OK! JOINS THE LIVERPOOL CAPTAIN AND HIS BEAUTIFUL BRIDE FOR THE STAR-STUDDED FAIRY-TALE WEDDING
Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran's wedding has been the subject of months of feverish speculation. There have been wild rumours about Alex's couture dress, endless gossip about the star-studded reception and no end of chatter about how the most anticipated wedding of the year would look. Now it's time for all the speculation, rumours, chatter and gossip to end. Because every beautiful photograph, each precious moment and all the details you've been wondering about for months are right here on these pages.
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Alex Curran and Steven Gerrard tied the knot in a beautifully romantic ceremony, surrouned by their closest friends and family. Steven, 27, may be one of England's most accomplished and best-loved sporting heroes, and Alex, 24, is unquestionably a style icon of our time but on this day they were simply a loving couple who in they own words were taking their four-year relationship 'to the next level'.
After months of extensive searching, Alex and Steven chose the glorious location of Cliveden House in Berkshire. The stunning stately home, an Italianate mansion that sits in 376 acres of magnificent formal gardens and parkland, was exactly what the gorgeous couple were looking for in a venue for their big day. As well as playing host to this very high-profile wedding, Cliveden has also accommodated famous names including George I, Charlie Chaplin, former Prime Minister Winston Churchill and, most scandalously, John Profumo and Christine Keeler. Wedding planner Paul Feather of Feathers Hotel & Catering Group told OK!: "Alex and Steven had several ideas of the venues they wanted and because of their popularity they needed to choose somewhere that gave them exclusivity. After flying to Ireland, and travelling the length and breadth of Britain, they then discovered Cliveden.
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The venue wasn't just playing host to a wedding day - Alex and Steven had planned a three-day extravaganza to include pre-wedding activities and family dinner the day before, the day itself and then a post-wedding barbeque. The fun started on Thursday evening when Alex and Steven travelled from their home in Formby to the grand estate. On arrival they checked into the Lady Astor suite in the main house - a sprawling suite complete with a huge balcony, al fresco dining table, and panoramic views over the grounds, the Thames and beyond.
The formalities really started when guests - including Steven's former Liverpool team-mate and current Tottenham Hotspur midfield dynamo Danny Murphy - arrive at lunchtime the next day for a game of golf with the groom and a small group of close friends. Meanwhile, Alex and her best friends - including her close confidant Anneli Marshall, who oversaw the final touches in the marquee with the bride - headed for the spa for pedicures. Just before she arrived for her file and polish Alex told OK!: "I've been terrible today. I've been okay but as soon as we got here last night it hit me and I keep getting teary."
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After a game of golf, which Steven said took his mind off his pre-wedding nerves, and Alex's relaxing pedicure, the couple enjoyed their final meal together with friends and family. But there was a curfew; keen to keep to tradition, Alex and Steven decided to spend their last night apart so while Alex slept in the Lady Astor Suite, Steven spent the night in the Mountbatten Suite in another win of the mansion.
On Saturday 16th Une, Alex Curran woke up knowing she would see the day out as Mrs Steven Gerrard. wjile Alex and her bridesmaids prepared and Steven and his best man, Jonathon Boggan, slipped into their suits, a host of friends, family and celebrity guests made their way to the main house for the reception. Steven's England team-mate Michael Owen and his blooming wife Louise joined fellow footballing couples Sheree Murphy and Harry Kewell, Joanna and Danny Murphy, Nicola and Jamie Carragher, Robbie and Kerry Fowler, and Jamie and Louise Redknapp, in the reception area where guests enjoyed flutes of Lareunt-Perrier Rose as well as a variety of wines and soft drinks.
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All of the footballers' wives set a very high fashion standard in a selection of designer gowns. Former Emmerdale star Sheree wore a beautiful Marchesa dress, telling OK!: "I've just come back from a shopping trip in New York and I found this dress - I love it!" Naturally, Sheree teamed her new purchase with a classic pair of black Christian Louboutin heels. Louise Redknapp, who underwent a dramatic and brave transformation in her show The Truth About Size Zero, also chose Louboutin heels, which she teamed with an effortlessly chic Stella McCartney dress. Cutting a gorgeous figure in a Jenny Packham dress was Joanna Taylor-Murphy, who told OK!: "Alex and Steven are so lovely. Danny I wouldn't have missed this."
