It was a day to remember—the wedding of Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash at their stunning £1.2 million home, Pickle Cottage, in July 2022. Surrounded by their family and celebrity friends, the couple exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony they described as “the best day of their lives.” But despite all the celebrations, there was one crucial detail that fans may not have expected—their wedding was never legally binding.
The couple, who have been together since 2016, tied the knot in a romantic garden ceremony but revealed that due to the lack of a civil ceremony licence at their home, they did not make their marriage official. At the time of the wedding, Stacey, 36, explained that they planned to register their marriage afterward. However, three and a half years later, they still have not taken that final step to make their union official.
A Marriage Without the Legal Formalities
The revelation has surprised many fans, especially those who followed the couple on their BBC reality show, Stacey & Joe, where they shared intimate moments with their children, Rex (6), Rose (4), and Belle (3). Stacey, who also has children from previous relationships, and Joe, who has a son from a previous relationship, both seemed to have a fairytale wedding in front of a close-knit group of family and friends. But behind the glamour of the day, the couple knew the truth.
“They always intended to do the legal part,” a source explained, “but with six kids and busy schedules, life just got in the way. They’ve simply never gotten around to it.”
A Relaxed and Intimate Day for the Couple
Despite the lack of legal formalities, the couple’s garden wedding was everything they dreamed of—intimate, joyous, and full of love. With the weather cooperating and a beautiful performance by Towie’s James Argent’s band, the day was truly magical. Stacey wanted the event to feel personal, reflecting her strong Jewish values while still being a fun and modern celebration.
Their wedding guests included Loose Women star Linda Robson and ex-Towie star Ricky Rayment, as well as Stacey’s bridesmaid, Mrs. Hinch.
As one close friend shared, “It was the best day of their lives. The weather was glorious, and they had a joyous day with their children and family. For Stacey, it was important to uphold her values while creating a fun, relaxed day that was just for them.”
The Latest Rumors and Speculations
Despite the wedding’s success, speculation about their relationship has surfaced in recent months. Just two weeks ago, fans noticed Stacey was spotted without her wedding ring, leading to rumors about tension between the couple. However, when quizzed on This Morning by Ben Shephard, Stacey laughed off the speculation, joking, “Maybe I dropped my ring in the lake… with our marriage!”
While some fans may have thought their relationship was on the rocks after seeing the couple argue on Stacey & Joe, the pair have been open about their real, unfiltered relationship. In the latest season of their show, they clashed over parenting decisions, with Joe disappearing for a day and Stacey hanging up on him after a heated argument. But instead of hiding their flaws, the couple has been transparent about the challenges they face, as Joe explained, “So many people portray their lives as perfect on Instagram, but we want to show the highs and lows.”
Is a Legally Binding Marriage Important?
Despite the unexpected news about their “non-legal” marriage, Stacey and Joe’s bond remains strong. As Stacey put it, “What you see is what you get.” Both have acknowledged that their relationship isn’t perfect, but they choose to embrace the imperfections that make them human.
This revelation follows a similar story from Loose Women co-star Olivia Attwood, who also never made her marriage to footballer Bradley Dack legally binding.
It seems the idea of love without the formalities of paperwork is not just a one-off for this group of stars. As Stacey and Joe continue their journey, they remain as committed as ever to each other and their children, proving that love doesn’t need a legal certificate to be real.
