From my very basic perspective on this, Tom and Katie are like any interfaith couple. She was rasied Catholic and he is a practicing Scientologist.

Since Cruise is a devout Scientologist, and his bride seems to have adopted or agreed to that practice, it is not so odd for them to be married in a ceremony that adheres to the tenants of that spiritual practice. It is similar to the Hindu groom who marries a Christian Bride. If his family is devout or he is more connected to his faith than she is to hers, they might opt for a traditional Hindu ceremony.

From what I read, the Scientology ceremony is similar, and perhaps adapted from a traditional Christian ceremony. The Scientology emblem, or religious symbol, appears to be a version of a cross. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology, is said to have penned several different kinds of ceremonies in the fifties. It is not clear if they have been updated over time.

Seems that the ceremony puts forth an intention similar to a Christian wedding, with elements we might find, actually, in any wedding ceremony. Some details:

* The sunset ceremony was performed by a Scientology minister ... no surprise that they would use a clergy person trained in the tradition represented in the ceremony.

* They exchanged vows of loyalty and devotion.

* Similar to a Christian ceremony, they are asked to promise to live their relationship in alignment with the tenants of the church - in this case, the Church of Scientology.

* OK! Magazine reports that the couple made a pact that "they never close their eyes in sleep without healing any breach of understanding with communication." (I am all for that!)

The wedding party, according to People, included Cruise's children from his marriage to Nicole Kidman, Isabella and Connor. They report the best man was Cruise's best friend, David Miscavige – the head of the Church of Scientology – and Katie's sister Nancy Blaylock served as the matron of honor.

Religion News Service blasted an article stating the marriage may not be valid so there was a big bru-haha about whether the out-of-country wedding was legal. Apparently the local mayor was quoted as saying that all couples require a civil ceremony to make it official prior to the religious ceremony.

FYI, this is a common situation for American's marrying in foreign countries (and true for the natives as well). Couple's often must visit to a clerks office, registry, or town hall where they are required to fill out and sign formal papers and/or have a brief civil ceremony presided over by someone who is authorized by the city in which the wedding will take place. The local mayor would in fact be empowered to perform the civil ceremony.This may be the same day, or several days, prior to a spiritual ceremony or personalized wedding ceremony. Regulations are different from country to country.

For many couples, it is a lot easier to officially get hitched in the US. Many couples opt for a ceremony with justice of the peace, judge or a non-denominational officiant either before or right after the big wedding day.

A statement from the Tomkat public relations camp says they took care of this important detail before leaving for thie big day in Italy.

Could be they were married in "city hall" or perhaps the same minister legally married them in thier living room and signed the marriage license in California.

© 2006, Reverend Laurie Sue Brockway

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is an interfaith and non-denominational wedding officiant and columnist. She creates unique ceremonies for couples of all backgrounds and faiths, and is also widely recognized as a bridal stress expert. She is author of WEDDING GODDESS: A Divine Guide To Transforming Wedding Stress into Wedding Bliss (Perigee Books, May 2005). Visit Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway at WeddingGoddessWisdom.com.