We’re officially dubbing it the wedding of the century, with A-listers, million-dollar décor, and stunning fashion in every direction.
Last week, lovebirds Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz finally tied the knot in a £3million extravaganza, with the bride calling it “the most beautiful weekend of my life”. But behind the scenes, insiders say the wild excess hid some mounting tension between the new blended families.
“The wedding was an enormous success and everyone loved it,” says an insider close to the newlyweds, who married in Palm Beach, Florida, at the £75m Peltz family estate.
“It was the wedding of the year that both their parents wanted – an event that represents the joining of two families. And even though a few of the bigger A-list names couldn’t make it, it was still an amazing day – all about the beautiful couple and their families. And now it’s all about the future.
“Brooklyn and Nicola have had so many late-night conversations about what they’re going to do with their lives, and both have huge ambitions. They plan on becoming a big media couple, combining acting, fashion, media and photography to become these new pioneers of youth culture. They’re clearly determined to do things their own way, which is why they’ve decided to take on both surnames and become the Peltz-Beckhams.”
It was a perfect day, with Nicola wearing a stunning, bespoke Valentino dress, designed especially for her in Italy by the brand’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli. The 27-year-old actress called it “a work of art” and revealed how it took a year of conversation – plus two trips to Rome – to create. She was styled for the nuptials by her long-term stylist, Leslie Fremar, with make-up by Chanel’s Kate Lee and hair by Adir Abergel. Even Nicola’s nails were done by a celebrity technician, Tom Bachnik, despite her hands being covered up by lace gloves.
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The Jewish ceremony – photographed exclusively for Vogue magazine – had an estimated 300 attendees, with a guest list to rival the Oscars. Brooklyn’s groomsmen were his brothers, Romeo, 19, and Cruz, 17, while his little sister, Harper, ten, acted as flower girl.
In attendance were Eva Longoria, Serena and Venus Williams, Gigi Hadid, Nicole Richie, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, Elizabeth Hurley, Gordon Ramsay, Miss Universe Paraguay 2021 Nadia Ferreiria with her boyfriend, and former husband to Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, as well as Romeo’s girlfriend, model Mia Regan. Former Spice Girls Mel C and Mel B were also there.
The guests stealing the day, though, were the 23-year-old groom’s parents, Victoria and Dior-wearing David.
The fashion designer wore a show-stopping silver slip dress with French lace trim from her own pre-fall ’22 collection. “A special dress for a special day,” the 47 year old wrote on Instagram. “The first Victoria couture dress made in our London atelier. The bespoke fabric was developed by one of my favourite mills in Italy, it’s like liquid metal and hangs so beautifully.” She called it “a labour of love”, adding, “I’m so grateful to my incredible team for creating something so beautiful for me.”
As if that wasn’t glam enough, she teamed it with a 15-carat pear-cut diamond and yellow gold necklace, worth an estimated £2m, which David gifted to her for Brooklyn’s christening.
The former Spice Girl had a lot less to say about the wedding itself, sharing only a few underwhelming posts. Next to a press-release shot of the newlyweds, VB wrote, “Congratulations Mr and Mrs Beckham X Welcome to the family.” She later added several photos of herself and once again ignored the official double-barrelled surname, writing, “Proud mum and dad, congratulations Mr & Mrs Beckham.”
Within a few days, the posts had been buried by several pictures promoting her make- up range.
David – who reportedly got emotional during his wedding speech – also shared a photo of the bride and groom, commenting, “Congratulations Mr & Mrs Beckham,” adding, “Welcome to the family,” in a nod to his new daughter-in-law. And, insiders say, this apparent reluctance to acknowledge Brooklyn’s new name has got under their eldest son’s skin. “Taking on the Peltz surname was a big way for him to declare himself no longer part of Brand Beckham,” says heat’s source.
“He says it’s bittersweet being born with his name, as it can hinder him from living life on his own terms. He is very proud of his parents, but always feels like he’s carrying the weight of expectations with him as a member of the Beckham family. He thinks people resent his parents’ success and take it out on him. He gets lambasted for not having a real career and his photography was roundly mocked. He’s carrying a huge chip on his shoulder about the Beckham name and his parents ignoring that decision feels like a snub.”
As heat told you last week, VB shed a few tears after the wedding, as she struggled with the realisation that her eldest son has now flown the nest. And as Brooklyn and Nicola make plans to move to America – where her billionaire parents live – for good, we’re told Victoria is feeling even worse.
“Brooklyn adores his parents, but his close relationship with his mum has hit some bumps,” says the insider. “Vic is guilty of trying to micro-manage him and has a hard time letting go, but she and Brooklyn always had this big plan when he was growing up, and in her eyes, she’s just trying to help him realise it. To him, it’s interfering and his mum pushing her ideas onto him. But in the US, he feels it’s a fresh start – especially now he can point to his new name.”
Posh’s “momaging” is nothing new, and her influence can be seen in the careers of her other children – most recently congratulating Cruz on his first magazine cover – and we’re told Brooklyn may be used to being told what to do, but he’s ready to leave that in the past.
“This is a conversation that has been going on for years now, from before Brooklyn met Nicola, as his parents have tried to encourage and direct his career focus,” we’re told. “He and Nicola both come from very influential families, and they’re used to being told what’s expected of them. Brooklyn feels he’s never had the chance to be his own man and has always had to live in the shadow of his parents. Of course, it’s been hugely advantageous, but it also comes with its challenges.”
The source add, “No matter what he tries to do, he’s always pulled back, but now he’s determined this is his new start in life and a chance to escape his past.”