Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are reportedly not legally married, despite celebrating a lavish wedding at their home in 2022.
The couple tied the knot at their £1.2 million Essex property, Pickle Cottage, in July that year, in what they described as “the best day of their lives”, surrounded by family and celebrity friends.
However, it is now being reported that the ceremony was not legally binding, meaning the pair are not officially married in the eyes of the law. The event took place at their private home rather than a licensed venue, which is required in England and Wales for a marriage to be legally recognised.
While the couple have long presented themselves as husband and wife, their wedding was symbolic rather than formal from a legal standpoint.
At the time, Solomon, 36, said they planned to register the marriage separately as their home did not have a civil ceremony licence. More than three years on, they are said not to have completed the legal process.
A source told The Sun: “They always intended to do the legal part, but with six kids and busy diaries just haven’t got round to it — life has got in the way.
“Stacey and Joe obviously knew that their garden wedding wasn’t legal and were upfront about that.”
The revelation comes just weeks after Solomon addressed speculation about her relationship with Swash, 44, after she was spotted without her wedding ring.
Appearing on This Morning, she dismissed the rumours, joking: “Have I not been wearing my ring? Probably took it off to go to the toilet.”
She later added: “Maybe I dropped my ring in the lake… with our marriage!”
Solomon and Swash began dating in 2016 after meeting on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, having first met on the show in 2010. They got engaged in 2020 and moved into Pickle Cottage the following year.
The couple share three children — Rex, Rose and Belle — and have blended their family with children from previous relationships. Their home life has been documented on their BBC series Stacey & Joe.
Their 2022 celebration featured performances from The Arg Band, with Mrs Hinch acting as a bridesmaid and guests including Linda Robson and Ricky Rayment.
Explaining their decision at the time, Solomon said: “To get married anywhere legally, the place has to have a civil ceremony licence.
“As this is our private family home and we need it to remain that way we couldn’t go for that option.
“So we are having a relaxed private blessing in front of our closest friends and family… We will register our marriage legally after.”
The couple have also been open about the realities of their relationship, including rows shown on their reality series.
Swash previously said: “It’s not all a bed of roses. Sometimes we argue.”
Solomon added: “We’re not a perfect couple… what you see is what you get.”
The Standard has contacted representatives for Solomon and Swash for comment.
Meanwhile, they are not the only celebrity couple to raise questions over the legal status of their wedding. It was revealed last week that Olivia Attwood and footballer Bradley Dack’s marriage was also not legally recognised, prompting wider discussion about UK wedding laws.