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Shortly after two o'clock, guests were summoned into the hall where the cermemony would take place. Pauline Feather of Feathers Hotel Group had designed exquisite floral displays to create a beautifully romantic atmosphere. She told OK!: "When I spoke To Alex about the sort of things she wanted, she had a very clear idea. She didn't want anything flamboyant and it was always creams and greens for the colour scheme. She was always very clear about that." Far from a formal hall in a stately home, Alex and Pauline's vision transformed the room into what looked like an enchanted glade in full springtime bloome. It was an intoxicating vision that all the guests were in awe of when they saw it for the first time. All of the 200 seats were draped in cream cloths tied with a simple large cream organza bow. At the end of each row was a large storm lantern, somplete with cream rose petals and a large burning church candle, which led the way down the cream carpeted aisle. At the fireplace at the far end of the hall a small stage was erected which Alex and Steven would stand on during the cermemony. Lined with ivy, bordered with fresh cream Boeing roses and orchids, it was the pergect frame for such an event. Pauline Feather explained: "The fireplace was the backdrop for the ceremony and it was important for it to look just right. I allowed 4,000 flowers just to dress this area. At each side of the stage we've placed large urns with trailing icy and large cream Boeing roses." As guests filed in and took their seats, they all enjoyed the surroundings that Pauline had created as the intoxicating cent of roses filled the room.
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After guests made themselves comfortable, Steven made his arrival from the West Wing of the house, accompanied by his best man Jonathon Boggan. Steven is no stranger to nerve-wracking events. He has 57 caps for England, scoring 12 goals, has played nearly 400 games for Liverpool FC, whom he captains, and has won a Champions League winners' medal. Earlier this year he was even honoured by Her Majesty the Queen as part of the New Year's honours list. However, the sort of cool, calm and collected demeanour that Steven has become famous for seemed to slip a little as he waited for Alex's imminent arrival.
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All eyes looked expectantly to the staircase but it wasn't just Steven who probably thought it was taking a while for Alex to come down the stairs. What we found out later is that just as she heard the music, Alex's emotions took over and she began to cry. Tissues were hastily offered so a trail of mascara wouldn't stain her perfectly made-up face and the short delay was soon over.
There were many gasps and "oohs" coming from the guests when Alex came into view. The speculation was over and the dress that had been so talked about was finally here. Discovered after accepting an invitation to see his couture show in Paris, Alex set her heart on the Elie Saab gown and had clear ideas about how she wanted to customise the creation. The couture dress was made of satin and tulle with over 20 metres of satin and 55 metres of tulle used to create the final effect. Alex's train was a perfect three metres long and her veil measured five metres. The dress itself with it's figure hugging shaping and beautifully tailored skirt was enough to dazzle but the 19,000 Swarovski crystals really lit up the room. Eight seamstresses worked on the embroidery and their efforts certainly paid off! So as not to hide the dress, Alex chose a simple bouqet of three long-stem cream roses tied together with cream georgette ribbon.
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Alex has enlisted celebrity make-up genius Gary thingyerill, who also tended to Jordan's make-up on her wedding day, to make her look just how she wanted. Gary told OK!: "We discussed several different looks for the day. Because the dress is couture, Alex was quite keen, initially, to go for something less dramatic." Pleased with the final result, Gary proudly surveyed his work telling OK!: "She looks absolutely beautiful."
And everyone agreed. Some brides want to look like fairy-tale princesses on their wedding day, others simple and elegant, and in her perfect dress Alex looked like a runway model, although she chose a slow walk rather than a hip-thrusting sashay for her journey down the aisle, accompanied by her mother Kim Clayton.
As mother and daughter walked down the aisle they gave eachother a knowing look. It was a proud moment for Kim, and for Alex this was the culmination of all her wedding wishes coming true. Preceeding Alex down the aisle were her bridesmaids, close friends Kelly Farleym Liz Gaunt and Rachel Wilson. The gorgeous girls wore champagne-coloured silk georgette empire line gowns with silver and crystal panelling and embroidery, custom made by Philip Armstrong of Philip Armstrong Couture, and carried cream rosebuds tied with georgette cream ribbons that were studded with diamante Swarovski crystals. With them were four flower girls, Alex and Steven's daughters Lilly-Ella and Lexie, Steven's sister Grace and his cousin Ellie-May.
