Location: Provence, France
Setting: Château
Season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 6 months
The number of guests: 150
Wedding theme/style: Classic and timeless yet vibrant.
In July 2017, Saskia and Freddie’s paths crossed at a London bar, beginning their extraordinary journey. They relocated to Australia in early 2019, only to return to London shortly before the pandemic. Since then, they’ve called this city home, sharing their adventures and building their future together.
The couple had a clear vision for their wedding: a simple yet splendid three-day celebration in a magical setting filled with delicious food, great entertainment, and vibrant designs. Their wish was to create a memorable occasion that reflected their love and devotion to each other.
Saskia and Freddie entrusted the inspiring task of planning their wedding to the talented planner Camille De Luca. With Camille’s expertise and creativity, they navigated through various ideas to refine their vision into reality. Initially drawn to vibrant colors, Saskia and Freddie explored numerous palettes to pinpoint their preference, exchanging photos and images along the way.
For lovebirds, Château d’Estoublon, nestled within the heart of an expansive estate spanning over 200 hectares, was the perfect choice. Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards as far as the eye can see, the château exudes an aura of tranquility and sophistication. Between poetry and refined elegance, their wedding weekend at this enchanting venue promises to be unforgettable.
For Friday’s rehearsal dinner, Camille’s vision was clear – to showcase the beauty of Provence, setting the stage for the colorful festivities to come. The table was a sight to behold, adorned with rustic elements that perfectly captured the region’s essence. Guests were greeted by the refreshing scent of lemon and the earthy aroma of olives, forming the stage for an evening of culinary delights and heartfelt celebrations. The setting was magical, with delicate white candles casting a soft glow and twinkling lights, creating an atmosphere of romance and intimacy.
The much-awaited day dawned. Saskia and Freddie found themselves in separate rooms of the château, each filled with excitement and expectation. They began their preparations for the momentous occasion ahead.
Saskia was surrounded by her closest friends and family in her elegantly appointed room. Bridesmaids in their adorable sky-blue ropes helped her put on her exquisite wedding attire. The soft rustle of fabric and the voices of her loved ones filled the air, creating an atmosphere of joy.
Meanwhile, in his private space, Freddie was attended to by his groomsmen, exchanging lighthearted banter as they ensured every detail of his apparel was just right. His sleek tuxedo suit, carefully selected from Ralph Lauren, exuded timeless class, perfectly complementing the grandeur of the occasion.
An English bespoke designer, Suzanne Neville, tailored Saskia’s stunning wedding gown. Crafted from luxurious satin, the dress featured a strapless corseted bodice with a romantic sweetheart neckline, accentuating Saskia’s elegant silhouette. The full skirt cascaded gracefully to the floor. Her hair was gathered away from her face with subtle volume, and her ears were adorned with delicate floral earrings, complementing her ensemble. Bursting with vibrant blooms, the bouquet hints at the wedding concept.
While attending various weddings, the couple noticed a trend of using white and pastel colors. But Saskia and Freddie dared to dream in bold, vivid colors. With the guidance of their wedding planner, Camille De Luca, and the creative touch of floral designer Akiko from Floraison, their vision came to life in an unforgettable celebration. Saskia mentioned that Camille drew inspiration from the vibrant and colorful flowers featured in the Miss Dior Eau de Parfum advertisement. This infusion of floral inspiration added an extra layer of charm and elegance to their wedding design.
The couple’s wedding concept embodied spirited, romantic, and chic elements amidst a profusion of bright, kaleidoscopic flowers, encapsulating the charm of Provence.
The ceremony itself was an emotional and profoundly touching affair. Instead of a traditional first look, the couple decided to share their first meeting right at the altar, creating a moment filled with raw emotion and genuine love.
As Saskia made her way down the aisle in her stunning white gown, Freddie couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion. In that moment, surrounded by their closest friends and family, the lovebirds exchanged vows and promises.
