WITH the fate of her wedding hanging in the balance thanks to Covid, Jessica Wright admits she is finding it tough to look forward to her big day.
So the former Towie star took a break from wedding planning to model spring trends with her mum Carol.
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The two are very close, both are size 10 and they raid each other’s wardrobes.
Carol says: “We share clothes all the time.
“I’m always taking Jessica’s clothes. In the past she’d come round here for a party.
“If she didn’t like what she had on, she’d run up to my wardrobe and find something I’d had for five years.
“I’d say: ‘Are you having a laugh?’ We’re very opinionated. I’ll always say if it looks lovely or if that doesn’t suit you.”
Jess says: “We are typical Virgos. We can disagree but then we’ll see each other’s different ideas and agree in the end.”
Jess is due to tie the knot with businessman William Lee Kemp, 37, this June in Majorca.
But travel uncertainty means she doesn’t know if the wedding will go ahead.
Jess, 35, says: “Being a Covid bride is just crap. We have every hope it might happen in June but we just have to wait and hear what the announcements are.
“Knowing the fate of your wedding two months before it’s supposed to take place in another country with a lot of guests is about as bad as it can get as a bride.
“It’s totally ruined the whole experience for us.
“I feel robbed. I probably won’t get excited until I’m literally walking down the aisle. By then, I just don’t even think I’m going to care any more.”
Jess is trying to stay positive, but it is difficult.
In January, Carol, 62, and dad Mark senior, 64, both got Covid-19, and last week her uncle Edward, who Jess said was like a second dad, lost his life to the virus.
Jess says it has been a very stressful few months but as Mother’s Day nears she is counting her blessings and feels lucky to have Carol by her side.
She says: “I’ve got a wonderful family, I’ve got my health and I’ve got a lovely fiancé. My mum’s better than me under pressure.
“She keeps a brave face on for me then when she’s off the phone she probably cries.
“She always says, ‘Calm down. Don’t get stressed, it’s going to be all right’.
“My mum’s been to every bride’s dress visit I’ve had, in her mask, of course.
“I’m very indecisive — in the end it was between two dresses — I’ve driven her mad.”
Carol is also mum to model Natalya, 20, and telly star Mark, 34, who recently signed for Crawley Town football club to play alongside his brother Josh, 31.
She says: “I’ve not even got my dress sorted yet. I don’t know what I’m going to wear because it’s been so up and down.
“But when Jess met William I just knew he was the person for her. He ticks every box that I wanted for her in a partner.
“He is the calm guy who never loses his temper, he’s the patient guy who understands her. It’s made me so happy for her.”
Jess says of her mum: “We’re like best friends.
“We’re so lucky that we’ve got a special bond. She has taught me to always keep my dignity as a woman, be selfless and look out for others.”
Carol, who lives in Essex with Mark senior, says: “Jessica has taught me to think before I speak.
“I always wear my heart on my sleeve, the first thing that comes out of my mouth is always the truth. I always put my foot in it.
“We’re very close. We tell each other everything.”
Mother’s Day is usually a big celebration for the Wrights, but Covid has also quashed plans for this Sunday.
Jess says: “We’d normally go out, 30 to 40 of us. We’d find some restaurant that can accommodate us all, cousins, uncles and aunties. This year we’ll do a big group FaceTime with the family.
“Family is the most important thing in the world so we’re very fortunate we have each other.”
Is Carol, who also appeared on Towie until 2017, eager to become a grandmother?
She says: “I’ve given up — I just keep getting dogs. The kids keep getting more animals.
“One day, of course, I’m going to be a grandmother but let’s hope they don’t wait until I’m 80 because I don’t think I’ll have the strength to look after them.”
Now check out the mum and daughter photoshoot for their verdicts and ratings on the season’s big fashion trends.
The boyfriend shirt
BOTH WEAR:
- Shirt, £45 from riverisland.com – buy now
- Mules, £48 from riverisland.com – buy now
CAROL WEARS:
- Jeans, £24 from riverisland.com – buy now
- Bag, £12 from Primark – buy now
JESS WEARS:
- Leggings, £42 from riverisland.com – buy now
- Hat, £20 from asos.com – buy now
- Bag, £18.75 from Warehouse – buy now
Carol says: “It hides everything you might want to hide if you need to. You could go and have a big roast dinner in the daytime and go out afterwards. Comfy.”
RATING: 5/5
Jess says: “I love this look. I love the trousers and I’m a big fan of the oversized white shirt. Plus I love a good hat so I was pleased with that.”
RATING: 4/5
The larger-than-life dress
BOTH WEAR:
- Dress, £44.25 from warehousefashion.com – buy now
CAROL WEARS:
- Bag, was £29 now £21.75, from warehousefashion.com – buy now
- Blazer, was £99 now £49, from marksandspencer.com – buy now
- Boots, £49.50 from marksandspencer.com – buy now
JESS WEARS:
- Boots, £50 from riverisland.com – buy now
- Bag, £22 from prettylittlething.com – buy now
Carol says: “I liked the dress but the boots weren’t me. I’d have worn elegant shoes with this dress. I loved the colour.”
RATING: 4/5
Jess says: “I love green and everyone says it suits me so I really liked it. It looked better on me because I’m tall.”
RATING: 3/5
The pink blouse
BOTH WEAR:
- Blouse, was £99 now £74.25, from karenmillen.com – buy now
CAROL WEARS:
- Skirt, £9.99 from reserved.co.uk – buy now
- Bag, was £18 now £6.10, from asos.com – buy now
- Shoes, £45 from Marks & Spencer – buy now
JESS WEARS:
- Skirt, £75 from frenchconnection.com – buy now
- Bag, £32 from riverisland.com – buy now
- Mules, £22 from asos.com – buy now
Carol says: “Not a great look as I don’t really like high waists on me, and not keen on pleats.”
RATING: 2/5
Jess says: “I really loved this… it’s something I would wear out on a Saturday.”
RATING: 4/5
The statement cardi
BOTH WEAR:
- Cardi, £45 from riverisland.com – buy now
CAROL WEARS:
- Shoes, £45 from riverisland.com – buy now
- Top, £39 from oasis-stores.com – buy now
- Trousers, £39 from karenmillen.com – buy now
- Bag, £16 from prettylittlething.com – buy now
JESS WEARS:
- Shorts, £25 from riverisland.com – buy now
- Bodysuit, £25 from karenmillen.com – buy now
- Trainers, £24 from prettylittlething.com – buy now
- Bag, £90 from Zatchels – buy now
Carol says: “I loved the colours – it felt so summery. So smart with tailored trousers.”
RATING: 5/5
Jess says: “We feel like we’re off to Wimbledon! It was so comfy and a gorgeous colour – made me think of spring.”
RATING: 4/5
The wide-leg trousers
BOTH WEAR:
- Trousers, £24 from warehousefashion.com – buy now
CAROL WEARS:
- Cardigan, £19.99 from Mango – buy now
- Vest, £8.99 from hm.com – buy now
- Heels, £45 from riverisland.com – buy now
JESS WEARS:
- Body, £81 from revolve.com – buy now
- Mules, £48 from riverisland.com – buy now
Carol says: “This didn’t do much for me due to the high waist, but it was OK – quite a smart outfit, something I would turn up for a meeting wearing.”
RATING: 3/5
Jess says: “I love the asymmetric top with a black, tight body. I love wearing black – I know it’s boring, but I do. And high-waisted trousers.”
RATING: 5/5
