Before Jessica Simpson walks down the aisle, it's BBQ time!

The fashion mogul, sister Ashlee Simpson, the former Melrose Place star's fiancé Evan Ross, and other family members and friends headed to a Fourth of July barbecue bash at San Ysidro Ranch, the wedding venue, in summer chic garb, where multiple American flags were hung up outside of blue and white striped tents. According to a source, guests "seemed "excited, happy and in a rush to get there."

Inside of the venue, a small stage was set up and shrubbery was brought in from Green Set, a company based in North Hollywood.

According to an eyewitness, over 50 large potted arrangements of white flowers were sitting on the grass outside of the tents Friday morning, as well as hundreds and hundreds of flowers. There was also a shabby chic wheelbarrow filled with yellow sunflowers outside as well. Inside of the tents, there were blue Victorian themed chairs, white round ottomans and yellow roses scattered throughout.

As the pre-wedding party kicked off around 6 p.m, a band started playing Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash and funk music. According to People, the bash started with a cocktail hour with passed appetizers including lobster dogs and corn fritters and a shellfish station.

Guests were also treated to a Southern-inspired buffet packed with beef brisket, smoked BBQ baby back ribs, fried chicken, grilled shrimp, mac and cheese and potato salad.

And that wasn't all.

Dessert included pecan key lime, apple, peach and coconut cream pies, as well as creamsicles and watermelon.

As for the festivities, there was a photo booth and games for the kids to enjoy, among other things.

Sounds like a blast!

Source: eonline.com

Fore! Jessica Simpson's fiance, Eric Johnson, celebrated his upcoming nuptials by spending some quality time with his groomsmen before the wedding. The soon-to-be married former NFL player, 34, hit the golf course with his pals on Thursday, July 3-and Us Weekly has all the details on their fun-filled outing!

Johnson and about 20 of his closest friends spent the day at Sandpiper Golf Course in Santa Barbara, Calif. "They were a really attractive group!" one eyewitness tells Us, noting that they said they were in town for a "secretive" wedding. "They played 18 holes and drank lots of Bud Lights!"

Another source says that father-of-the-bride Joe Simpson was among the men. "There were definitely a lot of Southern accents," the onlooker dishes. "The guys were all super hot!"

"When they all arrived, they were really boisterous, greeting and hugging each other," the insider adds. "They had a really good time."

There's even more fun to come, of course. As previously reported, Simpson and Johnson will tie the knot this Fourth of July weekend after nearly four years of being engaged. (The couple-who have two kids together, Maxwell, 2, and Ace, 12 months-first revealed their plans to wed in 2010, just five months after they started dating.)

Though most details about the "I dos" are still under wraps, a source previously told Us that Simpson, 33, is having a "unique" dress made for her walk down the aisle. And another insider offered this tip: "The wedding will be very rustic-chic."

Source: US Weekly