First and foremost, this bride is my fashion hero. Not only did she rock a life-changingly gorgeous all-lace gown but switched into TWO more gorgeous frocks before the day was finished. And if that’s got you all green with envy just wait until you see the entire French affair from Knot & Pop, Laetitia C and Xavier Navarro. This, my dears, is one for the books.
From Knot & Pop…. Ayse & Fred married in Provence in September 2013, under the vast skies and stars of the most beautiful of French settings. Ayse is from London originally, but now lives in Paris with Fred, where they represent Artists and run an Art Gallery together. With the couple having firm roots in France, and Fred’s family from the South of France, they chose to get married in France at the most unique of locations – a private hamlet filled with art and curiosities that perfectly complemented the couple’s love of art. With the legal ceremony at a small local village hall, and the immediate family of 10 to witness, Ayse & Fred then asked their close friends Valerio and Sam to act as celebrants for the informal ceremony at Le Grand Banc, in front of their 140 guests.
Married overlooking the hills of Provence, guests were asked to create a confetti cone from the Confetti Bar that saw stunning silverware filled with flower heads and seeds. After the most fun of ceremonies that saw the two friends tell the tales of Ayse & Fred, reception drinks took place on the pool-side and on the lawn, with guests then walking through the hamlet to the marquee for dinner.
To complement the natural settings, the theme & scheme for the day mixed a soft palette of blush pink, olive green, pale blue, silver and white that was then mirrored across the flowers, decorations, maids looks and table-tops. Mixed in with the palette, the couple and their event designers, Knot & Pop pin-pointed additional key themes for the look and feel which included star motifs to reflect the sense of the celebrations taking place under the stars, and animals – in particular elephants – an absolute love of the Bride’s.
The star motif was repeated throughout the ribbon garlands that cascading from archways, ceremony marquee sides and focal trees. The table plan designed by Knot & Pop also used the star design with garlands running from a beautiful fig tree, that saw guests get really involved in the finding of their seats. Table tops mixed painted wooden star plinths showcasing gorgeous flower filled vintage bottles, with sprigs of olive branches nestled in to napkins, and a painted star as favour – pink for boys, and blue for girls.
At the kids table it was all about the fun factor with a wallpaper print of frames and colouring crayons placed out to keep kids busy – whilst also reflecting once more the couple and their love of Art with the gallery style framed wallpaper. The bar was renamed the Star Bar with a silver piñata backdrop, star cocktail stirrers and bespoke cocktails named after the couple to choose from.
Silver spray-painted elephants appeared on every table with a tag attached explaining that the couple would be visiting an animal sanctuary on honeymoon in Kenya, where they would be donating on behalf of their wedding guests – a lovely and heart-felt alternative favour. Guests were certainly feeling the animal magic having doned animal masks for a fun photobooth session before going into dine. Polaroid pictures of guests were taken against a ribbon backdrop, with guests then writing a message to the couple and placing into a heart shaped canvas, making the perfect keep-sake of the day that now sits pride of place in the couple’s home. Ayse & Fred’s day was full of fun, reflecting all of their loves, with all of their nearest and dearest around them to celebrate in the most unique, memorable and stylish of settings.
Photographer: Xavier Navarro | Flowers: Laetitia C. - fleurs d'atelier | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Oh My Love | Caterer: Helen Traiteur | Groom's Suit: Hugo Boss | Bride's Wedding Shoes, Main Look: Dolce & Gabbana | Bride's Wedding Shoes, Vintage Look: Dune | Flower Girls' Dresses: Etsy, adapted by Bride's Brother | Groom's Shoes: Hugo Boss | Marquee: AR Events | Private Hamlet: Le Grand Banc | Silverware Hire: Knot & Pop | Vintage Wedding Dress: Gabriele Vintage | Wedding Planner and Event Designer: Knot & Pop