If today’s pre-wedding celebrations are anything to go by, footballer Harry Maguire and his fiancée Fern Hawkins are planning a big day so lavish it will put any A-list nuptials to shame.
Manchester United star Maguire, 28, who earns £190,000 per week, and his bride-to-be Fern are set to tie the knot in June 2022 after 10 years together.
Today Fern asked her closes friends and family if they would be her bridesmaids at a lavish party in Manchester, which took in a meal at hip California-inspired restaurant Foodwell and a girly get-together in a suite at the upmarket Dakota Hotel.
Among their number was Maguire’s sister Daisy and Megan Davison, who is married to England and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Bride-to-be! Manchester United star Maguire, 28, who earns £190,000 per week, and his bride-to-be Fern are set to tie the knot in June 2022 after 10 years together. Today Fern, pictured, threw a bridal brunch to ask her closest friends and family to be her bridesmaids
Here come the girls! Today Fern asked her closes friends and family if they would be her bridesmaids at a lavish party in Manchester, which took in a meal at hip California-inspired restaurant Foodwell. Above, the bridesmaids parade threw the restaurant with their boxes
Special delivery: Each place at the table was set with a personalised white gift box emblazoned with the guest’s name in silver. Above, the place setting for Harry’s sister, Daisy
Big question: The box was accompanied by a note which read: ‘My darling best friend, plan with me, stand with me, cry with me, laugh with me. Please be my bridesmaid?’ (pictured)
Close friends: Fern Hawkins (left) and Megan Davison (right) during Euros 2020
Each place at the table was set with a personalised white gift box emblazoned with the guest’s name in silver.
Inside was a collection of treats including a photograph, a £12 eye mask from boutique skincare label 111Skin and a bottle of £20 Whispering Angel rosé engraved with the message: ‘Fern’s Bridal Brunch’, and the date of the wedding.
It was accompanied by a note which read: ‘My darling best friend, plan with me, stand with me, cry with me, laugh with me. Please be my bridesmaid?’
Daisy and Megan both excitedly shared a photo of the note to their Instagram stories, confirming their involvement in the wedding.
Pulling out all the stops: The group also enjoyed a a girly get-together in a suite at the upmarket Dakota Hotel, pictured, which was decorated for the event
More is more! The group also popped into the hotel suite, which was decorated with pink and gold balloons, streamers and banners reading: ‘Fern’s bride squad’
Kicking off the party! The group made themselves at home in the stunning hotel suite
The group also popped into the hotel suite, which was decorated with pink and gold balloons, streamers and banners reading: ‘Fern’s bride squad’.
Champagne was laid out on the table and there were fresh flowers decorating the room.
Fern, who cheered on Maguire throughout his Euro 2020 campaign this summer, looked radiant in a white crop top and white trousers for the outing.
Daisy, who is best friends with her sister-in-law, opted for a chic caramel coloured dress.
Cheers to that! The girls travelled in a stretch Mercedes to the event in Manchester today
Touched: Harry Maguire’s sister Daisy was asked to be Fern’s maid of honour, pictured
Getting the party started: Fern presented her guests with customised Whispering Angel rose
Little touches: Each bridesmaid was also given their own personalised hanger at the event
Harry and Fern met when he was just 18 and part of Sheffield United’s youth team.
Fern has a first-class degree in science and physiotherapy, and graduated in 2017. The couple have been engaged since 2018 and share daughters Lillie Saint, who turned two in April, and Piper Rose, who was born in May 2020.
Pickford and Megan are also childhood sweethearts. The football ace took his now wife out on their first date to the cinema while he was a pupil at St Robert of Newminster Catholic School in their native Washington, Tyne and Wear.
Pickford was 16 and she was 14 — and they have been together ever since.
Megan, now 25, graduated from university in 2019. She had son, Arlo, in February that year, and the couple were married in March 2020 at a register office in Crewe, having had to postpone their lavish Maldives nuptials due to the pandemic.
The ceremony was distinctly understated, with Pickford, 27, wearing a baseball cap and ripped jeans, while the bride wore Givenchy studded boots and carried a Dior handbag.
It remains to be seen whether they will rearrange their big day now restrictions have eased.