I want to become a society lady Rockin' a new rock?!

Gasp! Swoon. Sigh…We’re basically speechless over this one. Lavender and Rose, a.k.a. event-planner-extraordinaire, created an absolutely breathtaking wedding day for Liz and Jonathan in the South of France. The florals are heavenly, the bride is timelessly elegant and the scenery will take your breath away. We can’t even find the words to describe this level of gorg. Luckily, these incredibly stunning images by the uber-talented Marianne Taylor Photography say it all.

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_04

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_02

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_03

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_05

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_06

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_08

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_09

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_10

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_11

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_13

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_14

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_15

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_16

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_19

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_20

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_21

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_23

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_24

What made the wedding special and unique?

We really wanted a destination wedding. I was in love with all things French – I had lived there in the past, we both spoke the language, he proposed and so it was easy, South of France it would be. I googled ‘wedding planners in the South of France’ and came across Lavender and Rose. Even from the first glance of their website, I knew they would be the right choice. Thankfully, Jennifer said they would be available to plan our wedding for late September and off we went. Jennifer was excellent. Her vision, style, professionalism and attention to detail was impeccable and at all stages of the planning process, she kept me calm and assured. I knew she had it under control (even when I didn’t) and most importantly, she understood my vision for the day. That’s key.

After a lot of issues with finding the right church, with the help of some family friends, we secured a beautiful church in Bar-sur-Loup, a tiny village just north of Mougins/Cannes. The church itself was perfect but the views were spectacular, in the mountains and overlooking a large impasse. It definitely had that wow factor. Our church ceremony music was performed by Hitched Wedding Music. Their voices are simply breathtaking and even during rehearsals, they amazed our bridal party.

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_26

  

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_29

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_30

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_27

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_31

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_34

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_38
classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_36

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_37

  

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_39

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_40

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_42

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_43

  

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_45
classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_44

What were some touches added to make it personal?

We had welcome bags hand delivered by Jennifer and her team. They included a tiny bottle of champagne, locally made soap and jam from Grasse and heel protectors (as the Chateau had stony paths). They also had all the details for pick up times, locations etc so everyone knew exactly where they had to be and when. Catering was by Parfum et Saveurs – the food was simply delicious, served to guests under silver lids to keep the food warm as there was quite a walk from the kitchen to marquee.

We had a live acoustic walking band, the Gypsy Queens, who played in between courses and speeches – they went to our guests tables and asked them for their requests. They really got everyone in the party mood. It was such a good idea to have them play in between courses as I often felt at previous weddings, that part can sometimes drag. After the cake cutting (our cake was by Wedding Cakes by Pamela) and dessert, the band led us up to another staged area with a grand piano and festoon lights where Jon serenaded me – a complete surprise. It was so romantic and a moment I will treasure. Jon and I had our first dance to a live performance of the song My Cherie Amour (classic) with all our guests waving sparklers. The Gypsy Queens led everyone to the inside dance area for the final part of the day, the dancing. Our DJ was Yannick Le Roux who was excellent. I think Jennifer had to literally move people off the dance floor at 3am! Yannick really listened to what we wanted and I would strongly recommend him. Another great idea was to have the Photo Booth by Alban Pichon in the same area as the dancing so that when people got a bit tired from dancing, they could act silly with French themed props and take away their pictures.

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_46

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_58

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_56

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_55

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_53

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_51

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_50

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_49

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_48

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_47

What was the most memorable part of the day?

Jon and I travelled in style to our reception in a vintage Aston Martin Lagonda. It was so vintage we had a wind up roof! I squeezed me and my dress into the car and there was just enough room for my new hubby! The guests followed behind in organised transport beeping their horns!

Our reception was held at the dreamy Franco-Italian Chateau Diter located just outside of Grasse. Filled with statues, fountains, ponds, flowers and the most spectacular renovated chateau, it was the perfect location for us. We had two large marquees set up (just in case) and boy were we glad of that. For what seemed like a lifetime (I was told later it was 20mins), we had a torrential downpour, just as we arrived at the venue. Jennifer dealt with it in true professional style and ushered everyone to champagne and canapés under the marquee. We had stunning music again from Hitched Wedding Music during the cocktail with Rob playing on a grand white piano and Rosie singing 1950s classics to jazz favourites. The French caricaturists and live cooking stations by caterer Parfum et Saveurs kept guests entertained.

The rain was worth it – after the clouds parted, we had this heavenly ethereal light, something I have never witnessed before. It was magical and made for some amazing photographs from our photographer, Marianne Taylor and videographer Clark and Palmer Wedding Films (both UK based) . They captured the detail, the light, the mood and all the tiny details which whizz past you on the day.

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_59

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_60

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_61

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_63

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_65

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_66

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_67

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_68

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_70

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_72

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_73

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_74

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_77

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_80

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_81

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

I met Jonathan at a friend’s birthday party in a steak house in East London. He wasn’t my usual type I have to say but I was intrigued when he ordered the largest meat platter I had ever seen. He has now admitted it was all an attempt to get my attention but I just remember asking myself ‘Who is that hungry Chinese guy and how on earth will he finish all that meat?’ Well it worked – the following weeks were full of old school romance, fun filled dates like ping pong, swing dancing and restaurant hopping. It was the most fun I’d had in a long time! After a year and a half, he got down on one knee in true romantic fashion at a beautiful Chateau in a small village outside of Lyon. And so the French story began.

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_85

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_84

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_87

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_88

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_91

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_92

classic-romantic-wedding-french-decor_95

Vendors: Photography: Marianne Taylor Photography // Videographer: Clark and Palmer Wedding Films // Event Planning: Lavender And Rose // Florist: Miss Rose by Perrine // Wedding Gown: Sassi Holford // Stationery: Louise Richardson // Caterer: Parfum et Saveurs // Singer: Gypsy Queens and Hitched Wedding Music // Wedding venue: Chateau Diter