DESTINATION WEDDING AT CHÂTEAU DE VILLIERS SUR THÈRE

We are very excited to share with you this wedding that was recently featured in a french wedding magazine ALBE Editions. It featured a lovely interview with the couple in French, so we've translated it for you into English and sharing here with the publication images as well as some more of our favorites.

We met in such a millennial way. It started with a friend request through social media (Instagram). He showed up on my “suggested friends” list because he had the same last name as one of my dear friends at the time. I thought I had met him in a group before, so I sent a friend request. A few days later he messaged me and asked “do I know you, you seem familiar.” After some initial conversation it turned out we didn’t know each other but he was eager to change that. He was out of town and said once he was back in town he would like to go on a date. We hit it off instantly, and the rest is history.

I’m a huge art/museum lover. Brandon took me to my favorite museums in Palm Beach Florida for a weekend trip. He tried many times around the beauty of art and
architecture but got nervous and some areas were too busy. After many failed attempts we were back in our hotel later that night and he couldn’t contain it anymore. He proposed in our hotel room, we both cried, then celebrated with pistachio ice cream, walking around Palm Beach. It was perfect.

My best friend knew, so I facetimed her immediately after. I called my parents back home pretty immediately and they were both elated.

I started with a vision. I knew the environment/vibe and location. I prioritized and determined my non negotiables to know where I was willing to spend more money (such as location, photos, music). Really, from there it was easy to start prepping and start doing research. Being based in the States I did everything from my computer, simply searching for providers, location etc.

I leaned into my interests, our joint interests and appreciations and my personal style. I wanted something organic and something that was simple yet memorable. Refined and elegant yet casual and intimate. I wanted something that felt like me and my future husband and wanted something that showcased both of our appreciations and interests. A mix of vintage and antiques with contemporary and modern. So with all this in mind it was easy to come up with a theme that was simply a theme of us. A theme that was cool, and cultured, and simple where the details left a lasting impression but didn’t over power us. I like to call it “If James Bond Got Married” (we are big Bond fans). Bond is known for his coolness, nonchalant attitude. His simple elegance. The mix of classic and modern. His worldly travels and cultured tastes. From the location, my dresses, to the tux, to the songs…this theme was woven throughout. Starting with the location. I knew what I wanted instantly and knew I would not be able to get it back home in the United States. I wanted a chateau for its history, art, and architecture. Something that didn’t need the extra of décor because it spoke for itself. We really leaned on the gorgeous antiques, dishware and art of the chateau. If I had to guess where Bond would get married, I would like to think it would be something like this. Another example of the theme at play is for our “kiss the bride song” it was the instrumental theme from the 1967 James Bond movie: “You Only Live Twice”. Opting for a bow tie instead of a tie for the groom is an homage to Bond, and a sleek, sexier slip dress for the reception has the essence of a Bond girl. Another key component to the theme was our record station. We both have an appreciation for antiques and music of the past so this reflected in our DJ choice, who set up stations of over 600 records that invited our guests to select records of their choice to play. It was such a cool touch. Like I said, we wanted the wedding to feel intimate and relaxed. Additionally, we wanted our guests to be a part of the experience. We did this by incorporating interactive pieces. Such as the ability to choose records as well as drawing little pieces of art on a canvas for us to take home and remember. The morning of the wedding, we wanted to take advantage of the tennis court that the chateau had. I knew as soon as I saw the court, it was an opportunity to capture a cool, old money style tennis shoot. It was such a positive way to start the morning. Overall, a clear vision and being grounded in what you love and who you are made everything so easy.

I found all my service providers starting with a google search! My first find was my wonderful photographer Ana. She was so kind and helpful and recommended my DJ who I adored. I found my cake by a google search through various websites along with the food service. A few key words brought me to the amazing individuals that helped make this day so memorable. Ana was amazing and helped purchased my flowers from a florist in Paris (Refletsfleurs). Not only is she extremely talented as a photographer, but she did an magnificent job at crafting my bouquet and flower arrangements. She was so sweet to offer and help out by consulting with me on the style of flowers I’d like and she really took care of the rest. It was one of the areas I personally didn’t find the need to spend extravagantly in order to invest in memories and experiences more.

Keeping with the theme of simple, my outfits were truly nothing crazy! I always envisioned myself in bridal gowns that were relatively simple and timeless. Something that down the line maybe my future daughter would like to wear something “vintage” ;) My ceremony bridal gown was a simple strapless with buttons all the way down the back/train for details. I wanted something with volume to match the grandeur of the chateau. I added a bustle to give a more “Marie Antoinette” vibe. My reception dress was a silky slip number that was sexier and more form fitting to celebrate in. For Brandon, we knew we wanted the Bond look. Bow tie, the vest.

There were a few and even when I said I wasn’t going to be stressed I was of course still a little stressed. The morning hours really snuck away from us, so when I was getting ready I was pretty pressed for time. My advice would truly be at the end of the day, let go and enjoy. You want the day and the photos to be a good representation of you and your husband. So even if your hair maybe isn’t perfect, or your makeup isn’t the most extravagant, it’s you and that’s what you want to capture. Relax, enjoy and soak it in and that will radiate through your photos and memories.

So many. Seeing all our loved ones help make the day so magical-I’m so grateful for them, forever. The morning of, everyone was helping with food, moving furniture, and adding décor by gathering supplies like lemons to add to the tables. Our first kiss to the magical music score. Our first dance, whispering to each other. Our cocktail hour mingling with everyone outdoors of the Chateau. Seeing Brandon’s face and tears walking down the aisle. Seeing our loved ones tearful and so genuinely happy for us. Dancing with all our friends. Cutting our cake to one of our favorite songs. Simple moments.

I see our future together full of love, fun, adventure and laughter. We plan on continuing to travel and shaping experiences and memories together.

Photographer : Ana from The Guendels

Location : Château de Villers sur Thère

Flowers : Reflet Fleurs & The Guendels

Officiant : Caroline from The Paris Celebrants

Wedding dress : David’s Bridal 

Reception dress : Meshki 

Groom's suit : Belk 

Cake : Imagine Cakes Paris

DJ : @aristote.mukendi

Private chef : Sandrine from www.dineindulge.fr