Schiffer plans model wedding

Schiffer, 31, is set to swap the catwalk for the aisle

LONDON, England -- Supermodel Claudia Schiffer is to marry film producer Matthew Vaughn in what was supposed to be a secret ceremony.

Media speculation about the venue, guest list and date of the wedding has hit fever pitch as the couple refuse to reveal any details.

But a Church of England official told Reuters on Wednesday that the couple had been granted a special licence to marry in the eastern English county of Suffolk.

The church official did not discuss the venue but he did agree the date of May 25 was now "in the public domain."

Special permission had to be obtained from the church as Schiffer, who was once famously engaged to U.S magician David Copperfield, and Vaughn do not live in the area.

The couple recently bought 16th-century Coldham Hall in Suffolk -- one of England's finest Tudor properties -- and are expected to marry in a village church nearby.

British newspapers say the 300 guests will include Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie, veteran German tennis champion Boris Becker and pop star Elton John.

Vaughn, 31, was best man at Madonna and Ritchie's wedding two years ago and produced Ritchie's hit film "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels."

Schiffer, also 31, is said to have fallen for Vaughn after he gave her a tortoise as a present.