A Multicultural Destination Wedding At Offley Place: Dominic & Monique’s Love Story

Planning a wedding is no small feat – especially when you’re balancing a house move, living in Canada, and coordinating a celebration across the ocean. That was exactly the case for Dominic and Monique, who chose the stunning Offley Place Country House Hotel in Hertfordshire as the setting for their unforgettable day.

Thanks to a lovely recommendation from Steph at Eclipse Events, I had the privilege of helping them bring their dream wedding to life – from sourcing their perfect suppliers, to creating the floral designs, to coordinating every last detail on the day itself. Dominic and Monique faced their planning challenges with such grace, trust and love.

Planning a UK Wedding from Abroad

One of the first things we tackled was the challenge of planning a UK wedding from abroad. With the couple based in Canada, our planning sessions often happened at unusual hours — often early mornings or late nights — but every time we spoke, the excitement was contagious.

I made sure their time was never wasted: clear timelines, action points, and supplier updates meant they could stay confident and relaxed, even from thousands of miles away. It was so important to me that they felt cared for, heard, and supported — because love has no borders, and neither should your planning journey.

The Bride’s Dream Bouquet

For Monique, flowers held a very special meaning. She had dreamed since childhood of carrying a bouquet of pure white tulips. With tulip season nearly over, I went on a mission — calling, searching, and sourcing until I finally secured them.

When I handed her that bouquet on the morning of her wedding, her face lit up. It wasn’t just a bouquet — it was a dream come true. The bridesmaids carried tulips and gypsophila, while buttonholes followed the same delicate theme. Those flowers told a story of a dream, determination, and a little bit of wedding magic.

The Charm of a Dry Hire Destination Wedding At Offley Place

If you’ve never visited Offley Place in Hertfordshire, let me paint a picture: a 17th-century manor house filled with history and character, surrounded by lush English countryside. It’s one of those rare venues that’s grand yet welcoming, and as a dry hire wedding venue, it offers couples the freedom to bring in their own suppliers, traditions, and unique style.

For Dominic and Monique, we made full use of its flexibility. An outdoor ceremony had been the plan, but when the weather turned, we seamlessly moved to the Orangery. This light-filled space became the heart of the day – first hosting a traditional Filipino ceremony, then later transformed for a heartfelt Vietnamese tea ceremony.

With décor by Eclipse Events – blossom trees lined the aisle; lanterns, and a sea of pillar candles provided a romantic glow – it was nothing short of magical.

Afterwards, guests moved into the stunning Hestor Ballroom, perfect for dining, dancing, and late-night celebrations. The beauty of a dry hire destination wedding venue like Offley Place is that couples can bring in their own suppliers, traditions, and personal touches – making every wedding truly unique.

Personal Touches and Memorable Moments

Dominic and Monique thought carefully about their guests’ experience, especially with so many travelling from overseas. We arranged shuttle buses between hotels and the venue to make everything simple and stress-free. The couple also created a bespoke wedding newspaper – packed with timelines, crosswords, fun facts, their love story, explanations of the difference cultural elements and introductions to the day’s VIPs.

Nyama Catering served up mouth-watering canapés and custom cocktails during the drinks reception, while live music from Joshua Pascua created the perfect atmosphere. Later, host Dom Ng raised the energy with games and entertainment before the bridal party made their unforgettable entrances.

Intryst Hire took the party to the next level. They had everyone on the dance floor in no time, blending a mix of R&B, K-pop favourites, and old-school classics that kept the energy soaring all night. Together with the couples friend and host Dom Ng, they led games, got the crowd laughing, and made sure everyone — from the youngest guests to the grandparents — felt part of the celebration. The dance floor truly became the heart of the evening, full of joy, laughter, and memories that Dominic and Monique will never forget.

From a page boy’s last-minute toilet dash (expertly smoothed over without a hitch); a spectacular first dance ballroom routine, followed by a family line dance, every moment was filled with joy.

Every unforgettable moment was beautifully captured by Edward Umpa and Envision Creative, who ensured no smile, tear, or laugh went unnoticed. From the quiet anticipation of the bride getting ready, to the heartfelt ceremonies in the Orangery, to the dancing and celebrations late into the night, their photography and videography brought Dominic and Monique’s story to life in the most vivid, emotive way. Thanks to their expert eye and creative storytelling, the couple will have memories they can relive forever.

Why International Couples Love Offley Place Weddings

For Dominic and Monique, Offley Place was the ideal venue – flexible enough to host multiple cultural ceremonies, large enough to welcome guests from around the world, and elegant enough to provide the timeless, quintessentially English backdrop they wanted.

As a wedding planner specialising in international couples, I know how important it is to:

• Work around different time zones and busy schedules.

• Manage supplier communications on your behalf.

• Offer clear timelines and planning tools so you always feel in control, even from overseas.

• Handle logistics like guest transport, local recommendations, and on-the-day coordination so you and your guests can just enjoy the celebration.

  
  

Thinking About a Destination Wedding in the UK?

If you’re living abroad but dreaming of a UK wedding, whether at Offley Place or another incredible dry hire venue, I’d love to help make it happen. With flexible planning support, trusted supplier connections, and a warm, stress-free approach, I take care of the details so you can focus on what really matters: celebrating your love with the people who mean the most.

Dominic and Monique’s day was living proof that distance doesn’t have to be a barrier – with the right support, your dream UK wedding can be everything you imagine and more.