Wedding Articles & Wedding Stories

Some of the world’s more memorable marriages

Donald Trump and Marla Maples

Here’s one for the romantics. After a tortuously long engagement, Donald and Marla finally waltzed down the aisle in December 1993. The reason for the delay? An inability to agree upon on a pre-nuptial agreement. But then, what else would you expect from the man who once said; “you can’t be too greedy.” Right you are Don, although taking the guests to KFC afterwards was probably going a bit too far….

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor

“Her breasts would topple empires before they withered.” Such were the immortal words of Welsh screen-legend Richard Burton upon glimpsing Elizabeth Taylor for the first time. Chemistry was hardly lacking when the two began a high-profile affair nine years later, while their antics during the filming of Anthony and Cleopatra have gone down in history. The original ‘Posh and Becks’ (only infinitely classier), Burton and Taylor quickly ditched their respective spouses for each other but divorced in 1973 – albeit for only two years. This time however, the passion was running dry and the two divorced again after four months.

Cher and Gregg Allman

Unlike any of her musical offerings, Cher’s marriage to Allman ranks as an all-time classic. Only nine days after saying “I do,” Cher changed her mind to “I don’t” and filed for divorce – apparently fed up with his heroin and alcohol problems.
Recounting the marriage later on, Allman said he woke up to next to Cher one morning to hear her utter those all-too familiar words: “I got this Lear jet and Nevada isn’t too far. Why don’t we get married?” It’s a situation we’ve all found ourselves in, but surprisingly it didn’t work out for the musical duo. Nevertheless, the couple kept their relationship going for a further three years, resulting in one dodgy collaborative album and one transvestite son, Elijah Blue.

John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier

It began with a papal blessing and bucket loads of glamour. It ended in Dallas with his brains upon her lap. Although this marriage literally lasted until death did them part, Camelot’s fairy-tale wedding was anything but. JFK liked it hot in the form of Marilyn Monroe, Judith Campbell Exner and pretty much any young woman with a pulse, while Jackie had to satisfy herself with oversized sunglasses and remarriage to a Greek shipping magnate.

Charles and Diana

Oh dear, what can we say about this? This car-crash of a marriage (woops, sorry!) was launched on live television in 1981, before an awe-struck public. She ended up a bulimic, publicity-obsessed wreck, while he ended up in his green-house talking to the plants. Says it all really.

Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman

Ah, well this IS nice. He was one of the world’s best song-writers and most eligible bachelors, she was an, er, vegetarian photographer. Okay, it was a slightly uneven match, but that certainly didn’t bother Paul and Linda who struck up one of the world’s most passionate and committed romances. Until her untimely death in 1999, they had slept apart only one night during their marriage. Which almost makes you forgive them for Wings…..almost, that is.

King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson

It’s not every man who’d give up the throne of England - especially for a twice-divorced, debt-laden, Nazi sympathizer – but that’s exactly what Edward VIII did when he abdicated his position after only eleven months in the hot seat.
“I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do with the support of the woman I love,” explained Edward in a radio broadcast announcing his decision. Assuming the less prestigious title of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the couple moved to the north of France and whiled away the rest of their lives as the ultimate party guests.

Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe

It lasted only nine months, yet it’s still one of the world’s most fondly remembered marriages. Both refused to talk about the marriages, but for twenty years after her death, he continued to have red roses placed upon her grave every day. Enough said.

Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra

He was a cross-dressing basketballer, she was the silicone enhanced star of Baywatch. The fact that it lasted as long as nine days was probably the biggest surprise of all. Only one day after they tied the knot (in Las Vegas – of course), Rodman’s agent suggested the Chicago Bulls’ star had been smashed drunk and claimed she was only in it for the money. Nine days later, Rodman sought an annulment, claiming he was of an unsound mind. Which wasn’t very hard to prove.

by Aiden Corkery