Australia’s social set descended on the English countryside for one of the most anticipated weddings of the year this week – but several familiar faces were notably absent from the guest list.
The three-day celebration of entrepreneur Alyce Tran and British music executive Rob Simpkins brought together a who’s who of Sydney’s elite at the ultra-exclusive Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire, with many of the bride’s closest friends making the trip across the world for the lavish affair.
Those who made the cut included Aussie Home Loans heiress Deborah Symond O’Neil, Bondi Pilates queen Bernadette Sukkar and her businessman husband Jordan Sukkar, PR guru Montarna McDonald, the bride’s sister Caro Tran, and socialites Kristina McCourt, Barbara Coombes and Kate Bond.
Skincare entrepreneur Michael Porter and his husband, Giorgio Armani publicist Billy Mitchell, were also in attendance.
However, conspicuously missing from the festivities were some of Sydney’s best-known social figures, including Double Bay eyebrow queen Kristin Fisher, interior designer and socialite Poppy Tzaneros (née O’Neil) and ‘nude artist’ Dina Broadhurst.
The absence of Tzaneros raised eyebrows given her close friendship with the bride.
Sydney’s social set descended on the English countryside for the wedding of entrepreneur Alyce Tran and British music executive Rob Simpkins this week
Many of the bride’s closest friends made the trip across the world for the lavish nuptials. (Pictured: Skincare entrepreneur Michael Porter, bride Alyce Tran, property developer Barbara Coombes, her husband Michael, and jeweller Kate Bond)
Aussie Home Loans heiress Deborah Symond O’Neil and the bride’s sister Caro Tran attended
Even more curiously, her sister-in-law Maude Tzaneros reportedly did make an appearance, alongside sister Barbara Coombes.
Fisher was another notable absence; however, she does have some dramas back home to deal with, so it’s perhaps understandable.
The controversial beauty entrepreneur has endured a turbulent period in recent years, with her eponymous salon entering voluntary administration in late 2023 with reported debts of more than $900,000, much of it owed to the Australian Taxation Office.
In January 2024, Fisher struck a deal with the taxman to wipe out nearly $1million in unpaid taxes. She celebrated the resolution with expensive champagne.
She made headlines last week after NSW Police confirmed they were investigating a complaint relating to allegations of threatening phone calls made to fellow beauty business owner Sharon Lee Hamilton-Clarke, the founder of The Eyebrow Atelier.
It is not suggested threatening calls were made, only that the police are investigating allegations as to whether they were made, and no charges have been laid.
Further, Fisher’s new relationship with toyboy Shannon Sykes is said to have hit a rough patch of late, with the pair reportedly getting into a lover’s tiff last week.
Socialite Lou O’Neil was also absent from the celebrations, although her absence is perhaps less surprising after she recently welcomed her second baby.
The absence of interior designer and socialite Poppy Tzaneros (née O’Neil) raised eyebrows given her close friendship with the bride
Double Bay eyebrow queen Kristin Fisher was another notable absence. She is pictured with her new boyfriend Shannon Sykes, with whom she is said to have had a lover’s tiff last week
Dina Broadhurst’s absence comes as she enjoys a summer escape in Rome with her son and his girlfriend
Alyce tied the knot at Estelle Manor, a sprawling 3,000-acre estate in the Cotswolds. Aussie Home Loans heiress Deborah Symond O’Neil (pictured) was among the guests
The three-day extravaganza saw guests enjoy the estate’s Roman-inspired Eynsham Baths, along with a series of celebrations leading up to the main event. (L-R: Caro Tran, Alyce Tran, Michael Porter, Billy Mitchell)
Adding a personal touch to the reception, the table settings featured bespoke pieces from Tran’s brand In The Roundhouse, showcasing the designer’s signature aesthetic throughout
Broadhurst’s absence comes as she enjoys a summer escape in Rome with her son and his girlfriend.
Meanwhile, the wedding itself was a fittingly glamorous affair for Tran, the co-founder of cult Australian accessories brand The Daily Edited and founder of luxury tableware label In The Roundhouse.
The entrepreneur married Simpkins at Estelle Manor, a sprawling 3,000-acre estate in the Cotswolds that has quickly become one of Britain’s most coveted luxury destinations.
The exclusive country club was also the setting for the wedding of Apple heiress Eve Jobs and Olympic equestrian Harry Charles last year, while celebrities including Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian have previously stayed at the property.
The three-day extravaganza saw guests enjoy the estate’s Roman-inspired Eynsham Baths spa, along with a series of celebrations leading up to the main event.
Adding a personal touch to the reception, the table settings featured bespoke pieces from Tran’s own brand In The Roundhouse, showcasing the designer’s signature aesthetic throughout the celebration.
Tran, who met Simpkins on the exclusive dating app Raya in May 2024, wore a lace Chanel two-piece for the ceremony, while the groom opted for a tailored Dior suit.
The couple’s romance moved quickly after their first meeting, with Simpkins proposing just seven months later in December 2024.
Simpkins is the British Chief Marketing Officer for the sports division of Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by rapper Jay-Z and associated with Beyoncé.
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