Today's real wedding transports us to the breathtaking French countryside where our couple M and C tied the knot in a sophisticated, colourful celebration. With a palette of rich berry, apricot, and deep navy shades for daytime festivities, as well as a soft cream and green palette for the evening, the couple incorporated elements of their Chinese, French and American backgrounds into their special day. The nineteenth-century Chateau Saint-Michel played host to the couple's dreamy destination wedding, with its fairytale façade, surrounding woodlands, and lush gardens acting as the idyllic backdrop to their elegant celebration. Featuring a dreamy Alexandra Grecco bridal gown, super stylish bridal party, vibrant blooms and candle-lit marquee, this South of France celebration, captured by Awardweddings, is not to be missed!
Hailing from San Francisco and Paris, the happy couple's journey to the South of France began with a surprise engagement surrounded by the bride's closest friends and family in the midst of the pandemic. After deciding to tie the knot in France, the couple immediately started their search for a wedding planner and when they found the right person for the role, they decided to get married in the region where she specialised.
Accompanied by 70 guests, our glowing couple jetted off to Saint-Lizier in the sunny south of France for their countryside celebration in May. The bride opted to wear a delicate floral appliquéd Alexandra Grecco gown and glittering Stuart Weitzman heels paired with a flowing tulle veil and a peony, eucalyptus bouquet.
Surrounded by fresh, white floral arrangements and candle lit lanterns, M and C tied the knot in a sophisticated ceremony on the grounds of the historic chateau. Prioritising warmth and authenticity over an overly orchestrated and formal day, the couple wanted to incorporate as much of themselves as possible into their wedding.
Their "extremely personal" ceremony was officiated by two of their closest and oldest friends which allowed the couple to "laugh, cry" and be "incredibly moved" throughout. "Our friends interviewed us ahead of the day, but we opted to be surprised by what they had prepared and it did not disappoint!"
In their search for wedding venues, Chateau Saint-Michel ended up being 'the one' as the couple were on the hunt for a spot where they could stay with their families and wedding party for a week long celebration. "The added quality time we got to spend with our closest friends and family around the wedding made the whole experience that much sweeter, and it is time we will treasure forever."
The bride adds, "someone once told me that weddings are a particularly special event, not just for the celebration of marriage, but because it is the only time in your life when everyone you love comes together in one place."
The couple had this advice for those embarking on their own destination wedding planning journey: "Hire a wedding planner! Even for an extremely organized person like myself, having a planner local to the area where we were getting married was absolutely essential and especially important on the day - of when there are inevitably still a million little details that need to come together."
The couple add, "schedule time immediately after the ceremony to take in the moment just the two of you. Pause, take it all in, and share a plate of canapés/food and a couple glasses of champagne in private before diving back into the festivities."
To close out the evening, the wedding party headed outdoors for a marquee reception in the estate's tranquil gardens. Featuring music themed table names, festoon lighting and an unchoreographed first dance to You Got The Love by Florence and The Machine, the couple opted to abandon the customs of cake cutting and bouquet tossing in order to maintain the natural flow of the day.
Following a hectic two weeks of wedding travel and activities, the pair jetted off to Spetses and the Peloponnese in Greece for a well deserved honeymoon!
A very special thank you to the happy couple and Awardweddings for sharing this intimate French wedding celebration with One Fab Day! Check out the gallery below for more fab details from the day.
Are you dreaming of a sophisticated French celebration? Check out our guide of the best French luxury wedding venues here.
