Madonna’s Wedding: It’s VIP and Zip

Madonna and Guy Ritchie kept their wedding in a Scottish castle shrouded in secrecy Friday, but some British tabloids reported that they were married in a flower-strewn chapel.

Though the buildup to the ceremony in Skibo Castle in the Scottish Highlands had gone on for days, as of early today there had been no official confirmation that vows had been exchanged.

Hundreds of reporters who had waited for hours outside the castle in freezing weather gave up their vigil and retreated early today. They had no idea what had transpired inside: No guests spoke with them, Madonna’s public relations staff refused to talk, and even the Material Girl’s Web site withheld details.

Every detail--from the time of the ceremony to the guest list and the appearance of the pop diva’s dress--was secret.

Undeterred, the tabloids reported that the wedding had taken place. They provided a few details without revealing their sources.

The Sun and the Mirror declared that the ceremony had taken place with 60 guests present in the castle’s chapel. The Mail said that “Madonna the Secret Bride” was wed surrounded by red roses.

One of the first clues Friday afternoon that the wedding neared was a sighting of pop star Sting, wearing a kilt as he entered Skibo Castle. His wife, Trudie Styler, who introduced the couple, arrived later.

Fashion designer Donatella Versace later swept through the gates. Actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Rupert Everett and designer Stella McCartney were known to have arrived, but other celebrity guests apparently eluded reporters.

McCartney, daughter of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, is believed to have designed Madonna’s wedding dress, but not a word of description leaked out of Skibo.

London jeweler Susy Lauder said the singer had chosen an antique $72,000 French bracelet studded with diamonds because it was “in keeping with the gothic style wedding dress Madonna is going to wear.”

The Alfred Dunhill company announced that film director Ritchie would wear a lovat green jacket of Shetland tweed with matching tie and socks, along with a plain white cotton shirt with a 1930s-style straight collar.

The ensemble may include a Mackintosh tartan kilt, the garment that has fascinated the tabloids and caused fevered speculation about whether Ritchie would follow the Scottish tradition of spurning underpants.