By Shelley L. Ackerman
For more insights visit karmicrelief.com

Happy Birthday Robin Wright Penn!

Two days after the actress’ 42nd birthday on April 8th, there’s good news from California:

(Aries) Robin and her actor-director-activist (Leo) husband Sean Penn (born Aug 17, 1960) have withdrawn their divorce papers and will remain a couple!

Find out more.

We wish them both well!

Continue reading "Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn - Love Will Keep Them Together" »

Posted April 10, 2008 9:09 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

We think.

There were flower and food deliveries to Jay-Z's Tribecca apartment. And all the media say a wedding took place.

But the couple still seems to be denying it. We guess this is because they have sold the rights to their wedding photos to one of the tabloid.

The report is that wedding-like activities swirled around the Manhattan apartment with many deliveries, as well as relatives and friends, coming in by car or limo.

The New York Post said Beyonce used the gym in the building as her bridal suite.

Some reports say there were 30 guests.

We wish them nothing but happiness. Read more about why they should keep their marriage -- if there is one -- private.

Posted April 7, 2008 6:51 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Bride-to-be Abby McGrew stole the heart of Superbowl MVP Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Rumor had it they will walk down the aisle this month. Read more at AOL Sports.

Posted April 7, 2008 6:44 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and one report says that he is responding well to treatment while others offer the inevitable shudder that this cancer is not an easy one to beat.

Lets please send our prayers to him, his wife and his family. And think of him as young and vibrant, like in his famous triumphant moments at in Dirty Dancing.

Patrick Swayze happens to be a real Hollywood good guy.

We loved him when he leaped to fame dancing with and romancing with Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing.

We adored him as Demi Moore's lover and protector from the other side in Ghost.

And he has been married to the same woman, Lisa Niema, for a million years. Life partner and dance partner, these are two people who embody their loving relationship and who could be poster kids for aging gracefully in Hollywood.

According to Wikipedia, they married in 1975 and have been together since "Lisa, at 15, began dance lessons with Swayze's mother"Patsy Swayze.

Posted March 5, 2008 4:34 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been named Hollywood's most influential couple in a new poll from Forbes.com.

The magazine mulled through press clippings and online stories on high profile couples to assess those who seemed to have the greatest impact on popular culture. The good-deed-doing duo of Brangelina won top honors.

Their humanitarian acts make them likable and their growing intercultural family makes them interesting.

With all this press on Brad and Angie as the perfect couple, it begs the question: Is Brad Pitt still considered hot?

Continue reading "Is Brad Pitt Still Hot?" »

Posted February 16, 2008 1:41 PM by Charlotte Rose | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Are celebrity relationships ruining your love life?

David Zinczenko has a go at this topic in Men's Health.

"Few Hollywood romances measure up to our idea of the perfect relationship," he writes.

"We all know the timeline of most celebrity hook-ups: The two meet up. They hook up. Declare their love. Get married. Buy matching sportscars/designer pets/vials of blood. Then call it off within two years, subject to introduction of nanny."

Ouch. At least he helps us mortals see that celebrity love is not always what it looks like in the movies on the red carpet.

"The celeb warning: A wedding is more than a party with cake," he surmises. "The positive lesson real couples can take from it: Listen to your wedding vows, and honor them."

Posted February 16, 2008 1:04 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

See the video

By now we all know that actress Katherine Heigl married musician Josh Kelley in a December 27 winter wedding. Now we are on to marriage-watch.

Katherine was on Oprah last week. Oprah, who called Katherine the new "it" girl, agreed with Wedlok.com . She loved Katherine's new chick flick, 27 Dresses.

The new bride mentioned that she and new hubby didn't live together prior to the wedding and they are barely in the same city. Sigh. He's on tour a lot, she said, and she's working much of the time. At least they'll have lots of opportunities to experience ways in which absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Her goal and wish is to have a month together where neither have to run off and work. Sounds like a good idea. We hope they get some together time... because they are so cute together.

Turns out Katherine and Josh met in one of his movie videos. She was hired to be "the girl" in the video. Wow. When she looks at him! It's a very cool video.

The entire thing was obviously shot on Venice Beach, California. It takes place in to buildings and on the walkway of the beach. (Low budget but high octane on the love energy connection.

Check out the chemistry between them. This was where it all began. Awesome!

As everyone is saying on YouTube.com, they are so super sweet and natural together!

Posted February 3, 2008 8:52 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds get the prize for shortest Hollywood wedding of the year.

