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Rebecca Romijn & Jerry O'Connell
The Couple
After three years of dating, Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell exchanged vows during a romantic outdoor wedding at their home outside Los Angeles. "Having the wedding at home makes it personal," O'Connell has said of the decision to keep the ceremony simple. "It becomes more about you as a couple." Still, the day did include the element of surprise. After a small group of family and friends-who had been invited to a "special barbecue"-were let in on the secret, the celebration of life and love began.
The Lyrics
A wagon wheel-the name of O'Connell and Romijn's ranch-motif adorned songs sheets handed to the guests, who joined in as a gospel choir serenaded the bride down the aisle with a chorus of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is." "I picked that song because I liked the sentiment," Romijn has said. "I was creating an experience for everybody, myself included."
The Gown
Romijn's father, Jaap, escorted her down the grassy aisle. The bride paired her lace Ralph Lauren gown with a gold bracelet and chandelier earrings with multi-colored diamonds borrowed from famed jeweler Neil Lane. And her something blue? "I had a tiny blue bow sewn inside my dress," Romijn says.
The Menu
After the ceremony, planned by Heidi Asimus of Red25 events, guests dined on blue crab salad and lavender-grilled prime beef tenderloin at rustic tables adorned with ivory plates and old-fashioned champagne glasses. Instead of the traditional cake, the sweet ending included mini-country apple and red velvet cupcakes.
The Guests
Josh Duhamel and Fergie-who along with Vanessa Williams sang at the reception-were among the celebrity friends who witnessed the outdoor ceremony. Since the Romijn and O'Connell's nuptials, Fergie and Duhamel had recently caught wedding fever themselves.
The Greetings
Instead of a guest book, Romijn had friends like Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn sign best wishes in paint on a piece of wood.
The Attendants
One of the Jerry and Rebecca's four dogs, which were dressed in bow ties, watched over the bride's Sergio Rossi heels.
The Serenades
O'Connell sang to Romijn not once but twice during the celebration. After speeches from the well-wishers, the groom got up to perform Vanessa Williams's "Save the Best for Last." The artist insisted on finishing the song.
The Party
Romijn's Ugly Betty co-stars ,Vanessa Williams and Becki Newton (with her husband, actor Chris Diamantopoulos), celebrated with sparklers after the sun went down. The country-themed party space included long wooden farm tables set with lanterns, field flowers and vintage dish-towel napkins.
The Soundtrack
"I'm taking credit for the music," declared Romijn, who put together eight playlists for the evening. The danceable hits spun by DJ Dave Meek ranged from "Kiss" by Marilyn Monroe to the hokeypokey.
The Festivities
"The wedding was about celebrating with out friends and having fun-not about being stressed," says Romijn, who got a boost from O'Connell, his brother, Charlie, designer Cynthia Rowley and other friends.
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