When Alicia and Conor envisioned their wedding, they dreamed of an intimate celebration that perfectly reflected their personalities, love story, and the warm hues of autumn. Their day came to life at the picturesque Burgh House & Hampstead Museum—a venue brimming with charm, history, and sentimental significance for the couple. But this isn’t just a story about a Burgh House wedding; it’s about Alicia and Conor’s journey, their unique bond, and the moments that made their day unforgettable.
If you are someone like me, you love to hear all about someones special day. Alicia did not disappoint. The amount of detail she has shared is inspiring. So, grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let yourself be swept away by this incredible real bride story. Alicia and Conor, thank you for sharing your beautiful experience with us, for trusting me and my team to style you on your big day, and for inspiring both past and future brides with your love-filled celebration.
Alicia, originally from San Francisco, met Conor in the most modern way—Tinder! From romantic strolls through Hampstead Heath during their dating days to saying “I do” surrounded by their loved ones, the setting of Burgh House felt like an extension of their love story. With its cozy ambiance and timeless appeal, it became the perfect backdrop for their bohemian-meets-vintage wedding, filled with personal touches, warm autumnal tones, and the kind of magic that only real love creates.
Being part of Alicia’s journey as her hair and makeup stylists was a true privilege. From the first consultation to the big day, it was clear how much thought and heart she poured into every detail, and it was an honour for our team at Izabella Bordignon London to play a role in bringing her vision to life. Alicia, thank you for sharing your inspiring story with us and allowing us to be part of such a cherished milestone. This is more than a wedding tale; it’s a heartfelt reflection of love, creativity, and the joy of celebrating life’s most meaningful moments.
How did you both meet?
Conor and I met on Tinder—of all places! I had moved by myself from San Francisco, California to London two years prior. When we started dating, Conor lived just next to Hampstead Heath, and many of our early dates were spent walking through the Heath, getting to know each other. It quickly became a special place for us, so it felt meaningful that both of our wedding venues ended up being just on the opposite side of this beautiful park. It felt like everything had come full circle, tying the beginning of our story to such an important milestone in our lives.
How did he propose to you?
Conor proposed in Paris at midnight in July 2022, and it was magical. He planned an unforgettable weekend, starting with a luxurious spa experience at AIRE in London to set the tone. Once we arrived in Paris, he surprised me with a perfume-making workshop, where we created a signature scent to always remind us of this special moment.
Later, we strolled along my favourite part of the Seine—a place I often visited during solo trips to Paris before we met. Paris has always been a city that brings me peace, hope, and healing, so it was incredibly thoughtful of him to choose this setting for such a life-changing moment. We capped off the day with a beautiful dinner at Le Clarence, which featured so many courses, it was well into the evening and I thought the proposal would never happen! Then, at midnight, by the river, Conor proposed with a beautiful, vintage-style agate stone ring in a cute little cowboy hat, which I thought was hilarious since I’m American. It was equal parts light and lovely—a moment I’ll treasure forever.
Burgh House Wedding – Theme and inspirations
I wouldn’t say I had a single clear theme or style for the wedding—it was more an amalgamation of elements that reflected my personal tastes and the beauty of the setting. I wanted to draw on my love for vintage and bohemian aesthetics, while blending those with the gorgeous autumnal seasonality of September 2nd in Hampstead Heath. The historical charm of our beautiful venue, Burgh House — a +300-year-old community and arts centre with rich, warm wood tones—was a big influence, as was the cozy, inviting feel of the parkside pub where we celebrated, the Garden Gate Hampstead; the perfect location for us.
My colour palette ended up being a reflection of these combined elements: rich burgundies, reddish orange, creamy whites, pale blue pastels, and soft green grasses. Together, these created a warm, inviting atmosphere that felt perfectly in sync with the natural and historical surroundings, as well as with the personal touches we wanted to include. It was truly a blend of everything we loved most.
How was your experience with us?
