Was Lauren Phillips' Insta-perfect wedding the last straw? (2024)

Lauren Phillips' ex-husband Lachlan Spark sensationally lifted the lid on their failed one-year marriage earlier this week.

The former TV producer made headlines when he accused the Weekend Today host, 39, of acting selfishly - and claimed he'd expected more from their relationship than 'skin-deep friends, free holidays and Instagram followers'.

Now, looking back at their doomed romance, it's clear the couple's extravagant wedding could well have been the last straw for publicity-shy Lachlan.

After six years of dating, Lachlan and Lauren wed in December 2017 in what could easily be described as the flashiest nuptials of the year.

The pair exchanged vows in the manicured garden of a private property in Victoria'spicturesque Mornington Peninsula.

At the time, theHerald Sun reported there was a guest list of 180 people, including footy power couple Rebecca and Chris Judd, model Kris Smith, AFL star Jonathan Brown, Nova FM radio host Michael Wipfli and Channel Nine sports reporter Clint Stanaway, who was the emcee.

Lauren turned heads in an extravagant, custom-made ballgown by Con Ilio, which featured intricate beading.

The breakfast TV presenter carried a white floral bouquet and completed her look with a long tulle veil.

Lachlan, meanwhile, looked suave in a black suit with a bow tie.

Lauren had six bridesmaids, all of whom wore custom-made white dresses, also designed by Con Ilio.

The bridesmaids cut demure figures in the calf-length frocks, pairing their uniform look with strappy white heels and matching floral bouquets.

Lachlan's four groomsmen donned matching black suits, bow ties and floral lapels.

Channel Nine reporter Tom Steinfort was best man, while The Project's Tommy Little was also part of the bridal party.

The couple exchanged vows under a custom-made floral pergola, and encouraged guests to mark the occasion by sharing photos and videos from the day on social media using the hashtag #MeetThePharks.

Guests then made their way into a purpose-built,seven-and-a-half-metre high glass marquee inspired by Pippa Middleton's nuptials.

According to marquee provider Harry the Hirer, the glass 'atrium' made its debut at the wedding and took 12 staff members three days to construct.

Once inside the glass atrium, guests were seated at long tables.

For the reception, Lauren changed into a second dress, which had been hand-delivered by designer Con Ilio.

The second dress was just as glamorous as the first, adorned with intricate beading and a more revealing, low-cut neckline.

Lauren and Lachlan topped off their big day with a blue and white tiered wedding cake with floral and gold detailing.

Unfortunately, the newlyweds' fairytale would soon come to an end, as just one year later,in December 2018, the couple announced their separation.

Lachlan flew under the radar for the next two years, before unexpectedly posting an eyebrow-raising Instagram post about Lauren on Sunday - accusing her of 'caring more about herself' during their relationship and saying he 'wasted' years of his life with the wrong person.

However,speaking to The Daily Telegraphon Wednesday, he insisted that the post wasn't meant to be malicious.

'That certainly wasn't my intent. I wrote it purely to put it out there (for my own benefit more than anyone else's) that I'd put a difficult period behind me. Nothing malicious,' he said.

Speaking to Confidential, Lachlan also addressed rumours a third party had caused their relationship to end, saying it 'had absolutely nothing to do with infidelity'.

'We were just two people heading in vastly different directions who figured it out a little too late,' he said of the break-up.

Lachlan's Instagram post on Sunday read: 'A while ago, I married a girl who cared much more about herself and how she was perceived than she did about me.

'It was a lot... too much, actually. I left and despite losing almost every friend I'd found over seven years (and a few other "best mates" for good measure) in the blink of an eye, it was the best thing I've ever done.'

Lachlan, who runs his own creative agency, went on to say that he'd wasted years of his life with Lauren.

'Approaching 40, I was more than a bit nervous I'd wasted a big chunk of my life with the wrong person, and that I was long odds to find anyone who was willing (or able) to give me the love I knew I deserved,' he explained.

He then took yet another swipe at his ex, saying: 'I truly believed there was more to a relationship (and life) than skin-deep friends, free holidays and Instagram followers - I just needed to find it.'

Lachlan said he'd met his new girlfriend, CourtneyWynbergen, by 'sheer, dumb luck'.

'I ran into this girl and my world changed,' he wrote.

He went on to call Courtney a 'fighter', 'loyal' and 'utterly magnificent', then added: 'She knows how to love me like I've never been loved before... I love you.'

Lachlan recently spent time with Courtney in the Kangaroo Valley and Byron Bay.

Lauren is now believed to be dating multi-millionaire jet tycoon Paul O'Brien, who happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Sunrise host Sam Armytage.

She is enjoying getting to know Paul's many celebrity friends, including Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth and his wife, Elsa Pataky.