Olivia Palermo, the fashion and beauty entrepreneur, has always embraced a nontraditional approach to life, especially when it comes to fashion. “I love weddings, but I’m not much of a bridal person,” she says. “I am much more of a fashion girl—and I am very nontraditional in that sense. I take every opportunity to make something into a fashion moment.”
Palermo met her husband, Johannes Huebl, a model, in 2008 at a movie screening in New York City. Their relationship blossomed, and after five years, Huebl proposed to Palermo on New Year’s Eve in St. Barts. “It was just the two of us in an idyllic setting and a very special moment,” Huebl recalls.
The couple exchanged vows in a spontaneous civil ceremony in 2014, choosing to prioritize their hectic schedules over a grand celebration. They invited only their closest family and friends to witness the intimate event. Palermo wore a custom Carolina Herrera look, a daring combination of cashmere, feathers, shorts, and an overlay skirt that went viral. “I always think about the setting for any look I’m wearing and making sure it tells a story, so the look just made sense to me for the occasion,” she explains.
Ten years later, the couple finally had the celebratory wedding reception they had always envisioned. Held in Baden-Baden, Germany, Huebl’s hometown, the multi-day event was a testament to their love for fashion, fine dining, and their vibrant social circle.
Palermo, a self-proclaimed “super-visual person,” meticulously planned the event, creating a photo reel of over a thousand screenshots and collaborating closely with the Brenners Park-Hotel events team. The festivities kicked off with a cocktail reception at the hotel, where Palermo donned a short pink Simkhai dress, later changing into the first of three Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gowns she would wear over the weekend. Palermo chose Valli, a longtime friend and supporter, for his modern approach to fashion and his view of his creations as “love collections” rather than traditional bridal wear.
Dinner at the Beaux Arts hotel served as a joyous reunion with guests, followed by a lively reception in the Wintergarten restaurant, where a long rectangular table adorned with moss, votives, florals, and cherry blossoms created an intimate ambiance. The couple’s love for cherry blossom trees inspired the dramatic centerpieces, adding a touch of romantic elegance to the space.
The next day, guests were treated to a luncheon at Iffezheim Racecourse, a nod to Palermo’s childhood passion for riding. The picturesque setting provided breathtaking views of the racetrack as guests enjoyed a delectable menu prepared by the Brenners Park-Hotel culinary team.
The grand finale of the celebratory weekend was a dinner at the acclaimed restaurant Ebanat, set within the grounds of the Kopp Winery. Chef Stefan Schmidt prepared a farm-to-table meal paired with local wines, offering guests a truly immersive culinary experience. Palermo completed the evening’s look with a sequin-embroidered Giambattista Valli lace bralette and skirt, adorned with a tulle-and-silk-chiffon-draped cape.
Throughout the weekend, Palermo and Huebl made conscious efforts to incorporate sustainability into their celebration. They repurposed the florals from previous events, incorporating them into the decor at the Ebanat dinner, softening the contemporary architecture of the space. The couple also drew inspiration from the natural beauty of the vineyard, incorporating grapes into the décor to bring the outside in.
Looking back on the celebration, Palermo reflects on the joy of bringing together the most important people in her and Huebl’s lives. “It was the most amazing finale to a weekend we didn’t want to end,” she says. “It was a beautiful series of events at quite different locations that allowed all our friends and family to come together in the south of Germany for a weekend that was all about love and friendship.”
