Posted by Claudia Pattison
It’s hard to believe it’s 10 years since David Beckham and Victoria Adams, as she was then, tied the knot. Back then, I was a senior staff writer at OK! and I’d spent many hours slavishly documenting every stage of the high-profile couple’s courtship. Needless to say, everyone at the magazine was pant-wettingly excited when the editor revealed we’d secured exclusive rights to their wedding in July 1999.
As part of the three-strong reporting team, my first task was to conduct a lengthy interview with David and Victoria on the eve of the nuptials. Amazingly, they weren't surrounded by publicists and flunkeys – it was just the three of us. Both seemed happy and relaxed and I remember being surprised at how witty and eloquent Victoria was, in particular.
The big day itself was a whirlwind. Believe it or not, it's not just a case of turning up, downing a few glasses of champagne and scribbling some notes in shorthand. Oh no, wedding reportage is a veritable art form – canapés must be catalogued, floral arrangements dissected, the wedding dressed described in excruciating detail. And all the while you're feeling ridiculously underdressed in your high street frock, while everyone else is clad head-to-toe in Prada.
I spent much of the reception skulking round with my notebook up my sleeve, trying to beg, borrow or steal a quote from any wedding guest who'd ever had their 15 minutes of fame. And at the Beckhams' bash, I was spoiled for choice. Everywhere I looked there was another instantly recognisable face… Sir Bobby Charlton, Emma Bunton, Mels B and C, as well as most of David's Manchester United team-mates.
Our deadline was so tight we stayed up all night, pulling together our 8,000-word piece in a tiny office in the bowels of the spectacular Irish wedding venue, Luttrellstown Castle. And then, at around 5am, we rejoined the couple – who had now swapped their wedding finery for fluffy white bathrobes with "Mrs" and "Mrs" embroidered on the back – for the laborious process of picture approval.
The Beckhams' wedding was far and away the most gruelling assignment of my four years at OK! – I calculated afterwards that I went for 32 hours without sleep. There was an unexpected knock-on effect too – to this day, whenever I attend friends' weddings, they're always horribly apologetic. '"We would've loved our little bridesmaids to be dressed as woodland flower fairies like Posh's," they'll say – "but we had to make do with Laura Ashley." Or: "I know you're used to vintage Krug, but I'm afraid our budget only ran to Asti Spumante." I can't complain though… life on a celebrity magazine may have been hard work, but it did provide me with some truly jaw-dropping memories.
Picture: Rex Features
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