M & J . WEDDING
The Cotswolds
M & J’s Cotswolds wedding weekend was the definition of timeless meets modern, an immersive experience shared with their closest family and friends who travelled from New York to the English countryside to celebrate in true style. Taking over an entire village for the weekend, they turned the rolling hills and honey-stone backdrops of the Cotswolds into their own idyllic corner of England.
The celebrations began the day before, with the couple hosting the perfect summer barbecue in the gardens of The Manor House. Long tables, easy laughter, and local rosé set the tone for what was to follow. Guests mingled under the golden evening light while M & J incorporated a meaningful cultural ceremony in traditional dress, honouring their heritage in a beautifully personal way.
Michelle wore a metallic Simkhai gown for the welcome event - a look that paired effortless elegance with her signature New York style, the perfect prelude to the wedding day itself.
The day began slowly and quietly. Michelle got ready with her sisters and mum, enjoying a calm start to the day in the heart of the Cotswolds.
The couple married at a quintessential English church just a short drive from The Manor House, a picture-perfect limestone church adorned with a modern floral arch framing the doorway. Michelle’s twin sisters stood proudly by her side as maids of honour, a sweet and sentimental detail that set the tone for the day.
After the ceremony, M & J drove back to the venue in a vintage car, champagne in hand, as their guests waved them off in true English fashion.
Back at The Manor House, the celebration began with an abundant garden party. Guests enjoyed local oysters by Faber, endless Aperol spritzes, and beautifully curated canapés that paid homage to English summer entertaining. The manicured lawns, dotted with parasols and linen-draped tables, set the stage for a relaxed yet refined afternoon.
Dinner unfolded inside a Ralph Lauren-inspired marquee, blending transatlantic style with timeless countryside elegance. A neutral palette layered with modern florals, spray roses, soft draping and pookie lamps created a space that felt both intimate and luxurious. The couple’s love for art shone through in a gallery-wall seating chart, featuring framed prints of their favourite pieces - an unforgettable personal touch.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Sol & the Gang led guests in an impromptu sing-along before dinner had even finished - an energetic prelude to a night of revelry. A martini espresso tower, champagne-and-strawberry cake by Anna Lewis, and custom cigar matchboxes marked the start of an indulgent cocktail hour.
When the time came to unveil the after-party, guests were met with an entirely transformed space - the room dressed in deep red draping and a giant disco ball casting light across the dance floor. What was once a stately manor had become a full-blown nightclub.
Tequila shots flowed, Sol and The Gang kept the live music coming, and the newlyweds danced with their guests well into the early hours - the perfect finale to a weekend that celebrated not only their love but the timeless allure of a Cotswolds wedding.
Dream Team:
Planner and Stylist (inc. draping): REBECCA MARIE WEDDINGS; Venue: THE MANOR HOUSE, CASTLE COMBE; Photography: DARIA IERSHOVA; Video: HANDCRAFT FILMS; Florals: KATE FLOWERAN; Cake: ANNA LEWIS; Oysters: FABER; Band: SOL & THE GANG;
