Mel C and Chris Dingwall secretly married weeks ago in Sydney

Melanie Chisholm married her Australian partner Chris Dingwall weeks before their picturesque countryside wedding in England over the weekend.

The pair secretly tied the knot in Sydney, according to Vogue magazine, before celebrating with family and friends in England's Lake District.

The previously unknown detail emerged as the fashion bible published a look inside the couple's wedding, revealing that the UK celebration was symbolic, rather than legal.

The singer reportedly had the words 'Sydney' and the date of the first ceremony embroidered in blue into the inside of her custom Victoria Beckham wedding gown as her 'something blue'.

Beckham, who designed the elegant backless gown, admitted she only found out about the wedding plans days before Chisholm boarded her flight.

"I was actually having dinner with Melanie and asked her what she was up to," Beckham told Vogue.

"She very casually told me she was leaving for Australia in two days and getting married!"

While Beckham was unable to attend the English celebration because she was in the United States with her husband, David Beckham, for World Cup commitments, she ensured she still played a role in her friend's marriage by gifting her the bespoke wedding dress.

Mel C was joined at her England ceremony by Spice Girls bandmates Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Geri Halliwell-Horner.