Rio's £5m wedding
Man United star Rio Ferdinand is to tie the knot in the costliest wag wedding EVER
FOOTY ace Rio Ferdinand is treating his bride to the World Cup of weddings next weekend - a whopping £5 MILLION five-day do.
The minted centre-back, 30, has booked an entire five-star Caribbean resort from Wednesday to Monday . . . and that's just for the guests.
He and bride Rebecca Ellison will stay at a nearby £50,000-a-week mountain-top villa, with a round-the-clock butler, valet, chef and housekeeper.
Not bad for a boy from Peckham - the run-down South London suburb made famous by Only Fools and Horses.
Rio and Rebecca's celebrations start on Tuesday when they will fly to Peter Island, one of the exclusive British Virgin Islands, on a private jet with their closest family and friends.
Problems
For unlucky guests who don't have a seat on that, second prize is a first-class ticket on a scheduled flight the following day.
And it's all courtesy of Manchester United and England ace Rio.A source told News of the World: "He is spending an indecent amount of money on his wedding.
"Rebecca doesn't like the limelight so their big day hasn't been subsidised by any exclusive magazine deal. Rio has paid for absolutely everything himself.
"Each and every guest is being treated to out-and-out luxury. That is, first-class travel, first- class accommodation and first- class food.
"It's going to be a first-class wedding."
Perhaps Rio, whose personal wealth is estimated at £30 million, is rewarding 29-year-old Rebecca for her patience and loyalty.
The couple have been together for seven years and have two sons - Lorenz, who turns three next month, and nine-month- old Tate.
But their relationship has been tainted with allegations of Ferdinand's alleged infidelities.
One woman, air hostess Lauren Alcorn, even claimed in 2006 that she had been sleeping with him for five years, behind Rebecca's back.
The following year, Rio proposed to "long-suffering" Rebecca, with a huge yellow diamond ring, while they were holidaying in Las Vegas.
For their wedding, they will spend a week at the Falcon's Nest Villa, a sumptuous mountain-top holiday home overlooking the turquoise Caribbean sea.
It has six spacious master bedrooms, each boasting an ocean view and exotic en-suite bathroom with a colourful laser-lit rain shower.
The wedding ceremony, set to take place on Sunday, will be in the villa's magnificent two- storey glass Great Room, which has an elevated terrace.
Guests will then be ushered into the 4,000 sq ft outdoor entertainment area.
Pool
It includes a waterfall, grotto and covered barbecue area with swim-up bar.
And the surrounding scented gardens contain the latest two-tiered infinity pool.
Most of the 100 guests will arrive on Wednesday and stay at the nearby Peter Island Resort - which has 32 ocean- view rooms and 18 beach-front suites - until Monday. They include Rio's Man Utd teammates Gary Neville and Wes Brown, England pals Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole and Chelsea star Jody Morris.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones have also been invited, as have striker Wayne Rooney and his five-month pregnant wife Coleen.
But it is not known if they will attend - as Coleen was upset when her close pal Rebecca and Rio failed to show at their wedding in Italy last June, despite Wayne sending a chauffeur- driven car to their house to collect them.
For the guests who are going, Rio has booked up the first- class cabins of several jets to take them to and from the Caribbean. They will fly into Beef Island airport on the neighbouring island of Tortola then be transferred to Peter Island by private yacht or helicopter.
The following day, Thursday, the build-up begins in earnest with an early-evening warm-up party.
Gown
On Friday night there will be a second party, at the Falcon's Nest Villa. And on Saturday there is a Caribbean- themed bash.
For each of the events, Rebecca has had a different made-to-measure designer frock created.
A handful of guests unable to join the pre-wedding festivities will arrive on Sunday morning, just in time for the non-religious wedding service and reception. For this, the bride will wear a show-stopping gown set to rival Coleen Rooney's stunning £200,000 Marchesa number.
And Rebecca's favourite hairdresser and make-up artist are being flown in to make sure she is looking her best for her big day.
The bride will make her entrance with her two sons, who are pageboys, and four bridesmaids, including her sister. Rio's footballer brother Anton - who plays for Premiership side Sunderland - is best man.
Afterwards, the newlyweds are expected to continue holidaying on the island, which has been named one of the "Best Places to Stay in the World" by posh Conde Nast Traveller magazine. The extravaganza has been organised by super-discreet party- planners-to-the-stars, Rebecca Fairhurst and Jacqueline Harrison. The well-heeled ladies, who run Cheshire-based firm Velvet Vision, often work with celebrity chef Rick Stein.
Secrecy
Our source said: "Rebecca didn't want to take any chances with anything going wrong with her big day so she put everything in the hands of the experts.
"The company is run by two women who pride themselves as much on their secrecy as their contemporary style and impeccably good taste."
The £5 million bill is around the same amount that Wayne and Coleen spent on their wedding - but half was paid for by a mag deal. Posh and Becks paid just £500,000 but it was ten years ago, in 1999.
Ashley and Cheryl Cole spent half a million on their festivities in 2006. Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran paid £750,000 in 2007, and John Terry and Toni Poole's do cost £1 million, as did Gary Neville and Emma Hadfield's.
