Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Richard E. Grant’s daughter Olivia marries financier Florian Wirst in a ‘magical’ gardens of Babylon themed home ceremony  – three years after the death of his wife Joan to cancer

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No expense was spared on Sunday as Richard E. Grant’s daughter Olivia married long-term partner Florian Wirst in a ‘magical’ home ceremony. 

Olivia, a casting associate whose film credits include last year’s record-breaking Barbie, had previously exchanged vows with Herbst in July – a service attended only by her father and the groom’s parents.  

Sunday’s ceremony, held in the grounds of Grant’s sprawling London home, gave the bride and groom’s wider circle of friends and family an opportunity to celebrate their marriage. 

The bride wore an elegant white wedding gown from British designer Suzanne Neville, while Austrian financier Herbst opted for a smart black tuxedo and bow tie from Hugo Boss.  

The celebration comes three years after Grant’s wife of 35-years and Olivia’s mother Joan Washington died following a battle with stage four lung cancer.

No expense was spared on Sunday as Richard E. Grant’s daughter Olivia married long-term partner Florian Wirst in a ‘magical’ home ceremony

The bride wore an elegant white wedding gown from British designer Suzanne Neville as she married in the grounds of her father's London home

The bride wore an elegant white wedding gown from British designer Suzanne Neville as she married in the grounds of her father’s London home 

The celebration comes three years after Grant's wife of 35-years and Olivia's mother Joan Washington died following a battle with stage four lung cancer

The celebration comes three years after Grant’s wife of 35-years and Olivia’s mother Joan Washington died following a battle with stage four lung cancer

And the actor ensured it was a night to remember by drafting in luxury event planner Johnny Roxburgh Designs to organise an enormous outdoor marquee complete with fairy lights and immaculately arranged tables, adorned with floral bouquets. 

Elsewhere international florist, designer and stylist Nikki Tibbles turned the grounds of Grant’s spacious home into a a gardens of Babylon themed playground. 

Guests were treated to a lavish dinner from Michelin-star chef Skye Gyngell, owner of modern European restaurant Spring, located in desirable central London landmark Somerset House. 

Pictures shared by Grant revealed a sumptuous four-tier wedding cake and a neon drenched dance floor, where guests partied into the early hours of Monday morning. 

Additional entertainment on the night was provided by pop star Ellie Goulding, who performed an acoustic set for the bride and groom. 

Taking to Instagram, Grant wrote: ‘Magical wedding last night at home, for our daughter & Florian – the sun shone.’ 

Grant confirmed his daughter’s engagement in October, with the actor sharing four images of Olivia, Herbst and her huge diamond ring.

He wrote: ‘Our beloved daughter @oliviagranted got engaged to Florian Herbst this weekend. Pockets full of Happiness!!’

Olivia, a casting associate whose film credits include Barbie, had previously exchanged vows with Herbst in July - a service attended only by her father and the groom's parents

Olivia, a casting associate whose film credits include Barbie, had previously exchanged vows with Herbst in July – a service attended only by her father and the groom’s parents

Austrian financier Herbst opted for a smart black tuxedo and bow tie from Hugo Boss

The bride and groom took centre stage as they married for the second time this year

Austrian financier Herbst opted for a smart black tuxedo and bow tie from Hugo Boss during Sunday’s event 

Entertainment on the night was provided by pop star Ellie Goulding (second left) who performed an acoustic set for the bride and groom

Entertainment on the night was provided by pop star Ellie Goulding (second left) who performed an acoustic set for the bride and groom

Grant shared a photo of the couple's wedding rings as they celebrated their nuptials

Grant shared a photo of the couple’s wedding rings as they celebrated their nuptials 

Guests were treated to a lavish dinner from Michelin-star chef Skye Gyngell, owner of London's Spring restaurant, beneath a specially erected marquee complete with fairy lights and immaculately arranged tables

Guests were treated to a lavish dinner from Michelin-star chef Skye Gyngell, owner of London’s Spring restaurant, beneath a specially erected marquee complete with fairy lights and immaculately arranged tables

Cambridge educated Herbst, an Austrian financier, currently works as Head of Corporate Finance at Village Hotels. 

He graduated in 2014 with a bachelors degree in Land Economy, combining ‘law and economics with the environment, business, finance and resource management’.

Before moving to England, Herbst took a three-year bachelor of science degree in International Business at WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business).

Grant previously revealed the ‘amazing mantra’ he has lived by since the death of his late wife.

Dialect coach Joan tragically passed away aged 75, eight months after she was diagnosed with cancer. 

The actor told how his wife gave him words to live by in the days before she died which has helped him deal with the ‘abyss of grief’ ever since.

Olivia looked stunning as she married her financier husband for a second time on Sunday

Olivia looked stunning as she married her financier husband for a second time on Sunday

The bride and groom were presented with a four-tier wedding cake during Sunday's event

The bride and groom were presented with a four-tier wedding cake during Sunday’s event 

The event gave family and friends an opportunity to celebrate the newly married couple

Guests posed for photos with the bride during Sunday's reception

The event gave family and friends an opportunity to celebrate the newly married couple 

Wirst was carried across the neon lit dance floor as the celebration continued into the early hours of Monday morning

Wirst was carried across the neon lit dance floor as the celebration continued into the early hours of Monday morning 

Olivia showed off her floral bouquet as she posed alongside two guests on Sunday evening

Olivia showed off her floral bouquet as she posed alongside two guests on Sunday evening 

Grant confirmed his daughter's engagement in October, with the actor sharing four images of Olivia, Herbst and her huge diamond ring

Grant confirmed his daughter’s engagement in October, with the actor sharing four images of Olivia, Herbst and her huge diamond ring

International florist, designer and stylist Nikki Tibbles turned the grounds of Grant's spacious home into a a gardens of Babylon themed playground

International florist, designer and stylist Nikki Tibbles turned the grounds of Grant’s spacious home into a a gardens of Babylon themed playground 

Photos shared by Grant with Instagram followers on Monday revealed the opulent theme

The actor's home was radically transformed for the occasion

Photos shared by Grant with Instagram followers on Monday revealed the opulent theme

Olivia was seen raising a glass as she mingled with guests at her lavish wedding ceremony

Olivia was seen raising a glass as she mingled with guests at her lavish wedding ceremony 

Speaking on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show with Helena Bonham Carter, he said: ‘She said to me four days before she died, she said to my daughter and I, “I know that you’re going to be sad but try and find a pocketful of happiness in each day”.

‘It’s been an amazing mantra to navigate the abyss of grief in the last 15 months and I’m grateful for that.’

Grant also told how he misses Joan more around the winter period during Christmas and their wedding anniversary in November.

Speaking in 2023, he told the Radio Times: ‘Our wedding anniversary is on 1 November; Joan’s birthday is on 21 December; there’s Christmas Day and then Olly’s [his nickname for his daughter Olivia] birthday is 4 January.

‘Last year, Olly and her partner Florian very generously invited me to Venice and then to visit his family in the south of Austria, which was absolutely magical.

‘This year I’m going with the two of them to the Caribbean, so that I’m not in London at Christmas.’

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