Location: Nice & Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat • French Riviera • South of France
Set high in the hills above Nice, surrounded by lemon trees and late-summer light, Olivia and Sam’s wedding felt deeply personal a celebration rooted in family and in place. The ceremony took place in the gardens of Sam’s parents’ villa, an elegant garden wedding venue in Nice where months of care had turned the grounds into a floral haven. The couple married beneath a romantic archway created by Au Nom de la Rose, the Nice-based florist known for its exquisite roses and thoughtful details.
Pale hydrangeas and English roses in soft tones framed the ceremony space, blending beautifully with the Mediterranean landscape. Guests fanned themselves with custom programs, white umbrellas dotted the lawn, and laughter carried through the air as cicadas hummed in the background unmistakably, a South of France summer. Later, the celebration continued by the sea at Paloma Beach, one of the most exclusive French Riviera wedding venues with sea views, where the couple dined under lanterns and starlight beside the water.
Wedding Inspiration
- French Riviera villas with onsite accommodation for coastal weddings
- Luxury planners for sophisticated weddings in France
- Luxury destination photographers for stylish celebrations
- Explore the FWS Magazine — 56 weddings, 280+ pages
Riviera Style and a Seaside Reception at Paloma Beach
After the ceremony, guests boarded a double-decker bus for a scenic tour along the Côte d’Azur, a charming and practical way to show visiting friends the coastline. The ride ended at Paloma Beach, the private cove in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat where Sam had proposed a full-circle moment for the couple. The bride and groom arrived by speedboat, greeted by applause and the sparkle of the sea. Candles and lanterns glowed as tables were set for an open-air dinner beside the water. The menu celebrated light, summery Provençal flavors sea bass, chicken, and artichoke salad followed by a cheese wedding cake, a nod to their English heritage, complete with the groom’s favorite Appleby’s Cheshire smuggled from the UK. As night deepened, jazz singer Alex Stewart surprised guests with an intimate live set, his voice floating across the beach as everyone dined beneath the stars.
Captured with Warmth by Julie Michaelsen
The day’s rhythm calm, sunlit, and full of small, joyful details was perfectly captured by Julie Michaelsen, one of the most talented wedding photographers on the French Riviera. Her imagery reflected both elegance and ease: the movement of the bride’s veil in the sea breeze, soft light across the garden, and candid moments on the sand as music played into the night. What began in a private garden in Nice ended beside the Mediterranean at Paloma Beach, a wedding that distilled everything magical about the Riviera beauty, intimacy, and the effortless charm of life lived outdoors in the South of France.
Discover More French Wedding Inspiration
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