Hidden details from Adam Peaty’s chaotic wedding – truth behind scuffle to guest’s savage review

The lavish wedding of Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay was one of the most eagerly anticipated of the year, but there was plenty of hair-raising drama amid the glamorous celebrations

Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay’s lavish wedding day looked to be straight out of a fairytale, but below the surface there was plenty of tension bubbling away.

The happy couple said ‘I do’ at the majestic Bath Abbey in a star-studded ceremony, attended by the likes of David and Victoria Beckham. This was followed by a reception at Kin House, a gorgeous Georgian manor near Chippenham, complete with a secret stage, private pool and a 10-acre garden.

Holly’s world-famous dad Gordon Ramsay beamed with pride as he escorted her into the abbey, and even celebrated the loved-up pair with a sweet Instagram post on their wedding morning. Adam’s millionaire in-laws were at the heart of his celebrations, from his big stag do to a fancy family trip to Lapland leading up to the big day.

The same can’t be said for the Olympian’s own family, who have been left out in the cold as a bitter family feud rages on. Adam’s distraught mother Caroline, who was banned from the nuptials, even threatened to come and gatecrash the big day before backing out after her husband warned it would be too upsetting.

The ongoing family drama wasn’t the only headache that the couple faced, as there were plenty of other hurdles in store in Bath. From confrontations with the paparazzi to ice-cold texts the morning of, here, the Mirror takes a closer look…

Chaotic scuffle

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Things ‘descended into chaos’ after Holly was mobbed by paparazzi

All eyes were on Holly as she arrived at the abbey, accompanied by proud dad Gordon, but unfortunately, the happy scene became chaotic after the bride was mobbed by paparazzi photographers.

While the majority of the press had been situated in a designated area at the front of the historic venue, a few runaway paps reportedly ran from a back door to catch up with Ramsay and her father, and clashed with bodyguards outside of the abbey.

The group attempted to intercept the all-important arrival of the bride, resulting in an unpleasant skirmish with security personnel in a confined passageway beside the abbey, as bodyguards formed a protective cordon around the Ramsays.

Speaking with Hello! Magazine, a source said that the situation “descended into chaos”, with “Gordon and Holly, in her wedding dress, being jostled around just as she entered the church.” Thankfully, the Ramsays were able to escape with the help of security and continued on into the abbey for the service.

That wasn’t the only hiccup during Holly and Gordon’s entrance, however, with a source telling the publication that their cars had been parked illegally at a bus stop during the ceremony, potentially putting them at risk of a fine.

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The swimmer’s aunt, Louise, reportedly sent him a haunting text message shortly before he arrived at the historic church(Image: @ashthepap/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Shortly before the nuptials began, Adam is said to have received a brutal text message from his aunt Louise, who has long been vocal in criticising his alleged part in the ongoing rift with mum Caroline.

In the message, Caroline’s protective sister Louise shamed her nephew for uninviting his 60-year-old mother, reportedly writing: “I hope you never suffer the depth of pain you have put your mother through, and despite it all she loves you still. Shame on you both. Shame. Remember on this, your happiest day, and on each anniversary of your happiest day, that you hurt your mum so deeply her soul screams.”

Adam Peaty’s 73–year–old great–aunt Janet, who was left out of yesterday’s wedding, has also hit out at the family snub. “I just feel so sorry for Caroline,” she said. “I can’t believe he’s done this to his mother who’s done so much for him from an early age. To be treated like this is not kind,” she told the Mail on Sunday.

Adam broke his silence on the feud in November to share a statement. He said: “For those who know me personally, you know that I work so hard on trying to improve myself as a person who wants to contribute to making the world a better place. I am continuing to learn about myself and how I can be the man I want to be; a worthy partner, father, businessman, friend and athlete; even through these challenging times.

“Bethany, Holly and I will get through this – we do not ask for sympathy. We just need people to be aware that there are always two sides to every story. To those of you who have reached out and shown kindness and understanding – thank you. It is deeply appreciated.” In a show of solidarity, his wife-to-be Holly also shared the post on her social media to her 400,000 followers.

