Columnist Kate Maddox: Dion renews vows in Vegas style

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, only in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach her at [email protected]. To subscribe to the Sun, call 383-0400.

For those of you who don't know, singer Celine Dion and her manager/husband Rene Angelil renewed their wedding vows on Wednesday with a lavish party at Caesars.

The couple, who were married in 1994, had about 200 guests, most of whom were family and friends -- mainly family. Celine is the youngest of 14 siblings. Dion decided that she wanted a Moroccan-themed affair and, with the help of Caesars Catering Director Danielle Strong and the hotel staff, she got just that.

After the renewing of vows, camels, belly dancers, magicians, tropical birds and snakes -- not neccessarily in that order -- streamed into the ballroom with the bride and groom, who were carried in on chairs. Seating was desert-comfy, and guests sat on pillows at lowered tables under jewel-toned tents to dine on an elaborate menu of Lebanese cuisine. Rene and Celine are frequent customers at a Lebanese eatery in Montreal and it was no trouble for them to bring in two chefs from the restaurant to help assist the chef from Caesars.

China was flown in from Morocco, walls were draped in pricey colored fabric, dinner was a five-course affair -- needless to say, it was an over-the-top celebration. And when the party finally died down, all that was left were some very satisfied guests, an exhausted catering staff and some camels reclining on piles of sand -- brought in especially for that purpose.

Celine and company did find time to relax the day before the big event. She was spotted on Tuesday buying outfit after outfit at Gucci in the Forum Shops. Her husband chose to plant himself at the tables for a couple of hours of play -- with $1,000 chips -- and her mother bided her time at the $100 slots.

Illusionists Siegfried and Roy, who will complete 10 years of sold-out performances at the Mirage on Feb. 1, are not only committed to their show, they also have a passion for preserving the majestic white lion.

Siegfried and Roy recently donated a male white lion cub to the Johannesburg Zoological Gardens in South Africa as a part of their worldwide conservation program.

The performers have worked tirelessly on behalf of many species of animals that are in danger of extinction and they do it all out of their own pockets to boot, refusing the donations that pour in from supporters and fans around the world. Roy, who is known for his "mystical" relationship with animals, is thrilled that he can give the world the opportunity to see his favorite creatures thrive and prosper -- the money isn't the issue.

Over the past several years, the nearly extinct species of white lions has increased dramatically with S&R's assistance. The number has jumped from just three to 30 -- 16 of the lions live here in Las Vegas and three were given to the Cincinnati Zoo and the remainder reside in Germany and South Africa.

In much the same way that they helped bring back the white tiger from near extinction, this new cub -- aptly named Millennium -- is a sign that the tide is turning for the white lion, as well. The white tiger population is now at 250. Twenty-five years ago, when Siegfried and Roy began their crusade, there were just a handful left in the world.

Wolfgang Puck continues to corner the market on fine-dining restaurants here in Las Vegas. His newest venture, Postrio (the original is in San Francisco), will soon open in the Venetian's Grand Canal Shops and the party to celebrate will benefit Alzheimer's disease research. Puck's other Las Vegas restaurant, Spago, usually hosts this annual event, which has raised more than $1.5 million for the cause over the past three years.

Hosts of the party are scheduled to include legendary actor Gregory Peck, Angie Dickinson, premium wine maker Robert Mondavi, famed French chef Jean Andre Charial, noted sexologist Dr. Ruth Westheimer and, of course, Puck himself.

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