It had all the trappings you would expect of the society event of the year – magnificent venue, A-list guests, celebrity DJ – and one you probably wouldn’t: a double-decker bus tour.
Yet the galaxy of stars who attended the wedding of Vogue editor Edward Enninful at Longleat House last week followed the nuptials with a trip around the estate’s famous safari park, spotting lions and venturing in to the Monkey Drive-Thru.
Those enjoying the 90-minute trip in the zebra-striped bus included Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio, insulated from the wintry cold by a navy puffer jacket and baseball cap, and Orlando Bloom, in scruffy jogging pants, baggy jumper and beanie hat.
Exciting: Stars who attended the wedding of Vogue editor Edward Enninful at Longleat House last week followed the nuptials with a trip around the estate’s famous safari park, spotting lions and venturing in to the Monkey Drive-Thru (Edward pictured with now-husband Alec Maxwell)
Off we go: Those enjoying the 90-minute trip in the zebra-striped bus (pictured) included Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom and Kate Moss
Style icon: Naomi Campbell wore a long cream skirt and jacket as she made a stylish exit from the grand house
Other glitterati who gathered at the Wiltshire stately home included actor Idris Elba, pop queen Rihanna, fashion designer Victoria Beckham, supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, and Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton.
Mr Enninful’s boss, Dame Anna Wintour, the editor- in-chief of Vogue, also attended – scotching rumours of a rift with her protege. Ghanaian-born Mr Enninful was made editor-in-chief of British Vogue in 2017, taking over from Alexandra Shulman.
The event was hosted by Mr Enninful’s close friend Emma Weymouth, the Marchioness of Bath, and her husband Ceawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess who owns the 128-room Elizabethan pile and 9,800-acre estate.
The Mail on Sunday can also reveal that the Marchioness didn’t just supply the location as a wedding gift, she also conducted the marriage ceremony herself on Tuesday night.
News that the well-connected Mr Enninful was to marry Alec Maxwell, 41, his partner of 18 years, were revealed by this newspaper earlier this month along with details of the lavish celebrations.
Pals: Edward Enninful and Naomi Campbell chatted as they strolled out of the grand house together to go on the bus tour
Smoking: Kate puffed on a cigarette as she stood outside the venue in her long black coat
Wow: The event was hosted by Mr Enninful’s close friend Emma Weymouth, the Marchioness of Bath, and her husband Ceawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess who owns the 128-room Elizabethan pile and 9,800-acre estate (Leonardo pictured)
Party’s over: Leonardo was also seen smoking outside after the big night
Casual: Leonardo cut a casual figure while out and about and wore a black padded jacket and navy jeans
Stars: Model Karlie Kloss was also at the wedding and wore a khaki jumpsuit while heading out the day after holding her son
Chilly? Emma was showing off her toned abs in a brown co-ord as she chatted to pals
The guests had been sent invitations to celebrate Mr Enninful’s 50th birthday, with the wedding initially due to be a surprise.
Indeed, some of those who arrived at Longleat’s Orangery shortly after 5pm on Tuesday – after the venue had closed its doors to the public – appeared to remain unaware of the nuptials.
Among them was Mrs Beckham who, just before she left her London home for Wiltshire, posted on Instagram that she was excited to be attending Mr Enninful’s ‘birthday ball’.
A source said: ‘Edward had been trying so hard to keep it a surprise, some believed him and were simply expecting a birthday party.’
