Wedding Planner Mindy Weiss on Celebrity Weddings

Wedding planner Mindy Weiss never saw Heidi Klum’s divorce coming  “I always say I’m responsible for the wedding, not the marriage.’’ That’s Mindy Weiss’ motto. The Los Angeles-based wedding planner to the stars has seen her fair share of happy endings — and ugly divorces. But that doesn’t mean Weiss has given up hope. She recently came out with a new book, The Wedding Planner & Organizer (Workman, $28.95), helping brides keep it together on their big day. Literally. It’s a three-ring binder with tons of advice on budget, locations, the dress, guests and more. With features like a pouch for fabric swatches, The Wedding Planner can turn into a scrapbook and hand-me-down when the honeymoon is over. We spoke to the happily married mother of three from her home in L.A. before her planned trip to David’s Bridal in Hialeah on Thursday evening, but unfortunately she came down with “a really bad flu,’’ and had to cancel. Still, Weiss did give us dirt on major Hollywood couples she helped down the aisle, and we wouldn’t want it to go to waste:

 Nicole Richie and Joel Madden: “Nicole had a Marie Antoinette theme at her father Lionel Richie’s house. We actually built kind of a structure over the pool, and it looked like it was part of the house. Nobody could tell they were in a tent. We tufted the ceiling in blue and did a whole kind of black-and-white checked marbled floor, so the contrast between the two was amazing. She had torn out pictures she’d seen of what she wanted, so it made it really easy on me.’’

Backstreet Boy AJ McLean and Rochelle Karidis: “They wanted a Goth theme. We hand-painted blood coming down the cocktail linens. The centerpieces were red rose hearts with a dagger in them. It was colorful and full of personality. I always tell couples to personalize it. At the end of that one, there wasn’t anyone wondering whose wedding they were at.’’

Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi: “It was a small dinner party, only 22 people. Portia loves flowers, and Ellen’s taste is impeccable. There was one long table of beautiful flowers going all the way down the middle.’’

Fergie and Josh Duhamel: “They did it at a private home with around 300 guests. Her dream was an indoor garden, with a forest feeling. I made a custom graffiti wall with little symbols of what they like: Fergie’s music and Josh loves fishing, so we painted a fishing pole.’’

Heidi Klum and Seal: “I did their original wedding in 2005 and remember, they renewed their vows every year. Everyone always dressed up; the funniest was a trailer-trash party. Last year, we went Venetian ball. Their split was a big shock to me. I didn’t know about it, and she’s a close friend. I think she was dreaming about the fairy tale. She’s strong, and they’re friendly. I know they’ll figure out a way to raise the children.’’

Russell Brand and Katy Perry: “It was amazing. We went to India, where I probably never would have gone. I am with people during the best time of their lives, or what they think is the best time, so it’s always sad. Divorce happens all the time, you just hear about it more frequently when people are famous. Marriage is another job; you have to work on it. It’s not you in the apron singing in the kitchen. It’s bringing two completely different people together. You have to have a strong foundation or else you’re not going to make it.’’ 

-By Madeleine Marr The Miami Herald Mindy Weiss Photo By Madeleine Marr