It was supposed to be one of the showbiz events of the year. . . a glittering, romantic ceremony attended by some of Britain's best-known stars.
But Billie Piper's wedding to Gosford Park actor Laurence Fox has descended into acrimony over a decision to ban children from the event – and the lavish party that follows.
The move, thought to be at the insistence of 25-year-old Piper's family, has infuriated members of the theatrical Fox dynasty where the adults-only edict "went down like a lead balloon".
But Billie Piper's wedding to Gosford Park actor Laurence Fox has descended into acrimony over a decision to ban children from the event – and the lavish party that follows.
The move, thought to be at the insistence of 25-year-old Piper's family, has infuriated members of the theatrical Fox dynasty where the adults-only edict "went down like a lead balloon".
Laurence's uncle, stage and screen producer Robert Fox, is said to be especially upset after being told that his youngest children would not be welcome at the New Year's Eve event.
He has an 11-year-old son, Joe, and a nine-year-old daughter, Molly, with his wife Fiona Golfar, an editor at Vogue magazine, plus three children from a previous marriage.
He has an 11-year-old son, Joe, and a nine-year-old daughter, Molly, with his wife Fiona Golfar, an editor at Vogue magazine, plus three children from a previous marriage.
One friend told The Mail on Sunday: "Robert is very upset and has made his opinions known. The Fox family are very traditional and think that weddings should be all about having children around.
"The bride's parents have been largely responsible for planning the wedding
Unhappy snaps: Emilia Fox's wedding also caused anger when unauthorised photographs appeared in a celebrity magazine
"We have received certain instructions for the day, one of which is that babies and young children are not allowed at the service.
"The candlelit ceremony will be taking place in the afternoon, then we have been told to expect an all-night party. They obviously don't want screaming kids running around the church and wreaking havoc, but the whole thing has gone down like a lead balloon."
Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, Miss Piper's first husband, is said to be helping organise the bash at Cowdray Park Estate in West Sussex – and has ordered enough alcohol to last 48 hours.
"Billie has said no expense is to be spared," said one guest. "She wants to make sure it is a party no one will ever forget. There are strict instructions that the booze must not dry up."
Further tensions have arisen over the former Doctor Who star's rumoured bid to sell pictures of the wedding to a celebrity magazine, in what would have proved a lucrative deal.
However, the father of 29-year-old Laurence, Passage To India star James Fox, was said to be strongly against the idea.
"Billie and Laurence looked into the possibility of having their wedding covered by a magazine, not to save money but to make sure the wedding would be as private as possible," the source said.
"They are getting married at a small church on the estate that is easily accessible to the public which was a big concern for Billie.
"She and Laurence discussed getting a magazine deal but it was sniffed at by the Fox family and immediately ruled out. Now they are having to use local police to ensure no one crashes the event."
The Fox family are said to despise celebrity weddings being "bought" by glossy magazines.
There is still bad feeling that photographs from the wedding of Laurence's cousin Emilia, who starred in Silent Witness, to Jared Harris, son of late hellraiser Richard Harris, were published in Hello! two years ago.
"The bride's parents have been largely responsible for planning the wedding
Unhappy snaps: Emilia Fox's wedding also caused anger when unauthorised photographs appeared in a celebrity magazine
"We have received certain instructions for the day, one of which is that babies and young children are not allowed at the service.
"The candlelit ceremony will be taking place in the afternoon, then we have been told to expect an all-night party. They obviously don't want screaming kids running around the church and wreaking havoc, but the whole thing has gone down like a lead balloon."
Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, Miss Piper's first husband, is said to be helping organise the bash at Cowdray Park Estate in West Sussex – and has ordered enough alcohol to last 48 hours.
"Billie has said no expense is to be spared," said one guest. "She wants to make sure it is a party no one will ever forget. There are strict instructions that the booze must not dry up."
Further tensions have arisen over the former Doctor Who star's rumoured bid to sell pictures of the wedding to a celebrity magazine, in what would have proved a lucrative deal.
However, the father of 29-year-old Laurence, Passage To India star James Fox, was said to be strongly against the idea.
"Billie and Laurence looked into the possibility of having their wedding covered by a magazine, not to save money but to make sure the wedding would be as private as possible," the source said.
"They are getting married at a small church on the estate that is easily accessible to the public which was a big concern for Billie.
"She and Laurence discussed getting a magazine deal but it was sniffed at by the Fox family and immediately ruled out. Now they are having to use local police to ensure no one crashes the event."
The Fox family are said to despise celebrity weddings being "bought" by glossy magazines.
There is still bad feeling that photographs from the wedding of Laurence's cousin Emilia, who starred in Silent Witness, to Jared Harris, son of late hellraiser Richard Harris, were published in Hello! two years ago.
The family had repeatedly turned down a deal with the magazine, so were furious when photographs taken outside the church were splashed across four pages.
At the time, Emilia's father Edward, who played Edward VIII in Edward & Mrs Simpson and starred alongside wife Joanna David in the 1995 TV version of Pride And Prejudice, called the magazine "deeply vulgar".
Last night, spokesmen for Billie Piper and Laurence Fox were both unavailable for comment.
Last night, spokesmen for Billie Piper and Laurence Fox were both unavailable for comment.
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