Old Hollywood in Cognac: Samantha and Oliver's Vintage Glamour Wedding at No3 the Chateau

Love Story

We couldn't help but swoon over Samantha and Oliver's modern-day love story. It all began with a swipe right and a cheeky challenge about sushi consumption. Despite Oli's fashionably late arrival on their first date, the sparks flew instantly. As Samantha recalls, "After several tequila shots and a bit of dancing, he messaged his flatmates at 1am to say he was in love."

Their relationship was put to the ultimate test when, just a month after moving in together, the world went into lockdown. "We didn't have a typical "honeymoon" period," Samantha shares. "After coming out of that situation and loving each other even more, we knew that if we could get through that together, we could get through anything!"

The proposal was just as magical as their love story. Samantha had planned a surprise 30th birthday party for Oli at her family home in Cognac, France, arranging for all his friends to fly out. Little did she know, Oli had a surprise of his own up his sleeve.

"Oli had planned a surprise of his own, getting down on one knee in the vineyards behind the Chateau," Samantha recounts with a smile. "I cried for just long enough that he thought he may have misread the situation, but luckily I eventually said yes."

The couple spent the weekend celebrating with their nearest and dearest. "I was so focused on planning his surprise that I was not expecting the proposal at all and he topped it all off by flying my best friend out to celebrate for the weekend as well!" Samantha admits.

With every unexpected twist, Samantha and Oli have crafted a love story as captivating as a well-kept secret, filled with wonder and adoration.

With 90 loved ones as witnesses, Samantha and Oliver transformed a stunning Cognac chateau into an enchanted realm for their wedding day. Eighteen months of careful curation brought their vision to life in breathtaking splendor. "The design element of the wedding was really important to us," Samantha explains. "We wanted it to be a visual spectacle for our guests so curated different events throughout the day, all with a different theme, look and feel."

The couple drew inspiration from old-school Hollywood glamour, which perfectly complemented the dramatic backdrop of the chateau. "We really lent into that with my wedding dress, Oli's ivory tux, the flash photography, and the maximalist decorations, which worked perfectly against the dramatic backdrop of the Chateau," Samantha gushes.

Their vision extended beyond just the wedding day itself. "We really wanted to put on a show for our guests with as many experiences possible. The venue worked well for this as we could have multiple installations across the grounds for our guests to be surprised at every turn," Samantha shares.

The celebrations kicked off the night before with sunset cocktails and canapes on the rooftop at Hotel Chaise Monnet. The festivities continued after the wedding day with a recovery pool party at the Chateau, complete with pizzas cooked by The Forks Bordeaux in a restored pizza oven, along with Bloody Marys and handmade ice cream.

When asked about the key moment they'll remember from their wedding, both Samantha and Oliver didn't hesitate. "Our wedding dinner which was held under the pergola, overlooking the vineyards, was a key moment for us," Samantha recalls fondly. "We worked with Silk Flowers France to create an enchanted forest with 100's of hanging florals, twinkling fairy lights, and different shapes chandeliers dotted throughout. The flowers across the pergola took their team a whole week to install, but seeing it all come together on the day was absolutely magical."

From the Hollywood glamour theme to the multiple curated experiences, Samantha and Oliver's wedding was truly a feast for the senses, creating unforgettable memories for both the couple and their guests.

Morning details

The couple's attention to detail was evident from the very beginning, starting with their invitations. "Our invitations were designed by my best friend who is an artist and interior designer," Samantha shares proudly. "We had a gatefold invitation, which mimicked the gates of the Chateau and opened up to the reveal the venue itself." This artistic touch set the tone for the entire celebration.

The wedding stationery continued this theme of personalization and local inspiration. "We took inspiration from the vineyards for our stationary, so my friend hand-painted Cognac vines and grapes," Samantha explains. To complement this bespoke design, they sourced decadent gold frames for the welcome sign and seating plan, perfectly matching the French style of the venue.

When it came to choosing their rings, the couple turned to Dimond London. Oli had cleverly sourced inspiration for the engagement ring by sneaking a peek at Samantha's saved Instagram photos. "It was admittedly a bit of a risky manoeuvre," Samantha laughs. The experience was so personal and positive that they decided to purchase their wedding bands from Dimond London as well. "It was great working with someone we really trusted," Samantha adds.

"For my 'something old' I paired my wedding dress with double pearl Dior earrings, which were a gift from my Mum many years ago," Samantha reveals. This touching detail added a personal and sentimental touch to her bridal look.

Bespoke invitations and cherished jewelry were the opening notes of a love story told through exquisite details. Samantha and Oliver's wedding morning was a testament to their impeccable taste and the magic yet to come.

Bride getting ready

After limited success at bridal shops, she spotted one of Emma Beaumont's creations on Instagram. "I was instantly obsessed with all of her designs, so I set my heart on creating something completely unique with her," Samantha recalls.

