(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo have opened up about why they chose Necker Island for their destination wedding.

The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on Friday, after five years of dating.

The paradise island owned by British tycoon Sir Richard Branson was an easy choice for the couple.

"We love to travel and we love Necker Island," Nick, 37, told People magazine. "We've vacationed there multiple times, and when we got engaged we both immediately thought of the island as the perfect place to have our wedding."

The 30-year-old blushing bride, who was surrounded by just 35 guests at the quaint ceremony, said that she was delighted that Nick was in agreement as to where they should tie the knot.

The stunning star says the location was an instant hit with both her and Nick.

"We were on a boat, on vacation, passing the island and we both looked at each other and he said, Yes!' I was so glad he said what I was thinking. Nick saw it in my eyes," Vanessa gushed.

The private island, which is nestled on 74 acres in the British Virgin Islands, was the ideal backdrop for the wedding - which was being filmed for a television special.

Vanessa says the beauty of the island was apparent for all to see.

"We used a lot of what the island had. It was timeless, beautiful and romantic," Vanessa shared.

It was Vanessa's first trip up the aisle but the second for Nick. The star was married to Jessica Simpson for three years, but divorced the blonde singer in 2006. (C) Cover Media