3 weeks ago
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She has spent years documenting her life on screen – from finding fame on Love Island to becoming a TOWIE favourite and, more recently, a mother-of-two.
But there is one role Shelby Tribble, 33, is yet to take on, wife.
The reality star is engaged to fellow TOWIE star Sam Mucklow, 34, and while the couple have been together for six years and share two sons, she admits their wedding plans are still decidedly thin on the ground.
Speaking to me ahead of the launch of high street bridal store wed2b’s new London megastore, which opens tomorrow, Friday 18 September, Shelby, said: ‘I would love to be really exciting and tell you I’ve got four plans in motion, but if I’m being completely honest, me and Sam together are pretty laid back.
‘So as of yet, we haven’t really got major plans. You’ve got two laid-back people.’
And while the couple may not have settled on a venue, date or guest list, Shelby is already thinking about the dress.
Shelby Tribble is set to marry fellow Towie star Sam Mucklow And has opened up how she 'can't wait to be a wife' (pictured at the new wed2b London store)
Spekaing about trying on dresses, she said: ‘I can’t wait to try,’ she said. ‘But also, I will look forward to trying one of the dresses on because even that in itself is part of getting married'
She told me she was particularly excited to try out wed2b’s new digital dress-selection booth, which allows brides-to-be to virtually see themselves in different styles.
But she insists she will still be embracing the traditional side of wedding planning too.
‘I can’t wait to try,’ she said. ‘But also, I will look forward to trying one of the dresses on because even that in itself is part of getting married.
‘We don’t want to do everything digital. We still want to have a bit of reality.’
For Shelby, the prospect of marrying Sam is less about putting on a lavish display and more about celebrating the relationship they have built together.
She admitted: ‘This might sound cringe, but to me, Sam is my best friend.
‘To have that kind of sealed – I know it doesn’t have to be sealed in marriage – but obviously marriage is such an amazing thing.
‘I’m just looking forward to, I don’t know, being a wife.’
For Shelby, the prospect of marrying Sam is about celebrating the relationship they have built together. She admitted: ‘This might sound cringe, but to me, Sam is my best friend'
The couple met while starring on TOWIE in 2018 and confirmed their relationship the following year. They then welcomed their first child, a son called Abel, into the world in 2020 and their second in 2025
And there is another reason the ceremony holds particular significance for the mother-of-two.
She added: ‘Obviously we have kids as well. So it’s quite nice to maybe have the same surname as my kids.’
Despite being in a long-term relationship, Shelby says her feelings for Sam have only grown stronger.
‘It’s so funny because we’ve been together a very long time now, but I just feel like I fall in love with him more and more every day,’ she said.
‘I think, how is that possible?
‘No relationship is perfect, but ours is perfect in the sense that we work, we understand each other, but we’ve grown together. We still really love each other.’
However, don’t expect Shelby to become a bridezilla.
They got engaged on New Years Eve where Sam pulled out all the stops with a huge red love heart with the words 'Will you marry me?' on their hotel balcony
The former Love Islander admits she has never been the woman dreaming of a huge white wedding – and actually finds the prospect of having all eyes on her rather daunting.
‘I’ve never been that young girl that was like, “Oh my God, I can’t wait for that big white wedding.” That was never me,’ she said.
‘I’m quite a reserved person and the thought of all eyes on me is quite daunting.’
She predicts she will be a laid-back bride, but says she will probably spend much of the day worrying about whether everyone else is having a good time.
‘Even though obviously the focus is on me, I’ll probably still be worried about everyone else,’ she said. ‘Is everyone enjoying themselves?
‘I can be quite socially awkward, but I know it’s family and friends, so it’s fine.’
And her children will undoubtedly play a starring role – although Shelby jokes she would like a little help when it comes to the big day.
The couple share Abel, four, and Tesky, one.
‘It would be nice to obviously have the kids involved, as long as I get a kind of night off as a kid,’ she laughed.
Fortunately, she has plenty of family support – including Sam’s sister Billi Mucklow.
Shelby says the pair have become incredibly close, describing her future sister-in-law as ‘incredible’, ‘thoughtful’ and ‘mindful’.
‘She’ll be amazing at the wedding,’ she said.
‘She’s become a great sister to me.’
Sam proposed to Shelby on New Year’s Eve.
The couple met while starring on the ITVBe reality show in 2018 and confirmed their relationship the following year.
They then welcomed their first child, a son called Abel, into the world in 2020 and their second in 2025.
English (US) ·