Joel Madden had no idea there would be an elephant at his wedding.

The Good Charlotte frontman married fashion designer-and-TV star Nicole Richie, his girlfriend of four years, in front of 130 close friends and family at Nicole's father Lionel Richie's huge Beverly Hills home on Saturday (11.12.10) but Joel admitted he had no idea an elephant was on the guest list.

He said: "I was like, 'what?' Then I just laughed- Nicole getting an elephant and not telling me is typical of our relationship."

The 47-year-old trained elephant named Tai greeted celebrity guests including Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, Kris Jenner and music legend Quincy Jones - who is also Nicole's godfather - at the Celebration but despite his shock Joel decided to let his bride have whatever she wanted on their special day.

He explained to People magazine: "If there's one time I want her to have the craziest thing she wants, it's the day we marry."

Along with holding the wedding at her father's house, Nicole and Joel made the day a family event by tying the knot in front of their children - Harlow, two, was a flower girl, while 15-month-old Sparrow was the ring-bearer.