The dress-making process became a cherished experience, spanning eight fittings over the course of a year. "The design was inspired by the Edwardian era, with a dramatic high neck, drop waist and bustle shape, visible boning and corsetry," Samantha describes. "I spent a long time choosing the lace from a huge selection of laces which Emma has at her Atelier, which her team then finished with carefully placed pearls. Emma is incredibly talented and it was such an amazing experience working with her over the course of 12 months."

The process was made even more special by family connections. "My Grandpa lived 10 minutes from the Atelier in Knutsford, so I spent a lot of time with him leading up to the wedding," Samantha shares. "My mum also travelled all the way from France for every single fitting and we spent many hours studying the dress over an Aperol Spritz in the local Italian restaurant – memories I will never forget."

On the morning of the wedding, Samantha was surrounded by family and her eight bridesmaids at the chateau. "We made a fantastic brunch spread and Champagne to make sure everyone was fuelled for the day ahead!" she exclaims.

The getting ready photoshoot took place across various locations in the Chateau. "Our photographer, Sophia, was able to use the dramatic features such as the spiral staircase and exposed beams to bring the shots to life," Samantha recalls.

To complete her bridal look, Samantha chose Dior shoes to lean into the French theme of the wedding, pairing them with matching Dior pearl earrings that complemented the pearls on her dress and veil. Her bouquet, provided by Mrs Whiterose, was simple and cream with pops of lime, designed not to overshadow the intricate details of her dress.

For her bridesmaids, Samantha chose burnt sunset orange dresses from Maids to Measure. "I wanted my bridesmaids to wear a bright colour to contrast with the creams and whites of the Chateau," she explains. "They also matched the colour pop of the flowers at our dinner and the bright orange sunset, which made the girls glow even more!"

Groom getting ready

Oli's preparations were a testament to his impeccable style and attention to detail. His tuxedo was a carefully curated ensemble that showcased his fashion-forward approach. "Oli wanted to go for a very particular style of tux which he pulled together from different places," Samantha explains. "His jacket was Hunstman Saville Row, which he paired with trousers from Gieves & Hawkes, an Eton shirt, with accessories from Zegna and Tom Ford."

The groom's sartorial choices were guided by expert hands. "His Master of Ceremonies is a personal stylist which definitely helped bring the vision to life!" Samantha adds, emphasizing the thought and expertise that went into creating Oliver's perfect look.

The setting for Oliver's preparation was equally luxurious. "Oli spent the evening and morning before the wedding at a local 5* hotel - Hotel Chais Monnet," Samantha shares. This elegant venue served as the backdrop for Oli's getting-ready photoshoot, which took place in various locations throughout the hotel.

When it came to capturing these moments, Oliver had a clear vision in mind. "Oli wanted to avoid the traditional getting ready shots and wanted something a bit more editorial," Samantha reveals. "He really trusted Sophia to direct them and he was so pleased with how the photos turned out!"

The morning of the wedding was an intimate affair for Oli, surrounded by his closest male relatives and friends. "He spent the morning with his five groomsmen and Father," Samantha says. "It was very intimate and made him feel super relaxed before the ceremony!"

First Look

Samantha and Oliver chose to stick with tradition for their first look, adding an extra layer of anticipation and emotion to their ceremony. "The first time Oli saw me was when we opened the Church doors and I walked down the aisle - we really wanted to savour that moment in the gorgeous Church setting," Samantha shares.

The impact of this decision was palpable. As Samantha recalls, "After what felt like an eternity walking down the world's longest aisle, Oli's first words to me were "well that's subtle" and I knew in that moment that I'd succeeded in designing the perfect dress!”

For Samantha, this moment was loaded with significance. "Oli is not only my partner, but also my personal stylist, so nailing the dress and overall style was so important to me," she explains. The bride's thoughts during this pivotal moment were filled with joy and validation. "Seeing his face and how much he loved everything made me feel so happy - he made me feel like the most beautiful bride in the world!"

Ceremony

Samantha and Oliver's ceremony was a beautiful blend of tradition, personal touches, and a dash of superstition. The couple exchanged their vows at the local church in Salles D'Angles, a beautiful, cathedral-like church right next to the Chateau. "Oli and I wanted a traditional church wedding," Samantha explains, "and luckily in the local village of Salles D’Angles, right next to the Chateau, there is the most beautiful, cathedral-like church."

The church was decorated to perfection by Silk Flowers France, with big flower urns and a giant flower arch framing the entrance. "It looked incredible in our confetti photos," Samantha recalls.

The journey to the church was as memorable as the ceremony itself. "Myself and all my bridesmaids travelled down to the church in the 1930’s vintage Citroen that my Mum and her Partner had found sitting unloved in the local village," Samantha shares. "The dress had a long train and veil so it was definitely a two-person job for my Mum getting me in and out of the car!" After the ceremony, the newlyweds left in style in a vintage Jaguar kindly provided by Hotel Chais Monnet.

