“A Frank Sinatra wedding, without the divorces”: Inside the old Hollywood glamour of Julie Zangenberg's and Andreas Bagh's Copenhagen nuptials

While it may seem like a cliché plucked from the pages of fairy tales and rom-com meet-cutes, for Julie Zangenberg, an actor and entrepreneur, and Andreas Bagh, a chef and restaurateur, it really was love at first sight.

“We both knew it the first time we met each other,” Bagh says. Zangenberg had been dining at a restaurant where Bagh worked as the head chef and she asked to thank the chef for the exquisite meal. “Andreas came out, and we both knew that this was it,” she reminisces. “That’s not to say it just has all been easy and sunshine, but we both have always had that gut feeling about us.”

Although the pair knew they would spend the rest of their lives together, Bagh still managed to make his proposal a surprise. The couple had headed out to the Danish island of Bornholm, “a place we visit many times a year”. The trip was planned by Zangenberg, who was blissfully unaware of what her partner was preparing. Enjoying a scenic picnic on the rocky shore, the duo indulged in caviar and vintage champagne from Zangenberg’s birth year. As the sun was just about to dip below the horizon, Bagh proposed. “It was the perfect combination of down to earth, us, and still very extraordinary,” Zangenberg says. “Just us, some goats and a cow,” Bagh chimes in.

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For the wedding, the couple opted for a grand and glamorous affair infused with fun and playful elements. The result was a lavish yet lighthearted celebration. “A Frank Sinatra wedding – without the divorces - was the theme for the whole wedding,” Bagh says. “And with an attention to detail to show our love for our guests,” Zangenberg adds. The pair brought along Josefine Loa from Inc Events and Julie Pedersen and Peter Pepke from Bagh’s restaurant Esmée to help bring their vision to life.

Regarding the wedding attire, Zangenberg knew she wanted two dresses of distinctive style but still cohesive with the theme of the nuptials. “Something very classic, regal and proper for the church and reception and something very sexy and 'old Hollywood' for the dinner,” Zangenberg says. She turned to Danish couture designer Elsa Adams, who hand-made both of the bride’s frocks for the big day. Zangenberg’s first look comprised a billowing cream-white silk dress with an open back and long train paired with navy blue stilettos emblazoned with floral motifs, “a homage to my mother who wore floral shoes when she got married.” On her neck, a precious gilded pendant that once belonged to her great-grandmother. Bagh also kept it simple yet classic, sporting a pale grey, three-piece suit.

Adding a touch of tradition to their nuptials, the pair decided to hold the ceremony in Copenhagen’s Vor Frue Kirke, the same church where Zangenberg and her sisters were confirmed and the couple’s son Leo was christened. “It’s our family’s church, and it felt so natural to have our wedding there,” Zangenberg says. “On a more not-so-holy note: Me and my dad had a little sip of whisky before going in.”

When it was time to walk down the aisle, Zangenberg was surprised by her reaction. “I thought I would be so emotional and just ugly-cry all the way through, but as soon as I saw Andreas, I just smiled like a crazy person the whole way through – I was just so happy. It just felt right,” she says. For Bagh, the moment was equally unparalleled. “It was the most beautiful moment of my life to see Julie and her dad walking down to me,” he says. Being “very into hymns”, the groom had chosen everything sung at the church. “The ceremony was extremely emotional for me, and it’s a memory I will treasure forever,” Bagh says.

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Since Bagh is the co-owner of the restaurant Esmée, nestled in the heart of Copenhagen, the pair felt it made sense for the reception to be organised there. Tables were adorned with elegant flower arrangements boasting hues of white and green, creating a natural yet opulent feel. Champagne flowed while one of Esmée’s bartenders conjured up a bespoke cocktail menu that drew inspiration from the newlywed’s cherished memories from their journey together.

The following wedding dinner was held at Bagh’s other eatery, Ambra, just a few blocks away. At the time, Ambra was still mid-construction; However, the couple thought it would be a cool experience for their guests, who were a mix of “our very big family, friends from all parts of our lives and business partners.” “Our life always has a bit of chaos and lots of projects in it, so to do a beautiful dinner in a rough space was an amazing portrayal of that,” Zangenberg says. “Life is not about being perfect but making something great of what you have.”

The dinner menu reflected what Ambra is all about: “Unpretentious, well-cooked Italian dishes served family style,” Bagh says. “It was how we enjoy eating,” Zangenberg adds. “Something with a lot of flavour and love and makes you feel good.” The food was enjoyed in ambient settings where candles lit up the room with their soft glow, and luscious red roses garnished the long tables. The chosen music, curated by DJ Christian d’Or, complemented the mood perfectly, as Soul and old Italian tunes filled the space.

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For the evening’s soirée, Zangenberg slipped into another Elsa Adams couture creation: abody-hugging, shimmering gown meticulously crafted from tiny lustrous pearls and broken lace “for a more dramatic look.” She combined the second dress with silver Stuart Weitzman heels and earrings from Latelita. The groom opted for a luxe velvet tux from Sand.

Post-dinner, when it was time to hit the dance floor (also at Ambra), Zangenberg changed her one last outfit to a party-ready Rotate mini dress. The music switched to a more high-tempo Funk, inviting all guests to groove until the wee hours of the night.