Nicole's Wedding Photos In German Magazine

Nicole Richie's hard work in the gym paid off as she glammed it up to say 'I do' to longtime beau Joel Madden. Good thing because she was having a hard time selling those wedding photos.

Gracing the cover of German Magazine in, Lionel Richie's daughter can be seeing posing alongside her dad ... who transformed his Beverly Hills estate into a French country garden. Also in the photos, a curly-haired Harlow striking a pose with a veiled mommy. But wait, no picture of Nicole on the back of an elephant?

Credit: X17 Online

Nicole Richie's 'Magical' Wedding Night

Ever since she was a little girl, there were two things Nicole Richie wanted on the day she married: a show-stopper dress inspired by Grace Kelly's iconic wedding gown, and a real live elephant for good luck.

Both her wishes came true as she married Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden at her father Lionel Richie's home on Dec. 11.

They tied the knot in front of their children – Harlow, 2, was the flower girl, while 15-month-old Sparrow was the ring-bearer – under a tent transformed to resemble a French garden.

"It was magical," Richie, 29, tells PEOPLE. Adds Madden, 31: "It was the best night of my life."

For her big day, Richie wore three stunning Marchesa dresses, including one featuring a ball-gown skirt crafted from more than 100 yards of hand-draped silk organza and tulle petals. 

Credit: People

Why Paris Wasn't Invited to Nicole's Wedding

They may have called a truce in 2006, but that doesn't mean Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are as close as they once were.

When Richie, 29, tied the knot to Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden at her father Lionel's Beverly Hills estate on Saturday, her former Simple Life costar was noticeably absent.

"Nicole knew very well that having Paris involved would have inevitably turned a special night into being about their friendship," a source tells Us Magazine. "Nicole's life is completely different now."

In fact, Richie didn't even bother to invite Hilton, her best friend since the age of 2, to attend the winter-themed ceremony. And though Richie's pals Khloe Kardashian and Samantha Ronson made the final guest list, a source close to Hilton tells Us that the 29-year-old socialite "isn't dwelling on it too much."

"She and Nicole aren't close anymore, but there are no hard feelings there," the insider explains. "They just grew up and apart."

Hilton showed no signs of misery when she jetted off to Las Vegas to celebrate her friend Jennifer Rovero's birthday on Saturday -- the same day her former BFF walked down the aisle.

"Good morning everyone! Off to Vegas for my BFF @CamRaFace's Birthday!" Hilton tweeted. "Huge! Loves it!"

Credit: Us Magazine

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden Tie the Knot!

Making their love for one another official, Nicole Richie has tied the knot with longtime mate Joel Madden during a sunset ceremony in Bel Air, California on Saturday (December 11).

The former "Simple Life" star was clad in Marchesa as she and her Good Charlotte rocker beau said their "I Do's" during an intimate celebration held at Nicole's dad Lionel Richie's spectacular estate.

As for the setup, sprawling tents were erected in Lionel's backyard to host while the pool was covered up and transformed into a dancefloor for guests to get their groove on.

With celebs such as Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, Kris Jenner and Samantha Ronson there to support Miss Richie, Mr Madden made the expected decision to have brother Benji act as his best man.

Capping off the extravagant affair, Nicole and Joel also enlisted the services of a well-known trained elephant named Tai to add a special touch to the lively proceedings.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Nicole Richie's Real Dad Won't Attend Wedding

The preparations are almost complete for the biggest day in Nicole Richie's life, but Radar Online has learned that her biolgical father will not be present at her wedding to Joel Madden.

Although it's been widely reported that musician Pete Escovedo is in fact her biological father, the starlet has been raised by Lionel Richie since she was just 3-years-old. The superstar singer and his first wife Brenda Harvey legally adopted Nicole when she was nine.

Escovedo's wife told Radar Online on Tuesday: "My husband is out of town, and will not be back until Monday." The couple are based in Los Angeles and Nicole's wedding is expected to occur this weekend at Lionel's home in Beverly Hills.

Born Nicole Camille Escovedo on September 21, 1981, the reality star has never publicly acknowledged that Lionel Richie's former band member is really her father. In fact, Richie denied that Escovedo was her father in a November 2005 issue of Jane magazine.

"The nature of their relationship is a private matter and will remain so," Escovedo's wife said.

Pete Escovedo's sister is well-known muscian Sheila E, but the identity of Nicole's biological mother is not known. There has been speculation that she was a former assistant of Lionel Richie.

Credit: Radar Online

Nicole Richie Wedding Preparations In Full Gear

As Nicole Richie and Joel Madden prepare to tie the knot, Radar Online has new details about the party preparation that has been going on at her dad Lionel Richie’s house over the past few days. Many are expecting the couple to wed on the Beverly Hills estate.

Photos of Lionel’s backyard confirm what Radar Online reported on Tuesday. A source had said that a stage was built on top of the pool in the backyard “so the guests will have more space to dance.”

The photos show the pool covered with a hard, flat surface and massive metal lighting structures surrounding the area. Radar Online confirmed that a truck from a special events lighting company based in Los Angeles went to the residence so it seems like the shindig will go into the evening hours!

