Tv presenter and fitness fanatic Amanda Byram married her long-term boyfriend, Julian Okines, in London this April, followed by a second ceremony in the Maldives.
The couple have been together for two years now, and while they couldn’t be happier, decided to keep their relationship under wraps for the first year.
Speaking exclusively to VIP Magazine, Amanda said, “It wasn’t that I kept his identity a secret, it’s just not our style to put every stage of our relationship on social media, and we liked protecting the beginning of our relationship.
“It was a joint decision because we know how the industry works and thinks it’s important to cherish that stage, also because you don’t know how it’s going to turn out.
“We really didn’t keep it a secret on purpose, but then an online gossip site reported that they knew several facts about my ‘mystery man’. It was like I was an evil princess keeping him in the cellar!
“So we had a bit of fun sending cryptic messages for a while, even though all they had to do was look at his social media feed to see we were in the same place at the same time.”
Well it seems things have certainly worked out for the pair, as they enjoyed not one, but two lavish ceremonies.
Amanda described the moment when she married Julian in London, describing it as emotional and gorgeous. The nuptials took place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel surrounded by the couples close family and friends.
“There was a beautiful majestic set of stairs, which they laid red carpet on, so that was my aisle! Julian was waiting at the top of the stairs, which I wasn’t expecting, and was a lovely surprise.
“It was a gorgeous emotional moment and I remember thinking, ‘wow…that’s my husband, how cool is this? This is right where I am supposed to be at this very moment in time.”
Amanda also revealed that the ceremony was intimate and perfect – exactly what they had wanted.
She said, “It was a beautiful, short, intimate ceremony and we had written our own vows so there were some giggles, and some tears.”
To hear all about Amanda’s wedding and Honeymoon and to see the exclusive pics, pick up this months VIP Magazine, on shelves now.
