In what’s been dubbed Australia’s showbiz wedding of the year, Today host Karl Stefanovic has married his shoe designer fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough in a ceremony fit for royalty.
The 44-year-old Gold Logie winner and the 34-year-old socialite exchanged vows at the One&Only Palmilla resort in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico in front of 200 friends and family on Saturday evening, December 8th local time.
In true larrikin fashion, Karl’s first words to his new bride were: “Holy sh- -! You’re hot!”
READ NEXT: Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough honeymooning with the kids
Jasmine stunned in a custom-made couture gown by Sydney designer Jessica Andretta which took 6 months to create, and had a detachable skirt.
The gown featured soft blush tulle undertones with aztec motifs beaded over lace, exclusively picked and perfectly fitted into the Mexican setting.
The dress showed off her incredible figure with a slim-fit top, a long veil and a short skirt to show off her legs.
As one guest told Woman’s Day exclusively: “It was pretty amazing and ‘typical’ Jasmine!”
Proud groom Karl Stefanovic meanwhile looked dapper in a stylish white Tom Ford suit and personalised RM Williams boots for an Aussie touch.
The couple were also serenaded by a mariachi band and were wed on top of a platform, outdoors.
According to the insider, Jasmine giggled through the entire ceremony, while her friend Sophie, gave a reading which was a verse from a Van Morrison song.
The couple also used the tradition of binding their hands and used six different coloured ribbons to do so. Sylvia Jeffrey’s then got up and laid one of the ribbons.
Karl and Jasmine – who legally wed in a civil ceremony around August this year – wrote their own vows and Karl’s sister officiated the black tie ceremony.
During Jasmine’s reading of her vows, Karl teared up and then admitted, “sh- -, I’m terrible with this stuff.”
Woman’s Day has been told Karl’s three kids Jackson, 19, daughter Ava, 13, and River, 12, who he shares with ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn, did not attend the ceremony but Jackson and Ava did go to the reception.
Jackson attended the reception with his girlfriend Anna, however they only stayed for ten minutes.
We have also been told Karl’s son River was pictured looking upset during the welcome party on Friday night.
Jasmine’s bridesmaids were her high school friends Sarah Johnson, Sophie Pentland, Jimilla Houghton, Stoj Bulic and Georgie Fleming, plus sister Jade Yarbrough and her business partner, Tamie Ingham.
While Karl’s groomsmen, included his brothers Tom and Pete (and wife Sylvia Jeffreys) Stefanovic, Josh Yarbrough and his close friends, Ben Tilley, Mick Doohan, Steve Marshall and schoolfriend Alan Rogina.
It’s official! Mr and Mrs Stefanovic with their bridal party. (Source: Supplied)
The gorgeous newlyweds! (Source: Supplied)
There was a star-studded guest list – including Richard Wilkins, and his son Christian, Grant Kenny, Mick Doohan, Julie Bishop (who wore a stunning silver and blue long sequinned gown), Shane Warne and Karl’s sister-in-law Sylvia Jeffreys.
Upon arrival in the chapel (an hour early for close family and friends), there were a pair of maracas on each seat to shake once the couple said ‘I do’.
After exchanging their vows, the new Mr and Mrs Stefanovic and guests will enjoy drinks and canapés overlooking the South Pacific Ocean, followed by a formal sit-down dinner.
“Then we will head down to the beach for dinner, and then will go to another space for entertainment and dancing,” the insider said.
“The resort is also taking care of the flowers and the cake. It’s a five-tiered masterpiece,” another source tells Woman’s Day.
Making sure there’s plenty of personal touches, there was also a “Bundy Bar”, serving the couple’s own “JK Blend” of Bundaberg Rum as a nod to the Queensland roots.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Karl and Jasmine have technically walked down the aisle.
In March, just two months after announcing their engagement, the couple exchanged vows in an intimate “commitment ceremony” overlooking Palm Beach with just 25 of their family and best friends on hand as witnesses.
Although the event was not legally binding, Karl and Jasmine actually made their marriage official on paper months ago and have been keeping it firmly under wraps ever since.
On Sunday (Cabo local time), the newlyweds will throw a lavish “Studio 54” themed disco party to end their weekend of festivities.
WATCH: Karl has a dig at his ex-wife. Post continues after the video…
A friend of Jasmine’s told Woman’s Day the couple legally wed with little fanfare sometime mid-year at a suburban marriage registry office.
“The whole thing is just bizarre,” a source tells Woman’s Day.
“First, it was the commitment ceremony in March, which we all thought was for her family members who wouldn’t be able to make it to Mexico, and then the actual wedding, which means this whole time they’ve actually been married. We are all perplexed as to why. What’s the point?”
Following Karl’s high-profile divorce to his wife of 21 years, Cassandra Thorburn, in September 2016, the television star was first pictured kissing the Mara & Mine co-founder on a boat five months later in February 2017.
They confirmed their relationship in March when they sat front row at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Karl with his sister, Elisa and brothers, Pete and Tom at the One&Only resort, Mexico. (Source: Supplied)
For Cass’ part, the children’s author says that the demise of her marriage felt like a death.
“Last year, I declared that Karl really was dead to me, a man I no longer know, but the children still have their father,” she told the Australian Women’s Weekly in August. “The flip-side of that is I feel like we’re dead to his family and almost anyone from our old life.”
“There has been practically no contact. I feel like we’ve been discarded and disposed of, replaced by a whole new line-up of starters.”
“Thankfully I’ve been gifted with enough resilience and strength to have got us all through these past two years,” Cass concluded.
The mother-of-three will reportedly be surrounded by close friends in Sydney while her ex-husband celebrates his second wedding this weekend in a five-day extravaganza.
“Last year, I declared that Karl really was dead to me, a man I no longer know, but the children still have their father,” Cass says. (Image: Exclusive to Woman’s Day)
“We are taking things really, really slowly,” Karl told Stellar magazine in July last of his blossoming new romance.
“I certainly did not expect to meet someone five months after I broke up with my wife. That was not planned, I did not know her before. I met her on a boat in Sydney.”
Adding of the huge amount of attention his new relationship was attracting: “I don’t think that’s fair on anyone involved. It was unexpected and lovely, but we’re going to try to keep a level of privacy to how we’re going and what we’re planning, especially considering I have three beautiful children who need to be taken into consideration.”
Congrats to the happy couple! (Image: Media Mode)
In September last year, Jasmine broke her silence on dating Karl, explaining that she felt unprepared to cope with the amount of interest from the public and media.
“I don’t think anyone expects this or prepares to have this much attention. It’s been very hard,” the blonde beauty told The Daily Telegraph.
But despite the intense scrutiny, Karl and Jasmine have managed to overcome it and are looking forward to spending the rest of their life together.
“Karl is such an amazing, major supporter of me. He is such a great guy,” Jasmine added of Karl. “He is a lovely man. I feel so lucky and supported. I am very happy.”
Since Karl popped the question with a jaw-dropping $150,000 diamond engagement ring, the couple have added to their brood with an adorable German Shepard puppy called Chance the Yapper.
A huge congratulations to Karl and Jasmine!
The newlyweds with their bridal party – congrats! (Source: Supplied)
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