Fairytale big day for shy Spice and diffident David

Pictured: David Beckham and Victoria Adams the day before their wedding. PICTURE / REUTERS

It was touted as the wedding of the decade, but strict security kept fans away when the pop idol and the soccer star said 'I do.'

DUBLIN - White doves, fireworks and sticky toffee pudding were the order of the day as Spice Girl Victoria Adams and English soccer star David Beckham tied the knot in the chapel of a 15th-century Irish castle.

Manchester United sharpshooter Beckham and Adams - better known as "Posh Spice" - were married yesterday in a 35-minute ceremony at Luttrellstown Castle on the western outskirts of Dublin.

After the ceremony 100 white doves were released into uncharacteristically sunny Irish skies.

A spectacular fireworks display followed a dinner of red pepper soup, turkey breast, and sticky toffee pudding - "Beckham's favourite," according to a publicist.

There were 236 guests - including other members of the Spice Girls, most of the United squad and singer George Michael.

But only 29 close family and friends - including Baby Spice Emma Bunton, Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm and Scary Spice Melanie Brown - witnessed the wedding.

Geri Halliwell, who quit the group 13 months ago, was not there.

In pouring rain, she sang at an outdoor pop concert in London's Hyde Park to benefit Prince Charles' charity, the Prince's Trust.

"You know how to make a girl feel wanted," she bellowed to the 100,000-strong appreciative crowd.

In contrast, Adams, aged 25, and Beckham, 24, were in retiring mode.

The event was shielded from the media because of a deal with a British celebrity magazine, OK!, which reportedly paid sterling 1 million ($NZ3 million) for coverage of what it is touting as the wedding of the decade.

A large white corridor erected between the castle and a party marquee in the grounds shielded guests and the couple from prying eyes.

But publicists offered tidbits.

The couple's four-month-old son, Brooklyn, was there throughout the festivities.

Adams, reflecting "girl power," did not promise to obey Beckham in the vows.

And guests invited to party afterward were asked to dress in black and white.