Alexandra Burke has revealed the unique decision she and footballer fiancé Darren Randolph have made about their wedding day.
The singer, 36, told MailOnline the newly engaged couple have agreed to only consume two alcoholic drinks each on the day of their nuptials as they want to savour the memories and feel fresh when it’s all over.
In an exclusive interview, Alexandra admitted their two drink rule may not sound ‘exciting’ to future guests but she and Darren have already decided they don’t want anything spoiling their big day.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Darren, 37, popped the question during a candlelit dinner with Alexandra at London’s Rosewood Hotel last month and the West End star says they are living in a ‘gorgeous engagement bubble’ with their two children.
Alexander says having her young family by her side has only made Darren’s proposal more special, revealing the couple’s hopes to have more babies in the near future.
Alexandra Burke has revealed the unique decision she and footballer fiancé Darren Randolph have made about their wedding day
The singer told MailOnline the newly engaged couple have agreed to only consume two alcoholic drinks each on the day of their nuptials as they want to savour the memories and feel fresh when it’s all over
In an exclusive interview, Alexandra admitted their two drink rule may not sound ‘exciting’ to future guests but she and Darren have already decided they don’t want anything spoiling their big day
Alexandra said: ‘I have always said this, and me and Darren have always said our one rule is that on our wedding day it will be a maximum of two glasses of champagne on our wedding day. I want to remember the whole day and be fresh the next day as well.
‘You want one glass when you’re getting ready and one at dinner and be done, that is my vibe.
‘I’ve had friends who have been drunk at weddings and they have had the best time, each to their own, but my thing is one glass while you’re getting ready and one glass at dinner and done.
‘I know it probably doesn’t sound very exciting, but me and Darren have spoken about that recently when we were away with the children, and we said what will we do on the wedding day in terms of alcohol because you pay for everyone to drink, and we agreed two glasses maximum. I don’t want to be drunk, and I want to eat and enjoy all the food.’
Alexandra’s engagement comes three years after she and Darren started dating and since then they have welcomed two children, whose gender and names remain unknown because the couple have chosen to keep their family’s identity private.
The former X Factor winner says she knew Darren was The One as soon as they met and while she didn’t grow up dreaming of a big white wedding, gathering her close friends and family to celebrate will mean everything to her.
She said: ‘From the day I met Darren I knew he was The One. I am so pleased that we’re at this stage and taking our relationship a step further. It was only a matter for me and now that time has come it is beautiful.
‘I am living in this gorgeous engagement bubble with the children and Darren and enjoying this moment.
Alexandra says she knew Darren was The One as soon as they met and while she didn’t grow up dreaming of a big wedding, gathering her friends and family to celebrate will mean everything
While Alexandra is no stranger to performing and has even sung at weddings in the past, the star says she can’t imagine taking to the stage at her own ceremony
Alexandra gave birth to her first child in June 2022 and welcomed her second baby the following year but their names and genders remain unknown
‘I have never been that person who wants a huge wedding, it just depends on your life and circumstances. I want to call myself a bit of a realist. I’m going with my flow and as long as I have my family and friends and core people there that’s all that matters.’
While Alexandra is no stranger to performing and has even sung at weddings in the past, the star says she can’t imagine taking to the stage at her own ceremony.
She added: ‘It feels like weddings can be pressurising for the bride.
‘I have sung at weddings before, and I know that it can be a stressful day, but it doesn’t need to be like that because you can never get that day back.
‘I haven’t thought about whether I will sing at my wedding, but I doubt it.’
Alexandra gave birth to her first child in June 2022 and welcomed her second baby the following year.
But having two children in close succession hasn’t put Alexandra off adding to her brood, revealing she longs for a big family.
She said: ‘I love being a mum of two if I’m honest with you. It is the greatest gift that life has given me, having my little family. I know it is chaos at times, but I embrace it, it is challenging and hard work, but nothing beats it and there’s nothing more rewarding than the life that I am living now being a mum of two and hopefully one day becoming a mum of some more.
‘We have our babies, our dogs and I have Darren, so I am overwhelmed with how much gratitude I feel.
‘I would love to have a big family, I have always been quite open about that, when I don’t know.
‘We are enjoying our babies right now and enjoying life. But when the universe and if God allows it, I would be open to expanding our family. Hopefully fingers crossed. I am from a big family and Darren is from a smaller family so that’s where this has come from, we’re both on the same page for different reasons.’
Alexandra says having a big family is only possible because of the support she receives from fiancé Darren, who she reveals is a hands-on father and unwavering commitment makes her working schedule easier to juggle alongside motherhood.
She added: ‘Life is very special right now but I won’t paint a rose-tinted picture of family life, I want to keep it real, and it is challenging, it has its ups and downs, so I have to tell you, I’m so lucky that I have Darren because he is an amazing father and an amazing fiancé.
‘I can really depend on him and I’m so lucky to have that love and relationship.’
Alexandra says having a big family is only possible because of the support she receives from fiancé Darren, who she reveals is a hands-on father
Having two children in close succession hasn’t put Alexandra off adding to her brood, with the star revealing she longs for a big family
Alexandra has partnered with vitamin brand Haliborange to help inspire children to dream big this October half term.
The actress is thrilled to be working in support of Haliborange and Disney, who are hosting a free of charge two-day workshop in London where Alexandra will be in attendance, to encourage children to sing, dance and let go of their inhibitions.
It comes as research conducted by the brand found that 95 per cent of parents wish for their child’s creativity and aspiration of dreaming big remains present as they grow older and become adults.
Working on the campaign gave Alexandra the chance to reflect on her childhood and the first time she watched a theatre show as well as the advice she received from her late mother, who taught her to reach for the stars.
She said: ‘It is such a fantastic campaign to be associated with. It’s a real privilege to be an ambassador for the two-day event, which is the Theatre of Dreams.
‘For me personally it’s so lovely because my first ever theatre experience was going to see the Lion King when I was 17 years old.
‘I saved a lot of money to go and see that show and the magic that show held for me changed my life forever… I basically saw myself up on that stage.
‘As a young black girl, seeing people of colour on stage and the magic that Disney bought to life in front of me at 17 was just mind blowing.
‘When I think back to my childhood and I remember my mum always encouraging us as kids to always dream big and never give up, just being part of this campaign means so much to me simply because of how I was raised that no dream is ever too big.’
Alexandra added: ‘Haliborange is a daily vitamin for adults and young children, and they want to encourage people to bring their healthy habits to life.
‘Disney is about always dreaming big and never giving up. We are going to have the Theatre of Dreams workshop in October half term, that in itself will be such an amazing opportunity.
‘It’s a free event so for these young kids, they can come along and explore their own talents and to see what they could possibly achieve.’
- Alexandra Burke partners with Haliborange to help encourage children to dream big, and get creative and curious at the Haliborange Theatre of Dreams this October Half-Term
- Grab your FREE tickets to the theatre workshops in Oxford Circus at www.eventbrite.co.uk and head to www.haliborange.com for more information on the product
