Q&A with REAL BRIDE Alice Vanderpump & entrepreneur Sam Vanderpump celebrated their marriage with an intimate winter wedding in London, at the iconic The Lanesborough,

It was the day of the Euros football final, and coincidentally my birthday. I had gone to The Padel Yard to watch the match with friends, one of them turned out to be Sam’s old housemate, though I was unaware of that at the time. Sam and I like to tell this part slightly differently. He insists I was staring at him, while I maintain that it takes two people to make eye contact, and every time I looked back, his eyes were already in my line of sight. Whatever the truth, this is where it all began, and within days, we had gone on our first date. (This was in July 2024)

In the early months of 2025, Sam had spent many days at Hirsh jewellers designing my engagement ring and choosing the perfect diamond. The proposal took place in a softly lit, flower-filled private room, accompanied by a string trio playing our favourite song, ‘Die with a Smile’ by Bruno Mars. He had told me Hirsh was interested in working together, and when Sophia Hirsh opened the door, she greeted us as though it were our first time meeting.

Afterwards, he had arranged a private dinner where both of our families were waiting to surprise us and celebrate together. Sam was still facing health issues at the time, so it was very intimate and perfect for us.

The wedding rings were crafted by Hirsh Diamonds London, renowned for exceptional gemstones and fine jewellery craftsmanship. 

Because I am pregnant and this marks the first of our two weddings, our vision was to create something intimate and romantic. We wanted the day to feel meaningful, a moment to pause and quietly celebrate this chapter of our lives. Deep red and burgundy tones were chosen to create a sense of romance, combined with a Christmas warmth.

This wedding was intimate with only 30 guests, most of whom were close family. This wedding was less traditional than the next one will be. Some moments were intentionally saved for our next wedding, like our first dance, but it was a beautiful celebration of love, gratitude, connection, and family. We really wanted to do this before our baby arrives. 

We chose the venue because of its beautiful aesthetic and thoughtful decoration. It felt very warm and ‘Christmassy’. That was exactly what we were looking for; it had a gorgeous fireplace in the dining space. The service was impeccable, and the staff were always welcoming and eager to help, no matter the request. It also held a special meaning for Sam, as it is where his parents were married, which made the place feel even more significant to us. Everything felt like it came together naturally. 

Florals by Art Narasit Nuadolo, set against the stunning backdrop of The Lanesborough Hotel, with beautiful entertainment by singer Eleanor Hudson.

Honestly, the exchanging of rings felt the most personal and meaningful to me.  The symbolism of that moment, and seeing Sam wearing his ring for the first time and holding hands, made everything suddenly feel very raw and real. Our relationship didn’t change; we have always had a strong commitment and devotion to each other, but it felt very meaningful. 

Wearing my Caroline Castigliano gown, I felt truly elegant on the day. Though I’ve struggled at times with how I look while pregnant, the dress embraced my bump beautifully and gave me confidence and grace that I hadn’t expected to feel, especially because I didn’t yet have a dress I felt beautiful in just 2 days before the wedding!

Sam had seen me struggle with numerous dresses. I had been to one bridal shop, ordered about fifteen dresses, and nothing felt right. He had seen most of them since we weren’t doing this traditionally, and Sam is very honest. I could tell he didn’t like any of them. When he saw me in the chosen dress, his first reaction was simply WOW. The fit was perfect.