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Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Hero
Rebecca Searle Photography

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam Inspired London Wedding

Celebrating Sam and Rachel’s old Hollywood glam inspired London wedding at the iconic venue, the Ned Hotel. Sam and Rachel wanted to make their family and friends feel like they were on a romantic date night with them. So their special day blended the features of London and Dallas, just like their love story. From martini cocktails to soft, romantic lighting, splendid white florals, and the bride’s white cowboy boots, this wedding was a masterpiece of elegance.

Read on to hear the details of their special day and be seriously inspired by their stunning wedding gift list.

Rachel & Sam

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: The newly-weds
Rebecca Searle Photography
Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: The Newlyweds at The Ned
Rebecca Searle Photography

What was the highlight of your experience with WPC?

We absolutely loved getting to visit The Wedding Present Company showroom. We spent the morning appointment picking wedding gifts for our home together, with the help of the London showroom team. Seeing things in person made such a difference. It was also extremely easy to create a wedding gift list and then add or make changes to it.

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Groom Getting Ready
Rebecca Searle Photography
Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Bride Getting Ready
Rebecca Searle Photography

What were your favourite brands available within WPC?

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Sam & Rachel's Favourite WPC Brand, Burleigh
Burleigh

Why did you choose WPC for your wedding list?

The range of wedding gifts on The Wedding Present Company site is huge and offers exactly what we were after. The showroom team and our dedicated wedding list advisor were fantastic from the get-go. Plus, the whole process of building a wedding gift list online was extremely straightforward and user-friendly. We also loved that we were able to contact the team with any questions or help creating our wedding registry.

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Bride Getting Ready
Rebecca Searle Photography
Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Bride's Father Seeing Bride for the First Time
Rebecca Searle Photography

Favourite Presents

Single wine cooler, H21 x D13.5cm, Tan Leather
Life of Riley
£99.00
Pair of red wine goblets, Lismore Essence
Waterford Crystal
£170.00
Ice bucket and tongs, Tan Leather
Life of Riley
£199.00
Shallow casserole, 30cm - 3.2 litre, Signature Cast Iron, meringue
Le Creuset
£305.00
Oval casserole, 27cm - 4 litre, Signature Cast Iron, Meringue
Le Creuset
£295.00
Wine coaster, 13.3cm, Plain Heavy, sterling silver
Classic Silverware
£317.00
Plate, D25cm, Asiatic Pheasants, Green
Burleigh
£29.00
Breakfast Cup, 420ml, Asiatic Pheasants, Green
Burleigh
£48.00
Pasta Bowl, D23cm, Asiatic Pheasants, Green
Burleigh
£29.00
Tumbler, 33cl, Boston Coloured, Green
Villeroy & Boch
£21.00
Platter, 37.5cm, Cabbage, Beige
Bordallo Pinheiro
£59.00
Tablecloth, 145 x 310cm, Allegra, Blue
Maison Margaux
£180.00
Cocktail picks and holder, H8 x D4cm, Garrett
Ralph Lauren Home
£105.00
Personalised thin rectangular board with groove handles, 40 x 30 x 3.5cm, oak
The Oak & Rope Company
£165.00
King bedspread, 260 x 260cm, Vintage Etienne - Cotton, White
The White Company
£130.00
42 piece cutlery set, Palm Bright, stainless steel
Robert Welch
£265.00

Engagement Story

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Photo of the Newly Weds in their Room and on Staircase
Rebecca Searle Photography

Sam: I knew very early on that Rachel was the one and that we made the perfect team. When her parents were in London last summer, I secretly arranged to meet up while Rachel was working. I then asked them for Rachel’s hand in marriage. Luckily, they said yes, and the plan got underway.

With London as the setting for our love story, I wanted a location that we’d remember forever. And that also reflected our time together. Rachel and I had previously enjoyed visits to the County Hall Hotel. So I knew it would make the ideal setting for their special moment.

With a balcony at sunset, overlooking the River Thames and Big Ben, I had arranged some of Rachel’s favourite flowers to fill the railings. I also had a photographer hidden away for the special moment.

Under the pretence of going out for dinner, Rachel arrived at the suite to help me take some photos ‘for work’. Instead, she was led along a trail of petals to the balcony. There, I got down on one knee and popped the question.

The ring has an extremely special detail, with the diamond from her mother’s engagement ring set into a new band for Rachel. A pear-cut, beautiful diamond that carries a lot of love and will continue to do so.

WHAT WAS YOUR WEDDING INSPIRATION/THEME?

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Wedding Decor Theme
Rebecca Searle Photography

We wanted a timeless wedding inspired by the old Hollywood glam or reminiscent of a Nancy Myers movie. It was important that our wedding guests felt like they were on a date night with us. And so every detail reflected the two of us while feeling intimate and fun. Think martinis, low-level lighting, and plenty of white florals for the perfect understated level of luxury.

How you did you find your key suppliers, and why did you choose them?

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: The Newlyweds at The Venue
Rebecca Searle Photography

We worked with our wedding planner, Emma Westacott. Her previous experience helped massively in suggesting wedding suppliers. Instagram was also a great way to find people we liked, as it almost acts like an online portfolio for you to browse. For our wedding, we found most suppliers via tagged images of venues we were looking at. Or via previous weddings we'd seen online.

Venue

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Bride & Groom at Their Welcome Rehearsal Dinner
Amie Gray-Ling

The night before, we said, I do. We hosted a welcome dinner for our wedding guests at Smith & Wollensky, with a ‘Cocktail - with a Texas Twist’ dress code. 

