Amy Walsh’s gorgeous wedding in Montenegro was all about the personal touches - and a huge surprise from her new husband Toby-Alexander Smith.
The Emmerdale actress, 35, and her husband Toby, 32, was was formerly in EastEnders, tied the knot in a stunning destination wedding on August 30 in front of 100 of their nearest and dearest.
But as well as their friends and family, another guest that Amy knew nothing about had flown out to make a special appearance - her favourite singer, Sonny Tennet.
After making their vows and exchanging rings, the couple, who share 20-month-old daughter Bonnie, were due to walk back down the aisle together as husband and wife with Sonny’s track Love Grows playing from the DJ's speaker.
But Toby went one better for his bride - organising for the young singer-songwriter from South Shields to come and play live.
“Amy didn’t know, but I’d asked him to come and play, so he’d been hiding in the bushes for 30 minutes with an Aperol Spritz!,” Toby told OK! in an exclusive chat after the special day.
“He came out and started playing his song, Love Grows, and Amy thought it was coming from the speakers. Then, when I turned her around, she saw he was actually playing. It was very special.”
The romantic gesture - which Toby had managed to keep completely under wraps - was one of the highlights of Amy’s “perfect” day.
“Toby and I fell in love with Sonny within our first weeks of seeing each other,” she said of the young star, who found fame on TikTok. “So we’d decided to play his songs as we walked back down the aisle together and for our first dance.
“I’ve never been more shocked in my life. I just couldn’t believe it. I’m such a big fan and watch Sonny’s live videos all the time. The thought that had gone into making it happen and the logistical nightmare I knew it would’ve been keeping it all a secret – I couldn’t believe it.”
As well as Love Grows, Amy and Toby were also treated to a live version of Sonny’s original song Calm Down, which they’d picked for their first dance.
“That was the song that I played through the speaker in the labour about 20 minutes before Bonnie was born, so it’s pretty special for us,” Toby revealed.
Sonny went on to perform some of the couple’s other favourite songs, which got everyone on their outdoor dance floor, and proceeded to join the guests for the rest of the night’s celebrations.
The groom had a further surprise up his sleeve – a duet between Sonny and his former EastEnders castmate, Shona McGarty, another guest at the wedding.
“She’s got an incredible voice,” he said. “I’d put them in touch beforehand so they had Zoom rehearsals together. It was the duo you never knew you needed.”
