There are fewer events bigger in Hollywood than two celebrities finding love with each other and tying the knot in a big, star-studded bash. Tom and Katie in Italy (2006), Gwen and Gavin in London (2002), Madonna and Guy in Scotland (2000), Posh and Becks in Dublin (1999) and Ellen and Portia in Los Angeles in (2008) are just a few of the big, beautiful star couple weddings that have captured the fascination of fans around the world.
Lately, however, a new celebrity trend threatens to overshadow these big bashes – wedding vow renewal ceremonies.
For superstars ranging from Mariah Carey, Salma Hayek and Heidi Klum, to reality TV darlings like Tori Spelling and several of the “Real Housewives,” getting hitched again, and again, and again, and well… again, is the latest celebrity train on which Hollywood is boarding.
Heidi and Seal seemed to be the trend’s trendsetters, having renewed their vows annually for years, hosting a special party each May to celebrate their true love. This weekend, they will be doing it again, the fifth time since their original ceremony in 2005 on a beach in Mexico.
Mariah and her husband, “America’s Got Talent” host Nick Cannon, jumped on the bandwagon and have been renewing their vows every year since first tying the knot in 2008.
Josh Duhamel and popstar wife Fergie celebrated one year of marriage by getting renewing their vows in early January.
Then there are the reality show band-waggoners. Amidst rumors of marital troubles, Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott renewed their vows on May 8. Additionally, Ramona Singer of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” has been planning her own re-marriage, filmed by her Bravo television show.
Previously, Vicki and Donn — from the “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” used their reality show to demonstrate their commitment to each other by renewing their vows on camera in an exotic locale.
While some think the vow ceremonies are sweet, especially in the case of Heidi and Seal, who are nothing short of completely in love, others have raised a critical eye.
“The celebrity weeklies are only filled with a few things: getting together, breaking up, weddings, divorces, babies, affairs, drug use, and getting too fat/thin. So, what is a star to do who already had his/her wedding, and has no babies, divorces, secret lovers, rehab stints, diet plan endorsement deals/eating disorders on the horizon?” Gawker recently asked rhetorically. “Create a whole new occasion to generate press and fresh fodder for the show, or at least take pictures to sell to the tabs. And it’s not as if the wedding industry minds this s--t. They get to sell people flowers and gowns and catered meals all over again!”
Over on The Knot, a Web site devoted to weddings, an entire article is posted regarding vow renewal etiquette; something of which the celebs may want to take note.
“A reaffirmation can take place literally anytime after the actual wedding — the next day or 30 years later. But you don’t want to renew too soon or too often, unless you’ve eloped and would like to make your vows public upon your return. Otherwise, be sure to reserve the occasion for milestone years,” the Web site noted.
