Guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen is no longer a solo: Saturday night he married Janie Liszewski, his girlfriend of three years.
The ceremony took place in the garden of his seven-acre estate in the hills above Studio City, Calif., starting at 7 p.m., when Liszewski walked down the aisle to Van Halen’s “When It’s Love,” performed by the Sonus Quartet.
The 54-year-old groom’s 18-year-old son, Wolfgang, served as best man, while brother Alex Van Halen, an ordained minister, officiated at the 20-minute, nondenominational service. Among the 100 guests: Van Halen’s ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli (they divorced in 2006, after 25 years of marriage.)
The bride, 39, was given away by her mother under the watchful eye of Kano, the 15-year-old Pomeranian who walked Liszewski down the aisle. This was her first marriage and Van Halen’s second.
Liszewski wore a champagne and pink custom-designed Hanna Hartnell gown with matching Bulgari earrings and bracelet. Her sister, Jennifer, served as maid of honor. Eddie and Wolfie dressed casually in Sy Devore cotton pants, un-tucked buttoned-down shirts and flip-flop sandals – as did the bride and wedding attendants.
The couple wrote their vows and designed the rings Janie’s, a platinum band beside a nearly three-carat diamond engagement ring; Ed’s, a gold band with yellow diamonds.
At 7:30 guests were served appetizers such as mini hamburgers and corn dogs, roasted garlic-parmesan, French fries, and an assortment of nonalcoholic beverages from the lemonade bar. Later on, diners were treated to organic fare such as heirloom tomatoes, baby arugula salad, Niman Ranch Filet Mignon, orange and rosemary glazed grilled chicken, Mojito-marinated prawns and grilled vegetables.
The simple, elegant wedding cake was layered with white chocolate, strawberries, whipped cream and decorated with white hydrangeas. The bride and groom toasted with non-alcoholic French Sparkling Apple Cider and Sparkling Pear Juice honoring Eddie’s year and a half of sobriety.
The evening s entertainment ranged from an aerial tissue performance to a contortionist in a clear plastic ball on top of the pool. After dinner, Ed chose Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful” as the traditional first dance. Next came Janie’s choice, Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time, ” as she invited the guests to join them. DJ KMP provided the rest of the music as the bride and groom boogied into the night.
As the party ended, each guest received Calvin Klein and Kate Spade vases and flowers. They were also treated to old-fashioned-style candy, including ring pops, candy necklaces, pop rocks, wax lips and custom printed M & M’s.
The couple plan to honeymoon in New York, Germany and the Netherlands, where Eddie was born.
Courtesy of People