Cupid's Pulse Article: DWTS Judge Len Goodman Secretly Marries Longtime Girlfriend Sue BarrettCupid's Pulse Article: DWTS Judge Len Goodman Secretly Marries Longtime Girlfriend Sue Barrett

By Jennifer Ross

On the Sunday just before the New Year, Dancing With the Stars’ judge Len Goodman married his longtime girlfriend Sue Barrett in London. The news was confirmed to UsMagazine.com by an ABC rep for Goodman. The 47 year-old dance instructor and 68 year-old judge dated for 10 years and invited only 30 friends and family members to what was called an “intimate lunch.” Married by Westminster superintendent registrar Alison Cathcart, the couple wore blue for the nuptials. When asked about his wedding, Goodman told the Daily News, “I’ve had a marvelous day, and now my gorgeous Sue is the new Mrs. Goodman.” Although the wedding plans were a secret, Goodman did tell one person — his mother. “I wanted it to be a low-key affair, so we didn’t tell anyone except my 96-year-old mum as I didn’t want her having a heart attack with the surprise.”

How do you pull off a secret wedding?

Cupid’s Advice:

Although your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, planning a wedding can be too much to handle.  As a result, some couples opt-out to having a secret or surprise wedding. If this sounds appealing to you, here are a few ideas when saying, “I do”:

1. A simple party: If you and your fiancé want to have a wedding without inviting the naysayers, plan a simple party, giving your invitees a different reason for the occasion. Whether you say it’s a pet’s birthday party or some other celebration, be sure to let them know their presence is important.

2. Destination: An easy way to keep your wedding day a secret is to have the ceremony performed far away from home. Plan a destination wedding in you and your mate’s favorite country and tell everyone it is just a simple vacation. No one will suspect you two are getting married.

3. Elope: If your idea of a perfect wedding is inviting no one at all, eloping at the courthouse is the way to go. You and your spouse-to-be can simply get dressed, grab a small flower bouquet and a couple of rings, then say “I do” in privacy.

How did you pull off your secret wedding? Share your story below.