When Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson stood side by side at the Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025 training camp in Manchester, England, in 2024, fans expected talk of football drills and charity goals. Instead, they got a deeply personal revelation: the reason their wedding, promised since Valentine’s Day 2021, still hasn’t happened. It’s not drama. Not finances. Not doubt. It’s two small children — Mia, six, and Thiago, two — and the quiet, powerful priority of parenting.
Why Now? Because They’re Not Ready Yet
Marquez didn’t sugarcoat it. In an exclusive interview with HELLO! magazine, he laid out the timeline like a parent ticking off milestones: first came Mia, born around 2018. Then came COVID-19, shutting down plans, canceling venues, delaying everything. Then came Thiago, born in 2022. And after that? Gemma’s own words: “I’m not going to have a wedding pregnant… I need to get in shape.” But even after her body recovered, the reality of two toddlers made the idea of a big day feel less like romance and more like chaos. "Imagine being on your wedding and he’s crying and just wants mummy," Marquez said, his tone more amused than frustrated. He wasn’t complaining — he was explaining. And that’s the difference.A Family First, Then a Ceremony
The couple met in 2017 during the fifteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, broadcast from London’s BBC Television Centre. Their connection was instant — chemistry on the dance floor, then off it. He proposed with roses and a ring on Valentine’s Day 2021. But life, as it does, rearranged the script. Now, their home in Cheshire, England, is filled with crayon drawings, sticky fingers, and the occasional toddler tantrum. And that’s exactly why they’re waiting. "We’re happy how we are," Marquez said. "We have two children. It doesn’t matter if we sign a document or not." Still, they haven’t given up on the idea. In fact, they’ve already planned their roles: Mia will carry the flowers. Thiago will hold the rings. They’ll even do a little dance with their parents. But only when both kids can walk without holding hands — and more importantly, when they won’t scream for their mum in the middle of the vows.
It’s Not About the Ring — It’s About the Rhythm
There’s a quiet rebellion in their decision. In a world that equates marriage with validation, Marquez and Atkinson are flipping the script. They’re not postponing because they’re unsure — they’re delaying because they’re certain. Certain that their family, messy and loud and real, is already complete. The legal paperwork? It’s a formality. The love? Already sealed. Marquez’s honesty struck a chord among parents who’ve sat through weddings where toddlers screamed, spilled juice on the cake, or ran off with the bride’s bouquet. Many commenters online said, "This is the most relatable wedding story I’ve ever heard." The couple’s stance reflects a broader cultural shift: marriage isn’t a deadline. It’s a choice — and sometimes, the best choice is to wait until your kids can handle it.What’s Next? A Wedding, But Not on a Timeline
No date is set. No venue booked. No dress fitted. But Marquez made one thing clear: "We are going to get married." The trigger? When Mia and Thiago are "old enough to walk and be independent." That’s it. No vague "someday." No "when things calm down." Just a simple, measurable milestone: two children who can stand on their own — emotionally and physically — during their parents’ big day. In the meantime, Marquez is preparing for Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025, set for June 15, 2025, at Old Trafford in Manchester. The charity match, organized by UNICEF United Kingdom, raises funds for children’s health and education worldwide. Marquez, who’s danced for years on TV, now plays for a cause — and he’s not alone. Atkinson, too, is expected to join the celebrity squad. Their story isn’t about celebrity gossip. It’s about what real love looks like when it’s lived with tiny humans underfoot.
Behind the Scenes: The Real Cost of a Perfect Wedding
Most celebrity weddings cost hundreds of thousands — sometimes millions. Think glittering venues, designer gowns, celebrity guests. But Marquez and Atkinson’s version? It’s the opposite. Their wedding will be intimate. Probably in a garden in Cheshire. Maybe with a live acoustic set. No professional photographer needed — their kids’ messy, joyful moments will be the best pictures anyway. The cost? Time. Patience. And the willingness to say: "I’ll wait." They’ve already done the hard part: built a family. The ceremony? That’s just the celebration.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson wait so long to get married after their 2021 engagement?
They waited because of a sequence of life events: the birth of their first child, Mia, in 2018; the global pandemic disrupting plans; and then the pregnancy and birth of their second child, Thiago, in 2022. Gemma also wanted time to recover physically and emotionally, and they both agreed to wait until their children were old enough to participate without distress — meaning they can walk independently and handle the event without separation anxiety.
Will Mia and Thiago be part of the wedding ceremony?
Yes. Marquez confirmed that both children will have roles: Mia will carry the flowers, Thiago will hold the rings, and they’ll even do a short dance with their parents. But only once they’re developmentally ready — meaning they can walk on their own and not cry for their mother during the ceremony. Their participation is central to the couple’s vision of the day.
Do Gorka and Gemma even want to get legally married?
Yes — but not because they feel it’s necessary. Marquez explicitly said, "We are going to get married," but added, "It doesn’t matter if we sign a document or not." Their love and family are already legally recognized through cohabitation and parenthood. The ceremony is symbolic — a celebration of their journey, not a requirement for legitimacy.
What’s the significance of the Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025 event in their story?
The event served as the setting for their interview with HELLO! magazine, where they revealed their wedding plans. Marquez is participating as a celebrity footballer to support UNICEF’s global children’s programs — a cause deeply personal to them as parents. The timing highlights their commitment to children’s well-being, reinforcing why they’re prioritizing their kids’ needs over a wedding timeline.
Is there a specific date planned for their wedding?
No. There is no fixed date. Their decision is entirely dependent on their children’s development — specifically, when both Mia and Thiago can walk independently and remain calm during a formal event. That could be in two years, five years, or longer. The couple has made it clear they won’t rush it — and they’re not apologizing for it.
How has the public reacted to their decision to delay the wedding?
The response has been overwhelmingly supportive, especially from parents who relate to the chaos of raising young children. Many have called their approach "refreshingly real," contrasting it with the pressure many feel to marry by a certain age or to have a "perfect" wedding. Social media buzz centered on the idea that love isn’t measured by a date on a calendar — but by the quiet, daily choices to put family first.