Close: One of Edward’s close friends Ashley Shaw-Scott stepped out in a chic all-black ensemble and carried a black and white handbag
Journey: The celebrities piled into the zebra-print bus to go and see the animals
Stylish lady: Kate looked incredible as always despite the late night partying
Fun: The guests had been sent invitations to celebrate Mr Enninful’s 50th birthday, with the wedding initially due to be a surprise (Leonardo is pictured)
Beauty: American model Madison Headrick dressed down in a shearling jacket and comfy jogging bottoms
Stepping out: Naomi was joined by a handsome mystery man who wore a long grey coat
All smiles: Former supermodel Kate looked elegant as she left in her long fur coat
Newlyweds: Edward and Alec both wore quilted black jackets as they stepped out the morning after the wedding
Husbands: It is understood that the reception party went on well into the early hours, with Mr Elba DJing for some of the night (Alec and Edward are pictured)
Happy: The exchange of rings was hosted by Lele Del Fabbro, a fashion executive and close friend of the couple (Leonardo is pictured)
Love: The order of service, which featured a drawing of the couple’s Boston terrier Ru, stated that guests would be welcomed by the Marquess and Marchioness (the bus is pictured)
Amazing: American singer Alice Smith performed Endless Love, a cover of the Lionel Richie and Diana Ross duet (Alec is pictured)
Friends: Leo and Orlando were seen hugging a female pal who wore a smart green jacket
The order of service, which featured a drawing of the couple’s Boston terrier Ru, stated that guests would be welcomed by the Marquess and Marchioness before American singer Alice Smith performed Endless Love, a cover of the Lionel Richie and Diana Ross duet, and her own hit, Fool For You. The Marchioness then officiated at the service where the grooms made their vows.
The exchange of rings was hosted by Lele Del Fabbro, a fashion executive and close friend of the couple.
It is understood that the reception party went on well into the early hours, with Mr Elba DJing for some of the night.
Shades: Kate covered her tired eyes with a pair of huge sunglasses
Nuptials: Only a select group of guests were given rooms to stay overnight at Longleat itself – others were ferried to nearby Babington House (Jonathan Newhouse is pictured)
Here we go: At 11am the following morning, the celebrity charabanc got under way to tour the grounds.
Hungry: After the trip, the stars were ushered to the Bath Arms pub on the estate for a spot of lunch (Edward and Alec are pictured)
Fun: Mr Enninful and film-maker Mr Maxwell (pictured) were able to enjoy all the amenities of the venue – which was owned by Lord Bath until his death in 2020 – until 4pm, when the wedding guests finally headed home
Exclusive: The private members’ club and hotel that has become a favoured haunt of celebrities and fashionistas (Luke Worthington is pictured)
Beautiful: Model Madison was all smiles as she stepped out in her casual ensemble
Celebs: Guests were seen leaving on Wednesday morning to go on a safari bus ride (Leonardo is pictured)
Famous family: Kate’s daughter Lila Grace Moss Hack and her partner Nikolai von Bismarck stood together after as they headed out
Print: The bus was covered in a zebra design
Coffee: .It looked like it could have been a long night with guests including Leonardo (left) and Orlando Bloom looking a little weary
Big week: Edward tied the knot with Alec Maxwell on Tuesday at Longleat and the celebrations continued the following day (Orlando Bloom is pictured)
The look: Eric Rutherford wore baggy black trousers and boots
Big names: Ceawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess of Bath, was out and about the day after the wedding too
Casual look: Richie Akiva wore a tracksuit to head out
Coffee time: Leonardo had a pick me up in the form of some caffeine
Late: Mr Enninful and film-maker Mr Maxwell were able to enjoy all the amenities of the venue – which was owned by Lord Bath until his death in 2020 – until 4pm
Yum: After the trip, the stars were ushered to the Bath Arms pub on the estate for a spot of lunch
Time to go: At 11am the following morning, the celebrity charabanc got under way to tour the grounds
Smart: Kate Moss’ partner Nikolai Von Bismarck wore a dapper outfit
Chatting: Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom both seemed engrossed in their phones
Off they go! They then headed out on the bus
Home: Lila sat in the back of a sleek black car and Nikolai then came to join her
Gesticulating: Orlando put on an animated display as he waited by the car with Leo
Only a select group of guests were given rooms to stay overnight at Longleat itself – others were ferried to nearby Babington House, the private members’ club and hotel that has become a favoured haunt of celebrities and fashionistas.
At 11am the following morning, the celebrity charabanc got under way to tour the grounds. The Marchioness – the first black woman to hold that title in British history and a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 – carried a tiger-patterned tote bag, and again acted as host.
After the trip, the stars were ushered to the Bath Arms pub on the estate for a spot of lunch.
Mr Enninful and film-maker Mr Maxwell were able to enjoy all the amenities of the venue – which was owned by Lord Bath until his death in 2020 – until 4pm, when the wedding guests finally headed home.
But that was not the end of the partying, as the newlyweds flew to New York, where they again celebrated Mr Enninful’s 50th birthday with friends in a restaurant.
