Gene Simmons, KISS bassist, married his girlfriend, Shannon Tweed, on October 1 in an evening ceremony held on the Crystal Lawn at the historic Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.
The former Playboy Playmate wore an ivory Priscilla of Boston gown with a bouquet of ivory garden roses, while she was walking to the aisle.
“At the Gene Simmons-Shannon Tweed wedding – a dog just walked down the aisle ahead of the bride so its [sic] a good start,” Bill Maher wrote on Twitter.
Gene and Shannon wrote their vows and read them in front of 400 guests. Their children, Nick, 22, and Sophie Alexandra, 19, cheered along with Hugh Hefner, Bill Maher, Paul Stanley when their parents said “I do“. Sophie was the maid of honor and performed At Last by Etta James, the melody the couple chose for the first dance.
Shannon wore $2.5 million of diamonds, without the 24-carat engagement ring, TMZ has learned. Michael Raven handmade the jewelry (13 pieces for the bride and bridal party, earings, necklaces and a $420,000 bracelet).
Shannon Tweed, 54, was joyful before her wedding with Gene Simmons, 62.
“I sneaked down the hall of the hotel to Gene’s room in my sexy undies to live my last night as a single girl & knocked on the wrong door LOL. I’m going to get married today! To the man I love! Everyone said it would rain! It’s a perfect day for a white wedding!!” Shannon wrote before the wedding.
“Thanks one and all for the kind wishes. Wish I could celebrate tomorrow with all of you. But Saturday is for Shannon and the kids. Family!!!” Gene wrote
“Shera & I are going to the Gene Simmons-Shannon Tweed wedding this evening. Shannon was PMOY [Playmate of the Year] & my GF [girlfriend] in 1981. Shannon Tweed met KISS rock star Gene Simmons at a Midsummer Night’s Dream here at the Mansion. They’ve been together almost 30 years.” Hugh Hefner wrote.
“The Gene Simmons-Shannon Tweed wedding was a very romantic, family affair,” he wrote later.
“Truly one of the most beautiful cable television weddings I’ve ever seen.” (Bill Maher)
“That was the best wedding I’ve ever been to!! Thank you, Gene Simmons, Sophie Simmons & Nick Simmons!” Shannon wrote later.
Guests were asked to donate to the couple’s favorite charities instead of wedding gifts (the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kiva, a non-profit organization that seeks to alleviate poverty through micro-loans, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Pink Lotus Breast Center).
Gene Simmons proposed to Shannon several month ago, while they were on holiday in Belize. He previously said he would never marry and they were a happily unmarried couple.
“I come with so much baggage, but you’re the only friend I’ve got, you’re the only one I’ve ever loved, you’re the only one I love, and the only one I ever will love. I’ve never said those words to anybody, and I don’t ever wanna… It’s funny, they used to watch movies where they say I can’t live without you but for me it’s true,” he said then he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.
Gene Simmons had claimed he had had slept with thousands of women. At that time Shannon had moved out and told People “You’re seeing this happy family, but in my heart, I am dying.“
That season of Family Jewels has documented their troubles and family therapy sessions. In June 2011, Shannon slammed Gene for his infidelities.
“I need some sort of commitment. Something has to give.” She told People.
In 2007 Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed underwent face lift surgery together, a growing trend among the couples at that time.
Gene Simmons (Chaim Weitz), The Demon, Israeli-American rock bassist, became famous with Kiss, the hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.
Gene formed the band with Paul Stanley, then Peter Criss and Ace Frehley joined them.
His legal name after arriving from Israel is Gene Klein, klein means small in German, in informal Hungarian it means kiss. He changed his name to Gene Simmons, after legendary rockabilly performer Jumpin’ Gene Simmons.
He has lived in Beverly Hills, California with his fiancée, actress Shannon Tweed for 28 years. Gene Simmons had live-in relationships with Cher and Diana Ross.
Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed and their children star on the reality television series Gene Simmons Family Jewels. The new season of the reality show premieres on October4 on the A&E network. The wedding will be aired on October 18.
“Everything from choosing the flowers and wedding dress to the bachelor and bachelorette parties will unfold in the new season,” read a statement.
Gene Simmons with the legendary band KISS become the Kings of the Night Time World on a cruise of the Carnival Destiny.
It starts on October 13 from Miami and returns on October 17. The Rock and Roll Party for four nights, includes two full concerts by KISS and performances by Skid Row, The Envy, Bad City and Craig Gass, party every day on Half Moon Cay and Nassau in the Bahamas.
Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed wedding song (video)
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KISS: I was made for loving you (video)
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That’s very romantic. I think Shannon is lucky 😉