Is it the wedding of the year – Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo? So who are they? You’ve probably seen them filling up your Instagram feeds this week. Jamie Laing is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry – most of you will know him from the hit reality TV show – Made in Chelsea and also as the owner of his much-loved sweets – Candy Kittens. Sophie Habboo, also known for her time on Made in Chelsea, and where they’re actually met, is a life, fashion and travel influencer. Fans of the Channel 4 TV show will have loved watching their relationship grow, and so were gripped when they released their new podcast ‘Nearlyweds’ after getting engaged in December 2021.
Over 18 months later, the couple are now MARRIED! And having listened to every single episode (yup that’s right!) and scouring their Instagram’s, plus many cast members who attended the big day, I had to write up my thoughts on the wedding, and also point out some bits were mentioned along their podcast journey, which may or may not have made it to the day.
THE DRESS
Of course, it had to be mentioned first, made by the incredible talents of Emma Beaumont, who even admitted in a latest episode of Nearlyweds that Sophie didn’t quite do as many trials as usual (I imagine Sophie’s diary is pretty full to the brim so maybe that’s why!) but still looked incredible. I had an idea that Sophie would go for a fit and flare style, but was surprised by the lace. I thought she would opt for a sleek, plain white number, very contemporary. I was also surprised by the sleeves due to the wedding being in Spain and I’m sure, very warm! But loved them all the same! Absolutely LOVED the addition of the cathedral veil – it really made the outfit. You can see in photos and videos that Sophie then changed later in the evening, but professional photos and designer haven’t yet been released.
The canned cocktails debacle
I think all the listeners of the podcasts highly enjoyed what we thought was Jamie winding Sophie up about having canned cocktails at the wedding. But maybe he wasn’t as they did make an appearance and the night prior celebrations, supplied by MOTH Drinks. Jamie actually also reveals that he invested in the company for the wedding, and Sophie did admit that they were amazing and that after a conversation with the owners (who she loved) on a zoom she didn’t really want to attend, that she agreed to have them within some part of the celebrations.
The STEN idea
The couple talked at length about having a STEN party – a combined hen and stag party. But this didn’t happen in the end which was revealed on the podcast, and spent their bachelor and bachelorette parties separately in Paris and Val D’Isere. Sophie also had a London hen party, attended by Olivia Bentley and Verity Bowditch.
Officiant
You have most likely seen in the press, social media or on one of Jamie’s many podcasts, the ‘Spencer and Jamie fallout’, after Spencer was under the impression he was officiant at the wedding, but was actually the MC. Jamie did mention that Spencer was officiant on the podcast. He also asked his brother to be usher on the podcast, but that also didn’t transpire. Perhaps Jamie has a case of, asking and forgetting, like many brides do actually!! I often hear tales from my bride’s where they have drunkenly asked a friend to be bridesmaid, hoping they will forget the next day. Role reversal? We have seen the actually officiant in the videos and photos, but still unsure as to who they were and if they were a friend or family member, or a celebrant they hired.
Catering
We meet the incredible caterer – Chef Tom Kerridge, who is based in Buckinghamshire on the podcast, where Jamie asked if Tom would cater their wedding. I did think this was strange as this is a big task catering in Spain when you are based in the UK, but it was also something that didn’t transpire, as on the day, their wedding was catered by GOYO Catering. But we would highly recommend Tom as a UK caterer!
Accommodation – Palm Rock Retreats
Jamie and Sophie stayed for a week prior to the wedding celebrations and also had their day 2 at Palm Rock Retreats, which actually offers wellness retreats, including healthy eating plans and personal training sessions. The owner was present on one of the final episodes of the nearlyweds podcast and did comment that they most likely wouldn’t host a wedding party again. We can’t imagine having saxophonists on the roof, as they did on the day 2, really fits with the vibe of a wellness retreat after all, but hopefully it helped to get their name out there for anyone looking for that kind of trip.
