Post by Alisha Meehan on Jun 17, 2008 8:42:11 GMT 12
We've got the inside track on Ms Holden's lavish nuptials
After 5 years together, Amanda will walk down the aisle with fiance Chris Hughes, 35, in just 6 months-and she can't wait.
Although she's been planning the wedding for almost 18 months after Chris presented her with a £20,000 diamond ring, the Britain's Got Talent judge admits she's still worried about the details of her big day on 11th December.
'I'm nervous. It's unlike me because usually I'm the one who doesn't get fazed about things,' she said 'All I can think is that it's because I'm so desperate to get it right,'
Amanda, 37, needn't worry-
it sounds as if her wedding day is going to be perfect....
The dress
Rumour has it that Marchesa, who is responsible for Coleen McLoughlin's dress, will be designing the gown.
Based in New York, the flowing, quirky frocks by Georgia Chapman are a hit with Hollywood A-listers such as Penelope Cruz and Cate Blanchet-which isn't surprising, as Georgia is married to movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
'It''s the perfect label for a second-time bride because the dresses are beautiful but not traditional,' says a fashion insider.
The guest list
Expect a star-studded guest list, even though the couple have had to keep the numbers down.
'The venue only seats 93,' Amanda explained. 'The guest list will be half showbiz people who are genuinly friends and half family. Formula 1 driva David Coulthard will be the best man and we want Lexi [Chris and Amanda's daughter] to be a bridesmaid. She'll be almost three and big enough to walk down the aisle on her own.' Amanda has also invited Cutting It's Sarah Parish and her Wild At Heart co-stars Lucy-Jo Hudson and Jessie Wallace.
The location
The couple have chosen Babington House for their ceremony, a private members' club set in 18 acres of Somerset Parkland. They will be shelling out almost £30,000 to hire the entire hotel for two days.
The day before the wedding, Amanda and her bridal party could spend time being pampered within an inch of their lives at the all-natural Cowshed Spa.
Meanwhile, the guys can enjoy a day of traditional country persuits, and children will be entertained at the creche.
That night Amanda is likely to stay in The Lodge, set apart from the main house, and she can get ready there in the morning. It offers total privacy, so there's no risk of the groom seeing the bride before the ceremony.
The ex factor
Amanda's choice of venue may raise eyebrows as there's a strange and little-known fact linking it with the break-up of her first marriage.
Neil Morrissey has money invested in Babington House and is a regular visitor. In fact, the photos that revealed the couples affair were taken just a few miles away!
And although he won't be present, one of the other guests is part of her past too-Chris's father was first hubby Les Dennis's manager. 'I'd met Chris on three seperate occasions while I was married to Les, and I don't remember any of them!' Amanda has admitted.
The ceremony
Cameras and phones will be banned during the service and reception to protect a six-figure glossy magazine deal.
But the couple are hoping their guests will take home some fabulous memories. A pathway to the chapel in the grounds will be lit with lanterns and the room will be illuminated with candles and festooned with flowers. A source tells us: 'It's a magical place to say your vows.'
Amanda has one hope when she walks into the chapel. 'The thing I regret about my last wedding is that when I walked down the aisle Les never turned round to look at me. I was devastated'
The reception
After the ceremony, which we hear may feature Britain's Got Talent's Faryl Smith singing, the guests will return to the main house. 'It's the perfect location for a winter wedding as there's a fireplace in almost every room which is always lit,' enthuses a former wedding guest. 'Drinks and nibbles are served in the bar and then guests sit down to a gourmet dinner in the Orangery.'
Dinner starts at £50 per head and the bar is open until the last drinker decides to put down their glass, so it looks like the party could run into the early hours. The first dance is expected to be Amanda's 'anthem'- Dancing Queen by Abba.
The honeymoon
The couple are keeping the location secret, but expect to see photos of them honeymooning on a secluded Caribbean Island. It will remind Amanda of her favourite holiday. 'I went to Necker Island in the Caribbean when I was about 24 weeks pregnant,' she revealed. 'It's very smart and intimate, and the island itself is stunning. Richard Branson [who owns it] was there. He's the most fantastic host.'
Then before they head home they'll spend they're first Christmas as man and wife, ending a perfect year for Amanda.
The essential bill!
