How some blushing brides managed their wedding plans

By SAMANTHA ETTUS
Scripps Howard News Service
18-NOV-04

The term "bridezilla" was recently coined to describe brides-to-be so afflicted with anxiety about wedding details that they exhibit extreme irritability and a lightning-quick temper. While most weddings attract the attention of friends and family, in the case of Hollywood brides that attention is multiplied, with millions of watchful eyes focused on every little decision. Some celebrity brides invite the spotlight, while others make bold and often futile attempts to avoid it.

This week we take a peek at how three celebrity brides – Star Jones, Tori Spelling and Gwyneth Paltrow – have managed their own wedding plans.

Gwyneth Paltrow

With her history of high-profile romances, from Ben Affleck to Brad Pitt, Paltrow has surprisingly managed to keep her relationship with Coldplay front man Chris Martin largely private. Though her younger beau is a celebrity in his own right, the pair has been much more interested in each other than in making bold public proclamations about the relationship. They are one of the few Hollywood couples to succeed in keeping their nuptials under wraps – their secret ceremony took place at a Santa Barbara hotel just days after they announced Paltrow's pregnancy. Choosing not to include any family or friends, they opted instead to celebrate with those close to them at a later date. By handling their wedding privately, Paltrow demonstrated that she is marrying for all the right reasons; other likeminded Hollywood stars would be wise to follow in her graceful footsteps.

Gwyneth Paltrow's Celebrity A$$$$ets.

Star Jones

Jones has given new meaning to the bridezilla moniker – even those with no interest are unable to avoid her wedding banter. Anything but coy, she has shared virtually every detail of her wedding to financier Al Reynolds with her fans. The proposal was equally public, taking place at halftime of this year's NBA All-Star game.

In addition to bragging about her trainers, nutritionists and countless wedding vendors on-air and in the press, Jones has commercialized her own wedding. While encouraging corporate support of charitable events is an admirable thing, Jones is the first star in memory to invite corporations to sponsor a wedding.

Amazingly, she had numerous takers; her wedding goody bag is stuffed with items from various sponsors, all of which receive high-profile recognition on her wedding Web site, www.starandal.com. Mercifully, ABC execs prevented Jones from continuing to plug her vendors on "The View" once they caught wind of her wedding commercialization. We can only hope she regains her dignity before soliciting a corporation to sponsor her child.

Star Jones' Celebrity A$ets

Tori Spelling

Since she rose to fame in father Aaron's hit show, "Beverly Hills 90210," Spelling has become a better-respected actress, landing roles in independent films and theater. When Spelling recently married Charlie Shanian, she did so with very little pre-wedding hoopla. Instead, she cooperated with the tabloids by inviting People Magazine to attend, and was rewarded by the publication with stylish reporting and a spot on the cover. We applaud Spelling for the manner in which she handled the wedding press – intentionally or not, it bolstered her personal brand.

Tori Spelling Celebrity A$$$$ets

Remember: The most dependable road to the top is to treat your brand as your greatest asset.

(Samantha Ettus is the author of "The Experts' Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do" (Random House). Contact her at Samantha@celebrityassets.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.shns.com)