Katy Perry & Russell Brand's Fast-Track Romance

From their first kiss to their Indian nuptials, look back at the singer's marriage to the British funnyman

01 of 11

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
Jason Merritt/Getty

Weeks before their breakup, Katy Perry and Russell Brand maintain a united front, fighting off rumors of marital discord at a Dec. 3 David Lynch Foundation benefit in L.A. "First I'm pregnant amp then I'm divorced. What am I All My Children?!" the singer, 27, defensively Tweets. The actor, 36, echoes his wife's statement to Ellen DeGeneres: "I am really happily married." But on December 30, the couple announces they're taking steps to end their 14-month marriage.

02 of 11

CAUGHT K-I-S-S-I-N-G

CAUGHT K-I-S-S-I-N-G
INF

Sparks first flew between newly engaged couple Russell Brand, 34, and Katy Perry, 25, at the VMA Awards in September 2009, when the British comic shamelessly flirted with the singer while hosting. From the start, the naughty-and-nice twosome are inseparable – including stealing away for a kiss outside a Hollywood Hills bash that October (left).

03 of 11

FIRST STEP

FIRST STEP
News International/Zuma

Also in October 2009, the new couple surface in his home base of London – after both Tweet separately about vacationing in Thailand.

04 of 11

OH, L'AMOUR

OH, L'AMOUR
Frederic Nebinger/Abaca

Though he's a self-proclaimed lothario, Brand plays the part of dutiful boyfriend in Paris in October 2009, joining Perry at fashion shows and parties, including the John Galliano runway show. It was a preview of a night to come: Later that month, Brand escorts the singer to her Willy Wonka-themed 25th birthday bash, partying alongside her closest pals.

05 of 11

SHE'S THE ONE

SHE'S THE ONE
Ramey

Still glued to each other's side, Perry and Brand continue making strides during an outing in Santa Barbara, Calif. Though Brand previously admitted monogamy's not his thing, he now tells British morning show GMTV, "I thought I was promiscuous, but it turns out I was just thorough – to get the right one."

06 of 11

TEAM RUSTY

TEAM RUSTY
Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Perry repays Brand's compliment a month later on Nov. 5 while hosting the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards, donning lingerie in the colors of the comic's favorite West Ham United soccer team, with his nickname, "Rusty," ahem, branded across her bum. He later Tweets his appreciation: "Wow. Now MY GIRLFRIEND has worn a West Ham basque while hosting the EMA's. What a day!"

07 of 11

SNAPSHOT OF HAPPINESS

SNAPSHOT OF HAPPINESS
Ramey

Welcome back! Brand and Perry snuggle in front of the funnyman's home in London – the city where the pair were first linked as an item – in November 2009.

08 of 11

SLEIGH BELLE

SLEIGH BELLE
Hammond/Despois/Splash News Online

On the fast track, indeed! Continuing their romantic rendezvous in the U.K., Perry and Brand pair up for a tandem sled ride at London's Hampstead Heath two days before Christmas 2009.

09 of 11

PASSAGE TO INDIA

PASSAGE TO INDIA
Fame

The couple make a warm-weather escape to India, arriving in Jaipur on Dec. 30, 2009. Rumors that the couple got engaged during their travels grows with Perry's Twitter message on Jan. 5, 2010: "So when do I start walking the streets naked singing that Alanis song?' – an oblique reference to Morrisette's lines in "Thank You" that include "How about me just enjoying the moment for once" and "Thank you India" (where the couple vacationed days earlier). The day after Perry's tweet, Brand's rep confirms their happy engagement.

10 of 11

AIN'T LOVE BRAND?

AIN'T LOVE BRAND?
Courtesy Katy Perry

"He built this for me..." Perry jokingly tweets during the couple's vacation in Agra, India. And the lovebirds fittingly capped off their Indian travels with a picture-perfect moment: a snapshot in front of the Taj Mahal, considered one of the world's most beautiful monuments to eternal love.

11 of 11

MARITAL BLISS

MARITAL BLISS
Lucy Nicholson/Landov

Perry and Brand made it official on Oct. 23, 2010, exchanging vows in a ceremony in Northern India that was so private that the bride only released footage four months later, during her 2011 Grammys performance. In the video, Perry exchanges rings with Brand and, later, kisses her new hubby. "I know you're out there and ... your love came for me," she sings.

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