Inside: An Effortlessly Chic Marylebone Town Hall Wedding

The Story So Far

In the midst of the global lockdown, while contemplating a move to New York, I found myself in India. With American borders closed, I decided to stop in London to visit my family. It was there that I met Sam, and quite serendipitously, I never left. Our connection felt effortless, as if fate had intertwined our paths.

Sam proposed during a trip to the Bahamas, orchestrating one of the most thoughtful surprises. He led me to the beach at golden hour, where an array of flowers in every imaginable shade awaited us. The atmosphere was nothing short of magical. He then got down on one knee and proposed. The ring is a cushion cut, complemented by princess-cut side stones, designed by my mother and our family jeweller.

Venue

We chose to have a small, intimate wedding at Marylebone Town Hall, with our immediate family and our golden retriever, Mishka, in attendance. The setting was personal and meaningful, allowing us to share this special moment with those closest to us. After the ceremony, we celebrated with a lunch at Gold in Notting Hill—one of our favourite restaurants. We love the warm, inviting, and chic yet relaxed vibe of the place, making it perfect for our celebration. As local residents, we felt a special connection to both the venue and the area, which made the day even more memorable.

A few weeks before the wedding, we celebrated with our friends when 20 of our closest friends travelled from all over the world to Uganda for my 30th birthday, which is where my family is from. Since everyone was already there, we had a celebratory night at my parents’ house for our engagement. We hosted a white party under the African stars, surrounded by flickering candles and our favourite foods, creating an atmosphere that felt like pure magic. It was an evening filled with love, laughter, and deep connections before we all set off the next morning on our next adventure to see the silverback gorillas. It truly felt like the perfect prelude to our wedding celebration.

Fashion

I chose my dress from Milla Nova, a Ukrainian brand known for its craftsmanship and empowering women. I was drawn to its corset top and floral sleeve details, which felt timeless and flattering. Sam wore a classic tux, complementing the elegant vibe of the day.

Jewellery

Jewellery was an essential part of my bridal look. I chose a Chanel high jewellery necklace made of diamond flowers. I wore a rare Cartier Tank Crash watch with diamonds and a Himalayan crocodile strap, a gift from my father. Both pieces complemented the timeless nature of my dress and held deep sentimental value. Sam wore his black dial Cartier Santos du Monde, which perfectly complemented his suit. He also wore Cartier cufflinks, a gift from me, adding a personal touch to his look.

Bridal Party

For our celebration, we kept it intimate with only family in attendance. However, I asked my closest friends and Sam’s sister to be bridesmaids. I wanted to give them something special, so I curated gift bags with swimwear from a brand that Studio SM, my company, manages the social media for, along with candles and makeup bags. It was a thoughtful way to show my appreciation for their support and to make them feel included in the celebration.

Tablescape

Gold, the restaurant where we held our lunch, handled the tablescapes. I shared my preferred colour palette and mentioned that I wanted everything to complement the exotic vibe of their palm tree courtyard. The result was stunning, and I was so in love with how it all came together. The combination of the lush surroundings and the thoughtfully curated details created the perfect atmosphere for our celebration.

Food & Drinks

We opted for family-style dining, as it was the first meal that both our families had shared together, creating the perfect opportunity for everyone to bond. We chose our favourites from the restaurant’s menu, and to make it even more special, we went on Valentine’s Day to try everything. For drinks, we kept it simple with champagne, wine, and margaritas, ensuring the meal reflected our personal tastes and added to the intimate, celebratory atmosphere of the day.

Beauty Regime & Wellness

For my beauty regime, I got my hair done at Atherton Cox, where I asked for a simple blowout with a half-updo. They did a fantastic job, and it was exactly what I envisioned. For makeup, I decided to do it myself because I wanted a natural look, especially since our wedding was during the day, and I felt it was important to keep everything light and fresh.

Honeymoon

For our honeymoon, we decided on Sardinia, as we wanted somewhere we could enjoy over a long weekend. We spent our time in Porto Cervo, soaking in the stunning scenery, relaxing by the water, and enjoying the beautiful, laid-back atmosphere.

Advice

Don’t feel pressured into having a big celebration if it’s not what you want. You can always celebrate later in a way that feels right for you both!
Delegate tasks and ask for help—this will keep the planning process fun and stress-free, rather than overwhelming.
Choose what you as a couple truly enjoy, whether it’s food, outfits, or other details. The day is a celebration of the two of you, so focus on what makes you both happy, not on pleasing others.