Venue costs: £30,000
Pamper day for girls,
action for boys: £5000
Dress: £30,000
Flowers: £7000
Honeymoon: £10,000
Rings: £3000
Total: £85,000
After 5 years together, Amanda will walk down the aisle with fiance Chris Hughes, 35, in just 6 months-and she can't wait.
Although she's been planning the wedding for almost 18 months after Chris presented her with a £20,000 diamond ring, the Britain's Got Talent judge admits she's still worried about the details of her big day on 11th December.
'I'm nervous. It's unlike me because usually I'm the one who doesn't get fazed about things,' she said 'All I can think is that it's because I'm so desperate to get it right,'
Amanda, 37, needn't worry-
it sounds as if her wedding day is going to be perfect....
The dress
Rumour has it that Marchesa, who is responsible for Coleen McLoughlin's dress, will be designing the gown.
Based in New York, the flowing, quirky frocks by Georgia Chapman are a hit with Hollywood A-listers such as Penelope Cruz and Cate Blanchet-which isn't surprising, as Georgia is married to movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
'It''s the perfect label for a second-time bride because the dresses are beautiful but not traditional,' says a fashion insider.
The guest list
Expect a star-studded guest list, even though the couple have had to keep the numbers down.
'The venue only seats 93,' Amanda explained. 'The guest list will be half showbiz people who are genuinly friends and half family. Formula 1 driva David Coulthard will be the best man and we want Lexi [Chris and Amanda's daughter] to be a bridesmaid. She'll be almost three and big enough to walk down the aisle on her own.' Amanda has also invited Cutting It's Sarah Parish and her Wild At Heart co-stars Lucy-Jo Hudson and Jessie Wallace.
The location
The couple have chosen Babington House for their ceremony, a private members' club set in 18 acres of Somerset Parkland. They will be shelling out almost £30,000 to hire the entire hotel for two days.
The day before the wedding, Amanda and her bridal party could spend time being pampered within an inch of their lives at the all-natural Cowshed Spa.
Meanwhile, the guys can enjoy a day of traditional country persuits, and children will be entertained at the creche.
That night Amanda is likely to stay in The Lodge, set apart from the main house, and she can get ready there in the morning. It offers total privacy, so there's no risk of the groom seeing the bride before the ceremony.
The ex factor
Amanda's choice of venue may raise eyebrows as there's a strange and little-known fact linking it with the break-up of her first marriage.
Neil Morrissey has money invested in Babington House and is a regular visitor. In fact, the photos that revealed the couples affair were taken just a few miles away!
And although he won't be present, one of the other guests is part of her past too-Chris's father was first hubby Les Dennis's manager. 'I'd met Chris on three seperate occasions while I was married to Les, and I don't remember any of them!' Amanda has admitted.
The ceremony
Cameras and phones will be banned during the service and reception to protect a six-figure glossy magazine deal.
But the couple are hoping their guests will take home some fabulous memories. A pathway to the chapel in the grounds will be lit with lanterns and the room will be illuminated with candles and festooned with flowers. A source tells us: 'It's a magical place to say your vows.'
Amanda has one hope when she walks into the chapel. 'The thing I regret about my last wedding is that when I walked down the aisle Les never turned round to look at me. I was devastated'
The reception
After the ceremony, which we hear may feature Britain's Got Talent's Faryl Smith singing, the guests will return to the main house. 'It's the perfect location for a winter wedding as there's a fireplace in almost every room which is always lit,' enthuses a former wedding guest. 'Drinks and nibbles are served in the bar and then guests sit down to a gourmet dinner in the Orangery.'
Dinner starts at £50 per head and the bar is open until the last drinker decides to put down their glass, so it looks like the party could run into the early hours. The first dance is expected to be Amanda's 'anthem'- Dancing Queen by Abba.
The honeymoon
The couple are keeping the location secret, but expect to see photos of them honeymooning on a secluded Caribbean Island. It will remind Amanda of her favourite holiday. 'I went to Necker Island in the Caribbean when I was about 24 weeks pregnant,' she revealed. 'It's very smart and intimate, and the island itself is stunning. Richard Branson [who owns it] was there. He's the most fantastic host.'
Then before they head home they'll spend they're first Christmas as man and wife, ending a perfect year for Amanda.
The essential bill!
Venue costs: £30,000
Pamper day for girls,
action for boys: £5000
Dress: £30,000
Flowers: £7000
Honeymoon: £10,000
Rings: £3000
Total: £85,000