The first newlywed to emerge, ring on finger, was Penny Lancaster, the new Mrs Rod Stewart.

Penny, 36, married Rod, 62, in a low-key, family-only ceremony at a 17th century villa near Portofino, Italy, and the couple later posed for pictures on the back of a yacht.

And it was a nice day for a WAG wedding as no fewer than three Premiership stars tied the knot – England teammates Gary Neville, 32, Michael Carrick, 25, and Steven Gerrard, 26.

But the clashing ceremonies posed problems for Wayne Rooney and fiancee Coleen McLoughlin – the only couple invited to all three.

They arrived at Manchester Cathedral to see Neville, Rooney’s Man United teammate, exchange vows with Emma Hadfield, 25.

Michael Carrick with new bride Lisa

Meanwhile, in Wymondham, near Melton Mowbray, Leics, Carrick wed Lisa Roughead, 25, and guests included Chelsea player Joe Cole and his fiancee Carly Zucker plus Tottenham striker Robbie Keane. Wayne and Coleen missed the ceremony but were attending a barbecue at the couple’s home today.

And on Friday, Gerrard married Alex Curran, 25, in a £750,000 do at Cliveden House in Berkshire which included guests being serenaded by Take That singer Gary Barlow.

Rooney couldn’t get to Gerrard’s bash but he did at least score a hat trick over the weekend.

On Friday he and Coleen were also at Blenheim Palace to see England captain John Terry, 26, marry childhood sweetheart Toni Poole, 24, in a £1million ceremony.

● For exclusive coverage of all WAG weddings, see this week’s OK! magazine – on sale Tuesday.