[PHOTOS] Here are memorable images from the wedding of Céline Dion and René Angélil celebrated 30 years ago

Céline Dion married René Angélil on December 17, 1994 during a sumptuous winter ceremony at the Notre-Dame basilica in Montreal. Here are seven photos of the happy event which was celebrated 30 years ago and which many Quebecers still remember.

• Also read: “We miss you so much”: Céline Dion marks what would have been her 30th wedding anniversary with René Angélil

When they became husband and wife, René Angélil was 52 years old and Céline, 26 years old. Their wedding attracted nearly 200 media from around the world, including The National Enquirer, Entertainment Tonight et Paris Match.

It’s hard to forget that the singer wore a massive, seven-pound-plus tiara adorned with some 2,000 Austrian Swarovski crystals, covering most of her forehead and rising high above her head. Her veil was attached to it and trailed behind her.

The diva said the tiara had to be sewn to her hair to hold it in place, and she had to practice wearing it to be able to support the weight when the day came.

Who says winter wedding, says immaculate fur coat to place on the shoulders of the new bride.

Her fairy dress (which was also very heavy) was a creation by Montreal designer Mirella Gentile. Immaculate white, it required more than 1,000 hours of work and included an imposing train of around ten meters, which was supported at the church by Céline’s eight sisters.

Preparations for this “wedding of the year” lasted three months and required the work of 800 people.

The couple got married in the middle of winter, in the sumptuous Notre-Dame basilica in Montreal, in front of 500 guests. Among these were Luc Plamondon, Michel Jasmin, Sonia Benezra, Marcel Aubut, Michel Bergeron, Patrick Roy, Anthony Kavanagh, Mario Pelchat and René Simard.

Including the ceremony that followed, at the Westin Mont-Royal hotel, the happy event was estimated at half a million dollars. The flowers alone cost between $100,000 and $200,000.