Napa, California

November 19, 2005

Christina Aguilera married Jordan Bratman on November 19, 2005 at the Staglin Family Vineyard in Napa, California. Over 130 guests were in attendance, including actress Sharon Stone. The 5:30 p.m. ceremony was held in a tent near an adjoining forest.

A 14-piece orchestra from the San Francisco Symphony played as the groom walked down the aisle in a Christian Dior tux. They were followed by a choir singing “Morning Hymn” from “The Sound of Music,” as the bride entered through a back door. She wore a Spanish-style Christian Lacroix gown, with an elaborate ruffled train, and Christian Louboutin heels. In her hair, she wore white flowers and jewels. Instead of a bouquet, Christina held three single red roses and a vintage jeweled rosary. She walked down the aisle by herself.

The couple exchanged personal vows under a gold and bronze chuppah wrapped in garlands of hydrangea, lilies and roses by Kevin Lee of L.A. Premiere Flowers. Christina’s five bridesmaids stood at her side wearing custom-made pink Kai Milla dresses of silk charmeuse, organza and chiffon.

After a unity candle ceremony and the exchange of wedding bands by Stephen Webster, the couple ended the Jewish ceremony with the traditional breaking of the glass. They walked back up the aisle as guests showered them with rose petals.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held in an adjoining tent transformed into a magical winter wonderland by wedding planner Michael Gapinski of Along Came Mary. Christina chose the snowy palette of ivory, cream and white with silver accents in honor of her favorite month, December. Hundreds of birch trees filled the room, along with silver candles, white hydrangeas with glitter, and manzanita branches wrapped with crystal strands. Each table was covered in white faux fur and had centerpieces of roses, tulips and peonies. Chandeliers hung overhead.

The dinner menu focused on comfort foods like lobster bisque, a winter salad of garden greens with pecans, crispy roasted chicken and short ribs. Side dishes were served family-style and included spinach, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and onion rings. For dessert, Sam Godfrey of Perfect Endings created a five-tier white chocolate wedding cake with hot pink roses.

The couple shared their first dance to “In a Sentimental Mood,” before Christina took the stage and sang her hit song “Lady Marmalade.” Later in the evening, she dedicated a performance of “At Last” to her new husband.

Guests enjoyed dancing on an octagon-shaped dance floor and later retreated to an after party held in an underground wine cave. The room was transformed into a disco, with red velvet walls, burgundy flowers and sofas lining the walls. DJ AM spun tunes until waffles were served for breakfast at 5 a.m.

The couple spent their wedding night at Auberge Du Soleil and their first day as husband and wife with lunch at Taylor’s Refresher, followed by shopping in downtown St. Helena. They honeymooned the following week at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay.

Christina and Jordan requested charitable donations from guests rather than wedding gifts. In each silk-lined invitation box came a note which read, “While we celebrate the richness of life and all the circumstances that have blessed us in career and love, we are mindful of those who are suffering greatly as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The best gift you could give us is a donation to any of the organizations helping the stricken citizens of New Orleans.”