Money Matters, Simplified.
“American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi weds contractor beau
by Natalie James - July 7, 2009 - comments
For the nuptials, DioGuardi wore a strapless dress by Vera Wang and jewellery worth $250,000, including a 30-carat diamond-and-platinum bracelet and chandelier earrings with 20 carats of diamonds
Los Angeles, July 6: Wedding bells finally rang for the “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi. The 38-year-old songwriter has tied the holy knot with her contractor beau, Mike McCuddy, over the Fourth of July weekend.
According to DioGuardi's publicist, Danica Smith, the couple wed on Sunday in a beautiful seaside wedding in Prospect Harbor, Maine.
DioGuardi walks down the aisle
Smith said DioGuardi and McCuddy exchanged vows in front of the 30 guests, including friends and family members, at the prospect Harbor United Methodist Church in Prospect Harbor, Maine.
For the nuptials, DioGuardi wore a strapless dress by Vera Wang and jewellery worth $250,000, including a 30-carat diamond-and-platinum bracelet and chandelier earrings with 20 carats of diamonds.
“They are absolutely in love with each other. When I told him he could kiss the bride, everybody cheered. It was a very close, small family-type service,” Pastor Scott Nurse said of the happy couple.
The bride’s dad, former New York state Republican Rep. Joseph J. DioGuardi, told RadarOnline.com: “It was a beautiful wedding but a very small event, with only family and a few close friends. I was proud to give away the bride.”
DioGuardi’s unusual marriage proposal
After a year and a half of dating, DioGuardi became engaged to McCuddy in December, 2008. McCuddy, 34, popped the question to the songwriter with a David Yurman engagement ring on her 38th birthday on December 8. The two got engaged while they were on vacation in Mexico.
"He suddenly said, 'Where are my shoes?'" DioGuardi previously said regarding the unusual manner of the proposal, according to buddytv.com. "I said, 'I don't know where your shoes are!' [He then said,] 'Okay, well then, will you marry me?' I said, 'Okay.' Very low-key."
DioGuardi, who joined the judges' panel on Fox singing contest "American Idol," adding new blood to the regular three-judge format, has automatically become a step-mom after tying knot with single dad McCuddy, who has a young daughter.
The Grammy-nominated pop songwriter and music industry insider has worked with some of the industry's most marketable musicians including Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion and Faith Hill, among others.