When New York Meets the English Seaside

October 19, 2025
5 min read

Planning a transatlantic wedding from Brooklyn might sound daunting, but for Maggie and James, choosing Clevedon Hall felt like fate from the moment they discovered it.

The couple first visited Bristol a year prior to their engagement to see James’s extended family. Maggie fell instantly in love with the area, the history, the scenery, the warmth, and the seed of an international wedding was planted. When they got engaged, she began researching UK venues from afar over Christmas and vividly remembers stumbling across Clevedon Hall’s website and immediately knowing this was it: the grounds, the architecture, the dreamlike interiors.

With most guests staying in nearby Bristol, the 30-minute drive felt ideal, and the idea of having 50 friends and family stay overnight on-site sealed the deal. One big, elegant sleepover.

What truly set Clevedon Hall apart, however, was the team. Planning from across the Atlantic went from intimidating to effortless. Every communication was clear, kind, and meticulously organized. Trusting their instincts, Maggie and James booked Clevedon Hall without even visiting in person, a decision they now call the best they made.

A Ceremony Filled With Meaning

The couple chose a deeply personal ceremony: handwritten vows, read aloud to one another, officiated by James’s sister, all set beneath the gazebo facing the Hall. The romantic backdrop was everything they’d hoped for, and the team honored every detail of their outdoor request.

As guests spilled onto the lawn afterwards, a string quartet played Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, a deliberate, delightfully Bridgerton-esque touch. The atmosphere was relaxed and unhurried, with guests drifting freely between garden and rooms while enjoying elegant hors d’oeuvres.

Dinner, Dancing, and an All-Night House Party

Dinner in the library was pure moody magic, long candlelit tables, hanging moss, and the elevated intimacy of a modern dinner party inside a historic estate. Maggie's father’s heartfelt speech was unforgettable.

Then came the party.

The dance floor was packed from the very first song (credit to The Dynamos), with guests breaking occasionally to step out for air on the warmest day of the year. Late-night mac and cheese and hot dogs appeared exactly when needed. The vibe remained effortlessly personal and cosy, like the world’s most polished house party.

They even forgot to cut the cake until after the photographer had left, meaning the moment now lives solely as chaotic, hilarious camcorder footage. Their “just-in-case” 1 AM return bus to Clifton, booked almost as a joke, ended up completely full. Nobody wanted to leave.

Style Notes

Maggie embraced the venue’s romantic heritage while weaving in a fresh modern touch. White florals and greenery by Edwina Lowe Florals complemented, rather than competed with, the character of the rooms, elegant, timeless, and beyond her expectations. Their photographer Lucia captured it perfectly.

Fashion was equally intentional: James found his tux in San Francisco, adding a meaningful memory to the process. Maggie found her dress, the second she tried, at Sarah Seven in NYC. Once the gloves and veil were added, the English-garden vision clicked into place.

A “Traditional Wedding with a Twist”

The couple’s guiding idea? A chic dinner party that slowly evolves into a euphoric night out, and ends with a luxury sleepover surrounded by friends. One guest described it as “an adult sleepaway camp,” which the couple loved. Tradition, but relaxed. Elevated, but full of joy.

Words of Wisdom

“Trust your instincts,” Maggie says. “Planning from NYC was surprisingly stress-free because we had such an incredible team at Clevedon Hall — and vendors we fully trusted. Follow your gut. It won’t steer you wrong.”

Photo credit: @luciamanciniweddings