The two had a reportedly lavish spiritual ceremony on Bora Bora the first of January only to get back to the states and decide not to make it legal.

Many couples who marry in destination weddings outside of the United States elect to formally solemnize their vows back in their own country. This is often due to tricky issues of legality in the country or location in which they choose to wed. Or it may have to do with issues of time. Some locales require a couple to be in town for a week or days and to go through local legal protocol that is time consuming.

Celebrity couples often have spiritual ceremonies at the destination and quietly make it legal in the states.

Anyone can have a "spiritual" or "religious" ceremony without it being legally binding. It is however meant to be a bond between the couple and a promise of marriage.

Edmonds, once married to the performer and music producer known as Babyface, is a producer and met Murphy when they were filming Dreamgirls in 2006. The engagement was announced within a year.

There are rumors as to why the couple did not go through with their legal ceremony. Some say it had to do with the fact that Edmonds did not want to change her last name, because it is the same last name as her child. There are whispers that it was due to Murphy's behavior or arguments about a prenup.

Who knows for sure. But if the couple is not going to stay together, they might want to also consider a "Spiritual Divorce" because a spiritual wedding is still a wedding in spirit.

Posted January 23, 2008 5:21 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

President Bush is about to gain a son-in-law.

Jenna Bush and her fiancé Henry Hager will wed May 10, this year. according to People.com.

Hmmmm. We wonder, will they be playing Hail to the Chief as the President of the United States walks his daughter down the aisle?

We know the Bush twins have gotten a lot of flack in their day for being party girls, but we saw Jenna on the repeat of the Tonight Show not long ago and she seemed smart and funny, and like any bride to be, enjoyed sharing her engagement story.

Posted January 17, 2008 10:29 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Jessica Alba has joined the parade of happily unmarried mommies-to-be.

Obviously, the pregnancy of the lovely and, as most men will tell you, "hot" movie star dominated international news yesterday.

The baby daddy is Alba's boyfriend Cash Warren. Some say they have been on-off-on again over the past three years. No word on marriage plans.

Singles mothers by choice is nothing new. Jane Mattes, C.S.W., founded the national organization, Single Mothers by Choice, in 1981 and then penned a book on the topic. Movies were made. The trend was to support women of a certain age who wanted a child but had no partner. Women did not want to be forced by societal standards to "wait" for the right guy. With the help of willing male friends, or sperm banks and artificial insemination, a new wave of babies came into being. Planned for and conciously, loved and provided for. Even the challenge of how to bring a male figure into the babies life was explored in depth.

Continue reading "Jessica Alba - Another Celebrity "Single Mother By Choice"?" »

Posted December 13, 2007 5:44 AM by Charlotte Rose | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Okay, maybe. Well, who knows?

The celebrity wedding tease has become an art from among publicists today. People think its the media that makes it up but I believe it is publicists looking for ways to get their stars back in the spot light.

Let's face it. Nick and Vanessa are like an old married couple now -- a little to boring by tabloid standards. We find them canooddling around Las Vegas a few times each year, but usually with each other. What can bring more attention to these two... a wedding ... real or imagined.

Fox News reported the two were in the Bahamas last weekend for a secret ceremony. No word yet on whether it happened.

Of course, since pop singer Nick already lived a marriage in a media and public fishbowl, could be that he wants to keep this next one ... private.

Nick and Vanessa, if you did get hitched, congrats.

Posted December 13, 2007 5:22 AM by Charlotte Rose | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Find out more at http://www.artofmarriage.org and http://www.marriageframe.com.

I have been corresponding with Erik Kent, who, along with his wife Beth Kent, is co-publisher of the New Jersey tri-state area wedding planning site www.njwedding.com. These wedding professionals fell in love with "The Art of Marriage," by Wilfred Arlan Peterson and have established a foundation to help couples bring those thoughtful words to life in their marriages.

I agree with the Kents. Peterson's reading captures the essence of what it takes to make a marriage a great success and I love that they have established a forum for this kind of marriage education. It certainly helps newlyweds look beyond wedding planning and into what it takes to build a good life together.

Here is their stated mission:

Mission: To promote healthy marriages through marriage education in New Jersey and throughout the United States

Goal: To reach engaged couples with positive messages about "planning for their marriage, while planning their wedding" through bridal media

Objective: To provide "The Art of Marriage" essay by Wilferd A. Peterson
in various formats, helping couples to learn the "art" of building a strong marriage, and provide additional resources for couples to consider (such as premarital counseling, specialized programs and workshops or talking with a member of the clergy).

