Skimming across the waves in a speedboat to a romantic cliff side ceremony, beautiful bride Binky Felstead had her something blue in the form of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea as she and Max Fredrik Darnton celebrated their love with their dream wedding in Corfu last week.
"I felt like a queen as I arrived," says Binky, as the happy couple exclusively share with HELLO! photos and memories from their big day on 22nd July. “One of our favourite songs was playing on the boat and people on the beach were cheering and clapping. It was such a special moment.”
The picture-prefect wedding day was the jewel in the crown of a week of festivities that saw Binky & Max, along with around 100 family members and friends, including Binky’s former Made in Chelsea co-stars Ollie Locke and his husband Gareth, Millie Mackintosh, Hugo Taylor and Rosie Fortescue, descend on the idyllic Greek isle.
The happy couple had chosen the most memorable of locations for their wedding day of dreams. The White House at Kalami. It was home to British author Lawrence Durrell and his wife Nancy in the 1930’s, where they were often visited by Lawrence’s young brother Gerald, who went on to become the popular author and conservationist. “I used to watch The Durrells (ITV drama) on TV and I remember saying: ‘I really want to go there – it looks like heaven,’” says Binky.“Having it as our wedding venue was a dream come true.” Ahead of the picturesque 5:30pm ceremony, Binky had spent the morning preparing with her close friends and India. Opting for a “glowy boho bridal look”, she looked gorgeous in a corseted gown by Israeli designer Liz Martinez. “Binks looked absolutely incredible – like in-credible,” adds the proud groom of the moment he saw Binky walk up the aisle with Oliver, preceded by a flurry of white rose petals and olive leaves sprinkled by flower girls India and Oliver’s four-year-old daughter Octavia.
The ceremony itself was a relaxed and love-filled affair, crafted and officiated by businessman Max’s best friend Jack Wauldock, who was licensed to perform the ceremony. “He did an amazing job,” says Max, who had his four best friends– Jack, Tommy Simkins, Louis Kassam and Charlie Richardson – on groomsmen duties. A poignant moment in the ceremony came when Ollie Locke readout a piece he had written himself. The congregation also heard from Binky andMax’s loved ones who weren’t able to be there in person.
After the fun ceremony, guests. Sat down for a summery feast of white fish ceviche and risotto with fennel sauce, braised veal cheeks and shrimps, served alongside sharing platters of cherry tomato salad with local goat’s cheese and rosemary-scented roasted baby potatoes. It was all topped off with an impressive tower of macarons – which Binky and Max had chosen in place of a dessert and traditional wedding cake.
The White House’s airy outdoor restaurant has been beautifully decked out with exquisite touches, courtesy of Ruth Kaye Design; from place names printed on striking slices of blue crystal, to the menu printed on rustic swatches of fabric and the table plan presented on lemons inside a model boat.
“I was blown away seeing it all in real life,” smiled Binky, who also credits Moriarty Events for making the day run smoothly. “They nailed everything perfectly. Their attention to detail was incredible. Max and I just had fun with our friends; we didn’t have to worry about anything.” Over dinner, guests enjoyed speeches – including some heartfelt words from Max.
After the sun had set and dinner and speeches were finished, the wedding party headed down to the water’s edge to watch a spectacular firework display over the sea while the chairs and tables were cleared to make way for the dance floor. The evening’s partying went on until 2am, with Binky & Max heading back to their villa half an hour before. “We wanted to leave everyone having fun while it was still going,” says Binky.
Any sore heads the next day would have been minimised by the handy wedding favours, including organic hangover drops from Wilder Botanics, which had been distributed to the guests earlier in the day, along with treats such as Evian cooling sprays and fans. Indeed, celebrations continued with a weekend beach party at Trilogia Plous, a seafront restaurant in nearby Kassiopi. “Everyone was enjoying picante cocktails and exchanging stories from the night before. The sunset was incredible,” recalls Binky.
Another part of the week’s celebrations was the boat party, which had taken place two days before the wedding. “It was the best fun ever,” says Binky of the day, which included a DJ set from a friend, a BBQ, on-deck dancing, and swimming when the boat pulled into a cove.
“I’ve been getting loads of messages, saying: ‘Oh my God, that was the most incredible wedding ever,” smiles Binky.
Photos: Divine Day Photography