Day 2
This was debated for quite a few episodes due to cost, and I think if they went with the original venue they picked, which they decided to change due to being such a high cost, they maybe wouldn’t have had one. But the couple did comment that they felt bad for people travelling so far for it to be over in one day. They even put it to the viewers, who had mixed views, some saying people will want to do what they want to do, others saying to go for it. In the end, by looking at many stories on Instagram, there was a Day 2, which was hosted at Palm Rock Retreats, with entertainment from their wedding day band, including trumpeters and saxophonists. It looked a very informal affair, with the guests dressed down, and all there just to enjoy themselves. I also spotted a post from Jamie with many drinks in his hand at around 10pm, so I think it was still a late one!
Personalised Guest Poems
This actually came from the ‘favours’ part of the podcast, when each week, Jamie and Sophie would read out an idea or a business in the wedding industry, which was really beneficial to so many wedding suppliers and a really lovely thing to do to help these businesses, one being Pinky Studio who create personalised poems for each of your guests. Sophie said how much she loved this and how she wanted to do this for their wedding. And it did transpire, which Is aw on some beautiful photos of the place settings from a few of the attendees, who then sat down to a lovely poem written for them.
Guest Numbers
It was talking about there being around 300 guests on the a few episodes of the podcasts, especially when Sophie was talking about how anxious she was for such a big event, and how Jamie just kept inviting more and more people. There was also a lot of drama about the invites, as they went out quite late and quite a few invitations didn’t make it to the guests. Looking at photos, and also mentioned in later episodes, it seems there were around 150 – 200 guests, so potentially a smaller affair than originally planned, which I am sure Sophie was happy about!
Guest List
There were definitely some well known faces there, especially if you are an MIC fan, including recently married Ollie Locke, Ollie Proudlock, Emily Blackwell, Olivia Bentley, Ruby Adler and Melissa Tatum, who is Sophie’s podcast host on Wednesday’s We Drink Wine. Spencer Matthews, Jamie’s podcast 6 degrees co-host and best friend, was MC. Sam Thompson and his girlfriend Zara McDermott were also there and looking stunning, followed by a brilliant Instagram post from Sam, showing a clip from the old school (best) MIC days. Sam actually dated Sophie way back when, so when Jamie took Sophie on a date shortly after the split, they fell out, Sam exclaiming, “I wish you had gone and married the girl so at least it was for something”, followed by a clip of Sophie and Jamie then actually getting married, and Sam in the audience, emotional with happiness for them….LOVE!
Aisle Walk
Jamie hinted many times that he wanted to walk down the aisle, with music which was…er….controversial to say the least! From videos, it seems that it was just Sophie who made an entrance, on her dad’s arm, to the sounds of a string quartet, and without the Jurassic Park theme tune!
Music
It was discussed how important music is for the wedding day, and something I also emphasise to couples too. Jamie and Sophie walked into the song ‘September’ performed by their band for the wedding breakfast. You can see the guests dancing along, cheering, waving their napkins in the air (which I am sure was encouraged by MC Spencer Matthews!) which really just makes you feel amazing as a couple! If you don’t have music, there also ends up being a moment of silence when everyone takes their seats which isn’t great, so would highly recommend any couple to choose music, especially upbeat music, during this entrance. The evening entertainment was wedding party band ALR Music, based in London
Wedding Suppliers
Jamie and Sophie’s wedding suppliers we have spotted so far and did an incredible job to make such a stunning day come to life which I am sure we will all remember for a while!!
Hair & Makeup: Willis Galbraith Hair
Photographer: Phoebe Piper Photo
Video: Will Warr (bravo! can’t believe how quick the video content started to be released! You must have been up all night!)
Band: ALR Music
Wedding Accessories – Gigi and Olive
Wedding Planner – Caprichia Weddings and Events
Cake – Kats Cakes Marbella
Would love to know name of venue and florist if anyone comes across it!
Looking for a lavish, Spanish style wedding in the UK? Get in touch here and let’s make it happen! Large scale weddings in iconic venues, with beautiful food and aesthetics is definitely bag!