Celebrities catch the love bug this summer

Many were surprised by Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey's recent nuptials, however, Carey told People magazine in their May 19 issue that since the pair both got matching tattoos a few weeks before the wedding, no one should have really been shocked.

According to People, the wedding took place at Carey's Bahamian estate on April 30, after the couple's brief courtship that started in March.

Cannon and Carey are said to have connected during a meeting for Carey's newest video "Bye Bye" where Cannon was cast as Carey's love interest.

According to the Associated Press, the pair has thought about having kids--"its part of the whole purpose of getting married," said the couple.

Cannon and Carey aren't the only A-listers tying the knot this summer; Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz were also married at Simpson's Los Angles home on May 17. Simpson's father Joe performed the non-denominational ceremony, according to People.

In attendance at the couple's wedding ceremony were Pete Wentz's English bulldog as the ring bearer, and Jessica Simpson as her sister's maid of honor.

Simpson, who is already pregnant with Wentz's child, told People that she was never the type to dream about her wedding when she was growing up, but changed her mind once she got engaged.

It seems wedding bells will soon toll for Penelope Cruz and beau Javier Bardem as well. Bardem proposed to Cruz while they were vacationing in France, according to whosdatedwho.com. The decision of marriage came from Bardem, after being persuaded by his mother. According to whosdatedwho.com, the wedding is set to take place a few days before Christmas.

Taking their vows this summer will be Alicia Keys and her music producer boyfriend, Kerry `Krucial` Brothers. Star magazine claims that the couple booked Oheka Castle on Long Island for a ceremony on July 4. Keys and Brothers have never spoken openly about their relationship even though the pair have been songwriting partners, and co-own the KrucialKeys production company. They have not confirmed or denied wedding plans.

A famous "high schooler" will wed soon also; KayCee Stroh, who played Disney's High School Musical's Martha Cox, got engaged to her boyfriend Ben Higginson.

Higginson presented Stroh with "the most amazing ring," she told People.

Currently working on the third High School Musical installment with the original cast, Stroh is a fixture in the film. According to People, Stroh and Higginson met at a concert in 2007 and they plan to have their wedding sometime late this year.

It seems that the love bug has truly taken over Hollywood this summer, much like the Hollywood baby boom of summer 2007.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.