Some days, I’m actually sort of shocked to realize that I still remember so many details about Hugh Hefner’s Girls Next Door. Not only that but I actually still care a little bit about them. Like, I really want Kendra Wilkinson to leave Hank. I want Holly Madison to be happy and make smart life decisions. But honestly, I never gave Bridget Marquardt that much thought. Until now! Bridget is currently 42 (I think she gave up the ghost a while back and admitted her real age) and she just got engaged to director Nick Carpenter. They met at the Playboy Mansion in 2008 and they’ve been together ever since? Maybe. And Nick recently proposed… with a giant spider-shaped diamond ring. Photo evidence from Bridget’s Instagram:
I mean… if that’s what she wants, God bless. I actually don’t hate the ring… if it was being worn as just a cocktail ring. As an engagement ring, I do find it somewhat tacky. Apparently, Nick wanted to get her a traditional engagement ring and she’s the one who asked for something “different & unique.” Bridget is also really into Halloween and ghoulish stuff (obvs, she dated Hugh Hefner), so I guess this ring “suits” her personality. She also wanted people to know that the spider is “not a black widow.” Here’s some other stuff that she told People:
“I wanted something different. The traditional rings were just really, really traditional and I just wanted something different, unique and special. We saw this and I was like, I love that! It’s not that I love spiders — I actually don’t really love spiders that much — but it’s not that and it doesn’t represent that to me. It just represents my personality more and something different for our relationship.”
“He took me up to a waterfall that we always used to hike to in L.A., and he totally faked me out with a fake spider ring in the dirt. I was like, That’s weird,” she says of Carpenter’s ask. “Long story short, I went to put the ring back because it wasn’t mine — I just thought it was cool that it was there — and I turned around and he was on one knee with the real ring. It was really sweet,” says Marquardt.
I don’t understand? They were obviously looking at rings together and she obviously told him that she wanted the spider ring or something non-traditional… and then he “surprised” her with a proposal? Eh. It’s not worth the brain power it takes to unpack that. Congrats to the happy couple and I hope she doesn’t hate the ring in a few months.
Photos courtesy of Bridget’s Instagram, WENN.
That is the ultimate in tacky. Like you said, whatever she wants. No way would I ever wear it unless I was going to a costume party.
Is that from the Kat Von D collection?
Looks like they shopped gumball machines for it.
Tbh it’s not anymore tacky than a 20/carat diamond that could pay to house all of America’s homeless. I always liked her. And I think it’s pretty common to shop for rings and then get a proposal later.
FUG!
I thought she was already married to the guy she was secretly married to during the tv show
She divorced the guy she was married to during Girls Next Door.
She’s a weirdo on Girls Next Door 🎃👎
That is ugly as hell and I would NEVER wear it. But it is her engagement ring and if she likes it that is what counts.
NOPE!
Although this cracked me up, “Bridget is also really into Halloween and ghoulish stuff (obvs, she dated Hugh Hefner).”
I don’t care for the ring but she doesn’t look 42 to me. Oh well, all the best to them!
This made me laugh too!
You can take someone engagement ring shopping and they still won’t know when where or how you’re going to propose. It can still be a surprise.
And I still like those girls too from the show.
Bridget seemed normal of the 3 and low drama. Hope this marriage works out.
I was 110% sure Bridget and Kendra were the real couple on that show and that Holly and Hef were not.
Congrats to Bridget and Nick! Can’t wait to hear about the wedding!
TILL death do us part? People, learn how to spell before you learn how to bedazzle.
Not diggin’ that, eh?
I don’t really know what to say. I never watched the show. I wouldn’t want any piece of jewelry shaped like a spider, but if you must have one, I suppose that one is nice?
Aaahh… I’d heard her name, but had no idea who she was. I’ll be Odd One Out. I like the ring, but that’s because I love spiders, including dear Archie, the red-back spider on my ankle. I wouldn’t have it as an engagement ring, but good for her for being a bit daring. My late hubby once gave me a spider ring, but it was always a bit loose, so I had it resized. When I picked it up, the jeweller had polished it and t looked so brilliantly new, I put the little bag with the little box in my bag. A little while later, I ran into a friend and wanted to show her the ring. I rummaged in my bag…to no avail. I never saw it again, and have never seen a similar one since.
i like it better than most engagement rings ive seen. but i find diamond solitaires and engagement types of settings really boring.
I agree with you that its more interesting than a solitaire. Some vintage and gemstone rings are so beautiful.
I too think many “normal” engagement rings are boring and cookie cutter and can easily verge on tacky.
I get wanting something different, the spider is really cool to look at and I hope she really does like it. Part of me thinks she’s just pretending, though. *sigh* Not sure why. Like, “I’m supposed to like this because I’m different and unique but actually I don’t because I’m not”.
It might be something that is significant in their relationship so I’m not going to judge, as long as she likes it so what.
good for her, she was always my favorite. she seemed genuinely kind and loved to party, so I think the Playboy mansion with all the money and the props and the costumes was right up her alley.
Am I the only one that thinks that ring is cute? Okay, maybe not for an engagement ring but to each their own.
I think it’s cute for a spider. I don’t like spiders, but I thought they did a good job with the shape of it, so if you look at that without attaching the creepiness of spiders to it, it’s a pretty shape, if that makes sense.
I like it too! Mr Snazzy got me a spider ring as a gift, I sear it all the time. I love it
She has very pretty hands. That’s all I got.
I LOVED The Girls Next Door, so this story actually made me very happy. Bridget was the biggest drag queen out of the 3 – she loved camp and quirky, weird stuff, so I can imagine she’s really happy her engagement ring looks nothing like most women’s. And I actually think the ring looks pretty awesome in a costume’y and tacky way, and there’s nothing wrong about that!
My boyfriend and I decided if we ever get married, our wedding will have a theme and it will be tacky as f*ck. He was thinking vikings, I’m more fond of pirates. The idea of an otaku wedding with cosplayers and para para also surfaced. Whatever it is, it’ll not be the usual and you can bet your tits my gown will be 50 shades of drag queen fabulosity.
GO Vikings!
I actually like the ring and I hate spiders. Bridget was the sweet one on the show.
I always liked her the most from the show. I do like her ring to have and maybe wear once in awhile, it IS Pretty, just not in a wear the rest of your life type of way….She’s so cute, I hope she’s happy & is married for a long time 🙂
Crappy ring, looks fake
Yeah I personally hate it but I know its perfect for her.
Its too bad the legs aren’t a separate ring which wraps around the body of the spider. Then she could remove the legs and class it up where needed or if she gets sick of looking at a spider on her hand.
Her nails look bad and the ring looks like it would turn, but more power to her.
I like it.
I love it!
Not sure how I feel about the ring, but I don’t totally hate it.
If she likes it, that’s all that matters. Congrats to them!