NEW YORK: International sensation Justin Timberlake and Hollywood actress Jessica Biel tied the knot on Friday at the Borgo Egnazia resort in Puglia, Italy, in the presence of close friends and family.

For the actor-singer-songwriter, his marriage ceremony was “magical”.

“It was an unforgettable evening. It was magical,” Timberlake, 31, told People magazine in an exclusive interview.

Italy happened to be a special location for the couple partly because of their love for its food and wine. It served as the perfect backdrop for the festivities. A day before the wedding, the couple hosted a party for guests who hung out around open fires and dined on fresh-made cheese, local olives and wine. The night before, the group celebrated at a beach where they watched fireworks and listened to live music.

Apparently, the bride Jessica Biel let Justin Timberlake’s mom call all the shots at the wedding. A source close to the actress revealed, “As far as Jessica was concerned, she would have been just as happy to have a very small wedding with only a handful of friends and close family members present.” But Timberlake’s mom, Lynn Harless, wanted a nice, splashy bash for her beloved boy and Jessica has reportedly come to terms with the fact “that Lynn is a very powerful factor in Justin’s life and, if she wants to have a smooth marriage, she has to have Lynn in her corner. … A big part of that is letting Lynn have her way.”

The couple had split from each other a while ago, before they reunited and got engaged earlier this year.

Stepping out of tradition, the actress wore a pink dress created by Italian designer Giambattista Valli, who also made the bridesmaids’ gowns. “It was a fantasy,” said Biel.

Timberlake himself was said to be outfitted in a wedding suit made just for him by designer and filmmaker Tom Ford.

(With inputs from IANS)