One of the most disastrous weddings was that of Michael Chopra, who wed model Heather Swan on a Friday the 13th, in 2008. A month after their £250,000 day, she kicked him out of their home.
Last night Rio's spokesman said of his wedding: "This is a private affair and we have no comment."
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This article has 34 comments
Seems they like to compete with other footballers' so they decided to top it by throwing a wedding that costs £5 million haha!Anyways,the only thing that is attractive about Rio is his pay cheque and nothing else,plus he has lips that resemble somebody who spits every time they talk!!!
By Samantha.M. Posted June 24 2009 at 6:19 PM.
It is his money to spend and by doing so the money is circulating and it is better than those with money but a scrooge.
By LEE. Posted June 24 2009 at 7:32 AM.
i think some peolpe are just like this. they are not happy with anybody's happiness. if u are like that trust me u would never get what u want in life.
By evra. Posted June 23 2009 at 10:59 AM.
All the negative comments must be attributed to sheer naked jealousy and enviness-period!!
Please lets all stop and think that the bride could be our sisters, aunts, neices etc. Would you not wish her well?
Personally I think that they're both top dudes with excellent qualities and personalities.
Long life good health and prosperity to their whole family.
By a phillips. Posted June 22 2009 at 1:48 AM.
Are all the white girls taken by black footballers? What high standards - and low IQs - they must have.
By adge stone. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:31 PM.
The more you read about Rio Ferdinand, the less there is to like...
He proved what sort of bloke he is when he 'stalled' over a 100k/week, wanting more after sitting in the stands for 8 months on full pay..
The Ultimate 'Bentley' footballer, I take it all his mates.. JT, Lamps, A$hl£y will all be there too...
By Big Gooner Dave. Posted June 21 2009 at 7:48 PM.
Too much money for a wedding - vulgar and in bad taste given the amount of poverty in the world.
By Lolly. Posted June 21 2009 at 7:14 PM.
I've met Rio twice and he's a really nice guy! Good luck to them both and I wish them all the very best.
By BK. Posted June 21 2009 at 5:21 PM.
As long as he continues to play well for my beloved United,who gives a **** how he spends his money :)
By ste. Posted June 21 2009 at 4:26 PM.
What a lovely place - I hope they have a wonderful time. Its only money there are no pockets in shrowds!!! I wish them every happiness.
By Sue Barker. Posted June 21 2009 at 3:38 PM.
YOU CAN ONLY SPEND WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD
THANK GOD RIO NEEDS NO LOAN FROM THE BANK TO BE MARRIED AND AS A MAN, GOD BLESS THEM
By charles bacela. Posted June 21 2009 at 3:31 PM.
RIO! RIO! RIO!
By utd_ledge. Posted June 21 2009 at 3:30 PM.
Hey people, I admire the fact that Rio is paying for his wedding with his own money. All these other celebs used magazines to pay up the rest. It's his choise!!! Please let him be. I have always found Rio to be HOTT and i dont even support Man U. People have choices in life. She hooked up with him not because of his looks maybe even if he is that handsome. I am sure all those who have been saying he is ugly bla bla bla, you are no oil paint either. Shame on you!! Whether or not for the money or not, Rio is GEORGIOUS!!! Please stop being all judgemental. You aint angels either, everyone makes mistakes, we all have in the past, this probably shows his sincerity and dedication to his bride. Good luck Rio.
By Vic H. Posted June 21 2009 at 2:58 PM.
some people here are saying, she is marrying him for the money. Others saying, if that was the case, she would have left him years ago, when those cheating stories broke out. Personally, I don't think it's for the money.
But to those who say, if it's for the money, she would have left him long ago, I ask you, what would she had made if she was that inclined? Nothing. So I don't buy that point either. But if you are married, then with kids, that's when you make money out of leaving someone. Before that, what do you get?
As I said, I personally don't think it's for the money but probably for the security his money brings. No money hassles, kids in good schools, living in good areas etc. Hands up those ladies who wouldn't want some of that?
That said, I wouldn't spend that much on a wedding even if I had his £30m. I will really feel guilty. I can still have a great wedding without spending even one fifth of that. First of all, £200k for a dress, especially when it's going to be worn once? Nah, I wouldn't even do it if I had a billion. I don't think like that. It's like buying a ferrari, driving it once and keeping it in the garage knwoing you will never drive it again. I will fund an orphange with that money.
By Theo. Posted June 21 2009 at 12:47 PM.
It's his money. He's paid that amount by United and his sponsors because they obviously think he's worth it. He's not paid from public funds like MPs.
If you don't like the fact that footballers earn so much then don't subscribe to Sky, don't go to matches and don't buy merchandise from their clubs. Nobody is forcing you. Simples!
By RedLee58. Posted June 21 2009 at 12:02 PM.
seems to me that a lot of the money is being spent on accommodation for their friends and family in the caribbean - i think thats lovely to make sure that the important people in their lives get to share in their special day in a way they probably can't afford themselves.
I'd have done the same for my family when i got married if i could have afforded it. After all its their money
By MrsM. Posted June 21 2009 at 11:59 AM.
