It’s the stuff that modern fairytales are made of: beautiful blonde film star meets handsome young scion of one of Britain’s most famous – and fashionable – families, sparks fly, and a truly 21st century romance unfolds.
Now, a little over two years after the world learned that Nicola Peltz – daughter of billionaire investor Nelson Peltz and model Claudia Heffner – and Brooklyn Beckham – son of pop star-turned-designer Victoria and England footballing legend David – were dating, the couple has exchanged vows at the Peltz family’s sprawling Palm Beach estate, as guests including Venus and Serena Williams, Eva Longoria, and two of Victoria’s former bandmates – Spices Sporty and Scary – looked on.
Nicola wore Valentino Haute Couture to marry Brooklyn Beckham at her family home in Palm Beach, Florida. Her groom wore custom Dior by Kim Jones.
Photo: German Larkin
The bride wore a romantic Valentino couture gown with a show-stopping train, chosen with the help of her stylist Leslie Fremar in the months leading up to one of the most opulent – and star-studded – weddings of the year. On top of the exquisite craftsmanship, the dress incorporated sweet personal details: the bride’s mother added an evil eye as a talisman for her daughter, along with a message that the Valentino team stitched into the wedding gown using blue thread.
The couple’s guests – including, of course, the entire Beckham clan – flew into Florida for a full weekend of celebrations steered by wedding planner extraordinaire Michelle Rago, that kicked off with an intimate dinner on Friday night, for which family friend Kim Jones outfitted the wedding party in Dior suiting.
The bride, whose hair on the day was inspired by ’90s supermodel Claudia Schiffer, walked down the aisle to a live rendition of “Songbird”.
Photo: German Larkin
Unsurprisingly, plenty of designs by newly-minted mother-in-law Victoria were spied in the congregation at the ceremony on Saturday – not least the one she wore herself, a metallic, couture-level slip dress with nods to Studio 54, and the effect created by moonlight when it bounces off the ocean. VB also dressed her longtime friend Longoria (in her favourite slinky black dress from her spring/summer 2022 collection), as well as model Mia Regan, Romeo’s plus-one for his big brother’s wedding weekend.
The bride floated down the aisle on the arm of her father, to the sound of a live rendition of “Songbird” accompanied by a string orchestra. Her new sister-in-law, Harper Beckham, was among the flower girls, and her bridesmaids wore gowns crafted by tailor Joel Diaz. The groom wore a diamond chain on his lapel by Anita Ko, a gift from his new in-laws. “He wore it Friday night as an upscale wallet chain, and on the night of the wedding as a formal chain attached to the front of his evening jacket,” says Ko, who was a guest at the ceremony. “They were bezel set emerald-cut diamonds.”
After the ceremony, guests mingled over cocktails decorated with seasonal white cherry blossoms as a jazz quartet played, then a 12-piece live band took over the entertainment for the black-tie dinner in the wedding tent, which had been decorated by HMR Designs with garden roses layered with peonies, petite white ranunculus, spray roses and hydrangea. In addition to the traditional speeches – including those from Brooklyn’s best men, his brothers Romeo and Cruz – the father-of-the-groom David Beckham delivered a heartfelt tribute to his eldest son and his new daughter-in-law. When dinner, masterminded by Thierry Isambert Culinary and Event Design, was over, the newlyweds had their first dance to “Only Fools Rush In”, performed by rising South African artist Lloyiso.
The groom with his father, David Beckham, and his brothers – and best men – Cruz and Romeo.
Photo: German Larkin
The friends who then joined the young couple on the dance floor reflected Brooklyn and Nicola’s respective showbiz worlds. As well as famous members of the Beckham family’s inner circle – the celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his family were also there, and Marc Anthony took over the DJ decks to close out the celebrations – there were Hollywood heavyweights including actors Rashida Jones and Kiernan Shipka, and the filmmakers Michael Bay and M Night Shyamalan (both of whom have directed Peltz in movies), as well as Natalia Bryant, daughter of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
Nicola was walked down the aisle by her father, the billionaire investor Nelson Peltz.
Photo: German Larkin
Conscious of the events unfolding on the other side of the world as they celebrated their wedding, Brooklyn and Nicola partnered with the humanitarian agency Care, and invited guests to make donations in their name to help provide aid for women and girls, families and the elderly in Ukraine. The bride’s parents were among those making significant donations to the cause.
The groom confessed to a few jitters ahead of his big speech during a round of Mr & Mrs with British Vogue, but doubtless brought the house down, cheered on by proud parents Victoria and David. Perhaps it evoked memories of their own big day in 1999, a lavish affair at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland that set the bar for all celebrity weddings to follow. Brooklyn, just four months old at the time, was guest of honour at his parents’ wedding, dressed all in white to match dad David’s suit and Victoria’s Vera Wang wedding gown.
Mother-of-the-bride Claudia Peltz, wearing custom Versace.
Photo: German Larkin
Twenty-three years, three more children and countless happy memories later, Victoria and David are stronger than ever. With this as their template, the future looks bright for the brand new Mr and Mrs Beckham.
Editor
Kerry McDermontCredit
Lead Image: German Larkin
