The Star formerly known as Ms. Jones looked like a million bucks when she officially became Mrs. Al Reynolds on Saturday night.
In a dramatic change of pace for the bling-lovin’ Bridezilla, Star made a concerted decision to tone down her gimmicky over-the-top signature style for her wedding day.
Although there were signs that Ms. Jones might fall into the trap of wearing a Cinderella-style meringue-dress for her highly anticipated trip up the aisle – an event the 42-year-old admitted she has been planning since she was 8 – Star showed impressive restraint in the final selection of her all-important bridal gown.
Her decision to choose New York bridal specialist Reem Acra to create the crucial dress spoke to Star’s desire to look as elegant and refined as the style-savvy A-listers – including Halle Berry, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Gwyneth Paltrow – who have made Acra’s evening wear a collection that spells elegant taste among the Hollywood set.
And Acra didn’t let the would-be sophisticate down.
After months of design consultations and numerous fittings, the bride’s deftly tailored, fuss-free white strapless gown, skimmed her heavyset hourglass figure in a series of flattering side-pleats.
It was refreshingly understated. Ditto Star’s chic chignon hairstyle and her super-sized diamond earrings.
Even a melodramatic 27-foot train couldn’t distract from that fact that Mrs. Reynolds may finally have found her fashion footing.
And while the bride stole the spotlight, as is her right, all of Star’s gal pals made an extra effort to step up to the fashion plate.
Stunners in the fur-clad crowd included former “Sex in the City,” siren Kim Cattrall, who looked knock-out classy in a full-length black evening gown; Angela Bassett, who caught more than a few eyes in a sassy mid-length metallic number, and Star’s “View” pal Meredith Vieira, who also opted for a figure-hugging winner in black.
Jones’ dashing husband was dressed in classic fashion – with a purple twist. The groom wore a white-tie-and-tails ensemble that was jazzed up with a white pocket square, a boutonniére, and two military medals that were draped around Reynolds’s neck.
The medals, which appeared to be a Purple Heart and a Silver Star, belonged to Reynolds’ deceased father, who spent his career in the military. A source close to the couple said the groom wore the medals as a tribute to his dad.
As for the big question – whether Star paid for her wedding dress – sources at Acra’s company are wisely keeping their lips tightly zipped.
Maybe, in what would be the happiest of endings for everyone, Mrs. Reynolds has also finally figured out which vendors she can trust.