Supermodel Sophie Anderton lifted the lid on her dreamy Irish wedding despite torrential rain and wind threatening to spoil the day.
The 44-year-old top model, who first shot to fame as the face of Gossard bras in the 1990s, tied the knot to her now husband, Polish aristocrat Count Kazimierz 'Kaz' Balinski-Jundzill, in a romantic country wedding in Co. Wicklow on August 5.
And after postponing their date three times due to the pandemic and family illness, not even the typical, undependable Irish weather could stop them from enjoying their big day.
“When I looked out the window and saw the damage the overnight storm had caused, I felt eerily calm," Anderton, who wore an ivory lace wedding gown designed by Dublin designer Helen Cody, said.
“In Ireland, it’s thought to be good luck if it rains on your wedding day, but this was torrential.
“So, I looked up to the sky and said: ‘Dad, grandad, please tell god to turn the tap off.
“When I left the house later, the sun was shining down on us.”
Recalling the moment her mother Susan, who flew in from Bristol, saw her in her dream dress, she said there were tears of joy, telling Hello! Magazine: “It was such an emotional moment.
The newlywed, who plans to auction off the gown for ARC Cancer Support Centres, of which she is an ambassador, added: “I felt ethereal in it, as if I was floating.”
The couple said 'I do' in an intimate civil ceremony in the pretty village of Laragh, followed by a wedding reception at their spectacular family home, Glendalough House, with a 1400-acre estate.
Kaz's children from his two previous marriages played leading roles in the ceremony, with eldest daughter Ella - an actress who starred alongside Kristen Stewart and Naomi Scott in the 2019 film Charlie's Angels, and whose mother is TV chef Lorraine Pascale - acting as ring bearer.
Balinski-Jundzill, 53 – who works in the extractive oil industry, said: “When I saw Sophie, I was in such awe of her that I had to keep looking away to stop myself from crying.”
The newlyweds hosted a wonderful al fresco wedding reception in a marquee in the grounds of the country residence, and Sophie changed into another bespoke ivory tiered dress, also designed by Helen Cody, before they shared their first dance to Taylor Swift's Lover.
"It was the happiest day of my life," said Sophie, who is already planning a blessing and a big celebration party next year, for those who were unable to attend the nuptials this month in Ireland.
"I never thought marriage was on the cards for me – in fact my nickname was the runaway bride - but Kaz kept telling me it would suit me, and he was right.
“Love comes into your life when you’re not looking for it.
“I’ve waited all my life to meet the person I wanted to marry. Although I’ve loved, I’ve never been in love until now,” she added.
