Here's another fun installment of Urban-Hoopla's Best of 2008. This time around let's focus on celebrity weddings.



Weddings: 2008 was the year of weddings. From The Carters (Beyonce & Jay-Z) to The Cannons (Mariah & Nick) weddings occurred year around.

Malinda Williams and Derrick "DJ D Nice" Jones - Malinda documented her bridal showers and pre-wedding prepartions via a blog on Essence. When they finally got hitched in New Jersey, their celebrity friends Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Vanessa Williams and Terri J. Vaughn all came through with support.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon - These two came across as an unlikely pair when they wed on April 30th. The Cannons event set tongues ablaze via their matching his/her tattoos. (Nick has Mariah's name across his back and she has "Mrs. Cannon" on her lower back.)

Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict - "The Game" actress wed her long-time boyfriend Cory with her fraternal sister Tamara and brother Tahj in attendance.

Eddie Murphy & Tracey Edmonds - Just as soon as these two tied the knot, they quickly filed for divorce.

Honorable mentions: Here are handful of celebs who got hitched in 2008 as well as renew their vows.

Seal & Heidi Klum, Cherish vocalist Noeshe King, Jessica Alba & Cash Warren, Joy Bryant & David Pope, Melanie Brown & Stephen Belafonte, and Beyonce Knowles & Jay-Z. (What was your favorite celebrity wedding in 2008?)

Labels: Best of 2008, Cherish, Eddie Murphy, Jessica Alba, Joy Bryant, Malinda Williams, Mariah Carey, Melanie Brown, New Couple, Nick Cannon, Seal, Tia Mowry

Taraji P. Henson, Tia Mowry and her husband Cory Hardrict attended the Hollywood Film Festival last night. (Thanks Sade!)



Ashanti and boyfriend Nelly attended the 5th anniversary celebration of "Wicked" on Broadway last night. I love those black studded Gucci Fall 2008 boots Ashanti has on with the black dress. (And yes Keyshia Cole and Cassie wore the same Gucci Babouski high-heel boots not too long ago!)




Check out Ashanti's Rock The Vote PSA...

Raven-Symone used her celebrity platform to bring awareness at the National Loss for Lyrics Song Contest in Los Angeles. On her feet are Yves Saint Laurent platform pull-on boots. You gotta love the blue interior of the boots - even Jennifer Lopez was spotted in the ankle verison during NY Fashion Week. If you noticed, the runway style has a yellow interior.



Serena Williams, Kris Jenner, Jennifer Hudson, and Raven were all seen in this purple Alice + Olivia Wool jersey belted dress ($385/ $395) but which lady pulled off the look best?

Labels: Ashanti, Cassie, Fashion Hoopla, J.Lo, Jennifer Hudson, Keyshia Cole, Nelly, Out and About, Raven Symone, Serena Williams, Taraji P. Henson, Tia Mowry

Tia Mowry (in a short new hair style) and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon were spotted front row at the Kevan Hall Spring 2009 runway show during L.A/Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Speaking of Kevan Hall designs, "The Game" actress (Tia) also wore a custom-made Kevan Hall dress for her recent wedding to actor Cory Hardrict. By the way, Cory played Brandy's on-screen boyfriend in her "Right Here (Departed)" video.



Wouldn't it be something if "Sister, Sister" (Tia's '90s hit TV show) and "The Jaime Foxx Show" (Garcelle's '90s hit TV show) had their long overdue reunions??

Labels: Fashion Hoopla, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Out and About, Tia Mowry

Check out these new principle photos of "The Game" featuring Tia Mowry and Wendy Raquel Robinson. These photos comes on the heels of the show's upcoming season three premiere on The CW. Tune in tomorrow night to catch up with "The Game." (Thanks Real Gossip 101!)



Jennifer Hudson performed several songs off her self-titled debut on Walmart Soundcheck. Jawn Murray from Black Voices blog talked with Jennifer who spoke about juggling her film and music career. According to Hits Daily Double, Jennifer is expected to sell 250,000 copies. I had to go to Best Buy because Target was sold out of her album...so congrats to Miss Hudson!


Jennifer also added two new personal photos of her with husband-to-be David onto her myspace page. Celebrity photographer Derek Blanks snapped principle photos for Jennifer's album but did you notice David was in on the action?

Labels: Jennifer Hudson, Music Hoopla, New Couple, Newsstand Snapshots, Tia Mowry, TV Hoopla

During a four-year-long hiatus, new music and video clips from R&B singer Brandy made its way online. Brandy picked the Darkchild-produced track, "Right Here (Departed)" as her comeback single off her upcoming disc, "Human." Check her out on the "RHD" video set with her brother Ray J, music director Lil' X, Tia Mowry's husband who plays her on-screen squeeze, and her adorable daughter Sy'Rai.





In a recent interview with PEOPLE.COM, Brandy filled in her fans about her new sound: "Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can't describe." Brandy also goes to blog - "Human is my most personal album to date. I have grown so much since my last album. Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can't describe." In other words, this album may be better than "Full Moon" and "Afrodisiac" COMBINED.

So simply put Brandy fever is in full effect as evident by her official myspace spot. In the meantime, check out these four new Nino Munoz-snapshots that Brandy flaunted recently.




Photo credits: TOYA. NINO MUNOZ. BRANDY DAILY

Labels: Brandy, Music Hoopla, Ray J, Tia Mowry

A lot of eye-catching fashion hoopla made its way onto the red carpet Hollywood premiere of "Hancock" last night. Jada Pinkett Smith wore a green Hervé Leroux grecian-style dress. The Cheetah Girls vocalist Adrienne Bailon wore a Black Halo cut out Jackie O dress which PINKMASCARA has for $325. LisaRaye had on a silk chiffon Catherine Malandrino trapeze dress.



Also at the event were Queen Latifah, Tia Mowry (with her husband Cory Hardrict), Tisha Campbell-Martin, Robinne Lee, Vanessa Williams, Damon Wayans, Mike Epps (with his wife), Tyrese Gibson, Diddy and his son Christian.



Photos: WIREIMAGE

Labels: Adrienne Bailon, Box Office Hoopla, Fashion Hoopla, Jada Pinkett Smith, LisaRaye, Tia Mowry, Tisha Campbell-Martin

Island Def Jam Records kicked off their TAG Records launch last night in West Hollywood. Celebrity guests included Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Jurnee Smollett, Chrisette Michele, Tia Mowry, Taraji P. Henson, Dania Ramirez, David Banner, Nas, and Kelis. (JD wore a tee-shirt with "Interview" magazine's June/July 2008 cover pick Marc Jacobs).



Sanaa Lathan and her bronze Gucci Hysteria clutch wore her beloved YSL tribute platforms yet again. These are the same YSL platforms Jennifer Lopez wore with her Gucci dress a while ago.



Newlywed Tia Mowry wore a Tadashi pleated dress which was worn in different styles by Alicia Witt and Stacey Keibler.



Tadashi was the designer behind her wedding dress which you can check out over at AOL.



The BET Awards will air live at 8 PM from the Shrine Auditorium.

Labels: BET Awards, David Banner, Fashion Hoopla, Jurnee Smollett, Kelis, Nas, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Taraji P. Henson, Tia Mowry