Inside Ashlee and Pete's Rehearsal Dinner!

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Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz' wedding weekend has officially begun!

On Friday night, the bride-to-be's big sis Jessica Simpson hosted a rehearsal dinner for the happy couple at her Beverly Hills Home. Eyewitnesses tell OK! that the mood was romantic with candle-lit tables and an invite list limited to family and close friends.

OK! was there first when the festivities began at aproximately 6 p.m. PT.

Guests arrived in limos and included Nicole Richie, Joel Madden and Jess's former assistant Cacee Cobb. Papa Joe Simpson arrived earlier in the day at 2:30 p.m. from the Simpson family home in Encino, where Ashlee and Pete will be married this weekend.

The happy couple themselves arrived just prior to 8 p.m. and went straight into the house. An eyewitness tells OK! that security and a heavy duty guard gate kept the paparazzi back. An after-party at the house was expected to follow dinner.

A source at the scene tells OK! that several family members from Pete's side have checked into and are currently staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

No word yet on whether Jess's most recent boyfriend Tony Romo attended tonight's party, although the couple (who are rumored to have split) were seen having a sushi lunch at Katsuya in Hollywood earlier today.

We'll continue to bring you the latest as the kickoff to Ashlee and Pete's wedding weekend develops so stay tuned!