A Tropical Island Elopement at C'est La Vie Villa, Saint Martin

A destination elopement at C'est La Vie Villa in Saint Martin with ocean-front vows, tropical styling, and golden Caribbean light captured by Smile and Shine…

By Elena Moretti | Published 8 March 2017

A Tropical Island Elopement at C'est La Vie Villa, Saint Martin

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At C'est La Vie Villa on the island of Saint Martin, a couple whose love story stretched from Bali to Dubai exchanged vows overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Captured by Smile and Shine Photography, this destination elopement paired tropical warmth with deeply personal touches for a celebration that felt both intimate and expansive.

Photography

Venue

C'est La Vie Villa

Region

Saint Martin, France

Couple

Getting Ready

A black-and-white portrait of a bride shot from behind as she pulls open two floor-length curtains in front of a bright window, likely taken during a getting-ready moment indoors. She wears a flowing wedding gown with a deep V-back featuring scalloped lace trim and a lace hem at the base of the skirt, with thin lace shoulder straps. Her dark hair is styled in an updo adorned with a floral crown containing light-toned blooms. The image is high contrast with bright light flooding through the gap in the curtains, set against the mid-grey striped fabric of the drapes. The composition is a full-length portrait framing the bride centrally from behind.

A getting-ready moment captured in close-up detail, showing a helper's hands fastening small pearl or fabric buttons up the back of a bride's white wedding gown. The dress features a deep V-back with intricate eyelash lace trim along the edges and a flowy chiffon skirt below the waist. The helper is wearing a gold chain bracelet with a clover-shaped charm, likely a Van Cleef & Arpels-style piece, and a gold watch. A second person in a blue top is partially visible in the background. The composition is a tight detail portrait shot with a softly blurred indoor background.

A getting-ready detail shot of a white wedding dress hanging on a black hanger against sheer, warm-toned curtains backlit by natural light. The gown features a V-neckline bodice with sequin or lace embellishment on the upper portion, transitioning to a smooth, flowing chiffon or crepe skirt with a subtle layered hem. The dress has a sleeveless, minimalist silhouette with a slightly asymmetric handkerchief-style hemline. The composition is a full-length vertical shot centered on the dress.

Inside the villa, soft curtains and warm light framed the morning preparations. The bride's white gown hung against sheer fabric as rose gold accessories and Sergio Rossi blush stilettos were laid out nearby. Hair and makeup unfolded at an easy pace, with laughter and ocean views filling the room between each finishing touch.

Ceremony

Two men pose together at an outdoor seaside wedding ceremony, both wearing sunglasses and smiling. The man on the left wears a navy blue suit with a light blue bow tie and brown leather belt, while the man on the right wears a darker navy tuxedo with a black bow tie and white pocket square. Behind them is a ceremony arch post decorated with white hydrangeas, blush pink roses, baby's breath, and tropical monstera leaves, with the ocean visible in the background. This is a portrait-style shot taken in bright natural light on a lawn area.

A groom in a black tuxedo with bow tie and sunglasses escorts an older woman, likely his mother, down the outdoor ceremony aisle on a grass lawn. The woman is wearing a knee-length mint green chiffon dress with a matching sheer wrap and holds a small floral wrist corsage with pale pink flowers. White lanterns line the aisle on both sides. The setting appears to be a Mediterranean-style villa or resort with palm trees and terracotta roofing visible in the background. This is a full-length portrait shot taken during the processional.

Rows of white folding chairs faced the ocean on a lawn edged with tropical greenery, where the couple exchanged vows beneath a draped arch. The turquoise water and open sky provided the only backdrop needed. Smile and Shine Photography captured the moment the couple sealed their promises with a kiss as guests looked on from the shade of the terrace above.

Cocktail Hour

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, guests gathered on the beachfront terrace among white cocktail tables dressed with spandex covers. A steel band played nearby while tropical drinks circulated. The casual setup matched the island rhythm, with ocean breezes carrying conversation and laughter across the pool deck.

Reception

A black-and-white nighttime portrait of a couple sharing a close embrace, likely during a first dance or a quiet moment at an outdoor evening reception. The bride wears a fitted lace gown and has a floral hair piece, while the groom is dressed in a white dress shirt, dark vest, and bow tie. The background shows a poolside or waterfront terrace setting with scattered point-light sources — globe lights, lampposts, and bokeh reflections on water — creating strong contrast against the dark sky. The image is a mid-shot with soft focus on the background, drawing attention to the couple in the foreground.

