Lauren Phillips’ ex-husband Lachlan Sparks sensationally lifted the lid on their one-year marriage earlier this week.
The former TV producer made headlines when he accused the Weekend Today host, 39, of acting selfishly – and claimed he’d expected more from their relationship than ‘skin-deep friends, free holidays and Instagram followers’.
Now, looking back at their doomed romance, it’s clear the couple’s extravagant wedding could well have been the last straw for publicity-shy Lachlan.
Was Lauren Phillips’ Insta-perfect wedding the last straw for publicity-shy husband Lachlan Sparks? Photos have resurfaced from their ritzy 2017 ceremony as he claims ‘she ONLY cared about herself’ during their one-year marriage. Pictured: Lauren and Lachlan at their wedding reception
After six years of dating, Lachlan and Lauren wed in December 2017 in what could easily be described as the flashiest nuptials of the year.
The pair exchanged vows in the manicured garden of a private property in Victoria’s picturesque Mornington Peninsula.
At the time, the Herald Sun reported there was a guest list of 180 people, including footy power couple Rebecca and Chris Judd, model Kris Smith, AFL star Jonathan Brown, Nova FM radio host Michael Wipfli and Channel Nine sports reporter Clint Stanaway, who was the emcee.
No expense spared! After six years of dating, Lachlan and Laure, wed in December 2017 during what could easily be described as the flashiest nuptials of the year
Insta-perfect: The pair exchanged vows in the manicured garden of a private property at Victoria’s picturesque Mornington Peninsula
All eyes on the bride! Lauren turned heads in an extravagant, custom-made ballgown by Con Ilio, which featured intricate beading
Lauren turned heads in an extravagant, custom-made ballgown by Con Ilio, which featured intricate beading.
The breakfast TV presenter carried a white floral bouquet and completed her look with a long tulle veil.
Lachlan, meanwhile, looked suave in a black suit with a bow tie.
Going all out: The Weekend Today presenter carried a white floral bouquet and completed her look with a long tulle veil
Angelic! The bridesmaids cut demure figures in their unique calf-length frocks, pairing their custom-made couture frocks with strappy white heels and white floral bouquets
Hashtagged: The couple encouraged guests to mark the momentous occasion by sharing photos and clips from the day on social media using the hashtag #MeetThePharks
Lauren had six bridesmaids, all of whom wore custom-made white dresses, also designed by Con Ilio.
The bridesmaids cut demure figures in the calf-length frocks, pairing their uniform look with strappy white heels and matching floral bouquets.
Lachlan’s four groomsmen donned matching black suits, bow ties and floral lapels.
Sharp: Lachlan’s four groomsmen donned matching black suits, bow ties and floral lapels
All-star lineup: Channel Nine reporter Tom Steinfort (second from left) was best man, while The Project’s Tommy Little (far right) was also part of the bridal party
Channel Nine reporter Tom Steinfort was best man, while The Project’s Tommy Little was also part of the bridal party.
The couple exchanged vows under a custom-built floral arbour, and encouraged guests to mark the momentous occasion by sharing photos and clips from the day on social media using the hashtag: ‘meetthepharks’
Guests then made their way into a purpose-built, seven-and-a-half-metre high glass marquee inspired by the nuptials of Pippa Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge.
One of a kind: Guests then made their way into a purpose-built, seven-and-a-half-metre high glass marquee inspired by the nuptials of Pippa Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge
Wardrobe change: For the reception, Lauren changed into a second dress, hand-delivered by designer Con Ilio.
Putting on the ritz: According to marquee provider Harry The Hirer, the glass ‘atrium’ made its debut at the lavish wedding and took three days to construct by twelve staff members
According to marquee provider Harry The Hirer, the glass ‘atrium’ made its debut at the lavish wedding and took three days to construct by twelve staff members.
Once inside the glass atrium, guests were seated at long tables with personalised seat placement.
For the reception, Lauren changed into a second dress, hand-delivered by designer Con Ilio.
Stunning: Lauren and Lachlan topped off their big day with a blue-and-white tiered wedding cake with floral and gold detailing
The second dress was just as glamorous as her first, adorned with intricate beading and a more revealing plunging neckline.
Lauren and Lachlan topped off their big day with a blue-and-white tiered wedding cake with floral and gold detailing.
Unfortunately, the newlyweds’ fairytale would soon come to an end, as just one year later the couple officially called it quits in December 2018.
Doomed: Unfortunately, the newlyweds’ fairytale would soon come to an end, as just one year later the couple officially called it quits in December 2018
Lachlan flew under the radar for the next two years, before suddenly posting an eyebrow-raising Instagram post about Lauren on Sunday – accusing her of ‘caring more about herself’ during their relationship and saying he ‘wasted’ years of his life with the wrong person.
However, speaking to Confidential on Wednesday, Lachlan insisted that the post wasn’t meant to be malicious.
‘That certainly wasn’t my intent. I wrote it purely to put it out there (for my own benefit more than anyone else’s) that I’d put a difficult period behind me. Nothing malicious,’ he told the publication.
Making headlines: Lachlan flew under the radar for the next two years, before suddenly posting an eyebrow-raising Instagram post about Lauren on Sunday
He also addressed rumours of a third party as the cause of the end of their relationship – telling Confidental it ‘had absolutely nothing to do with infidelity’.
‘We were just two people heading in vastly different directions who figured it out a little too late,’ he said.
His statement came as he debuted his new girlfriend, Courtney Wynbergen, who he said had ‘changed his world’.
‘A while ago, I married a girl who cared much more about herself and how she was perceived than she did about me,’ began Lachlan, who only recently returned to Instagram after deleting all his social media accounts when he split from Lauren.
‘It was a lot… too much, actually. I left and despite losing almost every friend I’d found over seven years (and a few other “best mates” for good measure) in the blink of an eye, it was the best thing I’ve ever done.’
Lachlan, who runs his own creative agency, went on to say that he’d wasted years of his life with Lauren.
New flame: His blistering statement came as he debuted his new girlfriend, Courtney Wynbergen, (pictured) whom he said had ‘changed his world’
‘Approaching 40, I was more than a bit nervous I’d wasted a big chunk of my life with the wrong person, and that I was long odds to find anyone who was willing (or able) to give me the love I knew I deserved,’ he explained.
He went on to take yet another swipe at his ex, saying: ‘I truly believed there was more to a relationship (and life) than skin-deep friends, free holidays and Instagram followers – I just needed to find it.’
Lachlan said he’d met his new girlfriend Courtney by ‘sheer, dumb luck’.
He’s smitten: Lachlan said he’d met his new girlfriend Courtney by ‘sheer, dumb luck’, adding: ‘She knows how to love me like I’ve never been loved before… I love you’
‘I ran into this girl and my world changed,’ he wrote.
He went on to call Courtney a ‘fighter’, ‘loyal’ and ‘utterly magnificent’, then added: ‘She knows how to love me like I’ve never been loved before… I love you.’
Lachlan recently spent time with Courtney in the Kangaroo Valley and Byron Bay.
Happy: Lachlan recently spent time with Courtney in the Kangaroo Valley and Byron Bay
Lauren is now believed to be dating multi-millionaire jet tycoon Paul O’Brien, who happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Sunrise host Sam Armytage.
She is enjoying getting to know Paul’s many celebrity friends, including Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth and his wife, Elsa Pataky.
New man: Lauren is now believed to be dating multi-millionaire jet tycoon Paul O’Brien (pictured), who happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Sunrise host Sam Armytage