Kirstie Allsopp, best known for her role on the Channel 4 show Location, Location, Location, has recently tied the knot with her partner of 20 years, Ben Andersen, in a secret wedding ceremony held at the Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair. This intimate event, attended by only about 70 close friends and family, marks a significant shift for Allsopp, who had long claimed to be "happily unmarried."
The wedding, which took place last week, was kept under wraps until the last minute, even surprising many guests who believed they were merely attending Andersen's birthday celebration. Kirstie, 53, and Ben, 64, who share two sons – Bay, 18, and Oscar, 16 – had cleverly disguised the wedding as a birthday party to maintain their privacy.
Allsopp explained to The Mail on Sunday about the secrecy surrounding the event, noting, "On Thursday, Ben and I were married at The Grosvenor Chapel, where my parents and grandparents were married, and where we celebrated my father's life in June. We had with us a small group of close friends and family who only heard about the wedding on Monday." This sentiment echoes the couple’s commitment to keeping their life together intimate.
The Grosvenor Chapel, steeped in personal significance for Allsopp, is where she held her late father Charles Allsopp's memorial service. It is also the same venue where the wedding scene from the famous film Love Actually was filmed, adding to its sentimental value. Kirstie wore a stunning custom-designed Oscar de la Renta dress, adorned with gold sequins and tulle, sourced just two weeks before the ceremony. The event's 40-minute length was accompanied by musical selections such as The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love" and the hymn "I Vow To Thee, My Country."
Initially hesitant about marriage, Allsopp shared her perspective on relationships, stating, "Ben has been married before and so I don't think he's in a hurry to do it again. Our children are our commitment to each other." The couple's long-standing relationship began when they met at a party for a prospective Conservative MP, leading to speculation and initial controversy when rumors surfaced about whether Allsopp had "stolen" Andersen from his ex-wife, Theresa. Kirstie clarified, "I did not [steal him]. I met Ben at a party... Ben's wife, whom I knew at school... introduced us."
Despite once voicing her preference for staying unmarried, Kirstie's enthusiastic demeanor at the wedding suggests her feelings have evolved. The couple originally planned to celebrate Ben's birthday, allowing guests to be unaware of the true purpose of their gathering. Many guests were only informed of the wedding just prior to the celebration, emphasizing Kirstie and Ben’s desire for privacy. She humorously acknowledged the last-minute arrangements when she noted, "The flowers, the catering, the order of service and the lighting were all done by people I have worked with over the years who kept it all secret and put together an amazing event at very short notice."
Her delight was apparent not only through the event but also as she shared, "I am a huge Richard Curtis fan and have an original script from the movie," referencing the joyful melodies played during the ceremony.
The hastiness of their plans did, unfortunately, mean some beloved friends couldn’t attend, with prominent figures like Phil Spencer, Allsopp’s co-host on Location, Location, Location, missing the occasion. Still, family members and close friends made the gathering enchanting, with her two sons acting as ushers during the ceremony.
Kirstie Allsopp's decision to marry after so long reflects a deeply personal choice shaped by years of shared experiences and family life. The couple has weathered rumors and societal pressures over their lengthy partnership, and this wedding signifies not just their enduring love but also presents their commitment to one another and their family moving forward.
Through the release of exclusive images by celebrated photographer Catherine Bradley, Allsopp made her wedding public after discovering paparazzi were waiting outside, which she had hoped to avoid. Sharing this moment of vulnerability, she emphasized the emotional value behind their union, stating, "I had hoped we had pulled off a real coup, a genuinely private wedding... Unfortunately, there was a paparazzi photographer outside."
This wedding may signify the culmination of years of partnership for Kirstie and Ben, but it opens the door to new chapters filled with love, joy, and perhaps, even more dancing, as they blend their lives and families together. This moment shines as not just a charming anecdote of love but highlights the importance of privacy and familial ties within one of Britain's beloved television personalities.