In keeping with the traditional theme, Samantha walked down the aisle to Pachelbel's Canon, played by a fantastic string quartet, Jazz Around Midnight. The bridal party included Samantha's little niece, Nefeli, as the flower girl. "She is obsessed with princesses so this was a dream come true for her and you could tell how smug she felt in her little puffball dress and bow shoes," Samantha laughs.

For the ring bearers, the couple made a strategic decision. "Oli had two best men, so they looked after a ring each. By splitting the responsibility, we thought that we had a 50% success rate of getting at least one of the rings to the Church!" Samantha jokes.

The ceremony itself was filled with special moments. "I really enjoyed doing our personal vows in the Church," Samantha reminisces. "It was the only moment on the day where we could really say how we felt to one another, and of course it was a great opportunity to crack some jokes and have some fun too!" Another cherished moment was the signing of the register, which brought all their closest friends and family together at the front of the Church.

Interestingly, the couple incorporated a unique tradition to ensure good weather for their outdoor reception. "The wedding was forecast to rain all weekend, and although we had some great wet weather plans, we had our heart set on eating outside in the vineyards," Samantha explains. "So, my best friend got to work and buried 14 chipolata sausage in various locations the night before the wedding. I don't normally believe in these sorts of superstitions, but we had beautiful, bright blue skies all weekend!"

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Wedding Venue & Decor

The reception took place at No 3 The Chateau, a venue with a personal touch. "My mum had spent the last few years renovating an old French Chateau in Cognac, No 3 the Chateau, so to be able to get married at my family home was a dream come true!" Samantha exclaims.

The decor was a feast for the eyes, with a color palette of lime green, white, and burnt sunset orange. "We wanted lots of greenery at the wedding to contrast the creams and whites of our outfits and the venue," Samantha explains. “Silk Flowers France invited us into their workshop for a day to go through different colour schemes before we settled on a lime green, with pops of white and burnt sunset orange.”

Reception

Samantha and Oliver's reception was a multi-faceted celebration that took their guests on a journey through various stunning locations and experiences. After exchanging vows at the local church in Salles D'Angles, the party moved to No 3 The Chateau for a champagne and oysters reception. "Our guests then made their way through the restored tunnel underneath the chateau to the pool area to enjoy canapes and cocktails, before finally sitting for a sunset dinner under the twinkling lights and hanging florals of the pergola, overlooking the Cognac vines."

The culinary experience was a highlight, showcasing local flavors and traditions. "Our food and drinks were all inspired by the local region and traditional French cuisine," Samantha explains. The menu, provided by Humblot Traiteur, included Charente duck and a lemon and basil meringue tart. A unique feature was the series of live cooking animations, including an A La Plancha display that was a hit with guests.

The couple chose local wines for dinner, with the red wine supplied by Mery Melrose, harvested from the vineyard right next to No3. They also served traditional Charente region delicacies like Champagne with oysters and sausages, alongside Pomme D'ors, a local Cognac-based cocktail.

Before the first dance and cake cutting, the couple wanted to start the evening with a bang. "Olivier Huchet provided the most incredible fireworks," Samantha recalls. "The residents in the local village were all stood outside their cottages watching too which added to the spectacle."

For their first dance, the couple chose "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer. "We wanted it to be fun and playful so the rest of the guests could join in and sing along too," Samantha shares. After this, the live band, Truly Medley Deeply, kept the party going all evening.

The evening reception took on a jungle-inspired theme with a riot of color. "We had 6ft palm trees, hanging foliage carefully curated by Silk Flowers France in every colour you can imagine, as well as chandeliers and sparkling disco balls dotted throughout," Samantha describes. "This was all brought to life by a number of up-lighters in all different colours, which really brought a sexier, speak-easy vibe to the party!" A surprise gift from Samantha's mother - a black and white chequered dance floor provided by Fete24France - added an extra touch of glamour to the evening.

The wedding cake, made by Invitation au delice, was a showstopper. "Not only was it a staggering 1-metre high, but the filling of chocolate, passion fruit and raspberry was absolutely delicious," Samantha gushes. "There was so much of it that our guests were able to enjoy it at the pool party the next day and would not stop raving about how yummy it was!"

Samantha and Oliver were full of praise for their vendors. Their wedding planner, Julia from Chatelaine Events, was described as "a genuine miracle worker," solving last-minute paperwork issues and ensuring the couple felt relaxed on their big day. Silk Flowers France "went above and beyond" with their floral installations, while photographer Sophia from Wedding Noelle "managed to capture the day so effortlessly," creating a perfect mix of candid and editorial shots.

With a focus on creating an unforgettable experience, Samantha and Oliver's reception was a dazzling showcase of culinary excellence, breathtaking decor, and enchanting entertainment, all while celebrating their love in style.