Location: Alsace, Strasbourg, France
Setting: Château
Wedding season: Summer
The number of guests: 70
How long did the couple plan the event: 1,5 year
Wedding theme/style: Сlassic, elegant.
Laurence and Julien first crossed paths at the University of Strasbourg, where Laurence spotted Julien from a distance in their class. She made the first move, waiting for him in a corridor to ask if he was single, which caught him off guard. He awkwardly replied, put his headphones back on, and walked away. You might think that was the end, but fate had other plans.
Two months later, they both showed up for an exam and were convinced they’d fail, but they wanted to see each other again. That’s when their connection deepened, marking the start of their journey together. They dated for three years, living in the moment and unsure of what the future held. Eventually, life took them in different directions—Laurence went to Paris for her studies, and Julien stayed in Strasbourg.
Despite the distance and a challenging period when Julien faced a serious health issue, their love grew stronger. Two years later, he visited Laurence in Paris, a city he had claimed to dislike, and that’s when they truly fell in love. Fast forward fifteen years, during a Christmas celebration in 2020, Julien proposed to Laurence with a ring hidden among the gifts, taking Laurence by surprise and marking the beginning of their wedding journey.
When planning their wedding, they wanted to take their time and wait for the pandemic to subside so they could celebrate without masks. They set the date for June 4, 2022, giving themselves a year and a half to prepare. They fell in love with Château de Pourtales in Alsace, near where they first met, choosing it for its beautiful setting and the ability to host their guests overnight. The venue’s limited capacity meant a more intimate wedding with just 70 of their closest family and friends.
The couple also honored certain wedding traditions, such as not seeing each other the day before. Additionally, the bride embraced the custom of wearing something old, new, and blue.
Laurence’s dress-shopping was an adventure. She started with Pronovias but didn’t find the right fit until she discovered a designer in Paris Caroline Takvorian, who created her dream custom-made dress. Laurence’s wedding look was completed with trusted beauty professionals from Alsace, ensuring she felt perfectly herself on her big day.
In the morning, while getting ready for the wedding, Laurence was surrounded by her bridesmaids, who were there to help and support her during this big moment. The excitement was definitely in the air, but it felt more manageable thanks to their friendly chatter and laughter filling the bride’s morning.
Laurence looked stunning in her bridal get-up. She went for bold makeup, highlighting her beauty, and styled her hair into a gorgeous updo accentuated with a beautiful hair clip.
Julien also got ready for the wedding with his friends by his side. He wore a dark gray three-piece suit, creating an incredibly elegant look.
Laurence and Julien were inspired by an elegant style as they planned their wedding. Their florist created beautiful floral arrangements that transformed the château, where their wedding took place, into a real enchanted garden. A lovely white gazebo was adorned with an abundance of flowers, and the path was strewn with white rose petals, creating a romantic atmosphere.
During the beautiful ceremony, the couple exchanged vows in the atmosphere of love and warmth. A special moment that added a personal touch was having a couple’s friend, who knew them from the beginning and was familiar with their story, officiate the ceremony. This was particularly meaningful for the lovebirds. As they exchanged rings and became husband and wife, they walked hand in hand down the aisle and the guests joyfully showered them with white petals, wishing them endless happiness.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests gathered for a cocktail hour to enjoy some socializing, discussing the emotions and experiences from the ceremony they had just shared.
For their wedding photographer, Laurence and Julien chose Elena Fleutiaux, an artist known for her fine art style photography. Each of her photos, bathed in sunlight and rich in color, perfectly captures the essence of romance and love. She didn’t miss a detail, meticulously capturing` every moment, allowing her professionalism to take one back to that beautiful summer day through her photographs.
The château where the reception took place was truly magnificent, which led Laurence to opt for an elegant style without overloading the space. She aimed for sophisticated yet understated decor, and their meticulous preparation and attention to detail paid off. White round and elongated tables adorned with delicate floral arrangements and golden candlesticks created a cozy yet elegant atmosphere. It was important for the couple that each guest felt comfortable and at ease, and they successfully achieved this goal.
The reception was filled with beautiful and touching moments, highlighted by the bride and groom’s heartfelt speech and their first dance. The cake-cutting ceremony was unforgettable, especially when they lit the sparklers, marking the beginning of the wedding party.
The party was vibrant and memorable, with guests dancing and enjoying themselves all night. A special touch was when the bride and her bridesmaids donned white boas, adding a light bohemian charm to the evening.
Advice from couple:
• I suggest having fun, but in a couple! Both opinions are essential. I fell in love with the photographer, the decorator, and the musicians at the reception; we didn’t play games because it didn’t suit us; it wasn’t the atmosphere we were looking for; we had an incredible magician as entertainment. We also provided the DJ with a complete list of music; we were demanding that. Invite whoever you want, don’t feel forced, take your time. We decided to have an outside ceremony, and our mutual friend, who has known us since the beginning of our relationship, got us married. It gave a little something extra because it spoke from the heart!
• We didn’t do anything we didn’t want to, and no one imposed anything on us. It’s essential. If something doesn’t suit you, make sure it ends up being okay (the caterer imposed its decoration, which was catastrophic and not at all like the wedding we had, so we explained that we would take our own decorator). It’s our day; no one will say no. Everything will go well if everything is presented to the right people. There will always be last-minute cancellations, but you should know that the people who work for weddings are used to it; you are not alone; everyone will ensure that this day is the best! Make a plan. It will not be respected at the second, but it will frame the day and reassure you.
I want to return to this magical weekend!
PHOTOGRAPHY Elena Fleutiaux | FLOWER DESIGNER Lovely Instants | DJ DIMENSION’DJ | HAIR Camille Albane | MUA Make up by Loraa | VENUE Destination Pourtalès | BRIDE’S SHOES Cosmoparis | BRIDE’S DRESS Caroline Takvorian |