One of the most unforgettable moments of the day was when Saskia and Freddie surprised their guests with an explosion of colored powder fireworks that erupted during their kiss at the ceremony. The burst of colors left everyone in awe, creating a magical and unforgettable moment that would be treasured eternally.
The wedding was beautifully captured by Maddy Cristina, a talented photographer known for her fine sense of detail and a pronounced taste for elegance. From the intimate moments shared between the couple to every shade of flowers, Maddy’s photographs captured the emotions, memories and beauty of the day.
After the touching ceremony, guests were welcomed to a delightful cocktail hour in the picturesque gardens of Château d’Estoublon. With verdant foliage, blooms, and pathways, the gardens offered a tranquil and enchanting backdrop for the festivities.
The reception unfolded in front of the chateau, nestled within a transparent tent offering panoramic views of the slender fir trees, picturesque grasslands, and a lavender field. Light wood chairs, perfectly matched with pure white tablecloths, adorned the space, accentuating the beauty of the floral arrangements that adorned each table. Notably, the choice of plates was particularly exquisite. White plates with delicate openwork borders in blue lent a unique charm to the setting, adding an elegant touch to the overall ambiance of the reception.
Saskia and Freddie desired a gastronomic menu for the wedding day that would delight their guests’ taste buds. The menu featured exquisite dishes such as succulent lobster and mouthwatering Wellington beef, meticulously prepared to perfection. The bride’s parents, who are wine lovers, curated a selection of white and red wines of the château to complement the appetizers and the entire menu perfectly. Each wine was carefully chosen to enhance the dishes’ flavors and elevate their guests’ dining experience. One of the menu’s highlights was the vibrant presentation of each dish, ideally in line with the couple’s colorful theme. The lobster, for instance, was served adorned with fresh edible flowers, adding a pop of color and elegance to the plate.
To top off the culinary experience, the wedding cake was a stunning masterpiece adorned with bright wafer paper flowers. The white cake served as a canvas for the intricate floral designs for the sweet finale of the evening.
The newlyweds and their loved ones spent the rest of the day dancing and having fun, and the whole wedding was accompanied by live music. As the evening transitioned into a night of celebration and dancing, colorful cocktails concocted by a professional bartender added to the festive atmosphere. From fruity concoctions to classic favorites, the vibrant cocktails kept the energy high and the dance floor exciting.
Sunday’s celebration was planned as a Dolce Vita Pool Party. The goal was to transport guests to the sun-kissed shores of the Amalfi coast, offering a contrasting yet equally enchanting experience from the previous day’s festivities. The vibrant colors of blue and yellow, carefully chosen to evoke the spirit of the Amalfi Coast, adorned every corner of the space, creating a festive and inviting ambiance. Various Italian corners were meticulously crafted, including a lively pizza bar, a colorful vegetable corner bursting with freshness, and an enticing ice cream corner offering a sweet respite from the summer heat.
There was even more reason for joy, as it was also the groom’s birthday. And he celebrated it in style! A specially ordered birthday cake adorned with whimsical lemon drawings and infused with the zesty flavor of lemon added a delightful touch to the occasion.
Advice from the couple:
• Savour every single moment, as time has a way of flying by during such events. If you plan an outdoor wedding, try not to let weather concerns overwhelm you in the week leading up to it. Despite hastily setting up a tent and purchasing 150 umbrellas due to predicted rain and mistral winds, it didn’t detract from the joy of our day.
WEDDING PLANNER & DESIGNER Camille de Luca | VENUE Chateau Estoublon | PHOTOGRAPHER Maddy Christina | VIDEOGRAPHER Gabriel Menassier | CATERING Chateau Estoublon, Helen Traiteur | FLORALS Floraison | OFFICIANT Celebrant in Paris | MUSIC Version Originale Music | CAKE Made in Cake | COCTAIL BAR Catherine&Co | DAYTIME FIREWORKS Joker Artifices | DRESS Suzanne Neville | MUAH Modern Bride Paris | ILLUSTRATIONS Emerence De Potesta | STATIONERY Recreation
