Olivia's Wedding of tears and joy
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN finally married her young love of five years in an old-fashioned, romantic wedding and now dreams of giving her white silk and Chantilly lace dress to a daughter.
After she married Matt Lattanzi in a ceremony for family and close friends, she told her mother-in-law, Mrs. Jeanette Lattanzi, about future plans for the gorgeous gown.
And the news that Olivia dreams of having a daughter who would wear the gown thrilled Mrs. Lattanzi, who herself dreams of be-coming a grandmother.
“Livvy said that if she ever has a daughter, she’d like to save the wedding dress for her,” said Mrs. Lattanzi with delight.
Sentimental bride plans to save her traditional white silk and lace dress for daughter
Olivia’s new father-in-law, Charles Lattanzi, admitted he and the rest of the family were overcome by emotion at the ceremony: “I was crying, Livvy’s mom cried, my daughters were crying. It was a rather brief ceremony,” he added.
“Matthew had love in his eyes. They smiled at each other. They had a very long, loving kiss.
“Livvy looked like an angel. She was a radiant bride. I told her that many times. It made her happy, and she said, ‘Thank you.’ She was so beautiful.”
“Olivia had a particularly beautiful but simple wedding gown. At the wedding, she said, ‘I hope it’s a girl, so that when I save this wedding dress, she can wear it.’ So Olivia will be packing the dress away.”
According to her young husband’s parents, Olivia is hoping to start a family very soon. While Matt is just 25 years old, she is already 36 and there is concern about delaying motherhood too long.
“We’re just hoping and praying that she does get pregnant pretty soon,” said Mrs. Lattanzi.
“She does want a family. They didn’t really say when they were going to start trying, but I’m sure it will be soon.”
Matt’s dad is also hopeful that Olivia will present him with grandchildren. “That’s what marriage is about,” he said. “They both are very anxious to start a family, but Matt really hasn’t said when.”
Added Olivia’s close friend, fellow Australian actress Chantal Contouri: “I know Livvy wants children and would love to start a family. I guess that is one of the reasons you get married, apart from loving someone.”
Despite her superstardom and fame fans have bought millions of her records and flocked to see her in such movies as Grease, Xanadu (where she met hubby Matt) and Two Of A Kind Olivia still dreamed of a simple, old-fashioned wedding.
The ceremony was everything she wanted, right down to the last detail, and the couple planned to top off the traditional affair in real romantic style with a honeymoon in Paris, the city of dreams and lovers.
But it was the wedding itself that proved Olivia is one superstar who can still be thrilled by the beautiful, simple things that any woman would want.
She looked shy but proud as she took her father’s arm for the short walk to meet her husband in marriage. Professor Brin Newton-John escorted his daughter while a string quartet played ‘Here Comes the Bride’.
Olivia sparkled in her handmade gown, created by her friend, Australian designer Nanette Davies, especially for the big day. The white silk taffeta gown, overlaid with Chantilly lace painstakingly embroidered with pearls and crystals, took six weeks to make.
Olivia topped the lovely gown off with a hip-length veil and she carried a bouquet of white scented flowers.
Instead of boots or her favorite running shoes, Olivia wore white satin slippers embroidered with pearls and crystals.
And the bride insisted on tradition down to the most intimate details. She wore something old (tiny diamond earrings), something new (her gown) and something blue (a delicate blue garter under her gown).
Nanette Davies also made the lovely gowns worn by Olivia’s mom and her sister, Rona, at the private ceremony. Rona, who is married to actor Jeff Conaway (Taxi), looked spectacular in a full-length turquoise gown.
After Matt and Olivia exchanged vows and wedding rings, they signed the marriage register while musicians played softly and Olivia’s father read a touching love poem.
“It was beautiful, it was fun, it was exciting,” said Olivia’s new mother-in-law. “And Livvy was fun and exciting. She was just like any other bride would be, all giggly and happy.”
“Her favorite dog Jackson, an Irish setter, was standing close to her at the wedding with bows in his hair. And her two cats were there, too. They had white lace bows on their necks.”
Olivia’s pets were not content to merely witness their owner’s marriiage -Jackson actually wanted to take part.
“During the ceremony, he came up and stood by her and then walked between them,” said Mrs. Lattanzi “Then he came down to where everyone was sitting. He’s a well-mannered dog, and he loves Matthew. It was as if he was giving them his approval.”
After the ceremony, the couple joined their 70 guests for a traditional wedding dinner.
They were toasted with champagne and smiled happily as they cut their wedding cake a three tiered chocolate confection covered with fresh flowers.
“They obviously love and care for each other,” said Charles Lattanzi. “They have a lot in common. They are both very caring and very considerate of everyone around them. That’s something I think will keep them together.”
“They both have very sound qualities which will enable this marriage to prevail through the hectic conditions they both have to work in.”
Although there was only family and long time close friends at their Malibu home for the private wedding ceremony, there will soon bes another celebration.
And the guest list for that affair should include everyone from Olivia’s favorite Grease-er, John Travolta, to rock star Elton John and Australian actor Bryan Brown and his wife Rachel Ward, who co starred with him in the smash-hit mini-series The Thorn Birds.