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Devastated Caroline shared, ‘It’s as if they have cut my heart out’(Image: @cazliz123/X)

In the days before the festive wedding, Caroline took to social media, poignantly sharing a reflective quote about Christmastime and the importance of parents at this “magic” time of year. The quote read: “I don’t remember every gift I opened when I was 5, 6, or even 10. I remember the smell of the kitchen, the glow of the lights, the way love felt louder in December. It wasn’t the presents it was the presence of my parents who did everything they could to make the magic happen.”

This year, Adam didn’t buy any presents for his parents or his brothers, James and Richard, according to The Sun. And while it’s believed he treated Richard’s daughter in addition to his sister Bethany and her two children, James’s kids were allegedly left out in the cold. The relationship between Adam and James is understood to be strained, with James having been arrested last month for allegedly making threats against the swimmer during his Budapest stag do.

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Adam Peaty and his five-year-old son George(Image: @ashthepap/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

A source claimed: “Kids are innocent and shouldn’t be included in any family fallout. To do this is cruel and spiteful.” Meanwhile, ahead of the weekend ceremony, Caroline opened up about the painful row with the Mail Online, sharing: “I don’t think they understand how much they have hurt me; it’s as if they have cut my heart out. This is the first Christmas that I’ve not had my family together – my family is broken.” She continued, “They are both still loved, there is nothing I won’t forgive, and I want them to have the best day.”

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Caroline Peaty and Mark Peaty with him in a family photo. Also pictured are his siblings Richard (back), James (second left), and Bethany(Image: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED)

While more than 200 guests gathered at Bath Abbey yesterday, Adam’s sister Bethany, who was chosen as one of Holly’s bridesmaids, was the only family member from Adam’s side in attendance, while his swimming coach Melanie Marshall stepped up to deliver a reception speech in the absence of his two brothers. It has since emerged that Adam allegedly told his dad Mark he could come along – with Bethany relaying the olive branch message – but under the strict condition that he “would have to sit at the back” of the church.

A family source told The Sun on Sunday: “It was a difficult day for Caroline and Mark, so the family spent the evening together. Caroline got upset as soon as she saw the photographs from the wedding. For him to turn around and tell Beth that his dad could come and sit at the back of the church is awful. Mark was told he could sit behind plus-ones — who Adam has probably never even seen or spoken to.”

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Bethany Peaty, Adam’s sister, was the only member from his family in attendance(Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

The Mail Online reports that Caroline and Mark were at home in Uttoxeter at the ceremony unfolded, with the publication picking up on a potentially pointed symbol outside their house. An upside-down flag could be seen flying outside the family home, a globally recognised distress symbol which some have taken as a deliberate dig against Holly and Adam.

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Guests were given wristbands as a matter of security (Image: WireImage)

Strict security protocol was in place at Bath Abbey, with personnel understood to have been on hand to deter members of the public from entering or taking any snaps. Guests were even expected to wear wristbands embossed with H&A, and were also banned from taking any photographs of the service. In a scathing review, one invitee told The Sun: “It was a lovely day, but with the wristband it felt more like a hospital appointment.”

And now another guest has offered a first glimpse at the controversial wristbands. Sports presenter John Reynolds posted a behind the scenes close-up of his wrist, adorned with the festive green band with gold H&A initials. He captioned the post: “@adam_peaty and @hollyramsay 4 EVA” with a loved-up emoji.

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The wristband that guests wore

While the majority of couples would pay £2,500 to get married at the historic abbey, it’s believed Adam and Holly would have paid substantially more, given that they’d booked the former Benedictine monastery out for the full day, despite their own service lasting just 90 minutes.

The official Bath Abbey website stated yesterday that it is “closed for visiting”, while an official note on the door read “visiting and services will resume on Sunday 28th December”. The choice to block out any other weddings from being held on the same date, while barring any tourists from entering or even being near the popular landmark, hasn’t gone down well with all locals. One source said: “It seems rather selfish to be hiring the abbey for the whole day when your wedding service only lasts for an hour and a half or so.”