Lou and Jake O’Neil’s wedding: bed bugs add bite to lavish society bash

As two of Sydney’s richest families united in marriage, Lou and Jake O’Neil’s wedding celebration wasn’t without drama — of the insect variety.

Not even an invasion of bed bugs could dampen the festivities for newlyweds Lou and Jake O’Neil’s spirits.

Two days after tying the knot, the couple threw a lavish bash at Merivale’s Newport hot spot Bert’s to celebrate but their pre-wedding party sleepover wasn’t without drama.

Sunday Confidential can reveal bride O’Neil and her bridesmaids, sister Simmie Hay, sister-in-law-to-be Poppy O’Neil Tzaneros, Deborah Symond O’Neil, Alyce Tran, Caroline Tran, Hermione Underwood and India Banks had checked themselves into a Palm Beach mansion on Friday, where O’Neil had organised flowers, caterers and cocktails for the night before the wedding party.

However, when her sister retreated for the night, the overseas-based beauty was greeted by bed bugs.

Lou O’Neil rocks pink while her guests wear white.

Tables decorated at the wedding reception. Picture: Instagram

Lou Hay and Jake O’Neil on their wedding day. Picture: Instagram

The bride enjoys her big night. Picture: Instagram

The well-heeled ladies promptly packed up and headed back to O’Neil’s Woollahra home, determined bed bug bites would not spoil their designer party attire.

The pesky bugs were far from anyone’s mind on Saturday as white-clad guests, including Kristin Fisher, Caroline and Alyce Tran, Montarna McDonald, Ned O’Neil and Michael Lo Sordo made their way to the Newport venue for a long lunch.

Famed photographer Hugh Stewart was on hand to take happy snaps of the festivities which were set up by celebrity wedding planner Georgie Duddy.

The three-day extravaganza is rumoured to have cost the wealthy pair more than $1 million.