Set in the French Basque Country near Biarritz, Peggy and Edmond’s three-day celebration was a rare balance of cultures and moods. Captured by Couplet Photography, the wedding moved seamlessly from tradition to pure fun: a sunrise tea ceremony, a lakeside concert instead of a welcome dinner, a design-led ceremony on the floating deck, and a party that turned into full epic chaos in the best possible way.
The couple, with the guidance of Wonderlust Events, managed to bring together everything that defines them: respect for heritage, love for music, and a shared sense of humor, all seamlessly curated into a weekend that felt effortlessly personal. “Holly has been our wedding spiritual guide. She patiently guided us through three different wedding venue hunts, countless video calls and emails to refine the wedding aesthetic, and on the wedding day itself effortlessly kept us on track through all the whims and delays that naturally arises.“
Location: Biarritz, France
Style: Sculptural, Modern, Fun
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 92
Setting: Lakeside Chateau
Season: Summer
Peggy and Edmond met online in 2016. Their relationship unfolded like a modern beginning that grew through time zones, long-distance years, and a volcanic proposal in Iceland. The couple’s wedding was the opposite of grand gestures: thoughtful, tactile, and intentional. “We wanted to put into the weekend everything that brings us joy in everyday life,” says Peggy. “Music, scent, food, and the people who made us who we are.”
Pre-Wedding Concert
The celebrations opened with a pre-wedding concert. This idea felt natural, given that Peggy is a professional orchestra conductor. Friends and family gathered for a night of performances under the soft Basque twilight.
Peggy surprised guests by singing Ella Fitzgerald’s “Misty”, with Edmond at the piano, though, as she laughs, “he’s not musically trained.” Later, she invited her mother on stage to play “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin, a duet they first performed when Peggy was four.
Tea Ceremony
The wedding day started with a Chinese Tea Ceremony, held inside the château. Peggy wore a red qipao with fine gold embroidery: fitted, elegant, no heavy detailing. Gold bangles and rings from the family followed custom, but styling stayed minimal. Edmond matched the tone in a white tuxedo jacket and black trousers from TuxLux London, with a red boutonniere by Tepee Sauvage.
The most emotional moment came when Peggy’s grandmother sat for tea. The bride broke into tears, and the room followed. Each step from serving tea, receiving blessings, and exchanging gold honors the family while reflecting the couple’s style: emotional, self-aware, and real.
Right after, fun took over. Edmond faced the gatecrashing games, including the task of writing Peggy’s Chinese name blindfolded with a marker fixed to his back. Chaos, laughter, and applause replaced the quiet.
"Agata, our photographer, made us realize it was possible to artfully capture raw emotions in the most intimate way and made us feel comfortable in our own skin while making us look the best we’ve ever looked."
Bride's Morning & Fashion
Peggy’s morning unfolded quietly with shared laughter with bridesmaids, a few excited smiles, and a pause before stepping into her gown. Couplet Photography caught the balance of calm and anticipation in soft black-and-white frames that feel timeless.
Her dress from Wink Atelier had a structured off-shoulder silhouette with a long train and veil that framed her figure in motion. No lace, no sparkle, only silk, light, and architecture. Hair by Veronica Cheng was pulled into a low bun, the makeup natural and luminous.
Outside, Peggy held a bouquet by Tepee Sauvage, a sculptural mix of pale roses, coral touches, and textured greens. It felt spontaneous, slightly imperfect, and set the tone for the day’s floral language. The colors in her bouquet echoed the later reception design and the soft sage and blush palette of the bridesmaids’ dresses.
Groom's Fashion
Edmond’s look was clean and balanced: a white tuxedo jacket, black trousers, and polished loafers. The styling matched his personality: structured, composed, almost analytical, the way an engineer might build precision into everything he does.
The morning unfolded easily with quick jokes with his groomsmen, quiet confidence, and light coming through the arches. While waiting for the ceremony, and for Peggy, the friends kept the mood high, teasing and laughing, turning the wait into one of the most relaxed moments of the day.
First look
Edmond waited under the arches, clearly excited and trying not to show it. When Peggy appeared, they couldn’t stop laughing — half from excitement, half from happiness. It felt exactly like them: calm, funny, and a little chaotic in the best way.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place on the floating deck of Brindos, Lac & Château surrounded by trees, water, and soft natural light. The space itself didn’t need transformation, only balance. Decor built on that idea, designing a serpent-shaped aisle that curved gently across the pier, leading guests toward the altar.
