Next year marks a decade since Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright cemented their status as one of showbiz’s ‘IT’ couples – and now insiders say the pair will be spending the Christmas downtime planning a romantic vow renewal to celebrate.
The pair tied the knot in a lavish wedding back in 2015 in Bury St Edmonds. They had a ceremony packed with famous faces, an incredible 200-guest reception and Michelle wore a wedding dress adorned with Swarovski crystals.
But as they prepare to celebrate their milestone anniversary in May, the source says Michelle and Mark, both 37, are planning to renew their vows in a much more low-key way – but won’t be scrimping on any of the expenses.
An insider says, ‘Mark and Michelle are so excited about next year, their tenth wedding anniversary, and are already deep in the planning stages of how best to mark the occasion. While they will definitely have a family gathering at their Essex mansion, for the actual big day they will be slipping off abroad to do something that feels true to them as a couple, which they feel is the secret to how they’ve made their marriage such a success – by doing it on their own terms.’
At their wedding, Mark – who rose to fame on TOWIE back in 2010, where he starred alongside ex of 10 years Lauren Goodger – was supported by his TV family and friends, including mum Carol and sister Jessica, co-stars James ‘Arg’ Argent and Lydia Bright, and his Strictly Come Dancing partner Karen Hauer. Meanwhile Michelle’s former Coronation Street co-stars Brooke Vincent and Antony Cotton and soap royalty Kelvin Fletcher were also among the guests.
However, the source tells Closer that for their vow renewal, the couple want to be alone as they mark their first decade of marriage.
A source says, ‘They have decided to do a vow renewal ceremony abroad on a luxury holiday with absolutely no expense spared, just the two of them. They’re thinking of inviting a very small group of friends to join them after they have exchanged vows – but they really want it to be just them on a tropical island with emotional speeches prepared that will be about how they plan to spend the next chapter of their married life together, their goals, dreams and hopes for the future. Michelle wants them to write new vows to each other but with some humorous touches, there will be jokes about her busy career and him one day becoming a silver fox. They also want to get some new rings with the date engraved.’
Their new engraved rings will be just one nod to their original nuptials, with the couple exchanging gold bands inscribed with ‘Mark and Michelle 24th May 2015 and forever’ on their big day.
The source also says that the location of their private renewal will honour their 2015 wedding.
‘They've been looking at two of the most exclusive private islands in the Maldives where they spent their honeymoon – Kudadoo and Velaa – as that location holds such a special place in their hearts, and these two options would offer them out-of-this-world luxury and unmatched privacy. It wouldn’t come cheap, but they both work hard and feel they deserve it,’ the source says.
‘They couldn’t care less about getting any backlash for it either, as 10 years married feels like such an achievement. They’ve also been through so many ups and downs and faced so much unwanted pressure as a couple to start a family. This renewal ceremony is going to be purely about them and their love and commitment for one another. They’ve always done things their own way, valued their privacy and importance of having time just for them – so they feel this is the best way to celebrate.’
And their family and friends will have a chance to celebrate with the pair, as they are also busy planning a big party for when they return home.
The source adds, ‘They’re not worried about upsetting relatives or friends as they will mark the occasion with them after they jet off – and at this stage in the marriage, it’s going to come as no surprise to anyone that they want to be by themselves.
‘Mark and Michelle really feel as though they’ve found the special ingredient to a lasting, happy marriage in the public eye, and it’s been about doing things their way and on their own terms. They’re both excited for the future and whatever it may bring, but they really feel they deserve the right to celebrate this incredible milestone however they see fit.’