Former Made In Chelsea star Francesca Newman-Young and her fiancé Pete Clarke marry at an iconic venue on the King’s Road
WORDS: DAWN EMERY PHOTOS: EMMYLOU KELLY MAKE-UP: OLIVIA NEWMAN-YOUNG HAIR: THANASIS KARALIS AT RENE AUBREY
CHELSEA WINNER
When the doors opened for Francesca Newman-Young to walk down the aisle at Chelsea Old Town Hall, there was an audible intake of breath from the guests as they caught their first sight of the stunning bride.
“I’d been super-nervous all day. I just found the idea of walking down the aisle so overwhelming,” says the former Made In Chelsea star. “But when I stepped into the room I felt totally at ease. I felt emotional, but just so elated. I was beaming the whole way down.”
Her groom, management consultant Pete Clarke, says he started crying the moment he saw her. “As it was a register office wedding, I didn’t know what to expect – I’d assumed she’d be wearing something less formal,” he says. “Fran looked incredible. She stole the show.”
Pete, 36, admits he had to turn to face the front of the room to try to contain his emotions. “But then I heard my mum crying behind me!” he says. “The day was lovely, incredibly romantic – all the emotions in one go.”
Fran wore a floor-length satin wedding dress, featuring a Bardot neckline, from Love Story London. “I’d thought I’d go for a tailored suit, but then I tried on the dress called Jett and it was perfect,” she says.
Fran, 37, also wore towering Jimmy Choo heels, and a veil with a bow. The couple’s dog Oslo, who they describe as “best man”, wore a matching bow. “I think this was the biggest party Oslo has been to,” says Fran. “He was partied-out afterwards.”
The bride also wore “something old”, a pair of her mum’s earrings, while her “something new” was her dress, her “something borrowed” was her aunt Edwina’s necklace, “and I wore blue lingerie”.
The couple tied the knot in front of 40 family members and close friends. Fran’s older sister Emma, who is an opera singer, gave a reading of You DeserveA Lover by Frida Kahlo. “It’s about respecting your partner and their freedom and being there,” says Fran.
The bride’s younger sister Olivia, who is a make-up artist, also attended the special day. Olivia is on tour with Girls Aloud, as she is Nadine Coyle’s make-up artist. “I had t
