From a chance meeting in a Leicestershire field to a sapphire proposal in the Alps, step inside Hannah Sophia Dedman and Rory Gerrard Tyrrell’s wedding at Langan’s Mayfair – a celebration of romance, heritage, and haute couture craftsmanship, where timeless British elegance met heartfelt modern love in the heart of London.
The Story So Far
Our journey to meeting felt like destiny (as cheesy and ridiculous as that may sound) . My friend Anna, an A&E surgeon, was called into work, and Rory’s friend caught COVID. Yet, despite the cancellations, we both felt a strong pull to be there. I finally convinced my cousin to join me, while Rory managed to tag along with some distant friends. Funnily enough, we had already crossed paths dozens of times – attending the same parties, festivals, gig and even the same sailing school in Norfolk as children! We believe that fate has been nudging us together for years, but timing is everything. (Both of us did not believe in fate until we met, but it was like no other.)
Our actual meeting was instantaneous and unforgettable. I had begged my cousin, who is gay, to come to Noisily festival with me. He immediately spotted Rory, liked what he saw, and ran over to introduce himself—only to discover Rory was straight. My cousin then stepped aside, and as Rory describes it, he suddenly “unveiled a vision of beauty”—me. He’s since confessed that it was a conversation, a moment, an encounter that he knew he would never forget, one that changed his life forever. I feel the exact same way.
Rory is type one diabetic, and he realised he was having a hypo. He made me aware and asked if I could sit with him as he felt unwell. It was clear he was unwell and I was very worried for him, so I stayed with him to ensure he was ok and we ended up spending hours and hours talking. After that encounter, we both knew we had met our soul mate. He saw all of me, and I saw and understood all of him too. Our connection was unlike anything we had ever felt before. When you know, you know!
The engagement was perfect, personal to us and so romantic. We announced our engagement whilst we were skiing, with the mountains as the backdrop. The engagement ring was perfect! He has fantastic taste and also knows me very well. It is a very special gold band with a sapphire and diamonds surrounding it.
The Venue
It was a very intimate affair as we plan to celebrate with all of our friends and family abroad. We got married at Islington Town Hall and held our after at Langans, Mayfair. Rory is from Islington, and we have a place there however, we now live mostly in Stamford, Lincolnshire so to be able to come back to Islington was very meaningful to Rory. We will be having our wedding celebrations in the French Alps, surrounded by our family and friends. (Our daughter Arabella suggested we ski down the mountain in our wedding attire – which was hope to do! )
The ceremony itself was instilled with personal touches, such as beautiful readings from our daughters, Arabella and Florence, our dear friends Antalya Nall Cain and Moreton Horsley and the music included a mix of our daughters’ favourite songs and .The ceremony music was a mix of our children’s favourites and The Beatles The Beatles’ timeless classic, “Here Comes the Sun”. Arabella, Florence and Rose joyously danced around the ceremony to the music, which also included “The Sugar Plum Fairy Tryvoski,” adding a touch of childlike wonder.
Fashion
I wore an ivory lace sweetheart midi couture number that I designed myself, so it’s a piece that I cherish for its story as much as its beauty. It’s also no ordinary wedding dress, but rather a gown that spans generations, and I see it as a piece of couture with a conscience. Originally, it was a beloved family heirloom with a history that began in 2023, when it was created for my daughter’s baptism.
To transform the already treasured item into my 2025 wedding dress, I added a floor-length skirt transforming it into a gown and cathedral-length veil, both affixed with a delicate, bespoke bow—a signature motif of my brand. I also wore Emmy London Bow Shoes, as I love all things bows!
Rory wore a tailored morning suit from Savile Row’s Ede & Ravenscroft. He had a personal nod to his heritage which was incorporated via custom-made Hannah Sophia England Irish trews.
Jewellery
My dress was complemented by a stunning Victorian emerald and diamond set, a cherished gift from Rory, meticulously sourced from my friend Zuleika, of Parkin and Gerrish.
Rory and I both accidently picked out the same wedding bands which were from Katz in Hatton Gardens. It’s the Garden’s oldest Jeweller and is still owned by the same wonderful family over 100 years later.