I just wished he could give 10% of the 5m to some poor people in africa, it would have changed a lot of lifes.
By y. Posted June 21 2009 at 11:56 AM.
I sense sooooo much jealousy & bitterness in most of these comments & you Man Utd haters!
He is not ugly! How can you people write comments like that judging people on their looks! what a bunch of morons you are,
By the way "DJ Warrannder" what you on about - "He cant play football" has anyone told you - YOU CAN NOT SPELL !!!!!
Nor do understand the role of a defender!
His supberb defending skills are exactly why his team won the premiership AGAIN! and earned themselves a place in the finals... If his defending skills & moral status in life was measured alongside your grammar & spelling - guess where he would be? - Behind YOU in the dole queue...
Its his money - Its his life - How dare anyone pass judgement on his choices or anyone elses for that matter.
By Gill. Posted June 21 2009 at 11:52 AM.
You can have all the money in the world, it doesn't bring you class.
There will be such a backlash one day, believe me, their nemesis is coming.
By Kerry Trubee. Posted June 21 2009 at 11:27 AM.
Rebecca is not marrying rio for the money,she didnt even know who rio was when she first met him back in 2001 when he was playing for leeds,if she wanted she would have left him ages ago when there were rumors going on about him cheating on her but she didnt she loves him dearly,not only that she is not one of the typical wags who is seen on every front cover or falling out of nightclubs etc she hates being in the limelight and does not only live off rios money,shes also earns her own money and does not always depend on rio,she is a brilliant mother 2,2 kids,.With Rio He is actually not a bad looking Man,he is a brilliant guy with a brilliant personality simply because he earns thousands a week does not mean he looks down on ppl and he has forgotten his peckham roots,he still visits peckham everytime he pops down to london,he is doing so much for the youth. So please dont point fingers at them,it's his hard earned money he is spending,no magazine deals involved am sure if you had that amount of money then you would also spend that amount on a lavish dream wedding.
By Tina. Posted June 21 2009 at 11:24 AM.
not only is he ugly & shes marrying him for his money, he carnt play football all bhe does is pass the ball back to the goalkeeper.If he didnt play football hed be on the dole by now like a lot of his teamates would be also.
By DJWARRENDER. Posted June 21 2009 at 11:13 AM.
On Regards to Bev's comment, you may find him ugly and to be perfectly honest so do i but she obviously doesnt find him unattractive. You could say the same about Wayne Rooney & Coleen. Yes to woman around the world he isnt the best looking of gods creations but that doesnt mean Coleen loves him any less. Rio and Rebecca have two kids together so if she was going to be with him just for his money i dont think she would of stuck around for that long and had his kids and stuck with him when he was done for missing his drug screening or when the cheating allegations spread around. Have you never heard the old saying " Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" ? maybe you need to stop critisizing someone based on there looks when you dont know there personality or how he makes her feel.
By Louisa. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:58 AM.
Come on everyone - Rios alright isnt he?
He is one of the few players these days I actually respect... He made mistakes in the past... his drugs ban situation / reasons were dubious I admit... But since then he has matured into a well rounded, colossus of a player who was a garrote wire from being Don Fabios England Capo.
Lets not forget JT made a few mistakes in his youth, but even as a United fan I still think he is class and Gerrard too.
Good dad... Likes a laugh...
Let us enjoy the close season amnesty and wish Rio and family all the best!
By Nick. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:56 AM.
no way will i ever part with my money to see a premiership match the wages these people earn for kicking a ball about is totaly crazy football is heading for a massive crash hopefully
By c may. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:44 AM.
Whilst it is an obscene amount to spend, he is spending it out of HIS own pocket. Not some magazine deal or out of the public purse. I'm pretty sure if we all had this kind of money we would spend a similar amount on things.
By Tally. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:24 AM.
'chealsea star jody morris' lol
By quitts. Posted June 21 2009 at 10:02 AM.
No way i`ll marry him,he is so so ugly,its turn me off,that woman marry him for money then couple of years finished him off with half of his money just simple as that,its money she wants.
By bev. Posted June 21 2009 at 9:25 AM.
Thats too much money for a wedding.What is our planet turning into.......A LARVISH SPENDING WORLD!
By Sidney. Posted June 21 2009 at 8:48 AM.
Awww... its his money and up to him how he spends it. If I had that kind of money I'd love to do things like that too with friends and family. Why not? Cant take it with you when you die, might as well spend it and have the time of your life!
By Blighty Gal. Posted June 21 2009 at 7:36 AM.
The money helps of course,why else would she marry one so ugly.
By jake. Posted June 21 2009 at 7:47 AM.
at the end of the day..it is his money...how he spends it is up to him
By Sandra Reid. Posted June 21 2009 at 6:38 AM.
All in the name of love and not the money right lol
By kate. Posted June 21 2009 at 5:57 AM.
More money then sense!
By me. Posted June 21 2009 at 4:26 AM.
I'm sure that the is money that has been hard earnt & is being spent wisely.... NOT
By Ronnie G. Posted June 21 2009 at 12:57 AM.