Love Island Stars Reveal Emotional Proposal Backstory
Molly Smith has disclosed that her father became emotional and shed tears when her fiancé Tom Clare requested permission to marry her. The couple, who triumphed on Love Island: All Stars two years ago, are now immersed in preparations for their summer 2026 wedding. This follows Tom's romantic proposal in Dubai last September, where he got down on one knee.
Secret Barbecue Blessing Request
During a recent episode of their new podcast NearlyWeds, which they took over from Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo's wedding podcast, Tom recounted the heartfelt moment. He described secretly asking Molly's father, John, for his blessing during a family barbecue at their home. "When I asked your dad that I wanted to take your hand in marriage, we were at our family barbecue," Tom explained. "Your family were there and my family was there. But because we were going away I was like this is the time I need to ask your dad."
Tom detailed his clever ruse to get John alone: "And I said, 'John will you just come have a look at this in the garage for me?' And he was like straight up because he likes to help. And then I pulled him in. I was like, 'Oh, John, like obviously me and Mo are going away. And I really want to ask her to marry me. Obviously, I wanted to ask you for permission first.'"
The response was deeply emotional. "And then he teared up. He did tear up and then gave me a big hug, which I thought was really really nice," Tom shared. Molly added her perspective: "It's quite reassuring isn't it."
Stunning Photoshoot and Wedding Planning Stress
The couple recently posed for a series of striking new photographs. Molly showcased a stylish white minidress featuring a cinched waist and gold buttons, while Tom looked dapper in a black suit. In another shot, they coordinated in denim ensembles, with Molly flashing her toned abs in a cropped shirt and Tom wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. Molly also flaunted her chiselled physique in a black sports bra and cropped leggings for a solo snap.
Despite the joyful moments, wedding planning has brought significant stress. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail last month, the couple revealed they remain torn between France and Spain for their venue, haven't visited their shortlisted locations, and Molly hasn't tried on a single wedding dress. "That's why it's stressful because I have a countdown on my phone saying how long it is until the wedding, and I'm starting to have mini panic attacks every morning when it's flagging," Molly confessed.
Venue Dilemma and Dress Anxiety
Molly elaborated on their venue struggle: "We have narrowed it down between two venues - we are getting there; we just have to make the final decision. You have to go out and see them and get a feel for them and that's what we were waiting for - the vibes, it's all good when you see pictures but until you're there, you can't get a good feel for it."
Tom added: "We are having our wedding abroad, but we're still in two minds at the moment. We don't have long to make a decision. It's between Spain and France. It has to make sense for our family members, we want everyone who we want to be there, we don't want to go somewhere that's crazy expensive. It has to be perfect."
For Molly, the dress shopping experience is particularly daunting. "I have been screenshotting things off Instagram, and I'm going to start making appointments. It's hard because we don't know the venue yet, so I don't have a vision or the vibe," she said. "I am not looking forward to it. I am nervous. That's the one thing I'll be honest; I'm not looking forward to it. It's out of the ordinary and there's the dread of not finding one I like."
From Love Island to Lasting Love
Tom and Molly won the All Stars series of Love Island in 2024 and have become one of the few couples from the spin-off series to maintain a strong relationship. Molly entered as a bombshell, surprising her ex-boyfriend Callum, whom she met during the winter 2020 edition. While viewers speculated about a potential reconciliation, Molly pursued her connection with Tom instead.
Since their victory, Molly has secured numerous lucrative deals with brands including clothing retailer boohoo, US fitness supplement Alani Nu, jewellery brand Abbott Lyon, and makeup giants L'Oréal Paris and Maybelline. Reflecting on their relationship last year, Molly told the Daily Mail: "You know sometimes when you think, 'Is this too good to be true?' I don't like jinxing things but right now I can't fault our relationship."
The couple continues to navigate wedding preparations as a team, determined to create their perfect day despite the time constraints and planning challenges.