Bridal Party
I gifted my girls a delicate pearl necklace and earring set each, along with a satin bag filled with goodies to entertain the girls throughout the day. My parents, maid of honour and children also received handwritten letters along with special personal gifts each too. For darling Rory, his wedding present was a Rolex which was a family piece passed down. It was such a huge but welcome shock, as he had always dreamed of having a Submariner.
Tablescape
For our wedding invitations, I hand painted each one and added delicate dried flowers wrapped up in a bow for a personal touch. The table was decorated with beautiful wild flowers and each table placing had a different bow alternated in our children’s favourite colours, and with a gold custom pin saying the guest’s name. Our guests were also given a blue fan with ‘Rory and Hannah Sophia June 2025’ on it, which turned out perfectly as it was a very hot day!
Food & Drinks
Everyone enjoyed champagne and oysters to start upstairs on the terrace at Langans, and then we moved downstairs for private dinner. Guests could choose either Scottish smoked salmon, pea panna cotta English asparagus or chicken parfait for starters, duck leg confit, steak frites, or salmon for mains and Strawberry cheesecake or chocolate tarts for dessert. Followed by our unconventional wedding cake which was made by Rory! A delicious homemade dark chocolate brownie cake with raspberries – they’re my love language, and one of the reasons I am in love with him.
Entertainment
Our first dance was then upstairs at Langan’s private club to “I love you always forever” by Donna Tart. We allowed the girls to DJ for a small period of the evening, which they thoroughly enjoyed and then indie classics filled the room.
Beauty & Wellness
For my beauty regimen, I had an incredible face peel and a treatment of microneedling at my favourite clinic in Kalios, Stamford (where we are mainly based). I then had my nails and hair done at the Duck & Dry in Islington. I opted to do my own make up, using my favourite daily products Chanel creme belle as a glowy base, Chanel black mascara, YSL brown eye liner, Charlotte Tilbury’s blush wand, Charlotte Tilbury blush lips and a cheap eye shadow that I have had since I was around 15 years old! It’s still going strong! For perfume, I wore my favourite Tom Ford Portofino fragrance – fresh and light.
Favourite Wedding Gifts
We didn’t actually have a wedding gift list and instead, we encouraged our guests not to get us anything. Though we did receive some very generous and thoughtful gifts in the end.
One wonderful gift that springs to mind was a silver serving foie gras set and these incredible Sicilian his and her Heads! Rory and I fell in love with them when we visited Sicily, so my mother flew out to get some for us! They sit proudly on our mantle piece!
Honeymoon
Our wedding night was spent in a suite at The George Hotel in Stamford which had such a sentimental meaning for me. Many of my fond childhood memories was spent dining at the George with my parents. We then had a wonderful family-moon to Saint Tropez.
Rory and I are heading to romantic Venice – just the two of us! The city holds a deep, special meaning for Rory’s family, as his parents spent their honeymoon there! When Rory and his family returned to Venice for his parents’ wedding anniversary, he shared a meaningful moment with his mother: he told her that he had met the love of his life and that he hopes to marry me. Being able to share that intention with his family in such a significant place was very special for him. To now share our honeymoon in the very same place makes this trip incredibly romantic for us both.
Advice
- Things won’t go to plan, but the surprises are often the most magical parts.
- Make it personal. Those small details will stay with you forever.
- Be present. Take moments throughout the day to pause, breathe and take it all in.
With Thanks
Bride: @hannahsophiaengland
Venue: Islington Town Hall
Caterer: Langan’s Mayfair @langansbrasserie
Dress: Hannah Sophia England @hannahsophiaengland
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bridesmaids wore Hannah Sophia custom dresses @hannahsophiaengland
Groom Outfit: Ede & Ravenscroft @edeandravenscroft
Flower Girls & Page Boys: Children, no IG
Florist: Locally sourced, designed by Hannah Sophia @hannahsophiaengland
Photographer: Hubert Cecil @hubertcecil
Wedding Rings: E Katz in Hatton Garden, the quarter’s oldest jeweller (no IG)
Hair: Duck & Dry @duckanddry
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