‘I WANTED TO LOOK QUITE VIRGINAL ON MY WEDDING DAY’
JOIN US AS WE LOOK BACK AT DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM’S WEDDING, COVERED EXCLUSIVELY BY ok!
Many things have changed since OK! exclusively joined David and Victoria Beckham for their show-stopping wedding back on July 4 1999 – but two decades on and the couple are still going strong.
Next week, the loved-up pair, once known as Posh and Becks, will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, and sources tell us they’ll do so in private with their four children, Brooklyn, 20, Romeo, 16, Cruz, 14, and seven-year-old Harper.
‘The kids have put together a film to mark the day – it features footage from their lives including videos from the days the children were born. Their friends, including Gordon and Tana Ramsay, have helped to narrate it and it’ll also include clips of David and Victoria talking about their relationship. It’s meant to be both hilarious and tear-jerking,’ a source exclusively tells OK! of the children’s anniversary gift. And a source says Victoria will be spoilt by David, with the former footballer reportedly buying her new earrings. ‘David has bought sapphire earrings that match some pieces in her latest collection,’ says the source, who reveals David is also planning to cook her a special anniversary dinner, and treat her to a pampering session involving aromatherapy massage.
The couple shared their spectacular nuptials in the pages of OK! and, as our gorgeous pictures show, they made sure it was a day no one would ever forget! The union of one of the world’s most famous footballers and his charttopping pop princess at Luttrellstown Castle in Dublin lived up to all expectations. And despite helicopters hovering overhead desperate to capture a shot of the happy couple, David and Victoria made sure their wedding day was shrouded in secrecy. ‘Privacy was really important. I wanted somewhere that had a big wall around it,’ Victoria said of their decision to marry in the picturesque castle, which dates back to the 1700s.
They were joined by 200 guests, including Victoria’s Spice Girls bandmates Mel B, Mel C and Emma Bunton. David’s Manchester United teammates Ryan Giggs, Peter Schmeichel and Phil Neville were also there, while Gary Neville acted as best man. The couple’s four-month-old son Brooklyn played a big part on the day too, sleeping in his dad’s arms as everyone waited for the bride to arrive.
Known as the most stylish Spice Girl, Victoria’s choice of wedding dress didn’t disappoint. Her stunning satin Vera Wang gown featured a long train, ensuring she made an unforgettable entrance as she arrived five minutes
late to the ceremony, which took place in the castle’s folly chapel. ‘A lot of people were expecting me to have a tight little number with a great big slit up the side, but I wanted to look quite virginal on my wedding day,’ Victoria said of the design.
In true Beckham style, the couple were determined to put their own spin on the occasion, opting for a Robin Hood theme. The couple used hues of burgundy, dark green and cardinal purple throughout the grand castle, decorating the interior with twigs, greenery, fresh apples and huge floral arrangements. Of course, there were also touches inspired by their own unique sense of style including his-andher gold thrones, flower girls dressed as angels, matching purple reception outfits and a wedding cake cut with a sword!
Victoria told OK! at the time: ‘Whatever we do, we know we’re going to get criticised. Some people will say it’s over the top.’ She added: ‘A lot of stuff is tongue in cheek. For example we’ve got a flag on top of the castle with our initials, VDB, on it. We don’t care what people say – as long as we’re happy and our families are happy.’
The pair met at the height of their fame, after Victoria introduced herself to David in the players’ lounge following a Manchester United game. They’d actually fancied each other from afar for a long time before their first meeting! ‘I had a feeling before I’d even met her. I just saw her on TV and just thought, I’ve got to meet this girl,’ David said. He added: ‘We’ve been a really close couple since day one. Obviously, Brooklyn’s arrival has brought us closer together… Nothing could make us any closer than we already are.’
‘A lot of stuff is tongue in cheek… like the flag on the castle’
Fast-forward to the present day and the couple do indeed seem unbreakable. They’ve managed to flourish where other celebrity marriages have faltered.
Opening up about the secret to their strong relationship, David revealed in 2017: ‘We all know marriage is difficult at times. It’s about working through it. We know each other better than anybody.’
Meanwhile, Victoria said: ‘Not only is he the most incredible father, but he’s supportive and someone who loves and inspires me every single day.’ She also said: ‘We always make time for each other as a couple and as a family. We love each other and look out for each other and are strong as both partners and parents.’
Speaking to OK!, Andy Milligan, author of Brand It Like Beckham, reveals: ‘Not only do David and Victoria have a successful marriage, but they’ve also built a multi-million pound brand. In the 20 years since they married, their popularity hasn’t wavered and they’ve used that popularity to their advantage.’
According to reports, this year the pair’s net worth has passed the billiondollar point (around £769 million), with much of their money coming from Victoria’s fashion line and David’s various endorsement deals.
But while they are each successful in their own right, Andy agrees they are even stronger together. ‘Brand Beckham is so lucrative because, as a couple, their popularity is immense. People underestimate the amount of energy that goes into keeping a brand like theirs alive, but David and Victoria are able to give each other emotional support and that’s a big reason they’ve continued to be so successful.’
Here’s to you, David and Victoria, and the next 20 years of marriage!