Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson’s wedding: What will it look like?

Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds are reportedly planning to tie the knot next summer in what will be the biggest society wedding of the year. 

The couple, who announced their engagement in February 2020 and welcomed son Wilfred two months later, have sent out save-the-dates for July 30, 2022. 

A spokesman for the couple declined to comment on a ‘private family event’. 

It is understood the couple are holding out until next year for a bigger celebration because the Prime Minister will be too busy this summer with Covid-19. 

There is currently a 30-person maximum on weddings in England and Mr Johnson has yet to confirm whether larger receptions will be allowed to go ahead from June 21, so it could also be that the couple don’t want to take the risk of planning for this summer. 

Details of the wedding remain a closely guarded secret, but the fact that save-the-dates have been sent more than a year in advance suggest it is going to be a rather lavish affairs. 

Couples who want to have a low-key wedding can afford to leave planning and guest lists closer to the date. 

So what can we expect from Boris’ big day? From the wedding dress designer to potential venues and the role baby Wilfred might play, FEMAIL shares predictions for what it might look like… 

THE VENUE  

The sending of save-the-date cards suggests the couple have at least decided on a venue. 

Although they could have the pick of the country’s most lavish stately homes or country house hotels, it is thought they might choose somewhere with more of a personal connection. 

According to the Sun, the Prime Minister’s country pile, Chequers, is right at the top of the list of potential venues. 

The 10-bedroom house – outside Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire – has been the official country residence of the Prime Minister since the end of the First World War. 

Mr Johnson chose to convalesce at the 1,500-acre country estate after being struck down by coronavirus last year and he and Carrie reportedly hosted a baby shower at the country home. 

The other contender is Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve, in Kent, which is run by conservation charity the Aspinall Foundation, where Carrie Symonds works. 

The estate boasts several potential venues, including The Bear Lodge, which can host an evening reception for up to 180 guests, and the Moroccan Courtyard, which is ideal for a more intimate drinks gathering for up to 40 guests. 

Guests can also enjoy a private safari to see the giraffes, zebras, ­rhinos and gorillas that live on the reserve. 

If the couple opt for a more traditional route, there is also Westminster Cathedral, where son Wilfred was christened last year. 

THE BRIDAL PARTY 

The Mail On Sunday’s Richard Eden reported last month that Carrie has already started choosing her bridesmaids. 

The first in line is said to be Emma Barr, a former government special adviser who was signed up as a producer for the soon-to-launch television channel GB News.

‘Emma will be a bridesmaid,’ claimed a Downing Street source. ‘She’s a great friend of Carrie and, most importantly, super-loyal.’

Barr, who would often be seen carrying the Prime Minister’s dog, Dilyn, on the campaign trail at the last general election, was keen to play down suggestions that she’s already been chosen.

She worked as a Tory press officer under Carrie and has publicly accused her critics of ‘jealousy’, gushing: ‘She was a wonderful boss and has always gone out of her way to support me.’

Also likely to be in the running is Nimco Ali, a prominent anti-FGM campaigner who is godmother to Wilfred.

The Somali-born campaigner is one of Miss Symonds’ closest friends and was pictured with her on a trip to Venice last year.  

The Home Office announced in October that Nimco had been made an adviser on tackling violence against women and girls.

The Government role, for which she is paid £350 a day for around two days’ work a month, was not advertised through any competitive application process. 

The appointment raised issues of jobs for cronies because it appeared to have been created for Miss Ali.

Carrie might also choose to break from tradition and have her closest male friend, Henry Newman, as part of her bridal party. 

The pair rose through the Conservative Party ranks at the same time and are now at the heart of the No 10 operation. In February, Mr Newman was promoted to assistant of Mr Johnson’s deputy chief of staff Baroness Finn. 

Miss Symonds and Mr Newman have formed a bond that goes beyond politics.

Before her relationship with Mr Johnson hit the headlines, she spoke out courageously about her terrifying teenage ordeal at the hands of the so-called ‘black cab rapist’ John Worboys. In 2018, she campaigned to reverse the Parole Board’s decision to grant him an early release – and turned to Mr Newman for advice.

