A Romantic Wedding at a Timeless English Countryside Estate

An elegant outdoor wedding with lush greenery, Danielle Frankel bridal, and espresso martini tower

Margaret and Ryan’s wedding—a celebration, where lush greenery, timeless romance, and sophisticated details came together in perfect harmony. The outdoor ceremony was nothing short of magical. Framed by a magnificent arch of lush greenery and delicate lilies, designed by our talented member, florist Fine Stems, the altar exuded natural beauty with a touch of minimalistic drapery on the sides. White and blue floral arrangements flowed throughout the venue, adding a fresh and dreamy ambiance to the day. Bride stunned in a chic silk pleated gown by Danielle Frankel, embodying effortless sophistication. The reception carried the same stylish charm, with a trendy espresso martini tower adding a fun and modern twist to the evening’s celebrations. Keep reading to discover every exquisite detail of their unforgettable day.

A Romantic Wedding at a Timeless English Countryside Estate

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

We had our first date in 2016 and got drinks at a local Mexican restaurant near the University of Washington, where we were both in school at the time—I was earning my undergraduate degree, and Ryan was a graduate student. We initially met through a dating app that my twin sister and her now-fiancé created, telling me, “You might like this British guy.” I am forever thankful for that! Since that first date, we became serious fairly quickly and haven’t looked back.

^{The Proposal}

He proposed on May 22, 2023. He had my friend text me to go to happy hour on a Monday so we would be out while he set up the house we share. When I got home, I was shocked to walk in and see rose petals and candles everywhere. He proposed on our balcony overlooking Lake Washington. I had a feeling he was going to propose at some point since he had (not so subtly) asked about my ring preferences for months leading up to the engagement, but I had no idea it would happen that day—a Monday, of all days! I still say that was the best Monday ever.

^{The Engagement Ring}

After trying on some rings, I knew I wanted a gold band and an oval diamond, and I’m happy to say that’s exactly what he got me.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

Once we finally decided to have our wedding in England at Monkey Island Estate (our other option was Santa Barbara, California—my hometown), I knew I wanted to embrace the charm of an English country wedding. We also wanted the vibe to be fun—like a big party—so nothing too formal or stuffy, ensuring our guests had just as much fun as we did.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

I have my wedding planners, Alex and Emma from Bijou Studio, to thank for bringing my vision to life. While I had the final say and some ideas, they made my dreams a reality with their creativity and introductions to incredible vendors. I couldn’t have been in better hands than Cat from Unveil for my wedding weekend makeup and hair—she was such a lovely person to talk to, even when I was feeling pre-wedding jitters.

Ekaterina from Fine Stems exceeded all my expectations with her floral designs, creating a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere. Natalie from Agnes Black captured the day beautifully and wasn’t afraid to give direction, which I personally needed and loved. Everyone at Monkey Island Estate who helped during the wedding weekend was incredibly kind and accommodating. The list of people I’m grateful for goes on and on, but I truly felt in good hands, allowing me to be present with our guests without worrying about the details.

^{The Location}

After touring several venues, mostly southwest of London, we chose Monkey Island Estate. My mother and stepfather had stayed there more than a decade ago, which is how we first discovered it. Hosting a weekend with all our guests on an island in the Thames felt like the perfect choice, especially with its proximity to the charming town of Bray.

^{The Ceremony}

I walked down the aisle with my father by my side as the band played Cold Little Heart by Michael Kiwanuka. Ryan and I stood alone at the front, which made the moment feel even more special. Midway through the ceremony, it started to rain, and guests rushed to cover themselves with umbrellas.

A Romantic Wedding at a Timeless English Countryside Estate

There was definitely some comedy in watching them try to stay dry using the parasols that had originally been provided for sun protection—I suppose rain is more fitting for an English wedding!

^{The Reception}

We started with a formal sit-down dinner before everyone was ready to hit the dance floor. I love to dance, so having a fun dance floor and an amazing DJ was an absolute must!

^{The Special Touches}

Before the weekend officially began, we took a small group of friends and family on a boat ride from Monkey Island Estate down the Thames to Windsor and back. This was my mother’s idea, and it was the perfect way to kick off the celebrations! Since many of our guests had traveled from the West Coast of the United States and were likely battling jet lag, we made sure to include an espresso martini tower after dinner—a must-have!

^{Our Favorite Moment}

With Ryan being from Kent, England, and me being from California, our favorite moment was having so many of our loved ones together in one place. It was a surreal experience to see our two worlds come together, and the love we felt that weekend is something we will never forget.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

We hadn’t booked our venue yet, but after my second visit to the same bridal shop to try on what I thought would be my wedding dress, I ended up falling in love with a different one—the dress I ultimately wore. It was designed by Danielle Frankel, and I adore all of her designs! I kept my jewelry minimal, wearing vintage gold hoops borrowed from my mother. For the after-party, I changed into a short white dress with a bow in the back—the bow being a recurring theme throughout the wedding.

^{The Groom Looks}

Ryan wore a classic black tuxedo for the wedding. For his last birthday, I gifted him gold Versace cufflinks, knowing they would pair perfectly with his gold wedding band.

Our Advice

^{For The Planning Process}

Having wedding planners was a lifesaver for me, especially when planning a wedding abroad. While getting some outside opinions can be helpful, don’t ask for too many—otherwise, you’ll just end up feeling overwhelmed and confused.

^{For On The Day}

Of course, Ryan had to fit in a run, but other than that, we spent the morning together before everything kicked off. As introverts, we needed that quiet time to recharge before the big day began. I highly recommend carving out some downtime for yourself on your wedding day—it makes all the difference!

^{For Post-Wedding}

Maybe don’t schedule a breakfast at 9 a.m. after going to bed at 3 a.m.? This was our farewell breakfast for guests who were leaving, and while it was nice to say our goodbyes, I think many people were exhausted (and maybe just a little hungover). We’re planning our honeymoon for 2025, but we spent a few days post-wedding in London, which was really fun. That said, in hindsight, we think it might have been even nicer to spend those days in the countryside—somewhere we could fully relax without feeling the need to explore and walk around the city.