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As Alex reached her groom, the couple gave eachother an amused shrug, as if to say: "This is it!" Steven was clearly in awe of his bride and seemed unable to take his eyes off her. Their three year old daughter Lilly-Ella did offer a slight distraction - a small case of tears provided a half in the ceremony that superintendent registrat Raymond Fisher had only just started. Calling for 'Dadda' it was only when Steven turned around, gave her the thumbs up and a wave that she eventually calmed down, meaning the ceremony could get under way in earnest. Once quiet had returned to the proceedings, Raymond explained that the vows they were about to take were a "commitment to eachother for the rest of their lives" and that in saying the vows they were making a "proud confirmation of their love and respect for eachother".
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One piece of business was to check if there was any lawful reason why Alex and Steven shouldn't be married. As the room fell silent, Raymond leaned close to Steven and said: "You're not expecting any trouble are you?" prompting chuckled from the room. After saying their vows and exchanging rings, Raymond finally pronounced Alex and Steven "man and wife" telling Steven: "I don't think anyone here will mind if you want to give your wife a kiss."
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As the congregation rose to their feet and applauded the union, the band Blue Juice sand Joe thingyer's classic hit You Are So Beautiful. While the final petals of cream rose confetti rained down on the couple, they left the hall and made their way into the terrace bar. Guests followed and soon the room was filled with the celebratory clinking of glasses. All guests were moved by the ceremony, expecially Louise Redknapp who admitted: "I wanted to cry but I held it in because I thought I've got nothing to clean up the amscara marks down mu face if I did!" Louise also echoed the general feeling of the guests saying: "Alex looks absolutely stunning - I love the dress. It's just beautiful."
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Louise Owen, who looked radiant with her baby bump and Vera Wang dress, agreed it was a beautiful ceremony, while Sheree Murphy admitted she was moved to tears: "Oh God, doesn't she look beautiful? I always cry at weddings - it's so silly!"
After a short break, Alex and Steven returned to the hall where they posed for their wedding pictures. Steven told OK!: "When I saw her coming down the stairs she just looked amazing. And the girls looked really beautiful. I was dead proud of all of them." Alex also explained the short dealy: "When I got to the top of the stairs I just lost it. I just needed a minute to get myself together."
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As Alex and Steven posed for their wedding pictures, guests were treated to champagne and canapes. While they mused over the romantic ceremony, they sipped on Laurent-Perrier Rose and nibbled on marinated tuna topped with vegetable salad and a sesame crisp, green asparagus with dill mayonnaise on a mille feuille plus a selection of chef's thingytail sandiwhces including baby vine tomato and mozzarella, smoked salmon and glazed cucumber with horseradish, ham and mustard and beef and horseradish. There was also a selection of hot canapes including chicken fillet goujons with herb mayonnaise, chicken fillet satay with a spicy curry sauce, goujons of sole with sesame and herb yoghurt dip, and tempura of prawn with a sota dressing.
Just before six o;clock the guests headed into the lavish marquee that had been specially erected for the wedding breakfast, reception and party. Pauline Feather had very specific plans when she created this area: "I have tried to create a feeling of calm and made a garden effect along the full length of the window wall. The detail includes silver sphere water features, ivy tower trees, moss covered rocks, candles in storm lanterns and clusters of roses. Guests couldn't help but wonder and the views of Cliveden and the stunning designs that Alex and Pauline Father had conjured between them.
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But there's more to come for the guests and there's more to come for you in next week's issue. You'll hear all the gossip from the party, see some footballers throwing some pretty impressive shapes on the dancefloor and see Alex's second, incredible wedding dress - only in next week's issue of OK!.
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But the best of this weeks wedding-filled issue is yet to come, as just the day before their beautiful nuptials, Alex and Steven sat down with OK! to talk about to weding of the year, clear up some of the wild rumours and find out about some of Steven's very strict house rules..
So, you two, in less than 24 hours you'll be husband and wife. Have the pre-wedding jitters kicked in?
Alex: I definately have them. I was fine but since we've been at the hotel they've been building up. In fact, they started when we were in the car on the way down here.
Steven: Alex went to get her hair done on Thursday night and when she came back the car was ready and waiting for us to coming down the Cliveden. On the way in the car I could tell it was getting to her.
Did Alex's nerves make you nervous too, Steven?
It did start me off - I began to get a little bit excited. But to be honest, now that the wedding is tomorrow, we're in the hotel and we're settled and everything is fine I don't feel there's anything to be nervous about.
