[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]General wedding colors were Sage and Blue
Florals were peach, oranges, yellow, pinks, lavender, blue[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]We wanted to make things feel bright and fun, but also wanted to keep it classic. We both have a love of vintage pieces, and we wanted our venue, fashion, and overall vibe to reflect that. The property at Château Robernier is stunning, and is decorated with pieces that reflect its long history. The property originally dates back to the 16th century, and the architecture is so unique and the classic blue shutters are such a necessity to have when you have a wedding in Provence. The grounds are so well kept, every corner makes me a beautiful backdrop.
Black tie was a no brainer for me – I LOVE to dress up. I remember looking out of the window while I ask finishing getting ready, our friends and family we’re outside being greeted with champagne. I felt like we were in a James Bond movie![/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]We grew up just one town over but didn’t meet until we both attended a house party when we were home from college during the summer. We remained close friends, going on group trips a few times a year and always seeing each other when I was in town. I was living on Hoboken, NJ during that time. Ten years later when I moved back home during the pandemic, we started taking our dogs on hikes together and things turned more romantic. We already knew most of each other’s friends and family, so it was quite an easy transition!
After two years together, Dustin proposed in our living room. The two weeks leading up to the proposal, my sisters kept making comments about my nails but I didn’t even think twice about it. I had about 3 week old gel on my nails, so my sister hid stick on nails in the bathroom just in case I wanted to use them after he proposed!
He told me that we were going to dinner for his dad’s birthday. It was sleeting that night, and I was running late trying to figure out what to wear in that weather. As soon as I walked downstairs after getting ready, Dustin dropped to one knee at home in our living room. I think I asked him 3 or 4 times if he was serious before saying yes. Afterwards, our families and friends were waiting for us for dinner and drinks! [/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”]I tried on about 20-25 wedding dresses, and the dress I chose was one that I kept coming back to. It has this vintage inspired look to it with the beading, lace and applique, and it was like nothing I’d ever seen before! It had a square neckline which I find just to be so flattering, and very subtle boning in the corset. The designer is Lihi Hod, who is known for her rich, artisanal details, romantic flair and timeless designs.
I purchased the dress from Garnish Boutique in Maryland, and I worked super closely with Mia there. The day I purchased the dress I was back and forth on the color of the lining and if I wanted to swap it for a brighter white. Mia let me sit in one of the dressing rooms for an hour by myself just staring at the dress in different lighting to help with my decision. She was such a breath of fresh air in my dress shopping journey!
For my reception dress, I wore a 2016 Monique Lhuillier beaded mini dress that I got on Poshmark! It actually arrived the day before we left for France, and fit perfectly![/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]We didn’t have a traditional bridal party, but I have 2 sisters and they both wanted to match as my Maids of Honor! They both wore sage V. Chapman dresses. V. Chapman creates pieces that are reminiscent of the past with modern touches – the silhouettes really scream French Chateau, so it felt perfect.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom wore a midnight blue tuxedo with black lapels, that was custom made in Baltimore, Maryland. The inside of his tuxedo jacket was a light blue paisley that we chose to match the shutters on Chateau Robernier. He wore Allen Edmonds James loafers.
The best man, Dustin’s Brother Brad, wore a classic all black tuxedo.[/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”]Where to even begin! The food was absolutely incredible. Amandine, the founder of Citron Pavot was the most wonderful person to work with. When we first visited our venue in October of 2023, she met us there just to say hello and brought us a bottle of champagne. She’s also truly just so talented – Our guests raved about the food, everything was incredible.
We greeted guests with prosecco & Lavender lemonade for the ceremony. We were preparing for pretty hot weather, and wanted to give guests something to sip on – but the weather actually turned out to be pretty perfect!
At our cocktail hour, we served passed hors d’oeuvres which included crispy courgette flowers, Basil pesto grilled cheese, Baked scallops, Crab crostinis, etc. We also had an incredible raw Oyster Tower! We served a Huge Spritz and Old Fashioned as signature cocktails.
Dinner was served family style. We included Grilled salmon, Côte de boeuf, Truffle tagliatelle, Tomato salad, Asparagus, an array of cheeses, butters and breads.
Each table had table wines of rose and red. We served dessert with espresso martinis! [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Our florals included peonies, garden roses, scented peas, delphiniums, lisianthus. We wanted to have a large variety of florals, but wanted it to feel a bit more elegant than garden style. We kept the bridal bouquet bridesmaid bouquets smaller more simple in color. We worked with Elena from Tepee Sauvage – she really got our vision!
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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]We decided to go for an all blackberry and blueberry pavlova. About a week before the wedding, our caterer texted me and asked what kind of berries I was thinking for the pavlova. We both agreed that all dark berries would create a classic yet dramatic moment! Dustin and I sprinkled powdered sugar on top prior to cutting. It was beautiful, but more importantly insanely delicious. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Our officiant was our close family friend, Ted, who did such an amazing job making it feel personal. I’ve known him my whole life, and he and Dustin have formed a really special relationship.
The Dustin’s sister Casey did a reading from “Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy”. The reading was so special to us because it describes friendship that turns into love – which is our own love story! “But then once in a while the pleasantries become more, friendship grows, deeper links are made, hands are joined and love flies. The friendship has turned into love.” I actually hadn’t told Dustin that I picked this reading prior to the ceremony. It was a rare emotional moment for him!
For the ceremony, we had a string trio – they were wonderful! they played “make you feel my love” as I walked down the aisle. This song is so special to us, its just one that we’ve always loved, and play at home super loud on our speakers while we cook or have coffee in the morning.
Our first dance was “Forever You and Me” by the Teskey Brothers. We didn’t practice our first dance at all, so we were both super nervous! It ended up being so perfectly unrehearsed.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]We decided to do the ceremony in the parkland, runway style. This was a suggestion from our wedding planner Josh after he did a final site visit at the property. We agreed without hesitation! This created such a nice separate area for the ceremony and a long, more dramatic runway. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]My wedding band belonged to my grandmother, who wasn’t able to attend the wedding in France. It was so special to have that piece of her there and something I’ll always cherish![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]I love to thrift and shop second hand. I bought the Hugo Boss suit jacket that Dustin wore to our welcome Party for $7 at our local thrift store! It ended up matching my welcome party dress perfectly[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Weekend Events”]
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Photography: Laurine Bailly | Cinematography: Olson Film | Event Planning: Josh Tully Management | Floral Design: Tepee Sauvage | Wedding Dress: Lihi Hod | Invitations: Lewes Lettering Co. | Invitations: Sami Mancini | Ceremony Venue: Chateau Robernier | Bridesmaids' Dresses: V Chapman Studio | Catering: Citron Pavot Traiteur | DJ: Funk Mode | After Party Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Beauty: Linzi Buckley | Beauty: Julien Matha | Brunch: Chateau Robernier | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: lou calen | Rentals: Joli Bazaar