Hello! 13th June 1992, Brian Aris

With everybody thinking that the ceremony was going to be held in Mustique, David Bowie and Iman's wedding was a closely guarded secret until the day itself - when Florence came to a virtual standstill.

On the morning of the big day one local newspaper had run a speculative story - and well before four o'clock in the afternoon, when the service was to begin, hundreds of Florentines lined the streets of the historic city.

But even if the news had not been leaked, the commotion caused by police sirens and flashing lights would have alerted the population to the fact that something important was up. With the typical Italian flair for creating drama and excitement, a helicopter had been circling the Saint James Episcopal Church in the morning. And when the bride and groom travelled, separately, to the church, they were escorted by police cars and motorcycles speeding through red lights and causing traffic jams in the city centre.

Florence, which he visits at every opportunity just to admire its art works and architecture, is one of David's very favourite places. And the couple, intent on keeping the occasion simple and private, decided a few months ago that this would be the perfect spot for their special day. But they gave no clues, and families and guests were sworn to secrecy.

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