Nicole Richie Marries Joel Madden

After being together for four years and producing two children, socialite Nicole Richie, 29 and Good Charlette musician Joel Madden, 31, finally tied the knot Saturday in a wedding that took place at the Los Angeles mansion of the bride's father, veteran singer-songwriter Lionel Richie. According to People.com, one of the wedding guests was a trained elephant, though the precise purpose for the animal's presence at the wedding is unknown at this time.

A number of other celebrities have gotten married this year.

Pop singer Katy Perry, 26, and actor-comedian Russell Brand, 35, were married on October 23 in Northern India. The ceremony was "very private and spiritual," reports People.com. Interestingly (see above), two elephants were seen arriving at the resort where the couple exchanged vows. Given the location of the wedding, that pachyderms played some sort of role in the wedding is not all that surprising.

Last July, country singer and "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood, 27, married Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher, 30.According to UsMagazine.com, the ceremony took place at the ritzy Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia, and about 200 friend and family members witnessed the couple tie the knot.

Gorgeous screen siren Megan Fox, 24, married longtime boyfriend and former "Beverly Hills 90210" castmember Brian Austin Green in an outdoor ceremony that took place in on a lovely beach in Hawaii on June 24. People.com reports that Austin Green's son, Kassius, was his daddy's best man.

Other celebrities that tied the knot this year include Hillary Duff and Mike Comrie, Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnilo, Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer and Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.

Indeed, it has been a busy year with respect to celebrity nuptials (love is in the air!). One can only hope that the above-noted marriages will be successful. When it come to Hollywood marriages, however, the track record is not all that good. What, with all the pressures and commitments that accompany a successful Hollywood career and the profound lack of traditional Jude-Christian values , is it any wonder that marriages fall apart?

Sources:

Megan Fox & Brian Austen Green's Wedding Photo Revealed!, people.com

Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher's Wedding: All the Details!, usmagazine.com

Katy Perry and Russell Brand Get Married, people.com

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden Wedding Draws Family, Friends - and an Elephant, people.com