Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary on July 21, but they are not legally married. The couple held an intimate garden blessing at their Essex home, Pickle Cottage, in July 2022, but the ceremony was a non-binding religious or personal blessing, not a legal wedding.
Why the Ceremony Was Not Legally Binding
Under UK law, a venue must hold a civil ceremony licence to host a legally binding wedding. Pickle Cottage, the couple's private family home, could not secure a permanent licence. While they publicly announced plans to register their marriage at a registry office shortly after the garden blessing, reports confirm they never completed the paperwork.
Sources close to the couple attribute the delay to 'life getting in the way,' citing their busy work schedules and the demands of raising six children. Stacey has stated she 'doesn't need a piece of paper' to prove their love.
The Wedding Day
The wedding was held at their £1.2 million home with a 'relaxed, country-fairytale' theme. Stacey's eldest sons Zachary and Leighton walked her down the aisle alongside her father, while Joe's son Harry and their toddler Rex served as page boys. Baby daughter Rose was the flower girl. Their dogs Peanut and Teddy wore matching outfits.
Stacey's close friend Sophie Hinchliffe (Mrs Hinch) was a bridesmaid. Guests included former TOWIE star Ricky Rayment as a best man and Loose Women panellist Linda Robson. Fellow Loose Women regulars Nadia Sawalha and Kaye Adams could not attend due to prior commitments.
Former TOWIE star James Argent and his band provided live entertainment for the first dance, followed by a DJ playing UK garage tracks. By hosting the blessing at their private estate, the couple saved tens of thousands of pounds on venue costs.
Stacey teamed up with IKEA to supply tables, chairs, plates, and cutlery for the garden marquee, donating all furniture to charity afterward. A strict no-mobile-phone policy was enforced to prevent social media leaks. Instead of selling photo rights, Stacey shared pictures on Instagram and allowed news outlets to publish them in exchange for donations to a bereaved children's charity.
How They Met and Family Life
Stacey met Joe in 2010 on the set of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! after she won the series. They began dating in 2016, and Joe proposed on Christmas Eve 2020 during a woodland walk. Together, they have a blended family of six children: Rex, Rose, and Belle (together), Stacey's sons Zachary and Leighton, and Joe's son Harry.
The couple has spoken about the pressures of marriage, parenthood, and filming their BBC reality show Stacey and Joe. Stacey has dismissed speculation about a split, insisting they remain devoted to one another.
Their Net Worth
Stacey's net worth is estimated between £5 million and £10 million, with her business portfolio—including a performing arts company and a 33% stake in hair care brand Rehab—valued at around £10 million. She earns £4,000 to £8,270 per day. She bought Pickle Cottage outright for £1.2–£1.3 million in 2021. Stacey also earns from the BBC show Sort Your Life Out, brand partnerships with Primark and George at Asda, her Tap to Tidy book series, and sponsored social media posts.
Joe's net worth is estimated at around £1.5 million. He was declared bankrupt twice (2009 and 2013) due to unpaid tax bills after an illness but is no longer bankrupt. His wealth comes from acting, reality TV wins (including I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!), and joint TV ventures like Stacey & Joe.
