Equal parts French Country and insanely stylish, this wedding is one of those beauties that seems totally effortless yet is jam-packed with so much style. And it all starts with a Bride as glamorous as they come (that veil cap!) and so many beautiful images by Aneta MAK. What does gorgeous and love filled look like you ask? Just have a look right here.
From the Photographer… Marie-Claire and Luke met over 4 years ago at a French language school in Paris. Luke hailed from Australia, while Marie-Claire came from Puerto Rico and the States. While the two learned to speak French, they fell in love. After falling in love, Marie-Claire, an obstetrics nurse, moved to Australia with Luke, an IT professional. Luke popped the question and they were faced with finding a location to celebrate their engagement and their wedding – a tricky task, since each of their families were in different hemispheres. But the answer soon became clear: France!
They celebrated their engagement first with a photo shoot in Paris. “Luke and I never got around to throwing a proper engagement party, so we decided that we would go all out with our engagement pictures.” To do just that, Marie-Claire asked her wedding photographer, Aneta Mak, and her wedding designer, Mary Lee Herrington of Mary Lee Herrington Celebrations, to help her put together an engagement shoot in Paris that captured “who we were as a couple and as individuals.” Marie-Claire has always loved classic films and grew up wistfully watching Rita Hayworth movies and old musicals. Luke is a self-professed Francophile, loving all things French. One of their favorite classics is Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn – a story about a bookworm who flies to Paris and is turned into a model. With the movie showcasing all the beautiful spots in Paris that Marie-Claire and Luke had grown to love, it was the perfect inspiration for a day in Paris celebrating their engagement.
Marie-Claire and Luke decided that, since their wedding was a significant trip for everyone (including themselves), they would make it as comfortable a stay as possible. They invited their closest friends and family to stay with them for a week at La Leotardie, a secluded property with open fields, forests, and wildlife. They exchanged vows at a historic church in the nearby village of St Georges de Monclard – Marie-Claire was escorted down the aisle by her brother. Her mother was her matron of honor. After the emotional Catholic ceremony, they celebrated back at La Leotardie with delicious local cuisine and dancing long into the night. Personal touches included a bespoke crescent moon photo booth, miniature clay sculptures of the pigeonniere as wedding favors (replicas of the pigeonniere at La Leotardie), a Puerto Rican wedding cake baked by the bride’s brother and bridesmaid, a traditional French croquembouche, country-style tote bags made by the bride’s aunt, and a letterpress bespoke stationery suite.
Photography: Aneta Mak | Videography: Dolly | Flowers: Amour De Fleurs | Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston Atlanta | Church: St Georges De Monclard | Reception Location: La Leotardie | Makeup: Sophie From Bio Institut | Hair: Laura From Salon Julien David | Vintage Car: Sege Sotin | Beverages: Vin Blan Rouge | Cape: Bespoke | Catering & Furniture And Linen Rental: Humblot | Crescent Moon Photo Booth: A La Folie Creation | Favor Boxes & Ribbons: Paper Mart | Favor Tote Bags: Custom Made By Bride’s Aunt | Groomsmen’s Suits: Banana Republic | Groom’s Shoes: Carmina | Groom’s Suit & Tie: The Cloakroom | Invitations & Stationery: Bespoke Letterpress | Maid Of Honor’s Handkerchief: BHLDN | Mother Of Bride’s Dress: Pia Du Pradal | Music: Epoq | Pigeonniere Miniature Favors: Alpen Art Studio | Planning & Coordination: Jarretierre In The Air | Ribbons For Bouquets: VV Rouleux | Table Candle Holders, Poms, Guestbook And Cake Stand: BHLDN | Veil: Twigs & Honey | Wedding Design & Styling: Mary Lee Herrington Celebrations