As we’ve chatted to the human ball of energy that is Vicky Pattison many times, we know we’re in for a fun time when the reality star rocks up to our interview, raring to go, in a tank top and trackie bottoms.
It’s been one hell of a year for Vicky, 36. She completed a gruelling 50km charity trek in the Arctic, and she and new husband Ercan Ramadan, 41, had not one, but two weddings – one in London’s Marylebone and the other in Puglia, Italy. We may not have received an invitation to either big day (we don’t hold it against you, VP), but that didn’t stop us from obsessing over her outfits, celeb guest list and the five-day itinerary for the Italian shindig.
Now, though, Vicky’s busy year has almost come to an end. Here, she tells us all about how she’s looking forward to winding down for her first Christmas with Ercan as a married couple, why they haven’t gone on honeymoon yet, and her oh-so-relatable Christmas Day plans…
So, were your wedding days everything you dreamed of?
Do you know what? The London one was so chaotic. I found it really stressful – having the reception at my home, not having a wedding planner, and being everybody’s first port of call. People were coming up to me and saying, ‘Vicky, where’s your coffee? Vicky, you’ve run out of toilet roll. Vicky, your generator is off…’ Like, 'F**k off, I’m the bride! There’s surely someone else you can bother with this?’ And, although it was an incredible party and a beautiful ceremony, I was really nervous that the Italian wedding was going to be the same. We’d spent so long planning it, and so much money, and I just thought, ‘Gosh, I hope this is everything we want it to be’.
But, actually, all my fears were completely unfounded, because it was the best week of my life - from the moment we got on that plane to the second I woke up after the pool party and realised it was all done. I was inconsolable. I was in tears as I just didn’t want it to be over. Every morning, we would wake up, and I’d be like, ‘How on earth are they going to top yesterday?’ And every night, I’d go to bed giggling and laughing and remembering the best moments. Like, honestly, 10 out of 10 – I can’t recommend getting married enough. It was just great.
What were your standout moments?
We had a welcome dinner in Italy that wasn’t filmed [for the Channel 4 wedding reality show] and that made it feel like something sneaky and special and just for us, which was amazing. Erc’s not very good at articulating his feelings. He’s from a strong Turkish/Cypriot background and I think men are very manly in that space, so I was nervous about his vows not being very romantic and a bit crap, but he really smashed them. They were very heartfelt and very lovely. So, that was a highlight for me. And, then, do you know what? I read this quote, and it’s so cringy, but it’s like, ‘Your wedding day is the only day where you’ll have everybody who loves you in one place’, and I felt that. I felt so loved. There are too many highlights to mention, but those are the big ones.
You both have really big families – were the weddings as wild as you imagined they’d be?
Yeah, so wild. With the London wedding, the vendors were arriving on the Sunday morning to pick up their stuff, and people were still at my house. I was like, ‘Please take the people with you. I want to go to bed.’ So, London was wild, and then in Italy, when they turned the music off at 3am, I was running around like, ‘Who do I have to pay to keep it going?’ I was so stressed that it was going to be over, because it was just amazing. Blazin’ Squad performed, we had this incredible band, live saxophones, bongos... It was truly the best week of my life. And I think it was exactly what everybody would expect from a Vicky Pattison x Ercan Ramadan wedding.
Which hangover was worse – London or Puglia?
London was far worse. I just don’t think you’re ever as hungover in the sun. Also, we really had to keep the momentum going in Italy, because we had reception drinks, welcome dinner, a stag and hen day, then we had the wedding and then a pool party. So, there was no time to let the energy dip, whinge or be hungover. The adrenaline was there and it kept you motivated. I will say, getting myself to the pool party on the last day was a little bit spicy. I was also becoming aware that it was nearly over, so I was quite tearful, but in the best possible way. I’ve got only good memories from it. In fact, all my friends and all my family are like, ‘We need to do it again every year’. I’m like, ‘Yeah, you can f**king pay for it’.
What was your favourite gift?
My make-up artist and hairdresser got me these three different prints – of Marylebone Town Hall where we got married, one of me and Ercan, and one of the Puglia wedding – and they’re just beautiful. People’s kindness really just surprised us. Oh God, you’re making me sad that it’s all over. I’m definitely going to do our vow renewal in five years. Is that too soon?
No, do it every five years!
Do you think so? I was talking to Rochelle [Humes] about it. I was like, ‘You did a vow renewal, didn’t you?’ and she was like, ‘Oh yeah. I promised Marvin we’re doing it every 10 years.’ I was like, ‘I can top that!’
It’s your first Christmas as a married couple – what are your and Ercan’s festive traditions?
The more boring, the better. The run-up to Christmas is always chocka. He’s got a huge family, I’ve got a huge family, and we’re at opposite ends of the country, so we get all of that out of the way so Christmas can be us and the dogs. I like to do a huge Marks & Spencer shop. We treat ourselves – pigs in blankets, stuffing, the most epic cheese board you could imagine – and then I like to hibernate. From Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day, I don’t want to see anybody apart from my husband and my dogs. I want to watch Christmas films, eat too much, just rot and watch Harry Potter. It’s the perfect time to have really chilled family time.
Who does all the Christmas Day cooking in the Pattison-Ramadan house?
Me! Ercan is many things, but a chef is not one of them. We divvy up things really well – I do the cooking and he does the cleaning, because I’m rubbish at all that. I’m not domesticated in that sense at all, so it’s really fair. And he does like my cooking. I don’t want to sound smug, but I am quite good at a roast.
Perfect for Christmas…
Exactly, but we want to do a turkey crown, because there’s only us two and the dogs. I don’t do a full turkey, because it’s a lot of pressure and I don’t like waste.
So, what’s on your Christmas list this year?
Some time off. I’ve had the best year surrounded by all my friends, family, finally becoming a wife to a lovely man. I’m just so grateful for everything, but maybe what I haven’t shouted about enough is that, professionally, it’s been really nice for me,as well. I’m finally doing jobs and working with people, channels and brands that I’ve dreamed about for years. So, even though there’s been loads of gorgeous personal moments, I had to get straight back to work. We haven’t had a honeymoon. or much of a chance to enjoy domestic married life and stuff. So, yeah, in 2025, I would love more of the same of what 2024 brought, because I’m so grateful, but I would love a honeymoon. Can Santa bring me a one of those?
Where would you want to go?
I don’t know. Erc really likes far-flung places where he can just lie on the beach, but that bores me to tears. I like to be doing stuff – I want to explore, I want to try new food and go new places. Dream location would be South Africa – a bit of safari in Hermanus, and then up to Cape Town for some nice drinks and stuff, and finally wine country, so we both get a bit of everything.
Let’s make this happen…
Let’s manifest it, babes.
Next year, you’ll celebrate your first wedding anniversary – any family plans yet?
We’ve been together six years and we’ve been very vocal about the fact that we would love to have a family. I’m not getting any younger, but luckily, I froze my eggs, which I’m hoping has bought me one year of marital bliss. We just want one year where we focus on being married to each other, building that foundation and giving the dogs another year of them just being our only children. I know I sound unhinged, but they are everything to us. So, one more year where I can get my head down with my career, have a honeymoon, and the dogs get spoiled rotten before we start bringing other puppies into the mix.
Stream My Big Fat Geordie Wedding at Channel4.com.