Mr Newman defended Miss Symonds when her relationship with Mr Johnson became public, tweeting: ‘Carrie Symonds coverage too often reflects a misogyny that attractive women can’t also be talented. I’ve known her for years. Proud to call her my friend.’

The pair frequently tweet each other about their shared love of ABBA, and danced along to the band’s records at Miss Symonds’ 30th birthday party in 2018.

A JOHNSON FAMILY AFFAIR? 

For all the bonhomie, witty one-liners and wisecracking, Boris has just a few close friends. To him it is all politics and family.

Most prime ministers discover that high office comes with a narrowing of their social circle. Who’s in and who’s out is always a subject of abiding fascination but ultimately it relies on one thing: trust.

‘When you become Prime Minister you make new relationships, but you don’t make new friends,’ says one of Boris’s Oxford contemporaries.

‘And your circle tends to become smaller and smaller because you have to be so sure about who is trustworthy and who isn’t. So the friends invited to Chequers have predominantly been drawn from Carrie’s circle. Boris is happy with that.’

It means the groom’s side of the wedding guest list might be shorter than the bride’s. – with the Johnson family accounting for a significant proportion.   

First there are his siblings – Rachel, Leo and Jo – as well as his father, Stanley.  

Then there are Boris’ children Lara, Milo, Cassie and Theodore — from his 26-year marriage to barrister Marina Wheeler — who are understood to be back on good terms with their father following his divorce from their mother.

All four of them could be involved as best men, ushers or bridesmaids. 

THE WEDDING DRESS DESIGNER

Carrie has won praise for her sophisticated yet accessible sense of style – and there is of little doubt she will make a beautiful bride.  

Over the course of her relationship with Boris, Carrie has swapped her puffy jackets, wacky knits and dark paisley prints for a brighter and more trend-focused look.

Feminine florals and striking patterns have been deployed with skill, creating just enough of a ‘look at me’ effect.

Hemlines, by and large, have been fashionably long — but with her slender figure, she has been unafraid to wear shorter styles occasionally.

Yet rather than leaning on designer pieces and expensive items, Carrie has deftly managed to adopt a grown up First Lady style which speaks to Boris’ political message.

Carrie has taken to relying on high street stalwarts for everyday wear, eschewing big fashion labels for an affordable high street-based wardrobe that many 30-somethings could afford.  

Brands like Ghost are among Carrie’s favourite but she is likely to opt for something slightly more high-end for her big day. 

Stella McCartney would be a fitting choice for an eco-minded bride like Carrie. The designer is best known for creating the dress worn by the Duchess of Sussex to her evening reception.  

Carrie is also a fan of clothing rental services, which aim to reduce the carbon footprint of the fashion industry. As such she might follow in the footsteps of Princess Beatrice and choose a vintage or pre-worn dress.  

THE HONEYMOON    

The Prime Minister reportedly proposed while on holiday in Mustique shortly after his party won an impressive majority in the December 2019 General Election.

So it is possible the couple will want to return to the luxury holiday destination for their honeymoon.  

The Caribbean paradise island is accustomed to welcoming everyone who is anyone, from rock stars to royalty, along with every aristo and captain of industry in between.

It is perfect for couple’s looking for a publicity-free getaway.

In the past, paparazzi snappers hunting celebrities have hired boats and positioned themselves off shore with long lenses. But if they attempt to set foot on land, they know they will immediately be handed over to police because Mustique is a private island. 

However the destination might now be slightly tainted for Mr Johnson and Miss Symonds.

It emerged earlier this month a 2020 trip to the island was under investigation over who footed the bill. 

INSPIRATION FOR THE ‘LOOK’ OF THE DAY 

The woman said to have inspired Carrie Symonds’ lavish Downing Street makeover is Lulu Lytle – one of the UK’s most influential and successful interior designers.

Her designs combine a riot of bold colours and showstopping old-fashioned glamour.

Think oiled-oak shelving, rattan furniture, shimmering gold wallpaper and intricate textiles. A marble bathroom, perhaps, with wrought iron finishings. 

Although her Soane studio does not do weddings or events, it is possible that Carrie might draw on this aesthetic when it comes to designing the table settings, decorations and overall ‘look’ of the day. 

As someone with a trend-focused approach, it is very possible Carrie will forgo traditional white and soft colours in favour of slightly more fun and vibrant.