In the latest episode of I’m A Celeb, Coleen Rooney has opened up about her 2008 wedding to Wayne Rooney in Italy, admitting that the choice to marry abroad has caused tension with some of her family members. The 38-year-old WAG and her 39-year-old footballer husband tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Italy, a celebration that reportedly cost around £5 million. However, in a candid moment on the show, Coleen revealed the strain the decision put on her family.
The Strain of a Destination Wedding: Coleen’s Honest Admission
When campmate Danny Jones from McFly asked if she had married in the North, Coleen responded that the couple had chosen Italy, explaining, “It was really hard because we had to be away from some of the family.” She continued, admitting the choice caused some family friction, but despite the difficulties, she said, “It was the best time ever. We had four days, and it was the most amazing time of my life. I don’t regret it; it was amazing.”
A Lavish Wedding with a Price Tag to Match
The extravagant wedding included pre-wedding activities costing nearly £1 million, along with £400,000 for Westlife to perform and £200,000 for her wedding dress. The ceremony, held at the stunning Villa Durazzo in Italy, was a four-day affair, complete with a private jet bringing guests, luxury yacht trips, a 50,000-pound fireworks display, and even a pizza dinner instead of a traditional extravagant meal.
Coleen also reflected on her early relationship with Wayne, recalling how they met when they were just 12 years old but didn’t start dating until she was 16. She laughed about how Wayne would show up to school in his Bentley while playing for Everton, making her feel embarrassed, saying, “I still went to school when he played for Everton, and all the girls would ask, ‘Whose car is that?’”
Commitment in the Early Days: Wayne’s Gesture of Love
In the same interview, Coleen shared how Wayne showed his commitment by getting her name tattooed on his arm. She recounted a story from when she was 17, attending a friend’s 18th birthday party, and receiving a call from Wayne’s cousin asking her to spell her name correctly because Wayne was getting a tattoo of it. She was touched by his gesture, saying, “He got my name tattooed on his arm when we were young.”
During the I’m A Celeb show, Coleen received a personalized pillow featuring images of her four sons—Kai, 15, Klay, 11, Kit, 8, and Cass, 6—so she could always keep them close in the jungle. Despite the struggles and public scrutiny, Coleen’s strong family bond remains a key part of her journey with Wayne.
Reflections on 16 Years of Marriage
While tensions may have arisen over their wedding, Coleen and Wayne have weathered many challenges together. To mark their 16th wedding anniversary in June, Coleen shared a clip of their spectacular 2008 wedding on Instagram, reminiscing about their beautiful day. Wayne also posted a sweet tribute, expressing, “Happy anniversary, @coleen_rooney. 16 years today. Love you.”
