Louise Roe and Mackenzie Hunkin
Common wisdom says you ought to marry the person who makes you laugh the most, which means that there was no better match for Louise Roe than Mackenzie Hunkin. The two had traveled the world together—he as director and she as host of the MTV International makeover show Plain Jane—and, whether they were cruising the fjords of Norway or taking in the stunning scenery of Lake Como, Italy, "Mackenzie had the ability to make me double over laughing," says Louise. Four years passed with them as friends, and then, after the show had wrapped its final season, something clicked, and the coworkers became a couple.
After asking Louise's father for his blessing over a round of golf near her family's home in Surrey, England, Mackenzie proposed on a New Year's ski trip to Colorado. He planned the engagement for midday, so they'd have more time to celebrate, and they toasted the news with Champagne at the top of Aspen Mountain. The couple, who had relocated to L.A.—where Louise helms the fashion and lifestyle website LouiseRoe.com—decided to marry just nine months later, during the peak of fall in the English countryside. They envisioned a celebration inspired by the season, historic venues, and British traditions.
At 2:30 p.m. on October 1, 2016, Mackenzie stood at the altar of Eton College Chapel, awaiting his bride. "In England, it's sacrilege to see each other before the wedding, so the first time I saw Mackenzie that day was at the end of the aisle, when I walked in with my dad," says Louise. The notes of Pachelbel's Canon in D rang through the centuries-old sanctuary, and the groom felt a sense of happiness and calm take over as Louise glided his way. The traditional Church of England ceremony was punctuated with "hymns we call 'belters'—the classics that everyone knows," says Mackenzie. The 142 guests really got into it, "but thankfully we had an incredible choir to help drown out the worst singers," he jokes.
Afterward, guests were handed cans of Pimm's as they boarded vintage red double-decker buses that took them through Eton, where Union Jack flags hung from the buildings, to the privately owned 15th-century Tudor manor house Dorney Court, for the reception. After cocktails on the lawn, the group moved inside for an evening of spectacular seasonal fare and rousing speeches. The estate is just a short jaunt away from the Queen's residence, Windsor Castle. A fitting back-drop for a weekend when, in celebrating with friends and family from around the world, Mackenzie says, "we felt like royalty."
Traditional Stationery
"It's very English to have simple, embossed calligraphy on a thick cream card," says Louise of the couple's stationery suite from Wedding Paper Divas.
Stylish Bridesmaids
Louise's bridesmaids, friends from the U.K. and L.A., wore white crocheted-lace Self-Portrait dresses.
The Processional
The flower girls, the couple's nieces, wore Monsoon dresses and wreaths of skimmia leaves and ivory piano roses.
Here Comes the Bride
Louise enlisted Atelier Pronovias to design her gown after falling for a lace used by the Spanish fashion house at a runway show. Her dress included a high-neck capelet—which she removed for the reception—and detachable eight-foot train, designed specifically with Eton College Chapel's grand aisle in mind. "Eton College Chapel is so special—I love the history there," Louise notes. "Mackenzie's parents both worked at the school, and he grew up doing homework in the chapel."
Another significant touch? The programs, which were printed with literary quotes as a nod to the bride's study of classic literature at university, where she majored in Oscar Wilde. One F. Scott Fitzgerald quote included was "You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known—and even that is an understatement."
The Bride's Beautiful Dress
The beaming bride, dressed in a custom Atelier Pronovias gown, struck a preceremony pose outside 350-year-old Cliveden House, in Berkshire, England.
Showered with Love
As the newlyweds exited the chapel, guests tossed rose petals that Mackenzie's mother had gathered from his late grandmother's garden.
Cute Kiddos
The children in the wedding party got their outfits from Monsoon in London. "They did a little runway show for them in the shop and they got to do the catwalk—it was so cute!" says Louise.
The Reception Venue
The 15th-century reception venue, Dorney Court, is considered one of the country's finest Tudor manor houses and has been the home of the Palmer family for more than 450 years, passing from father to son for thirteen generations.
Something Blue
Louise wanted to change up her look for the ceremony and reception without changing her dress, so her florist, Lavender Green Flowers, suggested carrying two different bouquets. Her ceremony bouquet, inspired by the one Grace Kelly carried at her wedding, was created from lily of the valley, stephanotis, and ruscus foliage. For the reception, Louise switched to this bouquet that felt more "English countryside," including wax flowers, green bells, olive and white scabiosa, and delphinium.
