Their story began in 2020, sparked by a Philadelphia fixer-upper and a recommendation from a friend. Steven was the contractor helping Jacquelyn turn her first house into a home, and over two years of renovations and shared projects, the professional relationship unexpectedly took a turn. In early 2022, Steven asked her out, and they fell in love almost instantly. He caught Jacquelyn completely off guard with the proposal in September 2024, popping the question under a glowing super moon on NYC’s Little Island, just the two of them, on a quiet Tuesday night. It felt like kismet when they eventually married on a Tuesday in September too, this time exchanging vows under the rare, striking light of a blood moon.
Location: Sancerre, France
Style: Vintage & Romantic
Number of guests: 85
Time of planning: 1 year
Setting: In the park at Le Chateau de Thauvenay
Season: Fall
The château itself, set in the French countryside, became the primary inspiration for the day’s aesthetic. Working with the team at Noces, the design was curated to match the château’s already perfect balance of original character and grounded modern decor. Instead of a traditional fairy tale castle wedding, Jacquelyn and Steven envisioned something moodier, more romantic, and understated.
Rehearsal Dinner
The wedding weekend opened with a rehearsal dinner, and it was here that Jacquelyn‘s heirloom details first made their appearance. Her mother and grandmother had both worn the same 1940s antique French lace wedding dress, and Jacquelyn was lucky enough to have it tailored to wear for the occasion. Remnants of that same lace, along with her grandmother’s jewelry and other sentimental pieces, stayed with her throughout the rest of the weekend, woven into the wedding day itself.
Brianna Lynn was there from the very start, capturing the rehearsal dinner alongside every moment that followed.
Fashion
Family history threaded through nearly every detail of the look. Jacquelyn wore Jeffrey Campbell shoes, heirloom earrings, and a pinky ring passed down from her great-grandmother. The florals in her hair were repurposed from her grandmother’s veil, and her bouquet, whimsical, white and green with plum accents, was finished with a ribbon cut from the lace of her grandmother’s and mother’s wedding dress. Hair stayed soft, with pulled-out curls, and makeup leaned into a tonal, glowy finish.
“The dress was absolutely perfect, and I completely fell in love with the airy silk fabric,” Jacquelyn says. “A Basque waist was a non-negotiable for me, but it was the boning details and the tiered skirt that felt so perfectly aligned with the château. It reminded me of a romantic vintage petticoat without feeling over the top.” The train moved beautifully with her, and at 5’1″, finding a silhouette without too much volume mattered. “This skirt was the perfect scale to balance out my proportions.”
Steven’s look was equally intentional, a custom tuxedo from Enzo’s, finished with a vintage silver rose pin as his boutonnière, a small, understated detail that carried the same quiet nod to history running through Jacquelyn‘s look.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the château’s park, surrounded entirely by lush greenery. “I loved the simplicity of the natural setting, with the château peeking through the background of our photos as I walked down the aisle,” Jacquelyn says. Stepping out through the château’s massive doors before that walk felt like its own moment. “Truly epic, a moment I’ll never forget.”
To match the vintage, romantic mood, white Chantilly chairs and minimal decor rounded out the ceremony space, just a bit of draped fabric and two large floral arrangements. The procession carried its own meaning: Steven walked down the aisle with his three children, while Jacquelyn followed with her father.
Jacquelyn‘s uncle officiated, a ceremony that stayed short and personal, laughter and tears woven through their own handwritten vows. As the sun filtered through the trees, the two walked back up the aisle as husband and wife, their eighty-five guests tossing rose petals into the air behind them.
Cocktail Hour & Inspiration
For cocktail hour, an oyster bar and charcuterie table anchored the space, styled with antique silver platters and a few simple arrangements to keep the moment feeling elevated but understated.
The color story evolved throughout planning but always circled back to a blend of neutral and romantic tones. “I’ve always loved the combination of brown, white, and black,” Jacquelyn says, which is why her bridesmaids wore a rich espresso, a choice that stayed constant from the very start. The stationery brought a modern edge, with red font accents used sparingly to contrast with the more traditional details. Florals stuck to a base of soft whites and lush greenery, with subtle touches of espresso and plum woven in, landing on a vintage-inspired palette that felt timeless without losing any warmth.
Elodie, from the team at Noces, played a defining role in bringing the vision to life, working alongside the planners at Peaches and Cream Weddings.
“Elodie was a saving grace,” Jacquelyn says. “From the moment we connected on Instagram, I liked her energy and her vision, but I already had found a planner, so I was feeling a bit of regret in not meeting her sooner. I later had the idea to bring Elodie on as my wedding stylist to execute my vision on the day of, and I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her. Our visions and ideas were totally aligned. Her mood boards were very clear, and she went above and beyond to source antique silver and gather inspiration for my wedding. She always had a smile on her face, even though I know her day was extremely stressful and busy. The execution would not have been the same without her. She draped the tables beautifully, and my guests were so impressed. She extended her help to my planner out of the goodness of her heart, and I am truly so grateful to have brought her on to the team. I would highly recommend her for your wedding.”
Reception
The reception took place under a sailcloth tent set within the château’s park. Jacquelyn wanted the decor to feel intentional but minimal, so lush table drapery became the main visual element instead of heavy florals. The weather cooperated perfectly as guests worked through espresso martinis, sidecars, and a selection of local Sancerre wines. Between heartfelt toasts from Jacquelyn‘s maid of honor and father, and Steven’s best man and brother, the room filled with warmth from every direction.
The tablescapes leaned into effortless romance, all-white linens, napkins, and plates serving as a clean backdrop for vintage-inspired silverware. For that modern, moody edge Jacquelyn wanted, hand-written name cards came in striking red calligraphy by Studio XIXI. Decor stayed minimal, just a few simple flowers paired with an abundance of candles for a warm, intimate glow. Even the wine became part of the design, self-serve bottles of Château de Plaisance and François Crochet placed directly on the tables, adding a relaxed but elegant feel to the whole space.
The highlight of the evening, though, was the first dance, “Je te laisserai des mots” by Patrick Watson. Jacquelyn and Steven had fallen for the song years earlier, on a long drive through upstate New York, long before they were even engaged. When they eventually decided to marry in France, choosing it felt serendipitous. “For months, the song brought me to tears every time I pictured that moment,” Jacquelyn says, “and dancing to it together in the park of the château was everything I imagined it would be.”
DESIGN & RENTALS Noces.co | PLANNING Peaches and Cream Weddings | VENUE Le Château de Thauvenay | PHOTOGRAPHY Brianna Lynn Photos | FLORALS Mille et Une Brindilles | GOWNS Rue de Seine Bridal & The Dress Theory San Diego | DP Ryan Wermich | DJ Magic Event 33 | CATERER Delicate Scene 45
