The band's lead guitarist has exchanged vows with designer Helen L. Simmons in a sunset ceremony at Florida's Ritz-Carlton despite finalizing his divorce from second wife just nine days before.
- July 19, 2010
AceShowbiz -
Nine days after finalizing his divorce from second wife Anita Thomas Collen, Def Leppard's lead guitarist Phil Collen has walked down the aisle with costume designer Helen L. Simmons. The two wed in a sunset ceremony on the beach at Florida's Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach resort on Friday, July 16, People reported.
"We've been looking for each other our entire lifetime. To say we're ecstatic this day has finally come is putting it mildly. It could only be us for each other," Collen told the site. On their environmentally-friendly bash, the star claimed, "We didn't intentionally start out trying to have green wedding. But since it's a natural part of our lifestyle to respect the environment, everything flowed pretty naturally."
Collen and Simmons were united in front of around 60 guests with a minister quoting poet Maya Angelou's "Touched By an Angel" and writings by the Dalai Lama. Collen donned J. Lindeberg suit, while his 42-year-old bride looked stunning in a dress designed by South African Adele Wechsler. The site reported that the wedding rings are designed by Collen himself along with jeweler Krikawa.
Phil Collen and Helen L. Simmons, who first met on the band's 2008 Sparkle Lounge tour, had trainer Jean Carrillo serving as best man. Collen's Def Leppard bandmates Rick Savage and Vivian Campbell, in the meantime, were among the nuptial attendees.