I cannot express enough gratitude to Izabella and Johanna for making my wedding day as magical as it was. They were not only punctual and professional but also the most calming and reassuring presence on a morning that could have easily spiralled into chaos. Aside from my mom and sister, no one else could have provided the level of calm I needed. I was a bundle of nerves, and their kindness, positivity, and quiet confidence helped me settle into the day – along with Izabella’s signature Bossa nova salon playlists, which I asked her to play while we got ready on the wedding morning! Thank you again Izabella!
As for their hair and makeup skills—world-class doesn’t even begin to describe it. Izabella has been the only person I’ve trusted with my hair since my first trial, and that’s saying a lot. She’s truly a master of her craft. Johanna, too, worked her magic with makeup that not only stayed flawless all day and night but also felt light and natural. Their attention to detail and ability to customize their work to suit my preferences made me feel confident and completely myself.
Beyond their artistry, Izabella and Johanna are genuinely gifted at creating an atmosphere of calm and joy. From the trials to the wedding day, they listened, adapted, and delivered perfection every step of the way. They are an absolute gift to women everywhere, and I feel so lucky to have had them by my side on such an important day. My mom and sister, who also had hair and makeup done by them, felt just as special.
If you’re looking for professionals who will go above and beyond, not just in the flawless results but in their ability to bring peace and happiness to your day, look no further than Izabella and Johanna. Thank you both for everything.
Why did you choose us?
I chose you because after a disappointing first hair and makeup trial with another vendor, I was feeling dismayed and like no one truly understood my vision despite my best efforts to communicate it. Then, by some stroke of luck, I stumbled across Izabella’s website. Within five minutes of sitting down for my first trial appointment with Izabella and Johanna, I knew I was in the right hands. They immediately grasped exactly what I was going for and, drawing on their years of experience, not only brought my vision to life but made it 100 times better.
What truly set them apart was their expertise combined with an unmistakable passion for their craft. You can tell that Izabella and Johanna are artists first and foremost, and that passion shines through in everything they do. The results spoke for themselves—flawless and better than I could have imagined. It was clear from the start that I had found the dream team, and they exceeded every expectation.
Did you DIY anything for your wedding decorations?
Yes, we DIY-ed a few meaningful elements for our wedding! For our wedding favours, we gifted guests homemade gin and brandy with personal significance. The gin was infused with rhubarb from the garden of Conor’s late grandmother, Lorraine, and the brandy with cherries from a tree planted by Conor’s late mother, Judy. It felt special to include them in our celebration in this way. We found cute little cork-topped bottles on Etsy, designed the labels ourselves, and printed them as stickers.
I also hand-designed all of our signage, including little explainer cards to share the significance of the favours. To tie everything together, I used different William Morris prints for the signs as a nod to the William Morris ward, where we live with our dog, Jimmy, in Walthamstow. These personal touches added so much character and sentimentality to the day—it was wonderful seeing our guests enjoy them.
There were other little things too that were less DIY-ey but more trying to accommodate different types of people. A lot of people assume I am extroverted but I’m actually quite an anxious girlie, and the idea of talking to random people for hours as a wedding guest feels a bit overwhelming. So I added several components to the day to try and give other introverts things to do other than chat and mingle. Some examples were simple like putting childhood photos on tables at the pub reception, just mounted on little wooden circles with metal wire, but that gave people the option of walking around and looking at photos. This was a big hit, it actually made me a bit emotional seeing relatives from my California family engaging with Conor’s extended family about the photos. It was a quick way to create common ground for people who’ve lived their lives on opposite sides of the planet!
We also had colouring books for the few kids and a whole host of colouring books for adults, which were all used up! We had corn hole as a fun activity and an easier way to meet new people, and a photo booth with dress up stuff, and we had an old fashioned telephone where you could leave us a “voicemail” which was hilarious, especially as the night went on and people were really letting loose.
