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  5. At Their Chateau Wedding in France, This Couple and Their Guests Danced Until Dawn
Martha Stewart Weddings

At Their Chateau Wedding in France, This Couple and Their Guests Danced Until Dawn

Sara Dickinson, Freelance Writer
By Sara Dickinson April 22, 2022
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bride and groom kissing in front of french chateau
Credit: Oliver Fly

This couple invited 95 guests to their destination wedding in France, which began with a Provençal-themed rehearsal dinner on the terrace and culminated in an elegant big-day. Their wedding was complete with a tented reception, five-course dinner, and an epic dance party.

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bride and groom kissing in front of french chateau
Credit: Oliver Fly

Sarah and Jed met at a tailgate in Boston when Jed was in town for a Boston College football game. The two exchanged some flirty messages over social media before he invited her to New York for a concert a few weeks later. After a few more trips to Manhattan, Jed asked Sarah to be his date for a mutual friend's party—and the couple has been inseparable ever since.

Over the years, the pair made a tradition of going to Paris every spring, and on their 2019 trip, Jed surprised Sarah with a getaway to the South of France. He proposed at sunset on their hotel's walkway, and the couple began planning their October 2020 wedding; ultimately, they postponed the event not once, but twice, due to COVID-19.

About a year after their original date, Sarah and Jed invited 95 guests to join them for a rehearsal dinner at Château de la Gaud and wedding at Château de Fonscolombe, both in Aix-en-Provence, France. Most of the couple's loved ones were able to stay in one of the 50 rooms at the lattermost chateau. "We wanted our guests to be able to appreciate this special place and feel like they were on a dream vacation that we happened to get married [during]," Sarah says.

The couple partnered with Mylene and Geoffrey from White Eden Weddings to help them plan their international celebration from afar. "We worked so well as a team. Any difficult decision we had to make was only hard because all the options they offered were so great!" the bride says. "Even at crunch time and on the day-of, the wedding planning stress was nonexistent."

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Destination Stationery

wedding invitation suite with blue calligraphy and drawing of chateau
Credit: Oliver Fly

The couple tapped Crème de Papier to create a custom suite on handmade paper, which they used to invite their guests to their destination wedding weekend in Aix-en-Provence. The stationery featured blue calligraphy and a drawing of the Château de Fonscolombe's tower on both the invitation and the envelope liner.

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Let's Rehearse

bride and groom kissing on french chateau steps
Credit: Oliver Fly

On the day before their wedding, Sarah and Jed hosted an al fresco rehearsal dinner at Château de la Gaud. "The South of France has always been a very special place to us, and we knew right away that we wanted to get married there and be able to share this special place with all our friends and family," Sarah says of the general locale.

  • The Best Dresses to Wear to Your Rehearsal Dinner

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Welcome To France

rehearsal dinner setup with one long table in chateau courtyard
Credit: Oliver Fly

Guests kicked off the weekend's festivities by dining outside on the property's terrace. White Eden Weddings, the pair's planning and design team, opted for a clean, neutral aesthetic to contrast with the lush French gardens and vineyards just ahead. The single long table was dressed in blue linens as a nod to the wedding's color palette.

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Cool and Clean

blue and white rehearsal dinner tablescape
Credit: Oliver Fly

All-white settings were punctuated by nacre cutlery, organic white florals from Sisters and B., pillar candles, and handwritten menus.

  • How to Throw an Unforgettable Rehearsal Dinner

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Dinner Al Fresco

rehearsal dinner with long table setup in chateau courtyard
Credit: Oliver Fly

Guests enjoyed a Provençal dinner cooked by the Michelin-star chef in residence at Château de la Gaude—and then took part in an upbeat after-party; they danced along to a strolling live band in the chateau's salons until late in the evening. 

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Nap Dress Nation

bride getting ready with bridesmaids wearing matching blue floral dresses
Credit: Oliver Fly

The couple's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Nell, made an appearance in the bridal suite; Sarah and her attendants wore Hill House Home nap dresses while they got ready for the big day.

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Pearl Drops

bride putting on pearl earrings
Credit: Oliver Fly

Sarah redesigned her great-grandmother's pearl earrings—that she and her grandmother wore on their own wedding days—for her own celebration.

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Felt Like Me

bride wearing fitted vera wang gown holding asymmetrical organic bouquet with white flowers
Credit: Oliver Fly

The bride wore a fitted Vera Wang wedding dress with a folded neckline and cowl back. She didn't exactly enjoy dress shopping; she felt like every dress she tried on was too overtly bridal. "This one was different—I felt like me in it," she says. "I am all about comfort and representing myself through fashion, and this certainly did both."