The Drinks
"Cocktails were a priority for us—Brits and Americans love a drink!" says Louise. Adam McVay of full-service beverage company Holy Water created a lengthy menu of signature drinks for the wedding, which included: Spicy Grapefruit Margaritas mixed with lime, pink grapefruit, agave, and jalapeño, and were made with the couple's favorite tequila, Casamigos. Served in mismatched vintage glassware on copper trays, the offerings also included Old-Fashioneds "We wanted a masculine, spicy drink," says Louise of the cocktails, which were garnished with honeycomb and dehydrated Angostura-soaked oranges.
As for the wines? A selection curated by the couple was served during dinner, and included Salient Chardonnay, Porter & Plot Grenache Blanc, Sans Script Malbec, Funk Zone Rosé, and a delicious sparkling Chenin Blanc 'WKND,' which was enjoyed by the guests during the speeches. All the wines were from Winc, in California, where the couple live.
Canapes
Hors d'oeuvres included salmon skewers with cucumber and caviar; cheese shortbread with onion cream cheese and chives; and sourdough topped with quail eggs and truffle mushroom duxelles.
Fashionable Friends
Louise's friends Martina Maccherone (left) and Chiara Ferragni smiled for the camera.
Put a Ring On It
Mackenzie, with his mates, flashed his wedding ring.
The Parents of the Bride
Louise's mother wore a hat—a tradition for English wedding guests—and dress from Harrods, while her father donned a tux by Reiss.
The Escort Cards
In keeping with their classic stationery suite, simple white escort cards showed guests to their seats for dinner. They were displayed on a vintage ladder during cocktail hour.
Autumnal Tables
Mackenzie spent part of his childhood in Italy, and Louise loves family-style dining, so long, rustic tables—set with copper-colored flatware, flax linens, and garlands made from kumquats, olive, skimmia, rosemary, and ruscus—were a natural choice. Simple brown twine cinched place cards to mini loaves of focaccia with olive, rosemary, and feta.
Eton and Drinkin'
Guests enjoyed dinner entertainment, including DJ sets and a surprise performance by opera singers disguised as waiters.
"Mackenzie gave the best speech I've ever heard," Louise says. "He had the whole room captivated, crying-laughing, and there were some touching moments, too. It was brilliant, and I was so proud of him."
A Salad for Sharing
Mackenzie's childhood friend, Steven Edwards of Etch catering and restaurant, created a seasonal menu for the reception, which included a forager's salad with farro and edible flowers.
A Late-Night Libation
Served along with dessert, Bulletproof Martinis were made with Reyka vodka and bulletproof-style espresso, with grass-fed butter and coconut oil. "A nod to L.A., since everyone is all about it there," says the bride.
The Wedding Cake
"I was obsessed with kumquats," jokes Louise about the orange fruit, which adorned the cake and reception tables.
Sweets for All
Inverted cones of Italian gelato and crumbled Oreo topped slices of vanilla sponge wedding cake.
One Sweet Ride
The couple adores vintage cars, and they'd initially planned to arrive at the reception in a white classic Mercedes, which broke down the week of the wedding and couldn't be repaired in time. They found this red MG convertible as a last-minute replacement. "I loved the red with the fall colors, and who says you have to have a white wedding car?" says Louise.
Sources
Location, Eton College Chapel (ceremony); Dorney Court (reception)
Event planning and design, Savile Rose
Catering, Steven Edwards of Etch
Flowers, Lavender Green Flowers
Cocktails, Holy Water
Stationery, Wedding Paper Divas
Escort and place-card calligraphy, Lamplighter London
Cake, Juliet Sear
Music, Andy Huntley; the Three Waiters
Rentals, Classic Crockery Event Hire; Jones Furniture & Equipment Hire; Northfields
Bride and Groom's Photographer, Amy Fanton Photography
Videography, RockingStone Weddings
Bride's gown, Atelier Pronovias
Bride's accessories, Folli Follie custom jewelry; Stuart Weitzman shoes
Groom's and groomsmen's tuxedos, Reiss
Groom's accessories, Thomas Pink bow tie; Church's shoes
Bridesmaids' dresses, Self-Portrait
Flower Girl dresses, Monsoon
Engagement ring and wedding bands, Niwaka
Hair, nails, and makeup, Priv using Mary Kay
Staffing, Evolve Hospitality
Production, furniture, and lighting, Vibration Group
Dinner marquee, Redbreast Events
Getting-ready location and couple's accommodations, Cliveden House
Transportation, RedRoutemaster.com; Webb's of Weybridge
Cold-pressed juices, Press London
Favors, Hendrick's Gin; Library of Flowers "Field & Flowers" creams and soap
Gelato, Remeo
Pizza truck, Ruff Wood Pizza
Lounge-area blankets, rugs, and pillows, West Elm
Lounge-area candles, Lollia by Margot Elena
Tequila, Casamigos Tequila
Whiskey, Glenfiddich "15-year-old Old Fashioned"
Wine, Winc