Sheela Newley, who recently married Dame Joan Collins‘ son Alexander ‘Sacha’ Newley, shared the single piece of advice Joan gave her before their wedding in Austria.
“Savor every moment, because it goes by so quickly,” his wife, Sheela Newley, said, and she was spot on.
This week, the Daily Mail reported that 92-year-old actress Joan Collins traveled to Austria to celebrate the wedding of her son, Alexander, and his bride, Sheela. Alexander, 60, is Joan’s son from her marriage to the late Anthony Newley, and Sheela is a 41-year-old American singer-songwriter. The wedding was a long-awaited event for the family.
Joan looked beautiful in a light blue dress at the ceremony, then changed into a chic black outfit with a floral jacket for the reception. Her husband, Percy, was smartly dressed in a white suit and black shirt.
Sheela shared that Dame Joan did so much more than just offer support – she gave wise counsel and even walked her son down the aisle. Dame Joan has been a wonderful influence in Sheela’s life for the past twelve years, ever since she met Alexander.
I was really stressed with the last-minute details of wedding planning, and Sheela reminded me to actually enjoy the day. She told me it would go by quickly, to be sure to savor every moment. She was so right – it was a beautiful and unforgettable celebration that flew by!
She shared how lucky she feels to have Joan as a mother-in-law, praising Joan’s style, energy, and strong will. She especially loves their time together as a family – enjoying holidays, relaxing with her daughter, sharing meals, and bonding over fun things like makeup and fashion.
The bride revealed the heartfelt story of how she and her partner arrived at their wedding day, sharing the journey they took to get there.
After five years of planning, Alexander and Sheela finally celebrated their marriage. They first met in 2013 through a friend, got engaged in 2019, and had been preparing for a large wedding in the South of France when the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted their plans.
She explained to the Daily Mail that, like many couples back then, they were upset after making wedding plans and sending invitations, only to have to cancel everything suddenly.
‘It wasn’t easy to throw away all the work that had gone into it.’
I had a beautiful dress specially made, and I was really disappointed to have to put it away with no plans to wear it anytime soon.
Like everyone else, we also found ourselves preoccupied with global events, and our priority quickly became the health and safety of our family and friends.
Sheela looked stunning in an ivory gown reminiscent of vintage styles. The dress featured long, sheer lace sleeves, a flattering fitted shape, and a short train. It was designed by London-based designer Jackie Palmer and was originally intended for her 2020 wedding, which was unfortunately cancelled.
The couple had a small, private wedding ceremony in 2020, but they weren’t sure if they’d ever be able to celebrate with their loved ones. As time went on, Sheela started to feel like the opportunity for a bigger wedding might be gone.
She explained that she’d let go of her dream of a wedding, convincing herself it wasn’t necessary since they were already legally married and had started a family.
Sheela had given birth to their daughter, Deia, in early 2022.
She explained that over time, Alexander and she realized something was missing – they hadn’t had the chance to celebrate their love and commitment with family and friends.
In late 2021, the couple relocated from London to Vienna. Sheela often plays live music, while Alexander creates portraits for clients worldwide and also shares his expertise by teaching about creativity.
It was a chance conversation in the Austrian capital earlier this year that changed everything.
While having coffee with event planner Lilli Reutter, Sheela brought up the wedding she and her partner had always dreamed of but never had. Sheela explained that Lilli was immediately inspired to help them plan it.
I wasn’t sure I could manage it at first. Between performing live in Vienna, making music, and taking care of my young child, I was worried about having enough time and energy.
As things moved forward, it just *felt* right – like the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Honestly, I started getting really excited about the idea of wearing my wedding dress again, though I was secretly hoping I could still zip it up after having the baby!
Lilli showed them Lake Fuschl, near Salzburg, in March, and they immediately knew it was the perfect place for their event. They remember sitting on the castle terrace, enjoying a drink with the sparkling turquoise water and beautiful mountains in the background.
My friend Alexander and I both adore being in nature, and we were especially captivated by the gorgeous lakes in Austria. The fresh air and breathtaking views instantly made us feel happier. We shared a look and immediately knew we’d found somewhere truly special.
Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE it! They’re actually getting married in September! The guest list is so exclusive – only sixty people! I heard Joan was there, with her husband Percy Gibson, who’s a theatre producer – he’s about sixty, I think. And of course, Sheela’s family was all there too. I was SO excited to find out Alexander’s sister, Tara Newley – she’s a writer, and she was there with her husband Nick, who’s *also* a writer! Can you even imagine being at the same party as *both* of them? It was magical!
Alexander shared that being with Sheela that day was the happiest moment of his life. He’ll always cherish the love, laughter, and joyful atmosphere they shared at dinner.
Having my mother with us and walking me down the aisle was a special honor, following Austrian tradition. We were thrilled to celebrate with both her and our sweet daughter, Deia, whom she loves very much.
Sheela shared that a particularly special moment involved their daughter. ‘I was already emotional,’ she explained, ‘and seeing Deia walk towards us with a sweet, proud smile, carrying the rings on a velvet pillow, was incredibly touching and made me tear up.’
She’s incredibly proud of being in the play, and now she keeps showing off our rings, excitedly claiming she’s the one who got them! We really hope she’ll cherish this memory forever.
Sheila’s dress was made from delicate French lace with beads, layered over smooth cream silk. This created a romantic and elegant look. The sleeves and hem featured beautiful, detailed work that gave the dress a vintage feel, and the beading included subtle patterns inspired by Sheila’s Indian roots.
A pearl-covered veil trailed behind her as she walked down the aisle, completing her look with a bouquet of white flowers.
Sheela explained that the dress she’d bought in the spring no longer fit after having her daughter, Deia – her hips had changed shape. A dress she’d owned for five years was suddenly too tight. Luckily, Jackie was able to expertly alter it so it still looked and felt perfect. Sheela was thrilled with the result, saying it felt completely true to her style.
Following the vows exchanged on the lakeside jetty, Sheela performed “Feeling Good,” a song co-written by the groom’s father, Anthony, and Leslie Bricusse. The song later became well-known through Nina Simone’s rendition.
It was amazing,” she said. “As someone who writes songs, I felt honored to become part of a musical family with such a rich history. It felt right to acknowledge my father-in-law, whom I unfortunately never had the chance to meet before I knew Alexander. I was happy to share the story that he actually co-wrote the song, as some people weren’t aware of that.
Oh my goodness, it was the *most* magical thing ever! After the vows, they sang “Pure Imagination” – seriously, Anthony Newley’s genius is just…everything! Hearing them sing those lines, “If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it…”? It was like the whole day, the whole *feeling* of the wedding, was wrapped up in that one moment. Sheela said it perfectly – it really did feel like paradise, and they were just showing everyone around!
Sheela, a musician who studied at Brown University, has lived and worked in several major cities – London, New York, Florence, and now Vienna – while creating music. Her debut single, “Zeroes and Ones,” will be available on all streaming services next month.
She explained that the song explores how technology can sometimes overshadow the beauty of real human connection.
Alexander is a successful artist whose work is featured in prominent museums like the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Smithsonian in Washington DC. In addition to creating art, he shares his passion for creativity as a teacher and speaker, giving lectures around the world.
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2025-10-06 03:22