Update

Reese Witherspoon Gets Back to Work with Robert Pattinson After Her Wedding

By Jennifer Garcia

UPDATED 04/03/2011 at 11:00 PM EDT • Originally published 04/03/2011 at 06:10 PM EDT

Looks like marriage really suits Reese Witherspoon.

After her March 26 nuptials to agent Jim Toth at her Ojai, Calif., ranch, the A-list Oscar winner went straight back to work, promoting her upcoming drama, Water for Elephants, due in theaters April 22.

At Sunday afternoon's press junket at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif., Witherspoon was relaxed and all smiles as she answered questions alongside costars Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz – and the film's director, Francis Lawrence.

Looking the picture of understated elegance, Witherspoon, 35, wore a classic black dress and cardigan, her blonde hair slightly shorter than usual. But her best accessory was her pavé diamond wedding band.

PHOTOS: Reese Witherspoon & Jim Toth's Road to Marriage

Witherspoon joked with Pattinson at times during the press conference and recalled her stunning look in the film. "It was really transforming for me," she says of the spectacular costumes, hair and makeup. "I didn't even recognize myself."

She looked equally spectacular in a black lace Marchesa minidress, appearing again alongside Pattinson at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas Sunday night. Presenting the female vocalist award, Witherspoon asked her British costar what his favorite part about filming their new movie in Tennessee was.

Not missing a beat, he replied: "I like drinking a lot of moonshine."

For exclusive photos of Reese's wedding – and all the details of her emotional, joyful ceremony – pick up the next issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Monday!