In an era when Hollywood marriages last on average three to five years, Claudia Schiffer and Matthew Vaughn celebrated their two decades together on 25 May 2002 - and have not been apart since. The German supermodel and the British film producer are today one of the most stable partnerships in the entertainment business, which is a big story in itself, but not the only thing that keeps their wedding quietly cited to this day.

They met in 2001 at a gala dinner in Los Angeles. Just a year later, they married. The ceremony took place in a small 16th-century church in Suffolk, eastern England. The reception moved to an estate Schiffer had bought, for around 200 guests - other supermodels, actors and singers. A large marquee was set up in the garden, with tables decorated by silver fountains and white roses.

The wedding dress was kept secret until the last moment. At 31, Schiffer had already been a „bride" dozens of times - on the runway, in creations by Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. For her real wedding she chose Valentino, who personally designed the gown: a delicate bardot neckline that left the shoulders bare, long sleeves that flared slightly at the wrists, and a three-metre train made from four different types of lace in ivory.

On her head she wore a wreath of white flowers and a five-metre veil with lace and tiny dots. No jewellery - „so the dress speaks for itself," as everyone understood at the time. The bouquet - garden flowers (her favourite flower). The make-up was done by British make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, who has since become a global brand.

The menu for guests included vegetarian options - a rare choice in the early 2000s. Among the dishes: a tart with foie gras, a Sauternes jelly with rosemary, beef Diane with pommes frites, spring rice with vegetables. Desserts - crème brûlée with pistachios, tarte Tatin, and several kinds of ice cream. Today, almost 24 years later, the dress sits under protection at the couple's home - not as a memento, but as quality.