Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes wed

Nov 18, 2006, 23:58 GMT

Rome - Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were wed at Italy's Odescalchi Castle Saturday night in front of an ultra- exclusive crowd of celebrities, family and friends, drawing criticism from the tiny host town for not making any public appearances.

The much-heralded wedding was conducted by an official from the Church of Scientology, the sect of which Cruise and fellow Hollywood actor John Travolta are known followers, Italian television reported.

After exchanging vows, Cruise, 44, promised his 27-year-old bride a frying pan, comb and a cat as a token of his love, media reports said.

Holmes, 27, was spotted earlier in the day at a window of the medieval castle in the town Bracciano, located 30 kilometres north of Rome, several hours before Cruise, 44, arrived by minivan. But that was the only glimpse of stardom an eager crowd was going to get.

Crowds of star-seekers looking to meet and greet film royalty had gathered for hours, along with the world's media, as near to the venue as they could, but the star-couple never came out.

The mayor of the Bracciano, Patrizia Riccioni, criticized the newly-wed pair for appearing 'not even for one instance' before their adoring fans.

To prevent fans overrunning the castle hosting the event, the venue was sealed off from early Saturday morning, as was about half of the town at various intervals as guests sped by in limousines for the ceremony.

'We've been standing for hours, but we're not getting to see anything,' said one disappointed young fan.

Even the dinner menu for the wedding remained a secret.

Public relations experts have speculated that the castle was chosen not only for its frescoes and ambience but because the stars could be completely shut off inside, thereby also preventing any lucrative photos being taken.

The television rights to the wedding had already been sold for 2 million dollars, which will reportedly go to charity.

Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, Will Smith and Brooke Shields were among the Hollywood celebrities at the wedding.

One of the few VIPs seen entering the venue was tenor Andrea Bocelli, though reports said he did not sing Ave Maria following the ceremony, as had originally been expected.

To prevent the Italian media taking shots of the inside of the castle from helicopters, an awning had been placed over the central courtyard.

Organizers had also threatened to release balloons to hinder the helicopters.

The couple and their parents had been staying at Rome's exclusive Hassler Hotel. Hundreds of fans have camped out for days in front of the hotel at Rome's famous Spanish Steps.

On Wednesday, the couple attended a dinner hosted by Mayor Walter Veltroni.

On Friday evening, Cruise, who is getting married for the third time, celebrated his stag night with friends in a private villa in Rome. The actor is said to have danced until early morning.