TRUST Hong Kong's golden celebrity couple to wed in high glamour.

Actors Tony Leung Chiu Wai, 46, and Carina Lau, 43, tied the knot on Monday in a lavish wedding ceremony in Bhutan that cost $7million.

No expenses were spared for the 'wedding of the century' as dubbed by Hong Kong newspapers.

The bride and groom were kitted out in their best for their big day.

On the bride's slender ring finger sat a sparkling 12-carat Cartier ring that costs a cool $5 million.

Tony was clad in a Tom Ford suit, while Carina was clad in a strapless Vera Wang gown.

Apart from designer outfits, the couple's 5 1/2-hour wedding ceremony at the hilltop resort of Uma Paro saw them extravagantly entertaining their 100-plus guests.

They feasted on a nine-course menu provided by the resort, a five-tier wedding cake and 30 bottles of champagne.

The couple spared no expense in making sure that their nearest and dearest were present to witness the occasion.

While some friends paid for their air fare from Thailand to Bhutan, the couple paid for their guests' plane tickets from Hong Kong to Thailand.

There were also 20 security guards to ensure that the afternoon ceremony proceeded without a hitch.

But despite the careful planning, Mother Nature still called the shots when it came to the weather.

There was a slight drizzle when the festivities started with a Buddhist ceremony with prayers and chants by monks.

Still, according to the custom in Bhutan, rain is seen as a blessing from the heavens, reported Hong Kong newspapers.

Carina was clad in a red traditional Bhutanese costume and Tony was in a white suit.

After the ceremony, Carina slipped into a conventional white wedding gown for the cake-cutting ceremony.

Director Wong Kar Wai, who has worked with both film stars, gave a speech. He also reportedly prepared a special film clip commemorating their love story which spans two decades.

Tony's mum was visibly moved by the celebrations.

She was seen wiping away tears when her newly-minted daughter-in-law served her tea.

The couple's star-studded guests included songbird Faye Wong, whose daughter served as a flower girl during the wedding.

The ceremony was followed by cocktails and a dinner party.

While media was denied entry, Apple Daily reported that there were several altercations between the paparazzi and security.

This article was first published in The New Paper on July 23, 2008.