Other arrivals seen filing through the abbey's Great North Door were "Mr Bean" actor Rowan Atkinson and Chelsy Davy, the on-off girlfriend of William's younger brother and best man Prince Harry.
But it was Beckham, wearing his OBE medal pinned to the right lapel of his Ralph Lauren morning suit and with slicked-back hair, and his wife who attracted much of the photographers' attention.
Singer-turned-fashion designer Victoria, pregnant with the couple's fourth child, was dressed in a midnight blue "trapeze" dress from her Autumn/Winter 2011 collection, and a Philip Treacy hat, with hair pulled tightly back into a neat ponytail.
Beckham, 35, given time off to attend the wedding by his club LA Galaxy, got to know William, the president of the English Football Association, when they worked together to promote England's unsuccessful bid to win the right to host the 2018 World Cup.
In a statement following the ceremony, the couple said: "Today's ceremony was beautiful and heartfelt. Catherine looked wonderfully elegant and we were honoured to be part of such a special, historical day for our country.
"We wish Catherine and William much love and happiness for the future."
Earl Spencer, who paid a moving tribute to his sister -- William's mother Princess Diana -- in the abbey at her funeral in September 1997, arrived with his family. He said the wedding had been "incredibly beautiful".
"It was very moving and the only downside on a perfect day was Diana not being there, but what a wonderful day," he said.
The guest list also included singer Elton John together with his partner David Furnish, Guy Ritchie, who directed the cult 1990s film "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and the singer Joss Stone.
Elton John abandoned his flamboyant stage outfits for a restrained black morning coat and grey trousers.
Australian Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe and England's World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward were among the first to arrive.
Woodward, best known for England's 2003 World Cup triumph and now working for the British Olympic Association, invited William to join the British and Irish Lions' squad for their 2005 tour to New Zealand.
Thorpe met William when he visited Australia last year and the prince has since supported the swimmer's charitable organisation.
Sir Trevor Brooking, an English Football Association colleague of William, chatted with the Beckhams, while openly gay Welsh rugby international Gareth Thomas was also invited.
Amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, an old friend of William and Kate, who is credited with reuniting the couple after they split up in 2007, also attended the service.
He played down his role in reviving the relationship, telling the BBC: "To be honest, I think they got themselves back together again. But it was nice to get them in a room together and have a chance to have a good chat."
Leading the way for the political world was British Prime Minister David Cameron, who arrived in a traditional morning suit with wife Samantha and they were joined by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard also attended along with representatives of 50 other governments.
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