Wag wedding: rags to riches

Back in June, footballers wives all over the country sipped upon their Cristal and Dommy P and it wasn't just their average weekend tipple; it was in celebration of what was known as "Wags Weekend". A plethora of football stars tied the knot in June before they set off for their summer holiday - Louis Vuitton luggage in tow - for a honeymoon break before the new season. However, just how much influence do the WAG's have over their footballing husbands? Just how much is their budget for their big day and wedding dress?

Interest in the partners of footballers dates back at least to the late 1960s when England captain Bobby Moore and his first wife Tina were regarded as a stylish and "golden" couple. Today, widespread media attention has meant WAG's such as Alex Curran, Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Tweedy have the 'star power' of the footballers themselves.

The British public have a natural interest in their private lives - and many love to see more of the WAG's. Cue WAG's Boutique and Footballer's Wives.

The footballers wives live a life of glam and beauty, and their wedding day is often the biggest day of their life - and a big chance to spend their masses of cash.

We caught up with fashion designer Sue Goodchild from Essex; dressmaker to several sportsman's other halves. We wondered just how much did their husbands budget the WAG's. Sue replied, "I remember a time when sportsman's wives would make an appointment with me and would spend hours in the showroom, paying between £2000 to £5000.

"The amount of money they are spending now can be in excess of £30,000 - and that's just on the gown! They want complete splendour. Often, money has no relevance to them; I have to source what they want from all over the world."

However Sue stresses that she did not make the dresses for the WAG's weekend but did say, "I wish I could tell you who we deal with, but they have our complete confidence, and in theirs and our best interest I could not possibly divulge names."

Let us not forget that magazine deals and media deals are offered; often rejected, but are rumoured to be worth over £1 million. Gary Neville and wife Emma Hadfield reportedly turned down the chance of selling their pictures to several media outlets.

During WAG's weekend or the "WAGathon" who could forget that John Terry and Toni Poole married at Blenheim Palace, then Saturday was Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick's turn, who married Lisa Roughead in Leicestershire and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran married in Buckinghamshire.

The success of the TV show Footballer's Wives just indicates how much interest the general public has on such matters. But just how much interest do the wives have over their footballing husbands?

This summer David Beckham and his wife Victoria set off for LA as they began a new chapter in David's footballing career. Rumours circulated that it was in fact Victoria's decision David should move to the US. Was the move for footballing reasons? The evidence is inconclusive. But who would bet that if Becks' loses his England place, he will be back in Europe.

Victoria afterwards reacted to the move, "It's so great for us all here. The children love the sports and outdoor activities, David loves his new team, and I�m just really happy to be somewhere where I already have friends."

How long will David's happiness last if his England international career comes under threat? And surely £250 million would be enough cash for Becks to settle in. Whilst he said he wanted to make the move from Spain to the US in order to make a difference; various sections of the media doubted his career selection.

"I'm coming there not to be the superstar but to be part of the team, and to work hard and hopefully to win things." he said.

When John Terry married at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, the whole day was said to be costing nearly £1 million - however, the financial burden was eased thanks to a deal with OK! magazine. This is becoming more commonplace now; as footballers are now today's celebrities.

Many remember when Laura Church was dismissed from Gillingham FC after she sent a midnight text message to player Chris Hope. She argued that 'jealous wives' forced her out of the club. Gillingham's chairman Paul Scally responded to the claims, "There is no female, or wife or partner that has any influence on the decisions I make at the club."

Everyone remembers a time when footballer's were not allowed at England's World Cup campaigns. In 2006, England were hyped as very serious contenders to win; but what happened? Did the presence of the WAG's have an adverse effect? Cast your mind back to back page headlines in World Cup 2006, with pictures of the WAG's strutting around Baden-Baden. The media coverage for the WAG's is becoming more and more intense and many men are wondering, where is the real football news?