The civil ceremony took place before a modest crowd of about 40 guests, including French soccer player Thierry Henry and some of Parker's team mates from the San Antonio Spurs. The ceremony was held at Paris' City Hall at the 4th District Town Hall with the mayor of Paris pronouncing them husband and wife.
The civil ceremony was just a prelude to their expected star-studded weekend wedding and reception at a lavish and storied chateau.
The more lavish wedding ceremony took place on 7th July 2007 at Eglise Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, in a Paris cathedral dating to the 12th century. The church, which is located near the Louvre Museum, once served the French royal family. Paparazzi were circling and it was a game of cat and mouse. Media interest was frenzied and intense. Opportunist residents nearby purportedly charged television companies 2,500 euros about $3,400 US dollars to use their balconies.
Eva Longoria and Tony Parker held their wedding reception in a gorgeous palace called the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte, a 17th century castle which is located south of Paris. This palace is known for its beautiful gardens.
The privately owned chateau near the village of Maincy south of Paris is shielded from prying eyes by 8 miles of high stone walls. A small army of guards were contracted to lock down the sprawling, 1,235-acre grounds, and a public road leading to the chateau was sealed off for the wedding reception.
The same luxury chateau hosted the wedding of Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal's daughter, claimed to be the most expensive nuptials of all time at a reported $55 million.
The couple chose France because it happens to be Parker's native place. He was born in Belgium and grew up playing basketball in France.
Eva is expected back on set just two days after the wedding.
Eva told US People magazine: "I am heading home right after the wedding. We start shooting on the 9th July."
You do not have to be rich and famous or have a daddy who can write checks for over 50 million to have a wedding in France. Anyone can rent a chateau and have their very own fairytale french wedding.