Beyond the reading itself, the Kents have begun to work with the family of Wilfred Arlan Peterson to keep his legacy alive. Peterson was the author of many "The Art Of Living" books and essays.

The Kents have also licensed the reading to create an awesome wedding gift product. It's a lovely frame with a matted version of "The Art of Marriage" and room for your wedding photo. Very cool! Find out more at: http://www.marriageframe.com.

Wedlok.com will stay on top of the Art of Marriage story as it develops. As mentioned, parts of the reading were recited at the Las Vegas nuptials of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward; then Joanne Woodward read it at daughter Nells wedding in 1995. Will it surface again at a vow renewal ceremony next January 29 when the Newman's celebrate their silver anniversary? Stay tuned!

Continue reading "New Jersey Wedding Pros Establish "The Art of Marriage Foundation"" »

Posted November 6, 2007 11:46 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

The classic wedding reading "The Art of Marriage," by Wilferd Arlan Peterson, is one of the most oft read and inspiring wedding readings around. As we reported several months ago, wedding lore has it that several lines of this reading was included in the nuptials of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, who got hitched in Las Vegas.

That was almost fifty years ago! Today it stands out as a classic for our times.

I have been using this reading in my wedding ministry for many years. Couples love it because it reflects the values and sentiments that truly enhance life together! It's the stuff a good marriage is made of.

Wanted to share it again here because it is so important for all of us to remember that a good marriage must be created, nurtured, built over time. Marriage is an art unto itself. And …

In the Art of Marriage the little things are the important things.

It means never being too old to hold hands, or to say I love you.

It's never going to bed angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should
not end with the honeymoon. Allow it to continue through the years.

It's having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It's standing together facing the world.

It's forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It's doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or
sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It's speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in
thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other and yet seeing each
other perfect as you are.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of
humor.

It's having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It's giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for things of the spirit.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is
equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.

It's not only marrying the right partner, it's being the right partner.

The above is a version of "The Art of Marriage" that I may have slightly tweaked over time, so I offer it with apologies to Mr. Peterson if a word was changed here or there. However, I imagine it would please him to know how much his words have meant to so many over time!

You can find links to the original short and long versions, with related copyright information, at http://www.artofmarriage.org.

Posted November 6, 2007 11:33 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

More sad news for Britney Spears.

Everyone has been worried that she has been losing her mind. Now she has lost her kids.

A court ordered today that Britney's former husband, Kevin Federline, take custody of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, beginning this Wednesday, "until further notice."

This follows a nasty and very public custody battle, that has been hashed out in front of all our eyes just as Britney's decline from grace has seemed to accelerate.

Both Spears and Federline must complete the courts 'Parenting Without Conflict' class. Other restrictions were put into place in an attempt to shield the children from exposure to drug and alcohol related craziness. One report said that both parents were ordered to refrain from hitting the children.

Sad, sad story. Say a prayer.

Britney's new album drops November 13. But her management company has dropped her, so who know what will be.

Posted October 1, 2007 2:20 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Looking for a fab Las Vegas wedding experience? Just think of the photo opportunities with this one!

Madame Tussaud's in Las Vegas, located in the Venetian Hotel and Casino, is now offering dream weddings inside their famous house of wax figures.

They already have an "In Your Dreams" Wedding Chapel on the premise -- now home to the fun attraction called the "Marry Clooney" in which you can get pretend hitched to George Clooney's wax figure. You slip on a wedding dress and nuzzle his wax figure. Then send photos to all your friends (honeymoon night not available)!

The chapel is already in place for Clooney and company, so why not let real, live, non-wax brides and grooms say " I do" there? Now you can reserve the chapel for your wedding.

Part of the package is, "With These Stars I Thee Wed." This allows you to invite two of the Madame's wax figures to your wedding. Wax witnesses, or, you might say, "celebrity guests" can be selected from a special list. Those available for your wedding include: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Elizabeth Taylor and Tony Bennett, or, the dead wedding guest special, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe.

The package starts at $1,195.00.

Ready to sign up, or find out more about your wax wedding opportunities? Visit http://www.mtvegas.com/weddings.html.

Call 1-800-292-1177 or email weddings@madametussaudslv.com.

You can also hold a reception for about 130 in the Spirit of America Room. For more information on the reception, call Madame Tussaud's Las Vegas Events Department at 702-862-7805.

