Amber Anderson, the talented actress known for her role as Lady Diana Mitford in Peaky Blinders, has tied the knot with her long-term partner, Connor Swindells, star of the hit Netflix series Sex Education. The couple's enchanting wedding ceremony took place at the picturesque Boath House in the Scottish Highlands, a location that holds special meaning for Anderson as it is close to where she grew up.
The wedding, which was quintessentially Scottish in its charm, was officiated by none other than Swindells's on-screen father, Alistair Petrie, who plays Michael Groff in Sex Education. This unique twist added a personal touch to the ceremony, making it even more meaningful for the couple.
Anderson opted for a stunning Vivienne Westwood dress, which she described as the perfect choice. 'As cheesy as it sounds, I just knew as soon as I tried it on,' she told Vogue. 'My favorite parts of my body were accentuated, and the bits that I didn't like didn't really matter anymore, and I knew it would look good sitting down or standing up.' The entire Vivienne Westwood approach appealed to her because she didn't want to change anything about herself to subscribe to a specific bridal look.
Swindells, on the other hand, wore a navy double-breasted blazer and matching suit trousers by Atelier Arena. His tailor, Tom from Atelier Arena, had dressed him for 90 percent of all things he does. 'He dresses me for 90 percent of all things I do,' Swindells shared. 'He flicked me through some fabrics, ideally that would fit well with my skin tone, pasty as it tends to be. We landed on a wonderful navy. He threw in the Anderson tartan details. Hes a true maestro and I cant begin to thank him enough for everything.'
The couple's family and friends played a significant role in their wedding day. Amber's godmother gave her away at the altar, as her father sadly wasn't able to attend due to health reasons. This gesture felt like a nice way of having him there, as he had chosen her godmother as his chosen godparent for her.
Moose, the couple's pet rescue dog, served as ring bearer, complete with an Anderson tartan bandana. The ceremony also included readings from comedy duo Maddy and Marina Bye, who performed an aura cleansing of the groom. This unique moment added a touch of humor and light-heartedness to the proceedings.
Before the drinks reception, the couple participated in a Celtic quaich ceremony. This ancient tradition involves holding a cup with both hands, symbolizing unity and mutual respect. They drank whisky from the cup, adding a touch of Scottish heritage to their celebration.
The reception was filled with Scottish delicacies, including haggis, neeps and tatties. The couple also served individual chocolate nemesis cakes, which paid homage to their favorite dessert from the River Caf. The evening concluded with a ceilidh, where Anderson changed into a second Vivienne Westwood dressa tartan corset and skirt with biker bootsto freely move during the Scottish dance party.
To wrap up the wedding celebration, their family and friends gathered the next day at the pub Kimberley, known for their fish and chips. They all had a special moment where 'everyone ran and jumped off the end of the pier into the sea.' Anderson noted, 'I think that might have been my favorite moment of the weekend.'
The couple met on the set of Autumn de Wilde's film Emma. They kept in touch as friends but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that cemented their budding relationship. 'We ended up together during the first lockdown,' explains Amber. 'We were both living alone and relatively near each other, so we decided to bubble together. We got to really support each other through that.'
Their official first date was literally about three months into their relationship when everything opened up again. Connor proposed to Amber during a group trip to Botswana, having successfully thrown her off the scent first. 'I was away filming in Italy a few months before we left when the realization hit me that this trip was going to be the moment,' shares Connor.
He enlisted the help of his best friend Oakley to transport the ring. '[I knew] full well Amber would sniff out any remnants of a proposal this was the only way'. Eventually, he was able to get down on one knee in front of a 1,400-year-old baobab tree, and the rest is history.
The proposal itself required elaborate planning. Connor revealed, 'I tasked my best friend Oakley with both collection and transport of the ring, which he performed with diligence, knowing full well Amber would sniff out any remnants of a proposalthis was the only way.'
The couple's wedding was a testament to their love and commitment to each other. It was a celebration that blended their personal touches with traditional Scottish elements, making it a truly unique and memorable occasion.
