Emily Atack has married scientist Alistair Garner in a private UK ceremony surrounded by close family and friends, marking the first of two celebrations planned by the couple.
The 36-year-old actress revealed the news on Instagram on Sunday, sharing photographs from the intimate occasion and describing the day as “absolutely perfect.”
The couple are not stopping there, however. They are due to celebrate again in Spain in September with a much larger event that Atack has previously described as a major party.
The bride stuns in a dramatic wedding gown
Atack looked striking as she left the church alongside her new husband, wearing a £2,325 Josephine SGive 5 professional and controversial news title options for the above article.cott Juliette gown.
The dress featured a plunging neckline, structured shoulder details and intricate lace sleeves.
She completed the look with a floor-length veil and a diamond-encrusted headband.
Garner opted for a classic black suit with brown shoes as the newlyweds shared a celebratory glass of fizz outside the church before departing in a vintage silver car.
A McFlurry van provides an unexpected wedding treat
The celebrations later moved to the couple’s countryside home in Bedfordshire.
Rather than opting for an entirely formal reception, Atack added a playful touch by arranging a McDonald’s ice cream van for the guests, serving McFlurrys during the festivities.
The unconventional addition reflected the relaxed atmosphere of the first wedding, which was deliberately kept small and focused on those closest to the couple.
Atack shares emotional wedding announcement
In her Instagram post, Atack revealed that the couple had officially exchanged vows and expressed her excitement about celebrating all over again in a few weeks.
She thanked the close family and friends who shared the occasion with them before affectionately addressing Garner.
Her celebrity friends were quick to react, with author Elizabeth Day congratulating the couple and praising the bride, while broadcaster Will Manning also shared his best wishes.
Spain wedding will be much bigger
The UK ceremony is only the beginning of Atack and Garner’s wedding celebrations.
The couple are expected to hold their second wedding in Spain in September, with Atack previously promising something considerably more extravagant.
Earlier this year, she described the overseas celebration as a “fat, f*** off party” and said she had thoroughly enjoyed organizing it.
She has also spoken enthusiastically about the details, joking that choosing elements such as napkins had made her feel as though wedding planning had taken over her life.
Rivals has influenced Atack’s wedding style
Atack’s fashion choices have also been shaped by her recent work on The Rivals, a series known for its bold 1980s aesthetic.
She has previously explained that appearing in the period drama influenced her approach to fashion, making her more willing to embrace dramatic looks.
That attitude appears to have carried into her wedding plans, with Atack indicating that her second wedding dress will also be a major statement.
She has described her approach to fashion as increasingly bold and said she wanted a large, showstopping gown for the Spanish celebration.
Spain has a special place in her family history
The decision to hold the second ceremony in Spain is also deeply personal for Atack.
The actress has spoken fondly about visiting the country throughout her childhood and recalled family holidays there.
Her family previously owned a property in Spain, although it was sold several years ago.
Despite that, she has continued to return to the country with her family.
The couple are believed to have considered venues in the Spanish countryside, where the combination of familiar surroundings and reliable sunshine appealed to them.
From engagement to marriage
Atack and Garner’s relationship has grown alongside their young family.
The couple welcomed their son, Barney, in 2024, and Garner proposed to Atack in July 2025.
Their relationship has since attracted considerable public interest, particularly as Atack has gradually shared glimpses of their life together.
The actress has previously described herself as being extremely happy with where she is in life, saying things could hardly be better.
Her hen party set the tone for the celebrations
Atack had already embraced the fun side of wedding preparations with a lavish hen weekend in the south of France in June.
She shared photographs from the trip showing herself wearing a white bikini and cover-up, complete with a novelty veil.
The celebrations included plenty of food, sunshine and bottles of rosé shared with friends.
Atack joked afterwards that she had consumed enough rosé to last a lifetime and encouraged others to have a hen party even if they were not planning to get married.
Children will not attend the Spanish wedding
Despite being a mother herself, Atack has made one firm decision about the larger Spanish celebration: children will not be invited.
The actress revealed that the three-day wedding festivities in Andalusia will be adults-only.
She said she had initially expected some guests to object to the decision but was surprised by how positively many of them reacted.
Atack explained that the arrangement was partly intended to make the event easier for friends, allowing them to enjoy the celebrations without having to manage childcare during the festivities.
What happens next?
The newlyweds can now look forward to their second wedding celebration in Spain in September.
After a deliberately intimate UK ceremony, the overseas event is expected to be much larger and more elaborate, complete with the statement fashion and party atmosphere Atack has been promising.
For now, however, Atack and Garner have already achieved the most important milestone: they are officially husband and wife.
Summary
Emily Atack has married scientist Alistair Garner in an intimate ceremony in the UK attended by close family and friends.
The actress wore a dramatic Josephine Scott gown, while the reception at their Bedfordshire home included an unexpected McDonald’s McFlurry van for guests.
The couple will hold a second, larger celebration in Spain in September.
Atack has promised a lavish three-day event, a bold wedding dress and an adults-only guest list, continuing the celebrations after their first intimate ceremony.
