Madison Malloch-Brown and Reid Frank Jacoby met at the airport on their return to the University of Michigan after a spring break trip to Punta Cana. “About a month later, we ran into each other at our local college bar, and he bought me a tequila shot and asked me out on a date to go see 21 Jump Street. We’ve been seeing each other ever since!” Madison says. After dating for six-and-a-half years, he proposed over Labor Day Weekend on Martha’s Vineyard.
The area is special to Madison, as Cape Cod is where her mom grew up and where her parents were married—“Reid even suggested that we have dinner at the hotel where my parents got married, the night before he proposed, and I had no idea something was up!” she says. Reid planned a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard and drove them to Gay Head Cliffs for an oceanside lunch. After, he suggested a walk on the beach, but soon, they were surrounded by naked people. “Turns out in all his research and planning Reid missed that it is a well-known nude beach! At this point, he was panicking on the inside and insisted we keep walking around the cliffs,” Madison says. Once they were alone, he got down on one knee with a custom ring that he designed.
For her wedding day look, Madison trusted her family friend, Fiona Clare, to create a regal, whimsical bespoke dress. Also through Clare, the bride found hairstylist Sarah Varney, who crafted the perfect loose, romantic updo. And through her work as a marketing communications consultant, Madison was introduced to her makeup artist, Bobbi Brown Pro Artist Zara Findlay, who gave the bride and bridal party glowing beauty looks.
As all of Madison’s immediate family lives in London, and the two were moving there shortly after the wedding, they figured that it would be a fun, convenient location for overseas guests. “My father, Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, is in the House of Lords, so we were able to get married at The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster. We were so excited to get married in such a unique and historic venue,” she says.
For their English garden party reception, they wanted a venue that felt like an English country estate but with the convenience of being in central London. Madison’s family went to see Chiswick House & Gardens in West London, where her parents live, and loved it so much that the couple booked it without visiting for themselves. To help plan everything, they hired Senel Besim from Bride & Belle Luxury Weddings.
The night before the ceremony, the wedding party and family gathered for an intimate dinner at The Conduit—a private members club—followed by welcome drinks with all guests at the Running Horse in Mayfair.
On the morning of, Reid put on his custom morning suit and double-breasted, dove grey waistcoat from Yardsmen, and Madison’s sisters and maids of honor wore champagne Ghost London dresses for the Church of England ceremony.
At the Palace of Westminster, the service unexpectedly turned into quite a hilarious, dramatic scene out of a rom-com. “One of the most memorable moments from our wedding was that we were unable to find our priest or get in touch with her as the ceremony was supposed to start. Luckily, our church found a priest from the church across the street to stand in. She was in the middle of gardening on the hottest day of the summer and had never met us before, so we are very thankful that she was willing,” Madison says.
However, only the original priest was legally able to marry them, as they had to get a special license beforehand, but thankfully, she showed up at the end of the “fake ceremony” and stepped in for the exchanging of the vows. “I felt surprisingly calm throughout the missing priest fiasco. I usually have a real flair for the dramatics, but I was just so excited to marry Reid and celebrate our love with our family and friends,” the bride says.
After the eventful I dos, vintage, red double-decker buses transported guests to the reception. In the greenhouse and Italian gardens, champagne and G&Ts were served, as a harpist elegantly played.
For dinner, the party moved under the marquee. Florist Mary Jane Vaughan created a spectacular English garden with lots of seasonal flowers, birch trees, and soft festoon lighting. Everyone found their seats and dined on the delicious meal, catered by Food Show. Then the couple cut their small wedding cake, made by Outsider Tart.
Madison’s uncle, who is a British Army General, was the emcee for the night and wore his full army kit for the occasion—“which made it very easy for him to take command of the room!” she says. Once all the heartfelt speeches made people laugh and cry, Truly Medley Deeply kept everyone on the dance floor until late. The bride and groom had their first dance to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley.
Madison’s father chose “New York, New York” for the father-daughter dance because he loves Frank Sinatra and New York is very special to the family—“my parents met there, I was born there, spent part of my childhood there, and then lived there with Reid for five years before we got married,” Madison says. Near the end of the song, the power went out and the guests took over to sing the rest of the tune with the band.
Once the formal reception came to a close, the bride changed into a sequin, fringe dress by Elliatt and joined everyone at a nearby pub for the after-party. “My only regret from the wedding is that I was too busy dancing to have the late night fish & chips snack!” Madison says.
