Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesJessica Simpson is just hours away from tying the knot for the second time! Meanwhile, more details about her pre-wedding, Fourth of July barbecue bash are emerging.
At the red, white and blue-themed party at the wedding venue on Friday, the 33-year-old singe, fiancé Eric Johnson, their daughter Maxwell, 2, and son Ace, 1, were joined by some 70 guests. The list included the likes of Jessica Alba as well as sister Ashlee Simpson and her beau Evan Ross, Diana Ross' son.
It is a special time in the sisters' lives—they are BOTH engaged! But one of them won't be for long. Jessica and Johnson are expected to wed on Saturday, July 5, at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, located in Santa Barbara County and California's wine country.
During their wedding rehearsal, Jessica was heard saying how she can't believe the big day is finally here and that she wanted her daughter to be old enough to possibly remember the day her mommy and daddy got married, a source told E! News.
Check out five things we learned about Jessica Simpson's pre-wedding barbecue—and after party!
(Pictured above: Simpson and Johnson attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. on May 3.)
1. Jessica: "I don't do karaoke"
After the food was served, guests at the barbecue bash enjoyed lively music from the likes of Billie Holiday and Dolly Parton as well as several rounds of karaoke! Maxwell and Ace were dancing as well!
But Simpson, who in 1999, stormed charts around the world and wowed listeners with her powerful vocals on her debut ballad "I Wanna Love You Forever," declined a request to sing, a source told E! News.
"I don't do karaoke," she was heard saying. (But will Simpson sing at her wedding, we wonder!)
However, her fiancé, a football player, did belt out a tune after several of his friends grabbed him and coaxed him to take the spotlight. And to keep up with the Fourth of July spirit, another guest sang songs by "Born in the USA" superstar Bruce Springsteen.
2. Celebrity guests!
Alba, husband Cash Warren and daughter Honor are among the wedding guests. A teenager was spotted looking excited while chatting with the Sin City actress at the barbecue
Alba and Jessica both starred in the 2008 comedy film The Love Guru have been friends for years. They have often been photographed together, alone and with their families, including when the singer was married to Nick Lachey. The two divorced in 2006. In 2003, Alba parodied Jessica on MadTV in a mock episode of the then-married pair's reality show, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica.
(Pictured below: Simpson and Alba Jessica Alba and Jessica Simpson appear at a 2003 American Music Awards after party.)
Topher Grace, whose former series That '70s Show had featured Simpson as a recurring character, is also attending the wedding. He brought his girlfriend with him.
3. Jessica and guests enjoy that sweet southern style ... plus, is baby No. 3 on the way?
The party was "tons of fun" and the food was "great," a source said, adding that guests dined on shrimp and barbecue baby back ribs, enjoyed a raw oyster bar and tucked into southern-style desserts such as fruit pies, including key lime and coconut cream.
Simpson and her family are originally from Texas, while Johnson is from Massachusetts.
A source said Jessica helped herself to the delicious food, saying, "I worked my ass off!" She added that she can't wait to chill a little after the big day and eat a little more than she has been. The singer, a Weight Watchers spokesmodel,has been shedding the pounds ahead of the wedding.
Johnson was spotted kissing her and saying she looks so good, that they may be having baby No. 3 soon! Jessica was like, "No way, Eric!" the source said.
4. Field trip to fireworks ... and more meat!
Around 8:30 p.m. guests were shuttled in buses to the nearby Four Seasons La Pacifica hotel's ballroom and terrace, which boasts stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the annual Fourth of July fireworks. The party-goers enjoyed the display by candlelight, sitting at some 30 tables. However, several guests complained that the fireworks weren't visible, the source said.
While they were at the bash, they were treated to carved meats and other treats. Guests, including Topher Grace, his girlfriend and two of his friends, also enjoyed drinks from an open bar.
Like the Fourth of July barbecue, the after party was decorated accordingly. The tables contained white and blue place cards, while one of the entrances was adorned with an arch made up of red, white and blue balloons. Many American flags were hung around the venue.
Guests wore red, white and blue rubber bracelets as well as glow-in-the-dark necklaces.
Alba looked "effortlessly radiant and beautiful" as she left the ocean-side party, holding her daughter's hand and walking in front of her husband, the source told E! News.
"They blended in with other families as they left the fireworks show," the source said. "Even after a long day, they looked amazing."
5. The bride got her beauty sleep
Several guests left the after party early, while others remained there until about 11:30 p.m. They returned to the ranch, where several party-goers continued celebrating until 3 a.m.!
Not Jessica, though. The bride went to bed early.
On Saturday morning, she and several of her wedding participants were seen getting their hair and makeup done, while enjoying champagne.
Just before 4 p.m., guests started to make their way up to the ranch. Men wore black tuxedos and suits with either black ties or bow ties, while women sported brightly-colored gowns in shades of pink, champagne, gold and turquoise.
It's almost time!