Bermuda's romantic charms attracted a heartthrob England footballer and a pin-up pop star to the Island for a celebrity wedding yesterday.

Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp, ruled out of the World Cup through injury, married his childhood sweetheart Louise Nurding -- stage name Louise -- on a luxury yacht in the Great Sound.

And the loving couple had prepared for their big day in reverse -- enjoying a Bermudian honeymoon even before they got married.

Jamie, 25 last week, and Louise, 23, arrived in Bermuda on June 10, first staying at the Sonesta Beach Hotel, then moving onto Elbow Beach last week because of over-bookings.

But they had to make frantic re-arrangements to tie the knot before flying out of Bermuda on Thursday, having had their plans jilted by three hotels.

Managers at the Sonesta, Elbow and Southampton Princess were unable to put on the ceremony, because the couple wanted all their 60 guests to stay together.

But the childhood sweethearts were determined to take their vows in Bermuda -- having become engaged during their first holiday to the Island last summer.

England midfielder Jamie can now forget the heartbreak of missing the World Cup in France because of damaged knee ligaments.

He has spent his three-week holiday with Louise lazing on beaches, kayaking, nightclubbing and mixing with Bermuda-based friends.

But most of their time was devoted to making plans for yesterday's wedding on the $1.5 million Lady Tamara , owned by tour operator Nigel Prescott.

He was able to arrange caterers and entertainment -- a calypso band provided by the Clayhouse Inn nightclub.

Mr. Prescott also secured the services of Rev. William Hayward to conduct the moving ceremony after the boat pulled out of Hamilton Harbour.

Jamie's best man was Liverpool team-mate and Ireland defender Phil Babb, who handed over the ring at 1.30 p.m.

An hour later, Jamie and Louise -- who grew up together in London's East End -- were married.

Then they began a floating party before docking at the Marriott Castle Harbour Resort at 5 p.m.

Waiting taxis whisked the couple and their guests off to the Coral Beach Club for a glitzy reception.

Both Jamie and Louise had arrived for their big day in separate horse-drawn carriages.

Louise looked radiant in an off-white, knee-length wedding dress as she stepped aboard the 130-foot cruiser.

She arrived eight minutes after Jamie, dressed in an all-black, short-sleeved safari suit.

The boat stayed inshore, mooring near the old US Naval Annex, as the ceremony got underway. Then the champagne corks started popping.

Jamie and Louise had spent Saturday night enjoying their last hours of freedom with friends.

Louise's ladies' night began at the Elbow Beach where old friends covered her dinner table with balloons before taking her into Hamilton to go partying at The Club. Jamie's bachelor party took him around several bars, finishing up in the Pickled Onion and Oasis.

Both were quiet affairs. But rumours were running wild that Louise's pop friends the Spice Girls could fly in on a private jet from New York for last night's reception.

The four Spices -- Posh, Sporty, Baby and Scary -- were forced to stay away, because they would not have been able to make it back to the US in time for a concert in New Jersey.

But the group's music was still present at the wedding, with the Lady Tamara's on-board disco belting out their latest hit "Stop''.

Both Jamie and Louise stayed quiet in front of reporters yesterday.

Harry Redknapp, manager of English football team West Ham and a close friend of Bermuda's national team manager Clyde Best, did speak on his proud day.

"I have been coming to Bermuda for years to do soccer camps,'' he said.

"It's the ideal place to get married. I would not have suggested to Jamie or Louise to get married anywhere else.'' And best man Phil Babb said he would not watch today's World Cup match between England and Argentina on TV.

"I won't even see it,'' he said. "I'll be playing golf.'' Celebrity couple tie the knot The four Spices -- Posh, Sporty, Baby and Scary -- were forced to stay away, because they would not have been able to make it back to the US in time for a concert in New Jersey.

But the group's music was still present at the wedding, with the Lady Tamara's on-board disco belting out their latest hit "Stop''.

Both Jamie and Louise stayed quiet in front of reporters yesterday.

Harry Redknapp, manager of English football team West Ham and a close friend of Bermuda's national team manager Clyde Best, did speak on his proud day.

"I have been coming to Bermuda for years to do soccer camps,'' he said.

"It's the ideal place to get married. I would not have suggested to Jamie or Louise to get married anywhere else.'' And best man Phil Babb said he would not watch today's World Cup match between England and Argentina on TV.

"I won't even see it,'' he said. "I'll be playing golf.''