A wild, asymmetrical, organic bouquet of cream, white, blush, and latte-hued flowers added a splash of color to her ensemble.

  • 8 Things to Keep in Mind While Wedding-Dress Shopping

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Cool Shoes

brides white strappy amina mauddi shoes
Credit: Oliver Fly

She also donned strappy white Amina Muaddi shoes—and pinned a few sprigs of baby's breath in her hair for a finishing touch.

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Sharp in Navy

groom buttoning tuxedo jacket
Credit: Oliver Fly

Jed stepped out in a navy Tom Ford tuxedo and shoes. "Jed wanted to wear something different than the traditional black or white tux, so he went with navy," Sarah explains, noting that he polished off his suit with a gold watch that his grandmother gave to him.

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Bridesmaids in Marchesa

bride with bridesmaids wearing mismatched marchesa dresses
Credit: Oliver Fly

Sarah gave her bridesmaids a mood board of colors and asked them to pick any dress they wanted. Each attendant ended up choosing a Marchesa number, and held miniature versions of the bride's bouquet on the big day.

  • 38 Looks That Prove Bridesmaids' Dresses Can Be Chic

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Tonal Contrast

groom with groomsmen wearing classic black tuxedos
Credit: Oliver Fly

Groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos; the color differentiation helped the groom stand out (his navy tux, however, did have black lapels, to ensure his ensemble spoke to his groomsmen's).

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Fountain-Facing Ceremony

wedding ceremony in french chateau courtyard with cast iron chairs facing fountain
Credit: Oliver Fly

The pair's ceremony took place in the grand courtyard of the chateau, where cast iron chairs were set up facing the historical fountain and the property's two towers.

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Hundreds of Roses

white roses lining wedding ceremony aisle
Credit: Oliver Fly

Blooming cherry trees framed the white stage that served as the altar; hundreds of white roses flanked either side of the aisle, the entrance of which was marked with two large arrangements.

  • Beautiful Altar and Aisle Decorations for Your Wedding

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Here Comes Nell

cavalier king charles spaniel wearing white floral collar
Credit: Oliver Fly

Live violinists played Avicii's "Wake Me Up" as the wedding party made their way down the aisle. Nell reappeared during the service: She trotted down the aisle, accompanied by the groom's two brothers, while wearing a white floral collar. "All she wanted to do was jump on Jed at the altar, but she had to take her seat in the front row, whining," Sarah says.

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Vows and Berets

bride and groom exchanging vows beneath blooming cherry trees
Credit: Oliver Fly

The couple's mutual friend, Michael, officiated their ceremony. "We completely trusted him and looked forward to his speech!" Sarah says. "He started in French, making it very obvious he couldn't speak a word of it (to uproarious laughter from the guests) and then continued in English." The highlight of the pair's non-religious service was also facilitated by Michael; he whipped out berets for the couple to wear—and then Sarah and Jed noticed the groomsmen had donned them, as well.

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Celebratory Recessional

guests tossing white flower petals during wedding ceremony recessional
Credit: Oliver Fly

The newlyweds made their way back up the aisle as musicians played Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" and guests tossed white flower petals into the air.

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Cocktails and a Show

bartender balancing drink on cocktail spoon
Credit: Oliver Fly

During the cocktail hour, guests mingled on the lawn and enjoyed passed appetizers including white truffle croque-monsieurs and avocado and mimolette quesadillas. They also enjoyed the duo's signature cocktails—one was tequila based, while the other had vodka—along with wine and Champagne, courtesy of the chateau. "The great bartenders truly put on a great show!" Sarah says. "Not only did they serve delicious and beautiful cocktails, but they also provided some entertainment."

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Find Your Seat

escort cards displayed on table decorated with blue and white table runner and white floral arrangements
Credit: Oliver Fly

Escort cards were printed on white paper and displayed on a table decorated with a blue-and-white runner, vintage vases, and neutral floral centerpieces. Arrangements of white roses—like the ones seen on the ceremony aisle—were displayed underneath the station, as if they were growing up from the ground.

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A Tent in a Park

wedding reception in crystal open air marquee tent on chateau lawn
Credit: Oliver Fly

Sarah and Jed hosted their reception in a crystal open-air marquee tent on the property's park. Chandeliers and disco balls were suspended from the rafters, and cherry blossom trees and white roses surrounded the structure's entry point.

