Published: Summer 2002

Excerpt:

As for the scale of their celebration, Shannon and Joe are skipping the fireworks and the 20-piece orchestra. Since they're planning to be married on a Mexican beach, tiki torches will do nicely. "I think spending so much on one day is such a waste," she says. "Besides, there are charities that could really use the money." Including Shannon's Animal Avengers. Last year she and Joe founded the nonprofit rescue group, whose mission is finding homes for hard-to-place animals. Their own bungalow is home to a half dozen former strays. One of her goals, she says, is to unite L.A.'s animal-welfare organizations. "If they worked together, we'd get more accomplished."