The floral structures mixed wild greens, lilies, apples, and dried textures, the kind of arrangements that look alive. Moss and meadow stems spilled over the edge of the deck, echoing the floating garden effect. Everything felt organic, connected to the water. Chairs faced the lake, and reflections turned the whole setup into a mirror of sky, trees, and florals blending into one image. It was almost cinematic.
When Peggy walked down the curved aisle, Edmond waited at the end, smiling and slightly overwhelmed. They exchanged vows in mix of English and Cantonese. They were short, personal, and a little funny. There were no long speeches, only a few words, and a visible sense of relief when it was done.
The ceremony ended with laughter, applause, and a few spontaneous hugs. Nothing was over-produced, just two people in the middle of the lake, surrounded by flowers that looked like they’d always been there.
Decor
Dinner took place inside the arched pavilion of the chateau, overlooking the lake covered with water lilies. The space already had character, so Tepee Sauvage focused on texture, not transformation.
Tables were dressed in neutral linen with soft folds and simple glassware. Centerpieces mixed hydrangeas, amaranthus, moss, and red peppers. Stems curved naturally across the table, as if grown there overnight.
Escort cards stood in a patch of real moss, a small installation that connected guests back to the lake setting. Light reflected off the water, softening the space without the need for candles or extra decor. The color story stayed consistent: ivory, green, blush, and small red accents that hinted at Peggy’s tea-ceremony palette. It felt calm, structured, and easy to inhabit.
Reception
Dinner followed the same idea of intentional simplicity, but here it turned personal. Every detail was built around meaning, not show. Each guest found a menu in a unique color tone, subtle pastels matched to their personality, and a card with a literary quote, chosen by Peggy and Edmond. Together, they turned the table into a quiet dialogue between taste and text.
The menu reflected their shared background: French-style plating with Asian ingredients, like tuna, trout, and Iberian pluma. Cocktails followed the same logic: the His/Her/Ours trio blended Szechuan pepper, Yuzu, Izarra, and Smoked tea, a nod to the couple’s cultural mix.
By the time speeches began, the light had gone golden, and the atmosphere felt relaxed: half fine-dining, half home gathering. Real, joyful, and smart in its simplicity.
To evening the mood shifted. The couple entered the hall to “Milkshake” by Kelis, laughing as everyone stood up cheering. It was unexpected and playful, a perfect break from the serene tone of the day.
Into the Night
The night turned fast from an elegant dinner to full-on chaos, the best kind. Music by Wildfire DJs switched from soul to 2000s hits, and everyone was on their feet within minutes. Peggy and Edmond danced first, then disappeared into the crowd like guests at their own party.
Instead of a cake cutting, they went for cake bashing, a papier-mâché cake filled with confetti and party props such as glow wristbands and fun sunglasses. Edmond hit first, Peggy followed, and the whole thing exploded across the courtyard. Laughter, flashlights, champagne — just pure fun!
By midnight, jackets were off, the bride barefoot, the playlist jumping to “Dancing Queen.” It was unfiltered, a little messy, and exactly how they wanted it: the kind of party that feels more like real life than perfection.
Pintxo Tour
The weekend ended across the border in San Sebastián, the couple’s version of an afterparty. Instead of brunch, they went for a Pintxo tour, hopping through the old town with friends, tasting everything from sea urchin to anchovy toast.
It felt like the perfect closing scene: food, laughter, and that easy energy that had carried through the entire wedding. A celebration that started with music and ended with movement — nothing forced, everything lived.
Advice from the couple:
• Fill your wedding with the things that bring you joy every day. We included what we love most, music, scent, books, so now each of them feels even more special. When it rains, we smile at the memory of our wedding scent. When we hear Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, we remember walking down the aisle.
PHOTOGRAPHER Couplet Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER Les Vaques | PLANNING & DESIGN Wonderlust Events | VENUE Brindos, Lac & Château | FLORALS Tepee Sauvage | MUAH Veronica Cheng | BRIDAL GOWN Wink Atelier | GROOM’S SUIT TuxLux London | JEWELRY Gemini Clay Studio, Wink Atelier | RENTALS & DECOR Our Fabulous Things | STATIONERY Aisling Erin Design | CANDLES Candle Flair | WEDDING SCENT Rahasya Fragrances | ENTERTAINMENT / DJ Wildfire DJs | PIANO RENTAL Nesprias | TRANSPORTATION Autocares David