So while my DIY skills are rather lacking, I tried to make up for it by offering something to do for folks like me who internally clam up in social settings!
What did you do to prepare for your special day?
Apart from practicing box breathing exercises to stay calm, I made some big lifestyle changes in the year leading up to the wedding. One of the most impactful was cutting out alcohol entirely, which had a hugely positive effect on my overall health, especially my mental health. That said, I was still so nervous the night before and the morning of the wedding that I could barely eat. I put a lot of pressure on myself to make sure everyone – especially those who traveled from places like California, Germany, and all over England – had a great time. Looking back, I wish I’d been kinder to myself about that, but it’s a hard thing to let go of in the moment.
In the months leading up to the big day, I also focused on building sustainable self-care routines. I wanted to feel my best, so I explored skincare and haircare, treated myself to regular manicures, and focused on doing things that felt good for my body and overall wellbeing. I worked out consistently at the gym, including classes at OrangeTheory and F45, where the instructors were incredible.
Those foundations have stuck with me even after the wedding. I’ve since started working with Mia from Conditioned By Science as my trainer, and she’s been brilliant—helping me build strength, heal old injuries, and stay in great shape. My relationship with myself and my body has had its ups and downs, but I’m proud of the sustainable habits I developed during this time. Leading up to the wedding—a time when we, as women, feel pressure to change ourselves in all sorts of ways—I tried to focus instead on investing in self-care in a way that felt healthy, and that’s something I’ll carry with me long after the wedding.
What was your inspiration for your hair & makeup?
For my hair, I wanted something timeless, elegant, and—most importantly—out of the way! I knew if I went with an ornate or delicate style, I’d end up worrying about it all day, so simplicity and practicality were key. My inspiration really came together when, during my first wedding dress appointment, I stumbled across a sample of a beautiful dried flower crown by Luna & Wild. I was so captivated that I impulsively placed an order on the spot—five months before I even found my actual wedding dress.
That flower crown became such a special piece of the day. Luna & Wild did an incredible job incorporating my entire colour palette into the design, and she even created custom floral hairpieces for my mom and sister, as well as the boutonnieres. Izabella worked so seamlessly with the crown, even doing a test run with a dummy version so everything would go smoothly on the big day. When the real moment came, she secured it in place quickly and perfectly—it was a dream collaboration.
For makeup, I wanted a natural look that wasn’t too heavy but still had a touch of vintage flair. Johanna absolutely nailed it—she instinctively understood exactly what I was going for and delivered far beyond my expectations. It was probably the only time in my life that I’ve truly enjoyed wearing makeup—she’s just that good. Together, Izabella and Johanna made me feel like the best, most confident version of myself.
What was a memorable moment for you?
Sharing our vows was, without a doubt, one of the most special moments of the day. There were tears, there was laughter, and there was so much love in the room. Conor is such an extraordinary person—not just with words, but in the unconditional love he gives to me and to everyone fortunate enough to know him. During our vows, it felt like that deeply special part of who he is was being honored and celebrated for all to see, and that felt good to me.
Another incredibly meaningful moment was the speeches our fathers gave just after the ceremony. So much thought and effort went into preparing those words, and their love and pride came through in every sentence. It’s the kind of thing you don’t fully realise the significance of until it happens, but now, looking back, I’m so grateful to have those memories. They’re moments I’ll cherish forever.
The funniest moment on the day was something that surprised you?
The funniest moment of the day—and one that completely surprised me—was my Man of Honour, Chris, absolutely roasting me during his speech. He tapped into 25 years of embarrassing stories to craft what can only be described as a comedic masterpiece during the pub reception. Even six months later, people were still bringing it up to me. Honestly, I think his speech stole the entire wedding. Who needs vows when you have a Chris?! It was hilarious, heartfelt, and a moment I’ll never forget.
Where was your honeymoon?
