Inside: A Fairytale Weekend at Cliveden House

From a chance meeting in London to a wedding that spanned three unforgettable days at one of Britain’s most storied estates, Charlotte Stroud Amelia Davis and Michael James Scholes brought together heritage, tradition and effortless style.

The story so far

After seven years working at a financial institution in New York, I moved to London for a new chapter. Just five weeks later, I met Michael, a private banker who would turn out to be the love of my life.

As a former Princeton lacrosse player, I was immediately drawn to Michael’s rugby background and his Irish charm. We bonded over sport, family and adventure, and discovered a remarkable link between our histories. My great-grandfather had emigrated from Lisburn, a town close to Michael’s hometown of Belfast and the county seat of his mother’s Lindsay clan. It felt like fate had already written our story.

After many months of rugby matches, fitness classes and visits to all of Michael’s favourite pubs, he proposed in the secret gardens of the Hotel de Russie in Rome. He had spent six months designing my ring with an Irish friend in London who specialises in bespoke jewellery. The result is a timeless oval-cut diamond flanked by two accent stones, a piece that feels both deeply personal and beautifully classic.

Venue

We chose Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire for our wedding weekend. The National Trust property, which also serves as a five AA Red Star hotel, offered the grandeur of an English stately home while still feeling warm and welcoming. Its proximity to Heathrow also made it easy for our guests travelling from abroad.

The festivities began with a summer barbecue at Spring Cottage, complete with Aperol Spritzes and boat rides along the Thames. The ceremony took place at St Michael’s Church in Bray, with guests arriving by red double-decker bus and sneaking in a pint at The Hinds Head before the service.

I walked down the aisle to “She Moves Through The Fair” played on Uilleann pipes, surrounded by Ruby and Grace’s floral arrangements. A Scottish bagpiper then led everyone to vintage steamboats for a celebratory cruise along the Thames with champagne and canapés before returning to Cliveden for the reception. The night unfolded with The Soul Jets, a surprise Irish dance performance, and impromptu singalongs to Irish classics in the Great Hall.

The celebrations continued the following day at The Bel and The Dragon pub in Cookham, where wood-fired pizza, Guinness and a relaxed atmosphere were the perfect cure for sore dancing feet.

Fashion

Supporting local and UK-based artisans was important to us. I wore two bespoke gowns by Emma Victoria Payne, each adorned with embroidery that reflected our shared story and heritage. Family crests, swans from Michael’s maternal ancestry, Virginia dogwood flowers, Princeton ivy leaves and even my dachshund, Tiger, were delicately stitched into the design. My something blue was a pair of Manolo Blahnik satin heels with crystal buckles, along with my late grandmother’s blue rosary wrapped around my bouquet.

Michael wore a traditional Oliver Brown morning suit with Ede and Ravenscroft ties, while his cufflinks were a gift from his grandmother.

Jewellery

I chose custom earrings from Michael Rose, elegant and understated to complement the embroidery on my gown.

Bridal party

My bridesmaids wore blue gowns by Markarian with Badgley Mischka heels, while the groomsmen looked sharp in Oliver Brown suits. The flower girls wore Little Bevan dresses with Mejuri pearl necklaces, a keepsake to treasure.

Transportation

We loved incorporating traditional British touches. Guests travelled on red double-decker buses and vintage French Brothers steamboats, while I arrived in a 1964 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III.

Tablescape

The reception design was beautifully executed by Duchess and Butler, with flowers and candles by Ruby and Grace. Each place setting included a bespoke embroidered napkin by The Embroidered Napkin Company, and stationery by Cartalia. Our favours were custom tote bags filled with Virginia peanuts and Irish breakfast tea, a nod to both sides of our families.

Food and drinks

The menu was overseen by Cliveden’s executive chef Chris Hannon, with highlights including his Irish Wheaten bread. Drinks flowed freely, with Pimm’s, Negronis, Aperol Spritz and, of course, Guinness.

Entertainment

Music was central to our weekend. From the Irish pipes at the ceremony to The Soul Jets in the evening, every moment felt alive with sound. Our first dance was followed by a surprise Irish dance performance that had everyone on their feet, and the night closed with rousing choruses of Irish classics in the Great Hall.

Beauty regime

I worked with Carla at Cesca for Friday’s rehearsal dinner, and Boe from Botias for the wedding day itself. Boe created a chic updo that stayed in place all night, even on the dancefloor. Ahead of the wedding, I kept up my Peloton rides while Michael maintained his gym routine.

Honeymoon

Before the wedding we escaped to Bodrum for a few days of sunshine. After the celebrations we headed to Ibiza with close family and friends, and our official honeymoon is still to come.