Fashion-Forward Provence Wedding at Chateau de Robernier

Matt
September 7, 2023
Categories: The Blog

[section title=”The Planning”]

[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Our wedding colors were cream, white and sage, we wanted everything to feel calm, neutral and in keeping with the landscape in the south of France. Our florists, sisters and bridesmaids brought our vision to life beautifully. The courtyard looked spectacular with the hanging foliage across the top table.[/field]

[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The South of France was an easy choice for us! Brad has a very keen passion for wine, and I love all things fabulous, so the location was an easy one. When it came to choosing the venue, however, we had slightly different ideas. When we began looking for wedding venues Brads favorite word was “Rustic” and I just kept saying to him I think you mean “fabulous”. Brad wanted a courtyard wedding, and I had my heart set on fairytale castle. When we found Château Robernier, we both instantly knew it was the venue for us. It was the most perfect mix of fabulous and rustic rolled into one. Château Robernier is just magical, and we felt like we were living a dream the entire time we were there. Driving up the beautiful driveway to the venue the goosebumps start as the palms sway in the warm breeze. The exterior of the venue is like something from a fairytale and the interior is equally as beautiful and so elegant. The courtyard which we had lit with pontoon lighting was perfectly intimate and romantic for the wedding breakfast and gave Brad that courtyard fix. It was important to us that we could privatize the venue for two days so we could have a wedding brunch the next day. Château Robernier was perfect for this with its pool to continue the party into the next day. We loved how intimate the venue was and that it allowed us to create a wedding that was very personal to us. We genuinely felt our guests were blown away as much as we were, and we loved every second of being there.

I guess you could say our vision was rustic but fabulous! We went with a black-tie dress code, we wanted it to be an over the top but relaxed affair. We wanted the wedding to feel elegant and refined yet fun and relaxed at the same time. We knew we had to put on a party, and we certainly feel that is what we did.

It was also extremely important to us that once guests were at our wedding they didn’t need to think about anything but having a good time. We were so humbled that people from across the world (as far as Australia) travelled to celebrate with us. I will always remember one of my bridesmaids dancing on a chair during the wedding breakfast turning to me and saying she was having the best night of her life. We didn’t use a wedding planner, so our vision was totally our own and it was captured beautifully by our photographers who absolutely blew us away in every sense of the word. Maïlys Fortune who we used as our photographers amazed us both during our wedding and when we received the photos, they are simply magical![/field]

[field title=”Proposal Story”]Brad and I met in Dubai, whilst he was working between Dubai and the UK. Of course, like many modern-day romances it started with a dating app and grew from there. Covid meant Brad had to be pinned to one place which really allowed our relationship to grow and when restrictions eased Brad moved to the UAE full time. Brad surprised me with a 30th Birthday trip to the Ritz Carlton in the Maldives. The resort was breathtaking, and we felt totally removed from the rest of world, it was like our own piece of paradise. On the evening of my birthday Brad down on one knee under the stars…and the rain, which made its only appearance that week for the moment! The entire holiday was magic, and the Maldives will always hold a special place in our hearts.[/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]

[field title=”Wedding Gown”]For my wedding dress I flew from Dubai into London to go to the Wedding Club in Knightsbridge. Finding my dress and having my dress alternations with the wedding club was a dream process in every way. I choose a beautiful Berta gown with a fitted bodice and tulle skirt with a daring slit and sparkle to match my personality…sassy! I felt like a queen. I also had a beautiful bespoke Chantilly lace backless getting ready gown, an evening gown and a brunch gown made by the extremely talented Susanna Rachel Bridal in Dubai, if you are looking for bespoke in Dubai, she is your girl.[/field]

[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]My bridesmaids wore silver satin matching dresses.[/field]

[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Brad had his bespoke tuxedo tailored by Dubai-based tailors Suited and Booted, who were incredible in their attention to detail.[/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]The food and drink for our big day were extremely important to us. Our appetizers were an interactive affair with live cooking stations serving beautiful bite sized dishes, carving of serrano ham and oyster stations. This was followed by a choice of either sea bream or fillet of beef, beautiful desserts, and cheese boards. As we wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time, we provided an open bar across the three days of our wedding party. For the drinks we began the day with cocktails on the lawn which were a choice of either Aperol spritz or Saint Germain Spritz. We also served a selection of drinks including fizz, beer, Mirabeau Gin and Mirabeau rosé for cocktail hour. For our evening meal, Brad beautifully paired red, white and rosé wines we sourced in France as well as Champagne. As the party got started, out came the evening cocktail choices which were espresso martinis and old-fashioned cocktails along with a gin bar and most spirits you can think of. For the brunch day bloody Mary’s were first on the agenda![/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Our wedding flowers, by the wonderful sisters and blush were a mix of white roses, hydrangeas, eucalyptus and hanging foliage. The courtyard was our favorite part of the décor. The hanging foliage structure across the top table with the hanging candles and pontoon lighting by wildfire DJs was just magical as the sun went down. We used Be Lounge to hire all of our furniture and Mirabeau Rose to hire a bar for our cocktail drinks. We also did a lot of DIY mirrors and favors which we brought over with us from Dubai or purchased whilst we were in France the week before the wedding.[/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Our wedding cake was a traditional French “pièce montée” with pâte à choux.[/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]We had one of our bridesmen sing one of his songs during the ceremony. I walked down the aisle to a thousand years and our exit song was September by earth wind and fire which is a favorite of ours and our family. Our favorite reading, was our Winnie the pooh reading:

Winnie the Pooh

by A A Milne

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.

“Pooh?” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?”

“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand.

“I just wanted to be sure of you.”

“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet.

“Even longer,” Pooh answered. “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]It is so difficult to give a single moment as there were so many. There were the obvious ones of seeing my Dads reaction as I came down the stairs in the Chateau which brought tears to both of our eyes. The next big moment was walking down the aisle and seeing Brad stood in his tuxedo about to become my Husband. What I think really moved both Brad and I was having everybody we loved in one place. COVID was hard for us living as expats away from family and friends, and this was one of the first times we had seen some people in years, and it was just amazing to have everybody we love join us to celebrate our special day. Brad and I both went upstairs and looked out onto courtyard whilst everyone was waiting for us to enter and seeing everyone together and enjoying themselves made us both extremely emotional.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Brad LOVES cars – he owns a racing company in Dubai. I wanted to create a lovely surprise for him, so I sought our a sleek ride for him. It was the gorgeous 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster we rode around the venue during our portraits. It felt so special for both. [/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #3″]For our honeymoon we will be travelling to South Africa and we will be going to a game reserve on the border of Botswana. We will then be flying into the Seychelles to do some island hopping which will end at the Six Senses private island.[/field]

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