THE DRESS was brought, the reception booked and the mother in law had arrived. Yet the first couple of British pop - the Oasis singer Liam Gallagher and his fiancee, the actress Patsy Kensit - were adamant that yesterday was definitely not their wedding day, writes Rachel Borrill.
After a week of rumour and denials, the media excitement over the forthcoming nuptials had reached fever pitch. Confident that yesterday was the day, fans sang romantic songs outside the couple's London home, while the paparazzi set up camp in the rain.
Channel 4's Big Breakfast programme even transmitted their show live from Patsy and Liam's doorstep, using look alikes and an antique Rolls Royce to recreate the moment.
However, the happy couple failed to appear. "Look, don't ring the bell. I'm not getting married today, I'm in bed," moaned Liam to waiting journalists through his intercom, when asked whether he was enjoying his last moments as a free man.
Just after midday came the confirmation. Yes, the rumours were correct, the wedding of the year had been scheduled to take place yesterday. But now it was all off. In a curt statement Oasis's record company, Creation Records, claimed the "obsessive and intrusive" media attention had "removed any dignity from what was to be a private and special occasion". Although this explanation sounded plausible enough - after all, Patsy's second wedding to the pop star Jim Kerr had ended in a punch up between her bodyguards and photographers - the paparrazzi were not easily deterred and the vigil continued.
The rumours were fuelled further by the arrival of Patsy's mother in law to be, Mrs Peggy Gallagher, at Heathrow airport. "I am looking forward to the wedding," she announced proudly.
Meanwhile, the police and caterers behaved as if the event was still on. Crash barriers were erected outside the mooted wedding venue - a private reception room behind Harrods.
And still the vans of drink - champagne, wine and Guinness - continued to arrive. Next came the flowers and the bride's bouquet - Casablancan lilies. But as 4 p.m. approached the executive Jaguar was turned away from their London home, and it became clear that the media's cynicism over the publicity shy couple may well have been misplaced. Despite their desire for a secret wedding, Westminster Registry Office confirmed last night that the couple had taken out six special licences, nominating six different venues."
So, as their number one album asks: What's the Story? For the wedding of the year could now well be held at Manchester Town Hall, the Ritz hotel or Claridges.
Watch this space.