Avril And Deryck Set To Tie The Knot Whether Fans Like It Or Not

07/14/06 6:00pm

by Scott Bryson (CHARTattack)

Canadian pop princess Avril Lavigne and Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley are expected to tie the knot this weekend at an undisclosed location in California, according to sources close to the dynamic duo.

As ChartAttack reported last week, the wedding date has been moved up and Lavigne has had a bridal shower.

Proposed reasons for changing the date from August range from tales about the couple becoming upset with intensified media scrutiny to rumours that Lavigne may be pregnant. The young diva was apparently spotted buying nursery items for the couple's Bel Air home.

Friends and family members were reportedly informed about the wedding weeks ago, and instructed to book plane tickets. Lavigne's parents and siblings have made the trip from Napanee, Ont. Whibley's mother is also expected to attend.

Lavigne, 21, and Whibley, 26, were friends for several years before they began dating in 2004. Whibley popped the question in June of last year during Lavigne's European tour. It will be the first marriage for both.

Though details about the impending event are scant, insiders expect the ceremony to be traditional, with Lavigne wearing a designer white gown. In typical Hollywood fashion, the reception will reportedly feature rock bands and circus performers.

It remains to be seen whether or not the joining of Canada's latest power couple will have an effect on the output of Sum 41. Many fans fear that Lavigne will have a Yoko Ono-like chill on the rockers, resembling the way that Chantal Kreviazuk's emasculation of Raine Maida has caused a degradation of Our Lady Peace's music.

Lavigne fans have exhibited mixed reactions to her pending nuptials and choice of husband. When the celebrity gossip website Waleg.com ran a story about the pair's wedding, many online forum commentators, including this one, were hopeful about the couple's future: "i don't like dyrick for avril. but incase they will get to marry each other, i hope they will be forever. dyreck.....dont you dare divorce avril if time comes that u think u dont love her anymore. be an understanding husband."

Others were less than pleased with the pairing:"i used 2 lyke avril, ok more then just lyke, i was obsessed wif her, n i was alwayz a fan of derykz, but yeh it did happen, it alwayz happenz, mi best m8 took mi girl, so... i hope they both kill each otha."