“It's kind of cool because people will be dancing on top of the water," the source added.

As of Wednesday, there were also large tents leading from the house to the expansive backyard of the estate. Security was also heightened as party preparations continued.

Despite the impressive layout, a source told Radar Online exclusively that Nicole’s wedding will be a small affair.

“Nicole is going for a vintage and romantic vibe,” a source told Radar Online exclusively.

“Nicole cut down the guest list because she didn’t want a huge wedding.”

Credit: Radar Online

Nicole Richie Wedding Preparations Underway

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have remained tight-lipped about their impending nuptials, but many expect them to tie the knot at the Beverly Hills mansion of Nicole’s dad Lionel Richie. As anticipation of their big day hits a frenzied pitch thanks to rumors of an early December ceremony, Radar Online noticed a lot of party preparing action at Lionel’s house on Tuesday!

There were two party rental trucks spotted going to and from the residence as a body guard and one cop from the Beverly Hills police department looked on. One thing guests at the shindig can expect: a lot of dancing.

“A stage is being built over the pool in the backyard so the guests will have more space to dance,” a source told Radar Online exclusively.

“It's kind of cool because people will be dancing on top of the water."

Another source added that the party seemed to be mostly outdoors with a lot of white patio-like furniture with white marble table tops. Some furniture will be indoors as well.

While many details of the wedding remain under wraps, some guests surely on the list are Samantha Ronson, Richie’s pal Masha Gordon, Richie’s hair dresser Andy Lecompte, and Christina Aguilera.

Credit: Radar Online

Nicole Richie In NYC As Wedding Rumors Swirl

Start spreading the news: Bride-to-be Nicole Richie is spending the weekend in New York -- not the Beverly Hills mansion of her dad Lionel Richie, the reported site of her imminent wedding to longtime love Joel Madden.

On Friday night, the designer and L.A. native, 29, Tweeted about her arrival in the Big Apple: "Aaahhhhh FINALLY a proper winter. And I had to go all the way to New York to get it."

After a delivery truck was spotted at Lionel Richie's home on Friday, some speculated that Saturday or Sunday might be the big day for Richie and Good Charlotte singer Madden, 31.

Together for four years, the couple has two kids: daughter Harlow, 2, and son Sparrow, 15 months. They confirmed their engagement in February. Although she has shared very few details -- or exact dates -- for their wedding, Richie had a bachelorette bash in Mexico in September with Christina Aguilera and other pals.

Back in March, she teased to Ellen DeGeneres that she'd tie the knot "soon...It's a big deal."

Madden was similarly vague about the wedding planning at an Oscars pre-show . "[Planning will be] the same thing as our engagement," the rocker said. "We're kind of doing it at our own pace. We have no idea right now."

Credit: Us Magazine

Nicole Richie Prepares For Wedding At Dad's Pad

Either Nicole Richie is getting ready for a fairytale wedding at her father Lionel's Beverly Hills pad this weekend, or she's spending a lot of time and money planning a decoy event!

Today X17 photographers spotted trucks coming and going to Lionel Richie's Beverly Hills mansion, and workers were seen unloading boards to make a platform in the backyard for the guests. X17online broke the news that Nicole Richie was planning to wed baby daddy Joel Madden the first weekend of December, and given all her trips to the gym (not to mention countless meetings with a wedding planner) it looks like Nicole is more than ready to walk down the aisle.

Stay tuned for more pictures and details -- this is sure to be one of the most exciting weekends of Nicole's life! Well, since she became a mom anyway -- we know ALL about her wild weekends back when she was hanging with her fav party pals and driving on the wrong side of the freeway...

Credit: X17 Online

Nicole Richie & Joel Madden's Wedding Details

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have put all their wedding plans in motion, and Radar Online has learned exclusively that the couple plan to marry in early December.

The former Simple Life star, 29, and her rocker fiancee, 31, are set to tie the knot before a star-studded guest list at the Beverly Hill home of Nicole's proud dad, music icon Lionel Richie.

"Christmas has always been about family and faith for Nicole and Joel, so there is not better time of the year for them to wed," an insider told Radar Online.

While the super-secret details of the couple's nuptials have not yet been released, Radar Online has learned that close pal Christina Aguilera and Lindsay Lohan's ex-lover Samantha Ronson are both planning to be in attendance.

The maid of honor will be Nicole's best friend, Masha Gordon, while the best man will be Joel's twin brother, Benji.

Nicole's daughter Harlow will serve as a flower girl.

Father Lionel will walk Nicole, the daughter he adopted, down the aisle, Radar Online is told.

The pair - who confirmed their engagement in February - have also engaged a top Hollywood event planner, the same woman behind the amazing nuptials of Khloe Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Aguilera.

Nicole and Joel are planning to invite about 75 family members and close friends to the garden wedding.

The lovebirds have been dating since late 2006 and have two children together - Harlow, 2, and one-year-old Sparrow.

Credit: Radar Online