Next weekend a staggering four England footballers will marry in an orgy of competitive spending, extravagance and in-your-face glamour.
The Wedding WAG-athon sees England captain John Terry tie the knot on Friday, followed on Saturday by team-mates Steven Gerrard, Gary Neville and Michael Carrick.
Not surprisingly, their respective brides have gone to extremes to ensure that their ceremony grabs the headlines in glossy magazines. Forget understated classiness and tradition, national stocks of St Tropez bronzer and Louboutin stilettos have been depleted as those considered worthy of an invitation prepare for this flashy three-day blow-out. But if youre not one of the lucky few on the guest lists, dont despair. Here, ALISON BOSHOFF presents the Mails very own guide to the biggest, tackiest, splashiest weekend in the history of footballs glitterati. . .
Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran
Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran
The match
With her tangerine tan and shopping passion, former nail technician Alex Curran will make the ultimate footballers wife. Determined not to be outdone, she has ensured her three-day-long celebration will be the showiest wedding. Alex and Liverpool skipper Gerrard met at a nightclub, but she rebuffed the £120,000-a-week star three times before they went on a date. She is the mother of his two children, Lilly-Ella, three, and Lexie, one. They live in a mansion in Formby, and he has recently bought a new £3.5 million home in Lathom, Lancashire.
Kick-off
The extravaganza begins on Friday at Cliveden House, Berkshire. The ceremony is in the Great Hall on Saturday at 1.40pm. The party is expected to go on until 3.30am, with bacon butties and chips available. The wedding cake is believed to have seven tiers and be as tall as the groom.
Team strip
Alex has been to Paris for fittings for a couture Dior number. Lilly-Ella and Lexie will be in miniature versions. Stevie is said to be considering a white suit. Alex has been having microdermabrasion facials and tanning treatments. Shell also be unveiling a "more sophisticated" hairstyle.
Guests
England striker Michael Owen and wife Louise, Gerrards Liverpool teammates-Jamie Carragher and wife Nicola, Robbie Fowler and wife Kerry, Harry Kewell and girlfriend Sheree Murphy; plus Chelsea star Ashley Cole and popstar wife Cheryl. Wayne and Coleen will be at the party. Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy is best man.
Entertainment
Take That star Gary Barlow was reputedly singing, but his manager told us he isnt. A "famous DJ" is promised.
Budget
£1 million.
Extra time
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. Read all about it
OK! Magazine - are paying around £800,000
The Wedding WAG-athon sees England captain John Terry tie the knot on Friday, followed on Saturday by team-mates Steven Gerrard, Gary Neville and Michael Carrick.
Not surprisingly, their respective brides have gone to extremes to ensure that their ceremony grabs the headlines in glossy magazines. Forget understated classiness and tradition, national stocks of St Tropez bronzer and Louboutin stilettos have been depleted as those considered worthy of an invitation prepare for this flashy three-day blow-out. But if youre not one of the lucky few on the guest lists, dont despair. Here, ALISON BOSHOFF presents the Mails very own guide to the biggest, tackiest, splashiest weekend in the history of footballs glitterati. . .
Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran
Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran
The match
With her tangerine tan and shopping passion, former nail technician Alex Curran will make the ultimate footballers wife. Determined not to be outdone, she has ensured her three-day-long celebration will be the showiest wedding. Alex and Liverpool skipper Gerrard met at a nightclub, but she rebuffed the £120,000-a-week star three times before they went on a date. She is the mother of his two children, Lilly-Ella, three, and Lexie, one. They live in a mansion in Formby, and he has recently bought a new £3.5 million home in Lathom, Lancashire.
Kick-off
The extravaganza begins on Friday at Cliveden House, Berkshire. The ceremony is in the Great Hall on Saturday at 1.40pm. The party is expected to go on until 3.30am, with bacon butties and chips available. The wedding cake is believed to have seven tiers and be as tall as the groom.
Team strip
Alex has been to Paris for fittings for a couture Dior number. Lilly-Ella and Lexie will be in miniature versions. Stevie is said to be considering a white suit. Alex has been having microdermabrasion facials and tanning treatments. Shell also be unveiling a "more sophisticated" hairstyle.
Guests
England striker Michael Owen and wife Louise, Gerrards Liverpool teammates-Jamie Carragher and wife Nicola, Robbie Fowler and wife Kerry, Harry Kewell and girlfriend Sheree Murphy; plus Chelsea star Ashley Cole and popstar wife Cheryl. Wayne and Coleen will be at the party. Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy is best man.
Entertainment
Take That star Gary Barlow was reputedly singing, but his manager told us he isnt. A "famous DJ" is promised.
Budget
£1 million.
Extra time
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. Read all about it
OK! Magazine - are paying around £800,000