With
Nicole Kidman and
Keith Urban reportedly just days away from pledging to love one another for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, through bad dye jobs and preternaturally smooth foreheads, until death do them part, the nuptial nattering has reached a fever pitch. Here's a rundown of the latest rumblings from Down Under ...
According to Australia's Daily Telegraph, the traditional Catholic ceremony is tipped to take place Sunday afternoon at the Cardinal Cerretti Chapel, an expansive Gothic church with ocean views in the swanky Sydney suburb of Manly.
The bride, 39, and groom, 38, are keeping their vow-swap comparatively short. The paper reports the "beautiful and uplifting" ceremony will last about 40 minutes, and will include music and readings selected by Kidman's mom, Janelle.
Nicole's dad, Antony, is expected to walk her down the aisle to the strains of a string quartet from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Her sister, Antonia, is reportedly serving as her matron of honor, with Urban's brother, Shane, charged with best-man duties.
Balenciaga, who designed Kidman's ethereal Oscar dress, is believed to have won the honor of outfitting her on the big day, although Chanel, which has paid her millions to shill for its brand, could still be in the running. An insider tattles to the Sydney Morning Herald that the wedding gown is white and has a "Victorian-like high collar." No word on what Keith will wear or whether he'll have his trademark golden-streaked tresses touched up before heading to the altar.
The Oscar winner celebrated one of her final nights of singlehood in a way that would have made
Martha Stewart proud. The Telegraph says guests at her understated bachelorette bash Wednesday night were asked to bring their favorite recipes. Seems Kidman is hoping to collect them into a book to give to her pals. Urban's bachelor party is reportedly scheduled for Thursday night.
Kidman's kids, Isabella, 13, and Connor, 11, arrived in town Thursday on a private jet, reportedly accompanied by one of
Tom Cruise's sisters. It remains unclear whether they winged in from Tokyo, where their promotion-minded pop had been stumping for "
Mission: Impossible III," or from Los Angeles. They're both expected to participate in the wedding.
Not long after Isabella and Connor arrived at their mom's mansion by Sydney Harbor, they accompanied her on a two-hour visit to Sydney Children's Hospital, a trip Kidman reportedly makes whenever she's in her hometown. Hospital exec Elizabeth Crundall says she was shocked by the pop-by, gushing to the AP, "To actually take the time out from her own wedding for a couple of hours was stunning, extraordinary and wonderful." The loaded lovebirds have reportedly asked guests to forgo the standard gravy boat-style wedding gifts in favor of donating to their favorite charities, including the hospital.
The crispy-coiffed country crooner is expected to perform a few romantic ditties at the reception.
Guests have been streaming into Sydney all week, including Nicole's longtime pal (and rumored bridesmaid)
Naomi Watts. Other big names who have apparently scored a coveted invite:
Russell Crowe,
Hugh Jackman,
Baz Luhrmann, Rupert Murdoch,
Renée Zellweger and her country-singing ex,
Kenny Chesney.
Father Paul Coleman, the oh-so-chatty priest officiating the ceremony (he and the Kidman clan go back 30 years), tells the Morning Herald that it's not "a problem at all" that Urban isn't Catholic. "I call Keith -- I'll use the words he's an 'anonymous Christian' -- he's got the spirit of God in him and that's that," explains the padre, who adds that he's planning to read a homily urging the couple to "find time" for each other. Coleman also denies recent reports that Kidman had her decade-long union to Scientology-devoted Cruise annulled, explaining that it was never recognized by the Catholic Church.
Was a prenup part of the Down Under duo's pre-wedding preparations? The London Daily Mail claims they've signed an agreement that gives Urban $640,000 for every year he's with Kidman. "Nicole did not want to force Keith to sign anything as she is convinced that they really will last but her advisers were quite strict on the issue," an insider tells the paper. "The good news for Nicole was that Keith agreed immediately ... Like her, he can't see them breaking up but he can understand why her earnings have to be protected."
Kidman's usually close-mouthed rep is adamantly shooting down bun-in-the-oven reports, insisting to the New York Daily News, "She's not pregnant ... Believe me on this one: She is religious, and that would never do."
As for the honeymoon, the newlyweds are said to be planning a trip to the exclusive Wakaya Club resort in Fiji (a top-of-the-line villa goes for about $7,600 a night). After that, expect them to settle in Nashville, Urban's homebase. "I have moved to Tennessee for my personal life," Nicole told reporters during a promotional pitstop in Shanghai last weekend, "so I am sort of establishing my new home, which is nice."
. She would look like a goddess in it.
I'm so happy for her... They're probably being wedded as we speak (or maybe they're husband and wife already)! 
