George Lucas weds long-time girlfriend at Skywalker Ranch

This is probably the only picture the world will ever see of George Lucas’ weekend wedding to girlfriend of seven years, successful business woman Mellody Hobson – and how happy do they both look?

The notoriously private billionaire film director and producer, 69, may be one of the world’s best-known names, but he’s more comfortable away from cameras, so it’s hardly surprising that the first public news of what is one of Hollywood’s biggest weddings, came, well, after it happened.

Though the ceremony, held at Lucas’ Skywalker ranch in California, was an intimate affair, it was attended by Hollywood royalty, including Oprah Winfrey, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford and Quincy Jones.

They were married by  journalist Bill Moyers and the bride was walked down the aisle by former US senator Bill Bradley. The toast was given by Steven Spielberg, who joked that The Force finally had a name: Mellody, and the entertainment was courtesy of Janelle MOnae and Van Morrison who flew in from Ireland to do the honours.

Director Ron Howard, who was in attendence, congratulated the happy couple via Twitter saying, “George Lucas Melody Hobson wedding was joy to behold,’ he wrote. ‘Bill Moyers service was beautiful, nothing short of profound. Congrats Mr&Mrs Lucas.’

Samuel L Jackson, who played Jedi Mace Windu in the three Star Wars prequels also tweeted his best wishes saying, “Let’s give a Galactic shout out to the Master George Lucas& his Bride Melodie on This their WEDDING DAY!! Congrats!!!!!! [sic]

Mellody, 44, looked stunning and blissfully happy, and wore a Peter Soronen gown. Her ‘something blue’ was a bouquet of bright roses and the bridal party was a family affair. The Best Man was Lucas’ son, Jett, while his daughters Katie and Amanda served as Mellody’s bridesmaids.

It is the first marriage for Mellody, who is president of investment management firm Ariel Investments and the second for Lucas.

How can you not be blissfully happy for them?