We actually had a Part 2 of our wedding to celebrate with friends and family back home in California. It was generously hosted in the garden of my mom’s house in Cotati, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. We kept it super relaxed, with a burrito bar from my favourite local taqueria and the cutest little cocktail truck parked in the driveway. It was such a joy to see my American friends and family again and to celebrate in such a laid-back and intimate setting.
Afterward, we treated ourselves to a mini-moon at the beautiful Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa. Most of the day was spent lounging by the pool, sipping cocktails during a heatwave—it was absolute bliss. After all the wedding madness, it felt like the perfect antidote and a wonderful way to unwind and soak in all the love and happiness from both celebrations.
Is there any other details you would like to include?
Music was an incredibly important part of our wedding, and it took on many beautiful forms throughout the day. To honour our shared Irish heritage, Conor and I chose “The Sailor’s Bonnet” as our first dance song. The amazing staff at Garden Gate Hampstead pub connected us with Nigel Stevens and his crew, who played live Irish trad music at the Garden Gate pub reception. Their performance created such a magical atmosphere for the evening, and their rendition of our first dance song was absolutely perfect.
Earlier in the day at Burgh House, we were fortunate to have Cornel Oprea playing the grand piano during the ceremony and post-ceremony reception. He played a selection of handpicked songs, including “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” as the ceremony concluded—a deeply meaningful touch for me. The music throughout the day truly set the tone and created unforgettable moments that we’ll treasure forever.
Do you have any advice for future IB Brides?
If I could give one piece of advice to future IB Brides, it would be to strengthen one key skill in the weeks and months leading up to the wedding: letting go. This is absolutely essential to ensuring the day goes perfectly—and by perfectly, I mean that you actually get to enjoy it.
Let go of the small stuff, because it won’t matter in the end. Focus instead on the miracle of having all of “your people” together in one space, celebrating with you and your person. It’s such a rare and beautiful moment in life, so try not to sweat the details. Trust that the day will unfold exactly as it’s meant to, and you’ll find joy in every imperfectly perfect moment.
Wedding Suppliers:
- Bridal Hair & Makeup: Team Izabella Bordignon @izabellabordignon.brides
- Photographer: Radski Wedding Photography
- Accessories: Luna & Wild
- Dress: Mori Lee (from Bliss Bridal in Petaluma, California)
- Wedding Venue: Burgh House & Garden Gate Hampstead Pub
- Flowers: Borrowed Light
- Music: Nigel Stevens & Cornel Oprea
Any last advice or words of wisdom that you can share?
Choosing Izabella Bordignon and Johanna Villarreal for your hair and makeup should be the easiest decision you make for your wedding. Not only are they truly special human beings, but they are also world-class professionals in their craft. On top of delivering flawless results, they bring a sense of calm and joy to your wedding morning that is absolutely invaluable. They are simply exceptional in every way.
Burgh House – What you need to know
Located in North-West London, Burgh House, nestled in the picturesque cobbled streets of Hampstead Village, is a Grade I listed Queen Anne-era mansion built in 1704. This historic venue offers a unique and elegant setting for weddings, civil ceremonies, and receptions.
Burgh House’s on-site catering team offers a range of dining options, including simple drinks and canapé receptions, relaxed afternoon teas, or full three-course seated meals. Menus can be adapted to your preferences to ensure a delightful culinary experience for you and your guests.
Facilities and Capacity
Music Room
Accommodates up to 70 guests for ceremonies, 64 for a sit-down dinner, and up to 100 for standing receptions. This wood-panelled room features large windows, beautiful wall sconces, wood floors, and a warm fireplace, providing a formal and sophisticated atmosphere.
Library
The stunning library is ideal for very intimate ceremonies as this can accommodate up to15 guests.
Peggy Jay Gallery
Features a light, airy, and modern interior suitable for various portions of your big day. The gallery can accommodate up to 70 guests, making it suitable for exhibitions, receptions, and intimate gatherings.
Gallery