Close-up detail shot of a three-tiered naked wedding cake displayed on a table at an indoor reception venue. The cake has minimal frosting on the exterior, revealing the sponge layers, and is heavily decorated with cascading fresh flowers including cream roses, blush pink spray roses, white chrysanthemums, baby's breath, and eucalyptus leaves. A rose gold wire cake topper reading 'love' is placed at the top. The floral palette is soft, combining cream, blush pink, and white blooms with green foliage throughout all three tiers. The background is softly blurred but suggests an indoor reception space with warm lighting.

A bridal party portrait taken outdoors near a beach, featuring the bride and four attendants posing playfully together. The bride wears a white lace gown and a green eucalyptus flower crown, while three bridesmaids wear sage/light grey floor-length dresses and matching eucalyptus and small floral crowns; one attendant wears a red dress and a red floral crown. The bouquets are composed of white and blush pink roses, eucalyptus, and baby's breath. The group is mid-pose with dynamic, energetic positioning, and a sandy beach and blue pool structure are visible in the background. The shot is a close-up group portrait with a warm, bright ambient light.

The evening reception shifted from relaxed to jubilant as DJ Maestro brought the villa courtyard alive with music. Guests danced under string lights while the couple shared toasts surrounded by friends and family who had followed their story across continents. A heart-shaped sky lantern released from the beach closed the night with a collective cheer.

Design and Details

White wooden sign reading For Sandy Toes with brushes attached, planted in sand near turquoise water

A decorative wedding display set outdoors on a lawn, featuring a white wooden boat prop personalized with the text 'MALIKA & JEAN CHRISTOPHE' and the phrase 'VIVRE D'AMOUR & D'EAU FRAÎCHE' painted in gold lettering on its side. The boat is placed on a white-linen-draped round table and is adorned with white candles and a small arrangement of white blooms and trailing eucalyptus. Four flameless pillar candles in pink/rose-tinted holders are placed on the grass around the base of the table. The shot is a medium wide angle capturing the full decorative vignette against a backdrop of garden greenery at dusk.

Wide-angle shot of an outdoor beachfront resort venue set up for a wedding event, with no people visible. The focal point is a circular overwater platform surrounded by a blue pool, featuring a round white cushioned lounge seating area with a wooden deck center, decorated with trailing greenery and eucalyptus garlands. Four tall white poles topped with round white globe lights frame the platform. Submerged white cylindrical stools sit in the shallow pool around the structure. The surrounding terrace includes white sun loungers, cocktail-height tables with white linens, and closed white market umbrellas. The overall decor palette is white and natural wood with green botanical accents. The ocean is visible in the background under a clear blue sky. Potential venue feature image.

The beachfront setting was dressed with organic tropical touches, from a white wooden sign reading 'For Sandy Toes' in gold rope lettering to coconut shell details scattered among the table arrangements. Warm neutrals and natural textures tied the design to the landscape, keeping the look relaxed and personal.

Flat Lays

A close-up detail shot of a beach wedding decor element: a white wooden sign reading 'FOR SANDY TOES' in gold rope lettering, mounted on a rope-wrapped stake planted in the sand. Approximately ten small paintbrushes are hung along the bottom edge of the sign, intended for guests to brush sand off their feet. The sign is positioned at the beach ceremony or guest arrival area, with the ocean visible in the soft-focus background. The styling is casual coastal, with natural rope and neutral tones consistent with a relaxed beach wedding aesthetic.

A groom in a black tuxedo with a white dress shirt and black bow tie walks down the outdoor ceremony aisle escorted by a woman in a knee-length light blue dress, likely his mother. The ceremony is set on a manicured lawn in front of a low white villa-style building with a dark tiled roof, flanked by tall palm trees. White folding chairs are arranged on either side of the grass aisle, lined with small white lanterns as aisle markers, with approximately 15–20 guests visible; a bridesmaid in a teal floor-length dress is seated on the left. The shot is a medium wide angle taken from ground level, capturing the processional moment with guests watching and one guest on the right holding up a phone to record.

Close-up detail shot of a two-tier naked wedding cake displayed during an indoor reception. The cake features minimal frosting with visible sponge layers, decorated with blush and ivory roses, white gypsophila, and green foliage. A lit sparkler is mounted on top alongside a rose gold laser-cut 'love' cake topper. The background is softly blurred, revealing purple ambient uplighting and large glass doors or windows typical of a modern venue interior.

A rose gold geometric glass ring box displayed the couple's eternity band on a rustic twig surface, catching the Caribbean light. Nearby, the stationery suite and bridal accessories were arranged among tropical blooms and woven textures, each detail echoing the island palette of blush, coral, and gold.