James Allen News Center

Nick Lachey gave Vanessa Minnillo a 4-carat platinum engagement ring almost 9 months ago. Good news- Minnillo and Lachey have finally tied the knot! The couple exchanged vows in an intimate tropical island ceremony this Friday. Minnillo and Lachey, who have been engaged since November, said "I do" before a small group of 35 friends and family members.

"For us, this is just a stepping stone to do what we ultimately want and that’s to start a family together," Minnillo told PEOPLE.

The celebrity couple flew guests to an undisclosed location, not only to surprise them, but also to prevent their special day from becoming a paparazzi fest.

"Nobody knew where they were going," said Minnillo in the interview. "Our wedding invitations were in the form of a plane ticket. We told them they were going away and the attire was 'island chic.' It was all very vague." Lachey added.

MTV host Minnillo wore a Monique Lhuillier two-piece with a detailed lace corset and clustered silk skirt. Monique Lhuillier also designed dresses for Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson. Minnillo also wore a traditional chapel length veil made of tulle.

Lachay looked sharp in his Dolce & Gabanna suit.

After careful consideration, the pair allowed reality cameras to film the event, which will air on a TLC special called Nick & Vanessa's Dream Wedding.

"We kind of wrestled with that for a while, for obvious reasons," Lachey told reporters in early July. "Having done reality TV in the past, I didn't necessarily want to jump right back into it without having thought it through to great length, and we did."

Congratulations Nick and Vanessa! I think you are an adorable couple and I'm looking forward to watching your romantic wedding on TV. Hmm, I wonder if Jessica Simpson will be watching...