This Couple Celebrated Their Wedding with an Elegant Outdoor Reception on the Grounds of a Chateau in Cannes

When Khalid decided to take a trip to London in April 2018 to see a soccer game, he had no idea he would meet his future wife, Stephanie, at a lounge. Khalid, who was living in Pittsburgh at the time, and Stephanie, who was from London, hit it off so well that they decided to travel to New York to spend more time together the following week. About a year and a half later, the couple got engaged and began planning a July wedding in France.

The couple had to push back their original wedding date due to COVID-19 restrictions, but when they were able to safely gather, they invited 130 guests to join them at Château de la Napoule, a restored castle in Cannes, France, for their seaside ceremony.

"We love to travel and specifically love to be by the sea," the bride says. "The chateau felt so perfect for us since it is right on the seafront with spectacular views, and also has a very beautiful and dramatic entrance." Following their service, the couple hosted an elegant reception on a different part of the chateau's grounds, in a courtyard filled with a mix of tables. The focal point was the center station, which was anchored by a double greenery arch and adorned with woven lanterns. And since the couple was not able to visit France during the planning process, they relied heavily on their planners Jennifer and Kerry from Lavender and Rose for guidance. The creatives delivered: They chose a color palette of sage green, dusty pink, and off-white and pulled design inspiration from the chateau where the ceremony took place.

Stephanie chose a strapless silk Lihi Hod wedding dress for her big day, which she paired with block heel sandals.

For the ceremony, she donned a tulle high-neck overlay with pearl embellishments, also by Lihi Hod. She removed it during the reception to switch up her bridal look.

Stephanie held a lush bouquet of white-and-blush roses with plenty of eucalyptus. Mariella Aprosio created the classic arrangement.

Khalid and his groomsman donned matching beige linen suits from Perry Ellis; he paired his ensemble with a tan bow tie, while the other gentlemen skipped neck pieces. Bridesmaids donned a mix of sage green gowns—a nod to the event's color palette—from BHLDN and carried petite iterations of the bride's florals. 

The ceremony took place at Chateau de la Napoule, where the group took in views of the sea, hillside, and lush gardens. Wooden benches were set up on either side of a wildflower-adorned aisle; bistro chairs were reserved for a few VIPs up front.

Stephanie, escorted by her father, walked down the aisle to Shania Twain's "From This Moment." "I had a first look with my father—we both cried, which was totally unexpected," Stephanie shares. "We then both rode together in a car to the chateau, which was very calm, though I could tell my dad was super nervous about the walk!"

The couple exchanged vows underneath a greenery arch that paired prettily with the surrounding gardens and the vine-draped building that served as the backdrop.

Post-ceremony, the newlyweds stepped away to take some photos around the grounds with their family and wedding party. They joined their guests halfway through the cocktail hour.

The interlude took place outside at Bijou Plage Cannes, where guests visited a bold green bar for the couple's signature cocktail, the Aperol spritz. "The cocktail area was our favorite part," says the bride, noting that a singer and guitarist added to the ambience.

White escort cards, printed with attendees' names, were displayed on a table embellished with a mix of florals, from roses to Queen Anne's lace.

The picturesque reception was held in a spacious courtyard, where one long center table anchored the floor plan; a series of round stations finished the layout.

The couple searched high and low for custom tablecloths in a specific color and pattern; Tissu Tapi helped them nail the perfect color and pattern and Gold Leaf Brides sewed them together. "We could have opted for plain, natural linen, but we are so happy we got the custom options," Stephanie says. "It made the whole dinner area come together."

Circular sage placemats set the stage for white plates, beige linen napkins, and flatware with wooden handles. The couple selected blue hobnail water glasses, green goblets, and crystal wine glasses to flank each place setting. Flickering candles and low centerpieces, filled with pink, blush, white, and rust-hued florals, enhanced the French garden ambience of the evening.

Lanterns were hung from the trees surrounding the dinner tables, as well as from the double greenery arch over the rectangular table, which was the focal point of the party.

The couple served a classic French dinner, including fresh macaroon desserts decorated with cream and raspberries. "It was a huge hit!" the bride says. After the meal, guests enjoyed dancing to the couple's DJ inside a nearby room with all the doors open; the music was also played outside in the dinner area, so that guests who wanted to stay outdoors could still enjoy the entertainment.

Following parent dances, Stephanie and Khalid shared their first married spin to "Better" by Tom Baxter. "This song says 'I love you' perfectly, without actually saying it," the bride says.

The couple raised their glasses during a Champagne toast before cutting into their five-tiered white wedding confection by Made in Cake, which was embellished with a sugar flower cascade.

Photography, Holly Clark Photography
Ceremony Venue, Chateau De La Napoule
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Lavender & Rose
Flowers, Mariella Aprosio
Invitations and Paper Products, Pale Press London
Officant, Peter Madan
Bride's Gown and Pearl Overlay, Lihi Hod via NWLA Bridal Los Angeles
Bride's Accessories, NWLA Bridal Los Angeles (veil), Gigi & Olive (bow), Jimmy Choo (shoes)
Bride's Hair and Makeup, Trie Juel
Menswear, Perry Ellis
Bridesmaids' Dresses, BHLDN
Music, Bekhy & Belha
Catering, Helen Traiteur
Cake, Made in Cake
Rentals, Options
Custom Tablecloths, Tissu Tapi (fabric), Gold Leaf Brides (seamstress)
Lighting, D&X Events
Transportation, Prestige Driver