Some couples say that during wedding preparations you have the biggest rows of your relationship - how have you found it?
Alex: We've not had big ups and downs or anything like that. It's stressful putting a wedding together so we've had a few little arguments here and there but it's been fine.
Steven: We've been very lucky because the wedding planners and also our friend Anneli have taken a lot of the stress away. They've handled everything brilliantly for us. That's definately kept any little arguments or biting eachothers heads ogg down to a minimum.
The papers have been full of speculation about what's going to be happening at your wedding - can you believe how interested people are?
Steven: I think some areas of the media have blown the wedding completely out of proportion but Alex and I don't have any control over that.
Is your big day going to be a crazily extravagant footballers' wedding then?
Steven: What we do know is that it's going to be a normal wedding and the guests and everyone involved are gonig to have a normal, lovely day.
Yours is one of four footballers' weddings this weekend - it must have been a minefield for those not getting married to decide whose wedding to actually attend...
Steven: For the four of us getting married I think we all understand our reasons for not being at eachothers weddings!
What about those people who can't attend yours?
Steven: It's the time of year when footballers like to go on holiday or have already made plans so you do understand if they turn an invite down. I just hope that all the other three lads' weddings go to plan and that they have an amazing time, and I'm sure we'll all be having a catch-up the next time we get together to find out how they all went. But I'm sure all four weddings will go according to plan and that everyone will have a great time.
Will you be curious to see how the other three looked?
Steven: We'll take an interest because they are our freinds but I think other people are going to be comparing the weddings against eachother. WE'll just have to let them get on with that.
It will surely be hurtful if people slate your wedding after the event in the press...
Steven: I don't think that's something worth us even worrying about. They've already speculated about which wedding is the best one to go to and things like that. We don't have any control over that - let them write and say whatever they want.
You're both very low-key for such a high-profile couple. Do you enjoy the fame that comes with who you are?
Steven: The fact of it is that we're just a normal couple with two beautiful children. We live life as normally as possible. People do write about us and there are rumours and opinions about our relationship and how it works but we're just as normal as it comes. We realise, though, that it is just part and parcel of being in the public eye.
Now obviously one thing people have been speculating about, at all the weddings but especially yours, is the dress. steven have you got any idea what Alex has chosen?
I don't know anything about the dress but I habe full confidence in her that she'll look amazing. [Pauses] She better had with the price of it! If she doesn't look amazing I'll be asking a few questions, let me tell you!
It must be weird people wondering about your dress on TV and in newspapers...
Alex: It's really weird. There have been laods of stories about what I'm supposed to be wearing and I have been really worrying that something was going to come out. But nothing has so we've been quite lucky, haven't we?
Has it been fun searching for and finding your dream dress?
I think for me that's been the most exciting and fun part of the wedding so far. I went to Paris to choose it and to have all my fittings. That's all been dead exciting.
Haven't you been tempted to take a sneaky look, Steven?
No, and I haven't got a clue. I don't know what Alex is going to look like. [Alex begins to cr] I'm really confident that she and the girls will look amazing because they do every day. [Alex asks for a tissue then runs to the bathroom. Steven turns to OK!]She's going to go tomorrow, isn't she? Then that'll set me off.
We have to admit to having a little peek at the marquee and all the flowers, and from what we can see it's a very elegant and simple wedding...
Alex: The hotel is really beautiful - it's a classic stately home so I've just tried to carry that theme through as much as possible.
Steven: The wedding has really bounced off the surroundings. Everything works really well. Everyone who gets married has their own tastes and ideas and we feel that this has worked out perfectly.
Is this the wedding you've always dreamed of, Alex?
Oh absolutely. Yeah definately, but it's been lovely to go to other wddings like Micheal and Louise's [Owen] was lovely. And I've picked up ideas along the way.
Steven: We've been lucky enough to go to a lot of footballers' weddings and I'm sure they won't mind that we've picked up little bits and pieces from them.
Did you have a lot of input into how this would look, Steven?
I haven't been involved, to be honest. Alex and Anneli have done most of it really. I've only really been involved in the last few weeks after the football season finished because I didn't really want to get too involved while it was still on.
You could be in for some big surprises...
Alex has been very good at updating me as things have moved along and I've been able to give things the thumbs up or the thumbs down, but I think 95 per cent of it is all Alex.
