Francesca Ferlazzo in the Dahlia Dress, Ariel Bow & Kimmy Cape
An Italian bride with a love for British designers, Francesca sought a bridal look that was entirely her own. Set against the romantic backdrop of Monkey Island on the river Thames, every detail celebrated her individuality.
Photography: Natalie Robinson
THE DRESS
Some bridal moments arrive softly; others arrive with certainty. For Francesca, it was instant. The moment she tried on her very first Halfpenny London look, everything aligned. “I instantly fell in love,” she shares. “From there everything flowed naturally as we created the perfect combination with a cape and bow. That day I felt like I was touching the sky”.
Francesca chose the Dahlia dress, a silhouette that captured everything she envisioned: elegant yet modern, romantic without feeling conventional. Paired with the Kimmy cape, which served as her contemporary alternative to the classic veil, and the sculptural Ariel bow.
She loved being able to transform her look throughout the celebration: removing the cape and adding the bow, shifting from day to night with ease.
“When I approached my husband at the altar he whispered ’you absolutely nailed the dress’, a very special moment I will always keep.”
THE DAY
Francesca and Thomas celebrated their wedding at Saint Michael in Bray, just five minutes from Monkey Island Estate — the hotel they discovered serendipitously when Thomas, while researching a painting for work, stumbled upon the island’s remarkable charm.
With guests travelling from all over the world, the couple transformed the celebration into a full wedding weekend by reserving the entire island on the river Thames. The atmosphere and details reflected both their personalities and the setting: playful stationery featuring tiny monkeys nodded to the island’s name, echoed again on tambourines that brought a joyful energy.
Autumn flowers, sculptural arrangements and fruit scattered across tables created a warm palette, complemented by a vintage-inspired cake, a live illustrator and tote bags filled with miniature paintings hand-made by Francesca’s grandmother.
The day unfolded just as they envisioned: elegant, spirited and full of connection. It was a weekend they’ll return to often, both in memory and in future visits to the place that became such a meaningful part of their story.
CREDITS
Photographer: Natalie Robinson
Videographer: Artem
Flowers: Stems Wilder
Shoes: Emmy London
Cake: Sugar Plum Bakes Kingston
Catering & Venue: Monkey Island Estate
Stationery: Luciana Marotta
Make-up: Francesca Panzera
Jazz Band: Jess Degiudici
Desserts: Casa Cannoli