This english countryside wedding is giving major jane austen vibes

Olivia and Evan came all the way from Chicago for their wedding in the English countryside, with twenty of their closest friends and family making the journey from America to join them for their English country garden celebration at Treseren in Cornwall. Olivia and Evan knew from the start that they wanted a small wedding, free from any pressures or unnecessary stress, and the team at Treseren provided their signature laid-back luxury to ensure they had the perfect wedding weekend.

"Choosing Treseren as our wedding venue felt like fate. When we got engaged, we knew we wanted something intimate—just us, our closest friends, and a stunning location. Treseren, nestled on the Cornish coast, offered exactly that." As soon as Olivia stepped onto the grounds, surrounded by beautiful gardens and the charm of the country house, she knew it was the place. The staff made her feel like family, their warmth and kindness confirming everything they'd hoped for. "It wasn’t just the beauty of the venue—it was the feeling of home. We knew we’d found the perfect spot to begin the next chapter of our love story."

We didn't have an exact color scheme for our wedding day, but we wanted to capture our vision of a dreamy garden party. We wanted natural wildflowers, with soft shades of pink, delicate blues, sunny yellows, warm oranges, and creamy white. In retrospect, the colors we chose felt as spontaneous and beautiful as the love we were celebrating. More than anything, we wanted the focus to be on our love and the love we have for the people who attended—a day free from the pressure and formality that can sometimes overshadow a larger wedding. Instead, we envisioned a celebration where everyone, ourselves included, could simply be present and enjoy the moment.

At the time, we were living in Austin, Texas, and Evan had the perfect plan for the moment he’d been dreaming of. One Saturday afternoon, he made a reservation at Zilker Botanical Garden and secretly enlisted one of Olivia’s closest friends to capture the proposal as it happened. As we wandered through the garden, we descended a winding flight of cobblestone steps, surrounded by lush greenery, until we reached an elegant wooden bridge arcing over a serene pond. Just as we crossed the bridge, Evan dropped to one knee. With the world seemingly fading away around us, he took Olivia’s hand and said, "We see the world the same way, and I want to see all of it, forever, with you."

For our florals, we collaborated with Brookside Flower Farm, an eco-friendly floral design studio nestled in Mid-Cornwall. The talented owner, Katie Bickerdike, brought our vision to life with a stunning array of blooms, from wildflower-filled meadow boxes to elegant bouquets made up of peonies, delphiniums, Canterbury bells, snapdragons, and a host of other beautiful flowers. The fresh petal confetti added the perfect touch of natural beauty to our day.

One of the most touching moments came when Olivia’s mom surprised her with her grandmother’s blue handkerchief, a cherished family heirloom that she carried with her on the day. Olivia also wore her grandmother’s necklace, a symbol of love and legacy that made the day even more special.

Olivia found the wedding dress of her dreams at The Frock, a bridal boutique in Bloomington, Indiana. The designer is Daughters of Simone. Evan wore a green herringbone suit from Indochino.

Olivia was escorted down the aisle by both of her parents, and Evan’s mom presented our rings, adding another heartfelt touch to the day. Throughout the ceremony, cellist Kath Buckler played songs of our choosing, creating a serene and beautiful atmosphere that perfectly complemented the magic of the moment.

Our wedding ceremony was intimate and deeply personal, held under the expansive walnut tree in Treseren’s beautiful backyard. We exchanged vows that came straight from the heart, each word reflecting the love and commitment we share. Evan’s father delivered a meaningful reading, and we honored our bond with a hand-tying ritual that symbolized the unity we were creating. As we signed our marriage certificate, the weight of the moment felt even more special, knowing we were surrounded by our closest family. Our wonderful celebrant, Fiona Soloman, crafted and presented a script that truly captured the essence of our love story. She made the ceremony feel so personal, guiding us through each step with grace and warmth.

As a personal touch, instead of traditional name cards at the dinner table, we wrote each guest a heartfelt thank-you letter, paired with a photograph of them together. It was our way of showing gratitude for the people who mean the most to us, and it made the dinner feel even more intimate and meaningful.

Our stunning wedding cake was crafted by Red Robin Pantry, a talented wedding cake designer based in Cornwall. We opted for a light and refreshing strawberry and prosecco flavor, beautifully adorned with a delicate floral buttercream design that perfectly complemented the natural elegance of our day.