Our wedding was held at St. Mary Woolnoth. The reception then took place at the iconic venue situated in the heart of London, The Ned.

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Church Ceremony
Rebecca Searle Photography
Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Interior of the Ned & Groom Sitting in the Venue Bar
Rebecca Searle Photography

Flowers

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Bride Holding Wedding Flowers
Rebecca Searle Photography

All our wedding flower arrangements and bouquet were done by Paula Rooney.

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Bridesmaids See the Bride for the First Time
Rebecca Searle Photography

Bridal Fashion

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Bridal Fashion Details
Rebecca Searle Photography

For the ceremony and reception, Rachel wore a wedding dress by Romona Keveza and Loeffler Randall shoes. Her veil and hair accessories were from the Dallas-based brand, Warren Barrón. For the second dress, she opted for a Jenny Packham dress with Tecovas Cowboy Boots.

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Bridal Fashion
Rebecca Searle Photography

Groom’s Fashion

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Groom's Fashion
Rebecca Searle Photography

Sam is a London-based men's fashion and lifestyle content creator. He regularly shares elevated style inspiration on his website and on Instagram. So naturally, his impeccable taste shined through in his choice of a groom's outfit for the couple's old Hollywood glam-themed wedding.

Sam: I wore black and white versions of the wedding tux: a white tux by Oliver Brown and a black tux by Moss Bros. I paired them with custom Russell & Bromley shoes, Deakin & Francis cufflinks, and a Bell & Ross watch. 

The custom cufflinks were my favourite quiet detail of the wedding. I had a pair of cufflinks made for both myself and Rachel’s dad. Each wearing one with my family crest and one with Rachel’s family crest to represent the two families joining together. The silver cufflinks were hand-engraved in the UK, and the British brand was the perfect addition to our London wedding.

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Groom Standing in the Hall
Rebecca Searle Photography

Wedding Fragrance

Both Rachel and I chose one of Floris scents for our wedding day. We wanted to champion a British heritage brand, and we have loved learning about Floris over the years.

I opted for No. 89, as worn by Ian Fleming, and Rachel chose White Rose. The very scent Queen Elizabeth II wore on her wedding day. Each of our guests got samples of both in their hotel rooms too. So they could always remember the scent of our day too.

Bridesmaids Fashion

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Bridesmaids in Blue Floral Reformation Dresses
Rebecca Searle Photography

Our bridesmaids wore beautiful floral Reformation bridesmaid dresses.

Wedding Menu

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Wedding Reception at The Ned
Rebecca Searle Photography

STARTER

Steak tartar, quail egg, classic garnish, and fennel cracker
Devonshire crab tartlet, tomato and cucumber concasse, and lemon mayonnaise
Slow-roasted beetroot, goat cheese curd, lentil tuille, and pomegranate dressing 

MAIN COURSE

Winter truffle risotto, parmesan, chives, and wild mushrooms
Beef fillet, ox cheek croquette, duck fat potatoes, kale, shallots, and red wine jus
Dover sole fillet, soused courgette, smoked carrots, rosti, and tartar butter sauce

DESSERT

Vanilla and blueberry cheesecake, yuzu curd, and pear compote
Chocolate nemesis, white chocolate sorbet, caramel chocolate mousse
Apple crumble tart, rum caramel, vanilla ice cream

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Wedding Cake
Rebecca Searle Photography

Wine & Cocktails

Sam & Rachel’s Old Hollywood Glam inspired London Wedding: Groom Pouring Champagne Over Tower of Glasses
Rebecca Searle Photography

We had a few signature cocktail classics on the menu that night. Sam’s choice was Martini, a true classic, made to order and garnished with either a twist or an olive. Rachel chose the Picante, a spicy variation of the Margarita, which really kicked off the wedding party.

To honour our London and Dallas story, we also served Manhattan. A cocktail with a blend of inner-city sophistication and a strong dose of Southern charm, which happens to be our personal favourite. To keep the party going all night, we also served espresso margaritas.

Music

Our first wedding dance was to At Last by Etta James.

We carefully chose a fantastic lineup of musical talent to make our old Hollywood glam inspired wedding day unforgettable. Christian Smith set the perfect mood with his piano performance during our welcome dinner. Starlight Strings added a touch of sophistication to our ceremony and drinks reception. The Hudson Dukes entertained us during dinner. Then LDN Entertainment took charge of keeping the party going late into the night.

Suppliers

Wedding Gift List: The Wedding Present Company

Planner: Emma Westacott

Photographer: Rebecca Searle Photography Amy Gray-Ling

Videographer: Juno Wedding Films

Venue: Welcome dinner at Smith & Wollensky , Wedding reception at The Ned

Bridal Fashion: Dress Romona Keveza, Shoes Loeffler Randall, Veil and Hair Accessories Warren Barrón (Dallas), Second Dress Jenny Packham, Cowboy Boots Tecovas,

Wedding Fragrance: Floris

Groom's Fashion: White Tux Oliver Brown, Black Tux Moss Bros Custom, Shoes Russel & Bromley, Cufflinks Deakin & Francis

Bridesmaids: Reformation

Hair & Makeup: Chloe GH Bridal

Flowers: Paula Rooney

Production:  Bespoke Events London & Charlotte Hedge 

Stationery & Print: Babooche Calligraphy

Cake: Cake Lady Abi

Champagne: Laurent Perrier 

Hire: Duchess & ButlerOptions Great Hire, Just 4 Linen

Music: Christian Smith Music, Starlight Strings, The Hudson Dukes, LDN Entertainment 

Event Artist: Anna Fashion Illustration