Romantic Provencal Wedding at Bastide de Gordes, France

Choosing Airelles Bastide de Gordes as the venue for our wedding was an easy decision, given our shared passion for exceptional food and wine. From the moment we set foot on the property and were warmly welcomed by their exceptional staff, we felt like we had arrived home. As we strolled down to the location where our dinner and reception would unfold, the air was filled with the intoxicating scent of fresh jasmine, gracefully draping down the side of the stone building. It was a moment of sheer enchantment, and in that instant, we knew without a doubt that this was the place where our dream wedding would come to life. The picturesque skyline, meandering streets, and cobblestone paths of this enchanting town set the stage for an extraordinary celebration. It was a chance for our guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of a place they had not yet experienced, adding a touch of wanderlust to our love story.

Greg and I fell in love at the beach as many of our dates included rosè sunsets or walks on the beach with our puppy, Winston. It was only natural for Greg to absolutely surprise me with a beautiful sunset proposal on the beach that brought our lives so much joy. As an extensive planner, Greg really surprised me by recommending a casual beach walk after hosting friends in our home during a long summer weekend. We were in our sweatpants and sweatshirts, relaxed and enjoying time together as a couple during the most perfect evening. While walking the beach, chatting about the beautiful life we had built together, the bright future we had and the love for one another, Greg dropped to one knee and popped the question. We left the next day for our trip to France where we then found our dream wedding venue.

I wore a number of different designers for my wedding weekend which started of with a dress from Rasario, which is cut from duchesse silk-satin in a fresh white shade that's perfect for brides. The strapless neckline and fitted corset bodice are so elegant. I paired this look with shoes from Loeffler Randall. For the wedding day, I absolutely fell in love with a gown from Pnina Tornai, paired with a Dior sling back and for the after party I changed into a white sequin gown from Jenny Yoo. Greg wore a beautiful linen suit from Reiss, paired with Ferragomo loafers and for the wedding day, he went with a classic Tom Ford tuxedo, David Yurman cufflinks and Paul Stuart tuxedo slippers.

Our wedding menu was crafted by the chef of The Bastide de Gordes where we started off with Passed canapes such as Comte Cheese Gougere, Parmesan shortbread, fresh goat cheese, Melon balls and parma ham, Salmon gravlax and nori, avocado and crab tartlet with a white and rose wine selection, Champage Deutz and his and her cocktails Fleur de Sureau and a Rubis Negroni. For the dinner, we had a few selections for guests but our favorite was the menu starting with an amuse bouche of Stuffed zucchini flower, a starter of duck fois gras, an entreplat of lobster & terragon puntalette pasta, followed by the main of roasted veal loin. We then dined on a buffet of assorted french cheeses and a traditional french "croquembouche" with artisanal ice creams.

We envisioned a classic Provencal garden for our wedding design and was so beautifully curated by our florist Cecile from Capucine Atelier Floral. The ceremony took place on the terrace of the Bastide de Gordes, overlooking the Luberon valley, which was an amazing backdrop and view for our guests. Afterwards, our cocktail hour kicked off the evening, and keeping in line with our decor and palette, NKT Events curated the most elegant provencal garden aesthetic with custom table linens from Gold Leaf Brides and floral garden escort card station for our guests. Our guests were also given the opportunity to select their own Provencale inspired soaps from Rose & Marius to bring home with them as a souvenir from our wedding weekend. We then moved to the reception which was held on another terrace at the Bastide de Gordes, where our florist designed a beautiful 10 meter table with a floral runner down the center. It truly was a vision that I had dreamed about and seeing it right before me, made my heart skip a beat.

We felt that a traditional wedding cake was a bit predictable, so why not embrace the essence of the beautiful Provencal countryside we were in? Instead of a cake, we delighted our guests with a dessert cheese table as our wedding cake. Alongside it, we featured a croquembouche adorned with sparkling sparklers, making it a fun and whimsical addition to our celebration. It was a joyful and delectable twist on tradition, adding a touch of excitement and playfulness to our special day!

Among the many highlights of our wedding, one cherished moment stands out – the private exchange of our vows during our first look outside Maison Constance. As we stood amidst the charming homes of Gordes, down a cobblestone path that seemed straight out of a fairytale, we shared a deeply intimate connection. It was a moment where we reflected on the special memories and shared experiences that had brought us to this very point in our journey together. Surrounded by the beauty of the setting and the love that enveloped us, we exchanged vows that were truly from the heart.

In a break from tradition that felt just right for us, we decided to have our first dance as husband and wife immediately following our first kiss. With our dear family and friends seated beneath the enchanting floral archway, we were serenaded by our fantastic quartet playing our chosen wedding song. Under the bloom-covered arch, we swayed to the music, gazing into each other eyes, with the picturesque Luberon as our backdrop. It truly felt like a dream come true, a moment we will hold close to our hearts forever