Leonie Hanne Drops Hints About Her Top Secret Wedding Day
Hot on the (Harrods) heels of her engagement party in Paris, model and influencer Leonie Hanne updates Bazaar Bride on her City of Light celebrations, wedding plans and dream dress
There were elegant blooms in blush and ivory, illuminated by the warm flicker of candles, a string quartet playing throughout dinner and, at the centre of it all, one couple madly in love. We are, of course, talking about Leonie Hanne and Alexander Galievsky’s recent and extremely chic engagement party, which saw the couple’s closest family and friends come together at Le Meurice in Paris for an evening of elegance, exceptional food and stylish revelry. “I looked around the room and just saw all these people who had shown up for us, were there for us and who gave us so much love,” the London-based German model and influencer tells Bazaar Bride. “That moment, surrounded by all our loved ones, was just so beautiful.”
Having stayed in Paris for over 400 nights last year, the City of Love was an obvious choice for Leonie and her fiancée Alex, who got down on one knee on a boat in picturesque Portofi no last summer. “In many ways, Paris feels as much like home as London,” she explains. “And because the city is so incredibly romantic, we loved the idea of bringing our family and friends to a place that means so much to us.”
As to be expected from the fashion-savvy bride-to-be –and former Bazaar Bride cover star – Leonie’s wardrobe for the night was on point, comprising not one, but two personalised dresses from Atelier Emé – both of which were selected from the luxury Italian brand’s existing collection but personalised by Leonie and the design team to create a look that was truly her own. “Because it isn’t the wedding yet, I wanted the dinner dress to be very elegant and timeless,” she explains. “Something that could just as easily be worn on a beautiful summer night. We opted for a slip dress with a deep neckline and a bespoke choker with a cape element that referenced a veil, without it feeling too bridal.”
As for the party portion of the evening, Leonie slipped into a Gatsby-inspired gown with beautiful embellishment and fringing paired with heels from Harrods, a matching choker and gloves embroidered with the couple’s initials. “It was so special to wear something so personal,” she adds.
After a night that magical, there’s just one question that is begging to be asked: What will the wedding – which is set to take place next summer – be like? “One thing I realised is that while we planned a very chic event, some people still wanted to party, so for the wedding we’ll definitely make more room for that energy,” explains Leonie. “And, if everything goes to plan, I can definitely say that we still hope to get married at our beloved Amalfi Coast.”
When we last spoke to Leonie for our A/W 2024 cover shoot, she had yet to begin trying on dresses for the big day. So, has she made any progress there? “It’s still top secret!” she teases. “But I’m working on it, and my dreams are definitely becoming reality. I can’t wait for Alex to see me in my dress for the first time, though – I hope he’s going to cry!”
What she can tell us about the multi-day celebration, however, is that we can expect something that is cinematic and deeply personal, surprising and romantic. “We want to
create an experience for our guests that they will never forget,” she adds. “Oh, and as we are getting married in Italy, it will definitely feel very Italian!”
Considering their jet-set lifestyles, you’d be forgiven for thinking Leonie and Alex have already entrusted all the heavy lifting to a seasoned planner. “Anything that comes on top of my travel schedule can feel a little overwhelming at first,” she explains.
Surprisingly, however, the pair have yet to hand over the reins, preferring to get a feel for what they wanted first before bringing someone into make it happen. “It has been hard finding a venue that feels special and personal to us,” she admits. “Many venues feel like wedding machines, whereas we really wanted to connect with the place and the people behind it. I’m very sensitive and empathetic, so I really think about every detail – that’s also why it’s taken me a bit longer to choose a planner. I wanted to put my ideas forward first instead of being influenced by someone else’s, and I also want to do things that people haven’t seen before, instead of just recreating what’s been done. That uniqueness will be what makes it truly special and personal.”
Mindful not to get caught up in the potential stress of wedding planning, Leonie prioritises celebrating the love she and Alex have for each other. “It’s really important to focus on what you and your partner love and the experience you want to share with your family and
friends,” she advises. “Prioritise the feeling you want everyone to have on the wedding day and build everything around that.” One thing’s for sure, whatever Leonie dreams up, this wedding won’t just be beautiful – it’ll be unforgettable.
Images Courtesy Of Tibi Vîntur
From Harper’s Bazaar Bride Autumn/Winter 2025 Issue