  • Here's What Every Type of Wedding Tent Looks Like

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Soft Touches

wedding reception space with crystal chandeliers and blue and white decor
Credit: Oliver Fly

A mix of long and round tables topped with ivory floor-length linens were paired with French country dining chairs. Blue fabric was draped from the ceiling for ambience.

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Punchy Numbers

wedding reception blue and white tablescape
Credit: Oliver Fly

Table numbers were printed in a blocky font, and offered a modern contrast to the otherwise classic stations.

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Pops of Blue and White

wedding reception place setting with blue and white patterned plates and napkins
Credit: Oliver Fly

Each spot was set with blue-and-white patterned plates and napkins, blue handled gold flatware, and gold rimmed glassware. Centerpieces featured white, cream, and blush roses, and were filled in with a mix of greenery. Latte-hued taper candles in gold holders were the finishing touch.

The couple wanted to do things their own way, so on their big day, they served a five course sit-down meal—and saved dancing for later. During dinner, the best man, maid of honor, and father of the bride shared heartfelt speeches.

  • The Prettiest Place Settings from Real Celebrations

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Accent Tier

tiered wedding cake with blue floral pattern and champagne glasses with white flowers
Credit: Oliver Fly

The couple served a three-tiered lemon wedding cake—made by Made in Cake—with raspberry filling; its middle tier featured the same blue design seen on the dinner napkins.

  • Trending Now: Wedding Cakes with Statement Tiers

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Disco Dance Party

bride and groom having first dance beneath disco balls
Credit: Oliver Fly

After dinner, guests made their way to the chateau's restaurant, which was transformed into a disco-themed night club. Sarah and Jed shared their first dance to "Higher Love," the Whitney Houston and Kygo remix. "The lyrics, the music, and the feeling—it's what we feel together as a couple. We wanted to share and spread that to everyone at our wedding!" the bride says. The couple's good friend, DJ Betto, along with an electric guitarist, kept guests on the dance floor until 5 a.m. To keep the party going, the couple had a pizza food truck at the ready; guests grabbed late-night snacks, and then returned to the dance floor.

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Mini Dress Moment

bride wearing off-white strapless vera wang mini dress dancing with guests
Credit: Oliver Fly

Sarah changed into an off-white, strapless Vera Wang mini dress with a bubble hem during the reception. "The second I saw this dress in a Vera Wang ad, I started hunting it down at a trunk show," Sarah says. She paired it with comfortable converse high tops, so she, like her and Jed's guests, could party all night long.

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Sources

bride and groom kissing in front of cheering wedding party
Credit: Oliver Fly

Photography, Oliver Fly 
Rehearsal Dinner Venue, Château de la Gaud 
Wedding Venue and Catering, Château de Fonscolombe 
Event Planning and Design, White Eden Weddings 
Videography, MG Image 
Flowers, Sisters and B. 
Invitations and Paper Products, Crème de Papier 
Bride's Attire, Vera Wang 
Bride's Shoes, Amina Muaddi
Bride's Hair and Makeup, Un Brin D'Audace 
Groom's Attire, Tom Ford 
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Marchesa 
Music, Incanto Musique; DJ Betto 
Cake, Made in Cake 
Rentals, Maison Options; Latini Design; JoliBazaar;  Nuage Design 
Favors, Une pincée de Provence 
Lighting, Phos Event 
Bartending, DNA Bartending 
Technics, South Prod 

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    1 of 28
    2 of 28 Destination Stationery
    3 of 28 Let's Rehearse
    4 of 28 Welcome To France
    5 of 28 Cool and Clean
    6 of 28 Dinner Al Fresco
    7 of 28 Nap Dress Nation
    8 of 28 Pearl Drops
    9 of 28 Felt Like Me
    10 of 28 Cool Shoes
    11 of 28 Sharp in Navy
    12 of 28 Bridesmaids in Marchesa
    13 of 28 Tonal Contrast
    14 of 28 Fountain-Facing Ceremony
    15 of 28 Hundreds of Roses
    16 of 28 Here Comes Nell
    17 of 28 Vows and Berets
    18 of 28 Celebratory Recessional
    19 of 28 Cocktails and a Show
    20 of 28 Find Your Seat
    21 of 28 A Tent in a Park
    22 of 28 Soft Touches
    23 of 28 Punchy Numbers
    24 of 28 Pops of Blue and White
    25 of 28 Accent Tier
    26 of 28 Disco Dance Party
    27 of 28 Mini Dress Moment
    28 of 28 Sources

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    At Their Chateau Wedding in France, This Couple and Their Guests Danced Until Dawn
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