A vintage shabby chic wedding in the South of France – Part 1

There are so many wonderful elements to today’s real life vintage shabby chic wedding of Ginger and Willy in the South of France, from vintage inspired wedding dress, shabby chic decorations, funky macaron tower, stunning wedding chateau and Excalibur! The destination wedding was captured by international wedding and lifestyle photographer Javon Longieliere and beauty bride Ginger is going to take us through her wedding day:

Ginger: “As the color of the leaves was changing in Autumn we were about to experience most thrilling day of our life. Let me briefly share this experience with you.

vintage shabby chic wedding Myself and my  family were lodging in the 17th century “Bastide” of the Grand Boise Estate in Trest, Provence – France. On the wedding day everyone woke up early. And as I was getting ready, getting her hair and make up done, a wonderful white Excalibur with a chauffeur was on its way to pick me up and take my father and I to the altar.

wedding make up provencebride francefrench wedding dressdestination wedding francemarried in francewedding car provence The legal ceremony was held in the city hall of Saint Maximin La Sainte Baume. As the groom arrived with his mother, family and friends were already gathered in the upper chamber of the building. The deputy mayor performed the legal ceremony. Rings and consents were exchanged. My new husband and I kissed and signed the legal documents. As customary in France, the groom and I were kissed and congratulated by the guests.

civil wedding ceremony francewedding guests francewedding flowers franceAfter the ceremony, as the crowd was heading to the Estate for the religious ceremony, we separated from the group for a short picture taking session in the exceptional cloister of the 13th century adjacent building named “Couvent Royal” (Royal Covent). After some amazing shots, we were transported to the Grand Boise state in the shiny white Excalibur.

wedding car francefrench wedding car

 The wedding guests were gathered in the garden of the Estate under picturesque trees and an exceptional oak tree. Facing the crowd was the exceptional Sainte Victoire Mountain (Holy Victory Mountain) and the 17th century “Bastide”. After welcoming us with rose petals, a religious talk was given in French and English.

wedding in provencevintage wedding francewedding in franceprovence weddingwedding flowers provenceoutdoor  wedding francewedding  ceremony francemarriage franceThen everybody was invited to go for ‘cocktail hour’ to the terrace of the Bastide with an extraordinary view on the Sainte Victoire Mountain. After a few family and guests pictures, we escaped with the photographer and videographer for some shots on the property and in the vineyards.

wedding catering francewedding south of franceAs the sky became dark, all guests were invited to enter the reception hall nearby the “Bastide”. Under loud applause, us and the bride and groom party walked into the room. About 140 guests were attending this happy event. After a prayer, dinner was served.

french wedding favourshabby chic wedding decorationshabby chic weddingfrench chateau weddingshabby chic wedding chairswedding gues tfrance A short video made by Willy’s friends was viewed, Willy gave his speech, and we had the first dance (Hold On, a Michael Bubble song). Following our first dance we invited the party for a Waltz dance. The third dance was with the Bride’s father and the Groom’s mother. Then everybody was invited to dance.

real wedding franceThen the traditional French cake, a “piece montée” shaped in three levels (or in the traditional shape of an American cake) was served along with some tarts, macaroons and of course, cups of champagne. We honored our guests and left for our wedding night in the enchanted “Bastide”.

piece montee francelove bird cakefunky macaron towerfrench wedding foodwedding reception franceThe very next day, after an informal brunch, we put our wedding attire back on for some more photos on the property and inside the “Bastide”. Some great shots were taken and the imagination of the photographer was bursting up to the point of taking pictures of the couple on the roof of a sheep house! We then left for an amazing honeymoon in Monaco and Venice, Italy and Bellagio, Italy.”

Thanks to Ginger and Willy and Javon Longieliere Photography for sharing their beautiful wedding day, I love Ginger’s had made decorations and shabby chic style and the food and patisseries look delicious – but wait!

Javon submitted soo many wonderful stylised images from the shoot the day after the wedding, that I have decided to make it a 2 parter which will be on the blog tomorrow.

Monique x x

Credits

  • Location: Grand Boise Estate – Trets, Provence, France
  • Legal Ceremony: City Hall of Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume, France
  • Car: Excalibur, given to us as a gift from a friend
  • Food (most)Lebaron
  • Pastry and Cake: By Marc Favalessa from Le Fournil de Rousset
  • Flowers: Floribelle – Brignoles, France
  • Photographer: Javon Longieliere
  • Hair: Tim Jack from Chicago.
  • Make-up (bride, maid of honor, mother of bride): By Blandine Fabre
  • Bridesmaid dresses: Anthropologie
  • Bridesmaid sash: JCrew
  • Wedding Dress: Originally Watters dress, but significantly altered. I cut off the train, took off all of the sequence around the midwaist, added a sash around my waist and added a large bow in the back.
  • Brides Jewelry: Swarovski
  • Bride and Groom ring: Plymouth Jewelry and Gifts – Plymouth, MI USA
  • Decoration: Done by the bride – Nature/Bird theme
  • Favors: Jars of chocolate powered almonds. Assembled by bride, maid of honor (sister, Brandi), and mother of the bride (Cindi)

 

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