What do you get when you combine dramatic Provence scenery, a Michelin starred chef, one madly in love couple plus vendors like Strawberry Milk Events and Madame Artisan Fleuriste? A destination wedding for the books, that’s what. It’s the grand finale to this NYC duo’s overseas celebration (peek back at the rehearsal dinner + welcome party) and Jose Villa, along with Marcoabba filming, told the story from start to finish. More waiting inside The Vault.
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From Strawberry Milk Events… So many pieces of this wedding stand out as amazing starting with the custom welcome boxes, which were a hit! We used vintage wooden crates and sourced all items locally. The goodies: olive crackers, tin of lavender olive oil, calissons (a very local Provençal candy made of almond paste), tapenade, local rosé with customized label and the book “A Year in Provence.” Also accompanying the boxes were a customized extensive weekend itinerary with local suggestions for activities like markets, wineries and great shops and restaurants.
The ceremony was perched on a cliff, overlooking the picturesque town of Bonnieux. We wanted the dramatic scenery to take center stage and opted for an understated, elegant floral display that wouldn’t interfere or take away from the view. Rose petals and floating candles lined the aisle. A large, ornate mirror served as program and was calligraphed at the entrance. Traditional paper programs were also available to explain the ceremony, translated in both French and Russian for guests. And since we were in Provence…of course there had to be a lavender toss at the ceremony!
The elaborate, multi-course dinner (which is the main event of any French wedding) was served al fresco, under a canopy of bistro lights and hanging bubble votives. The venue is run by a Michelin starred chef, so the lovely meal did not disappoint.
We worked with calligrapher Holly Hollon to design all the paper goods, including these lavender hemstitch napkins with their monogram and watercolor table numbers en français. A vintage-style jazz band set the mood, and Chefs came out with smoking copper pots to present the impressive main course simultaneously to all tables before serving. Guests followed the candlelit pathway to the bergerie for dancing after dinner, and DJ Michelle came all the way from California to keep guests partying into the wee hours of the morning!
Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Cinematography: Marco Abbatangelo | Event Design: Strawberry Milk Events | Wedding Planning: Strawberry Milk Events | Floral Design: MADAME Artisan Fleuriste | Wedding Dress: Samuelle | Invitations: Holly Hollon | DJ: Michelle Pesce | Band: Jazz Around Midnight | Officiant: Marc Drudis | Venue: Bastide de Capelongue Bonnieux | Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Hair And Makeup For Bride & Mothers: Paige Gibson | Hair And Makeup For Bridesmaids: Events Story | Local Planner: Weddings Of Excellence In Provence | Logo, Custom Lavender Linen Napkins: Holly Hollon | Rentals: Options | Umbrellas, Bistro Lighting: Galaxie