Posted September 27, 2007 8:10 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Although it didn't work out with Alanis Morissette, looks like actor Ryan Reynolds has not sworn off love.
In fact, he could be more ready than ever.

He's been dating talented Scarlett Johansson since April and rumor has it he might want a little more than boyfriend status.

Could it be Alanis so prepared him for a lasting relationship that he is ready for one, even without her?

We were sad when multi-talented Morissette and the handsome Van Wilder actor Reynolds called it quits, but lets hope they are both equally lucky in new love.

As for Johansson, 22, she is not eager to hop on the baby-marriage-breakup bandwagon with Reynolds, 30, and says she is still too young for big love. They will have to settle for "crazy for each other" for now!

Posted September 18, 2007 9:57 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Congratulations to one wild and crazy guy! The Father of the Bride became a groom! We must have been asleep. We missed the memo on this!

Steve Martin got hitched in a surprise ceremony at his California home on July 28. He tied the knot with former New Yorker journalist, Anne Stringfield, 35. Even though it was her first marriage, it was not a surprise for her. It was the guests who were a little taken aback.

Tom Hanks and Diane Keaton were among those who showed up without gifts! They weren't told about the nuptials. People thought they were just coming for a big bash.

The bride wore white. Martin sported a mustache grown for a reprisal of his role as Inspector Clouseau in another Pink Panther movie.

Longtime buddy Lorne Michaels was best man. It was only fair since Martin has hosted Michaels creation, Saturday Night Live, more than any other human. Who officiated? Former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey, we hear. Did he get ordained on the Internet?

Posted August 15, 2007 9:32 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Can you imagine someone saving your wedding dress and all the artifacts from your big day and finding them on public display in your home six decades later?

How do you think you would feel seeing your wedding day brought to life again for all to see? Teary-eyed, touched, stirred to the core? Would it be too surreal for words or too far in the distances to remember?

The Queen of England took such a stroll down memory lane this week as she visited the exhibition titled a Royal Wedding. The display marks her 60th wedding anniversary.

Opening on July 29 and running through September 25, the exhibition is part of Buckingham Palace's summer opening. If you happen to be in London, you can also visit the Palace's State Rooms for a peak at the royal art collection.

Hello Magazine reported that the 81 year old Queen "paused to admire" the ivory gown she wore for her wedding to Prince Philip. Gee, if anyone has cause to wistfully remember and long for the simpler times, it is Queen Liz. Doubt she she a sentimental tear however.

The multimedia exhibit captures the bridal couture and royal occasion, as well as the public rejoicing on the Queen's wedding day. There is footage and photos of people who camped out along the processional route for hours awaiting a site of the Princess Bride as she rode by horse and carriage to her date with destiny Westminster Abbey.

Posted July 27, 2007 7:00 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Famous-daughter-turned woman-of-her-own-means Tori Spelling has added yet another title to her repetoire - ordained minister.

Although New York and Las Vegas have regulations that preclude officiants ordained on the internet from officiating weddings, California is filled with Reverends who get their credentials on-line.

Her first official wedding was a commitment ceremony for a same sex couple.

"I am now officially ordained," Spelling writes in her July 9 My Space blog. "Yep, thats right....Reverend Tori Spelling! I did it last week online and my official certificate is in the mail. I'm so proud. I can't wait to hang it."

"And, this weekend Chateau La Rue had its very first wedding. I was so honored when the couple asked me to officiate. We did it on the front steps of the Chateau as 40 of their friends looked on seated in a lounge like atmosphere. It was so beautiful as I united Tony and Dex as life partners in love. They wrote their own beautiful vows and there was so much love surrounding them that there wasnt a dry eye in the driveway! I was beyond nervous though."

We are sure to be seeing the Chateau La Rue's first wedding on Spelling's reality show, Tori & Dean Inn Love.

Posted July 11, 2007 6:31 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding season is in full bloom and AOL is celebrating with a fun gallery of Celebrity wedding photos.

Did you know Elton John's first marriage was to ... a woman?

Do you remember that Donald Trump was once so wild about Marla Maples he immortalized their marriage on casino chips?

Do you remember the name of Mick Jagger's first wife?

For a fun walk down Wedding Memory Lane -- with Ozzie and Sharon Osborne, Elizabeth Taylor and of course, Elvis and Priscilla Presley -- check it out.

Posted June 30, 2007 9:34 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This