelli and Mr Gest had sold the rights to the pictures of the weddings to OK! magazine.

High-profile names on the guest list included: Michael Douglas, Elton John, Liam Neeson, newly wed Ms Collins and Gina Lollobrigidia.

Ms Minnelli's wedding marks a spectacular comeback after years of battling alcoholism and drug addiction, two hip replacements, and the apparent end of her show-business career.

The couple have reportedly agreed a pre-nuptial agreement in case there is a divorce and did not reveal their honeymoon destination.