What could be more romantic than Provence in springtime? Jon and Lisa tied the knot in an intimate ceremony surrounded by towering Cyprus trees and lavender blooms by Sisters & Blush Floral Design. From the vintage getaway car to the al fresco reception under a canopy of string lights – there’s just so much to love in the full gallery of inspiration from the always amazing Oliver Fly Photography, with planning by Anne Laure Weddings.
From The Bride… Jon and Lisa have been traveling the globe since the early days of their relationship. Over the years their adventures have brought them to the beautiful national parks of the US, to see the wildlife on African safaris, and even a helicopter ride to Mount Everest. But in between those epic trips, they made a point to head back to the south of France often. Jon is an avid cyclist and they both looked forward to catching a few stages of the annual Tour de France as it approached the historical climbs in the region. Provence was a special place where the hectic lifestyle of living and working in NYC was able to fade away and they could enjoy the simple things such as beautiful lavender fields, amazing historical towns and of course patisseries everywhere we went!
So when Jon and Lisa got engaged, Provence was quickly on the top of their list to celebrate such their important day. And as they began to create a vision for their wedding, it became important (especially post-pandemic) to invite their close family and friends to experience some of what they found so special about spending time in the area (and had been missing the last few years). From culture to food to adventure, there was so much to share in order to create a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
One day just wasn’t going to be enough, especially with guests traveling near and far! Their first step was to find a local wedding planner who could be a guide and advisor to bring the vision to life through trusted partners. With her help, the final result was a beautiful 4 day event at the incredible Chateau Martinay. The Chateau exemplified everything they found beautiful about the Provence region. The main building was classic French style with a truly historic overtone. The grounds, and especially the gardens, completed the setting. The rolling fields in the back of the Chateau added a sense of adventure, and exploring all of the little hidden gems strewn across the expansive property gave a sense of intrigue.
As for Jon and Lisa’s wedding, the weekend began with a casual, warm and inviting welcome event where family and friends could mingle after their long travels. Local food trucks helped bring energy to the Chateau garden over sunset. Day two provided an opportunity for guests to explore the region with a city tour of Avignon, lunch at a local winery or, for those more adventurous, an escorted cycling climb up Mount Ventoux. Day 3 was full of celebrations that explored many special areas of the chateau grounds. A ceremony that began with a drive down the aisle of cypress trees in a vintage Triumph, then a cocktail hour in a secret garden with violins and a vintage Vespa cocktail truck, and dinner surrounded by loved ones under the twinkling lights and stars in the courtyard with the backdrop of live music. Day 4 concluded the weekend with a farewell brunch to send off our guests to the next leg of their holidays, some headed to Paris, some to Rome, some to Prague. Jon and Lisa headed to Lake Como for some additional relaxation before heading back to NYC.
With the help of the photographers/videographer and all the staff, both Jon and Lisa as well as their guests have amazing memories to last a lifetime.
A few special details:
Jon’s father was an antique car connoisseur (particularly British cars) having built a best-in-show winning Triumph TR2. As a teenager, Jon and his father together built a Triumph 1800 as well. Both of which Jon still owns today. His father passed away in 2019, and was important to Lisa to ensure his presence was there for such a special occasion. With the help of Provence Classics, Lisa was able to find a similar model to Jon’s father’s favorite and she surprised Jon (and his mother) with an opportunity to take it for a spin around the chateau ground. It also allowed for a pretty special way to arrive down the aisle!
During the pandemic, Lisa learned some new skills in needlepoint! She hand stitched lavender sachets as favors for the guests in their welcome baskets.
Photography: Oliver Fly Photography | Cinematography: Jino Agnelli | Coordination: Despinoy wedding & event | Event Design: Anne Laure Weddings | Event Planning: Anne Laure Weddings | Floral Design: Sisters & Blush Floral Design | Cake: Made In Cake | Catering: Brunet Freres | DJ: South Prod | Wedding Venue: Château Martinay | Beauty: Karine Brossard | Bridal car: Provence Classics | Cocktails: Douce Ivresse | Day of Papery: Promesse Graphique | Jazz band: Lizzy & The Gentlemen | Rentals: Be Lounge | Rentals: Options | crepes foodtruck: Breizh in 13