Alex: He knows most things that are happening tomorrow but there'll be a few surprises for him along the way.
Steven: There are a few surprises about expenses that I found out yesterday but as I'm in the wedding mood I'll let them go! [To Alex] Your timing was perfect on that.
What part of the wedding are you most looking forward to?
Alex: The party afterwards!
Steven: She's only saying that because of her nerves. I'm actually looking forward to the whole day. I've been so excited since I turned up on Thursday and arrived and saw everything. I can't wait to experience it all.
Do Lilly-Ella and Lexie understand what Mummy and Daddy are doing?
Alex: [To Steven] No, not really, do they? Lilly knows that she's going to wear a lovely dress and that she's going to be a bridesmaid but obviously Lexie doesn't because she's so young.
Steven: I think it will be carnage because when Lilly sees all the people she'll go into her shell a little a little bit and Lexie will just be Lexie and be quite vocal. We might need a little help getting the bridesmaids down the stairs.
We've already seen some tears during the interview, will there be lots tomorrow?
Alex: I'll definately cry. I think at the begining when the music starts and I see everyone there, that's when I definately will. I've got my friends with me and the girls, so I think when we're all ready to go that's when I'll get really emotional.
Steven: I'm open to holding back, to be honest, because I don't think my team-mates or my close friends will ever let me live it down. I'm sure it will be an emotional time when I see Alex and the girls coming down the stairs and they're all looking gorgeous.
Have you had a no-sex rule in the run-up to the wedding?
Alex: [Looks at Steven and bursts out laughing] None!
Steven: I want to make it clear that there are no sex bands in my house. That would just lead to mood swings and proper arguments. Definately no sex bans!
What about the night before the wedding - will you be spending it apart?
Alex: Yeah, we have an eight o'clock curfew and then that's it.
Do you think you'll resisty the temptation of texting or calling each other?
Alex: I don't know. We're both going to be busy with friends and family so I think we'll be fine. We'll see. I just think it's nicer not see eachother.
After the event will you be excited to call eachother "the missus" and "my husband"?
Alex: [To Steven] You're always calling me your missus anyway, aren't you?
Steven: I do call her my missus, but I think I'll have to get used to calling her my wife. It still sounds a bit strange at the minute. she's not quite sure about becoming Mrs Gerrard, though - but I think she's just trying to wind me up!
Alex: It's just because it's new and it sounds strange to hear it and it feels strange to say it.
Have you practiced your new signature, Alex - just to get used to it?
I haven't yet. Everyone keeps asking me that but it's one thing I haven't done.
Steven: The amount of cheques she signs will be practice enough!
You've been at Liverpool for such a long time, Steven, are we about to lose you and Alex from these shores in a Beckham style transfer across the world?Just a couple of weeks ago I actually commited the next four years of my career to Liverpool and Alex was desperate for that to happen because she didn't want to move. I'm really happy there and I think the club has a really bright future ahead of it. I can't see me playing for anyone else now. Obviously there were a few opportunities earlier on in my career to move but I'm happy I stayed with Liverpool. I'm pleased to have commited the rest of my career to them.
Can you believe the wedding is actually happening tomorrow after all these months of planning?
Alex: No, not at all. It has been a good 18 months of planning but I swear these last couple have just gone by really quickly.
Steven: Yeah, it's flown by. I think it's gone so quickly because things have been a lot more hectic in the last few weeks in the run up to everything. But for me the whole year seems to have gone really quick because of the football season.
Did you have hen and stag parties?
Alex: I came down to London with about ten friends and we went to Pacha for Hed Kandi. We spent a long weekend down here and just had a really great time.
Was it carnage?
It wasn't too bad.
Steven: Even if it actually was she won't say so in front of me.
Alex: I thought it was going to be but it wasn't.
What about you, Steven?
I went to Glasgow with some friends for a weekend. We went clubbing, had a few beers. There were about 35 of us in the end. Glasgow was perfect because it's only a few hours away from me and it's a lovely city. It has a great night life and I can relax a bit more up there because people don't really recognise me as much as they do normally.
Finally, you have two gorgeous little girls, Lilly-Ella and Lexie. Do you have plans for any more?
Steven: I think I'll leave that down to Alex.
Alex: Not at the moment.
Steven: I'm really happy with the two girls but obviously if Alex wanted another one I'd be prepared to dive in!
thanx to lulubelle @ MissFairyTale
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