I know now that I am getting old. Seems like the last time I saw Avril Lavigne on television, she was this teenager with dirty blonde hair and dressed like a surfer boy. She had the heavy dark eye shadow, wore dark clothes, and had black nails.
Imagine my surprise when I opened People magazine this week to see Avril, now a beautiful 21 year old woman with soft, blonde flowing hair and no dark makeup, getting married. On July 15th, she married 26 year old Deryck Whibley, lead singer for the band Sum 41. Both Canadians, the couple began dating in February of 2004 and became engaged last year. The wedding was held at a private estate in Montecito, CA. The estate was decorated with swans in a pond and plenty of roses everywhere. The self professed former “Sk8ter Girl” really was stunning in the pictures, with her strapless, white Vera Wang gown and veil with a seven foot train. Her bouquet was beautiful – made of what appeared to be champagne or light pink colored roses. The groom, Whibley, wore a Hugo Boss tuxedo with a similar colored tie. The bridesmaids wore Vera Wang petal-pink chiffon gowns. The couple married in a 20 minutes, non-denominational ceremony under a flowered arbor with 110 guests watching. The guests threw white rose pedals at the couple as they walked back down the aisle.
Wedding planner Mindy Weiss decorated the cocktail/reception tent with red roses, velvet drapes, and candelabras. The guests dined on a dinner of salmon, steak and ravioli. The wedding cake was the best of both worlds – half chocolate and half vanilla. And what was the first song the new couple danced to? Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. Avril’s 18 year old sister, Michelle, caught her bouquet.
So, for a former punk skater girl, it seemed to be a pretty traditional wedding. I wish the young couple a long, happy life together.