Even David Beckham says his wedding was over the top

At risk of sounding over dramatic when it's almost impossible to do so, nostalgia can provide a needed salve in these uncertain times. The year 1999 is as good a year to look back on as any. Millennium panic was quaint, almost. Cher's last big hit, "Believe," swept the music charts. A young football star (in the British sense of the word) and a pop star (in the universal sense of the word) were getting married. If one is looking to find solace in a simpler time, however, don't look to David Beckham and Victoria Beckham. There was nothing simple about their wedding.

It was a high-concept tour de force in a castle outside of Dublin, complete with doves, rose petals on purple carpets, flower girls dressed as angels, a wedding cake cut with a sword, his-and-her gold thrones, and not one but two matching outfits.

PHOTOS: David and Victoria Beckham through the years

In a recent interview with the BBC's Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, though, David Beckham cast a critical eye over his nuptials, saying, "That was pretty bold. Victoria's [reception outfit by Antonio Berardi] was pretty nice. Mine, I'm like what was I thinking? I look like the guys out of Dumb & Dumber when they went to that party and wore those ridiculous outfits. I even had a top hat in purple. Unbelievable. What was I thinking?"

Beckham explained that Elton John, who was scheduled to play at their wedding, had a heart attack that prevented him from really taking the ceremony to the next level (he later performed at one of the children's christenings, though, according to Beckham).

At the time, exclusive photos were sold to OK! Magazine for an undisclosed sum, but the Beckhams both posted some tightly framed photos of the day to Instagram since, she in a Vera Wang gown and tiara, a custom job by Irish jewelry designer Slim Barrett (in 2013 it went up for auction but failed to sell for the expected minimum price of $22,500).

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These days are simpler ones for the Beckhams, in some ways. David offers their recent vow- renewal ceremony as evidence. "We did throw a lot at [the first wedding], because it was the thing to do around that time," he said. "We have renewed our vows since then, and it was a lot more private, there were about six people there in our house."

He also gives his best explanation for the strength of their marriage, which has nearly outlasted public memories of their wedding spectacle. He attributes it to their "strong family unit. We have got strong parents too, and they taught us the right values. Of course you make mistakes, and we all know that marriage is difficult at times. It is about working through it. We have come up against tough times. But we know each other better than anyone else knows us. And we talk."

Their almost-19-year marriage has led to success for all the Beckhams, from a longterm fashion business to the many modeling contracts to the fledgling careers of their children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper. David isn't here for your side-eye, however: "Do we stay together because it is a brand? Of course not. We stay together because we love each other and because we have four amazing children."

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