Provence Was the Ultimate Muse for Their Wedding at Château De Fonscolombe
Provence was the ultimate muse for our wedding’s design. The region's charming rustic elegance gave us the perfect backdrop to create an enchanting and romantic atmosphere. We envisioned soft candlelight twinkling against the backdrop of the historic chateau, surrounded by lush vineyards and olive groves. Our wedding planners made sure every detail, from our flowing table linens to the delicate floral arrangements, echoed the romantic vibes of the countryside. We wanted guests to feel like they had stepped into a storybook, with dreamy outdoor settings and warm, inviting spaces. The entire experience was filled with laughter, love, and the magic of Provence—an unforgettable celebration that felt like a dream come true!
After attending the Ondalinda music festival with friends in Careyes, Mexico, we decided to take a few days to relax at one of our favorite romantic stays: the nearby Cuixmala hotel. We both love animals, and Cuixmala is located on a private nature reserve that’s home to zebras, antelopes, crocodiles, sea turtles, and even jaguars. We have always wanted to see a jaguar in the wild, but it’s incredibly rare! On the day of the proposal, we were driving into Cuixmala and a jaguar popped out of the jungle in front of our car… Brenden knew it was a lucky omen for the evening ahead! At sunset, we headed down to the beach where the hotel had set up a private dinner surrounded by candles. Brenden dropped down on one knee and proposed… Of course, Laura said yes!
Laura wore an organza and lace gown with an embroidered bustier, full circle skirt, and fluttery cap sleeves, by Saint Bridal Couture. As soon as she tried it on, she realized the dress just perfectly fit with the romantic aesthetic of the historic French chateau. And, she incorporated accessories with sentimental value — a diamond necklace and earrings that belonged to Brenden’s late mother, and a topaz ring of her late grandmother’s as her “something blue!”
Laura’s bridesmaids wore pale blush chiffon gowns with a cold shoulder sleeve detail. And Brenden’s groomsmen wore light blue tuxedos and tuxedo shirts adorned with a vintage black wide bow tie and velvet tuxedo slippers by Magnanni.
After the ceremony, a cocktail hour was held in the chateau’s courtyard. A floral-printed round bar was constructed in the middle of the courtyard where guests were served craft cocktails like a Lavender Martini and Hibiscus Margarita, as well as champagne and wines from the chateau’s vineyard. And, canapés with a regional focus — like foie gras cromesquis, potato millefeuille, and roasted Provençal style polenta — were passed. Guests were led to dinner on the other side of the chateau via a “second line” parade with a six-person walking brass band leading the charge — a tradition from New Orleans where Brenden spent part of his childhood growing up, and a special place to the couple. The al fresco dinner setting consisted of long rectangular tables underneath suspended chandeliers adorned with dreamy florals, creating a dreamy and intimate atmosphere. Laura and Brenden made their entrance to the classic French song, "Les Champs-Élysées.” For dinner, guests were served their choice of a Caesar-style lobster salad or roasted eggplant with crunchy zucchini, parmesan, red pepper, and basil cream to start. For the main dish, guests enjoyed their choice of beef cheek croquette with tarragon, carrot cream, and fried broccoli or sea bass with orange butter, fennel, and dill.
The florals were truly the heart and soul of our Provence wedding! We had a stunning mix of soft pink, light lavender, and delicate white roses, all arranged in loose, organic styles that mirrored the wild beauty of the region. Each bouquet and centerpiece felt like a little piece of the countryside—effortlessly romantic and bursting with life! And our talented florist incorporated lush greenery to create that dreamy, whimsical vibe, adding depth and texture to our arrangements. The florals weren’t just beautiful; they also filled the air with the intoxicating scents of lavender and roses, creating a sensory experience. To enhance the fairytale atmosphere, the tables and fountain were adorned with cascading blooms, creating a magical focal point. Every floral detail was thoughtfully crafted to reflect the natural beauty of Provence, making our day feel not just elegant but also deeply personal and connected to the enchanting landscape that inspired us!
After dinner, the maid of honor and best man gave humorous, emotional and heartfelt speeches, and Laura and Brenden cut the wedding cake followed by guests enjoying both the cake and a dessert bar spread. An after party awaited guests in the chateau’s restaurant-turned-disco where they danced the night away to the DJ!
The wedding ceremony was set in the beautiful gardens with the chateau as the enchanting backdrop. The aisle was adorned with blush pink, lavender, and white florals leading up to a breathtaking floral wall, creating an elegant and romantic garden atmosphere. A string quartet played as guests arrived at the ceremony and were served champagne as they took their seats. Once the ceremony began, our wedding officiant (a close family friend) had our guests laughing and tearing up with funny stories, anecdotes, and special memories. Laura and Brenden exchanged vows that they each wrote for each other and finished with a kiss and recessional walk down the aisle as the string quartet played “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding, with guests tossing white rose petals. Our first dance was to the song “Volare” by Domenico Modugno. We visited his hometown of Polignano a Mare on a getaway to Italy several years prior, where the lyrics to “Volare” (his most famous song) are strung up in lights around town!
Guests were led to dinner on the other side of the chateau via a “second line” parade with a six-person walking brass band leading the charge — a tradition from New Orleans where Brenden spent part of his childhood growing up, and a special place to the couple.
Advice to couples: We knew photography was going to be one of the most important elements of our wedding — the event itself lasts just one weekend, but we wanted to make sure we had beautiful photos to last us a lifetime! We were lucky enough to be introduced to Diane through our wedding planners (who are based in France)… and funnily enough, we found out Diane is located just 20 minutes from us in southern California! After seeing Diane’s stunning portfolio, we knew right away that we had found our wedding photographer! She was such a delight to work with and so incredibly talented — we were blown away by our gorgeous wedding photos… just looking through them, it feels like we get to relive the joy of that day all over again!
Advice to couples: Our advice for couples planning a destination wedding is to embrace the local culture and incorporate it into your celebration, whether it's through food, music, or decor. Communication is key, so build a solid relationship with local vendors who understand your vision. And don’t forget to scout out your venue ahead of time if possible; it helps to visualize everything in that beautiful setting! Finally, remember to enjoy the journey—plan moments to soak in the experience with your partner and loved ones, making unforgettable memories along the way!
