Elizabeth Hurley was given away by close friend Elton John at the blessing of her marriage to Arun Nayar yesterday.

Liz and Arun married a day earlier than expected in a private ceremony at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire but held a lavish blessing and reception at the estate yesterday.

Liz wore a Versace gown for the hour-long blessing and local vicar Reverend John Partington, who officiated at the ceremony revealed: “The bride and groom looked stunning. It was a lovely occasion. I was pleased Liz’s son Damian took a central role as the ring bearer.”

As befitting a celebrity with feet in the showbiz and fashion worlds, the guest list featured a range of names from both fields. The guests included Jimmy Choo President Tamara Mellon, Elle Macpherson, Donatella Versace, Patrick Cox, Patsy Kensit, stylists Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, Eva Herzigova, Yasmin Le Bon, Princess Marie-Chantal Crown Princess of Greece, Princess of Denmark and artist Tracey Emin.

The guests reportedly downed around 400 bottles of vintage champagne over the luxury four-course dinner following the ceremony, and Elton John performed his hit ‘Your Song’ for the couple’s first dance.

A guest told the Sunday Mirror: “With Liz and Arun in each other’s arms and Elton singing, it was still quite a moment. Everyone had tears in their eyes.”

A guest told the News of the World: “It was fitting that Elton gave Liz away because he became a father figure after her dad Roy died in 1996.”

Lady Ashcombe, the mother of Henry Dent-Brocklehurst who owns the castle, said she was amazed by the scale of the celebrations: “I’ve flown back from overseas to see this enormous production being put together. It was staggering. But at the same time, the instructions were for it to be a family wedding. It maintained an intimate tone despite its size.”

Liz and Arun are set to travel to India this week for further wedding celebrations then are expected to spend ten days at an exclusive resort in the Seychelles.