A Dreamy Château Wedding Where French Romance Meets Lebanese Tradition

A soulful celebration beneath a centuries-old cedar tree at a Bordeaux Château Gassies, surrounded by candlelit tables and vineyard views

A destination celebration where every detail felt intentional, layered with meaning, and framed by the grandeur of our member venue, Château Gassies – one of many ways to describe Tonie and Braeden’s wedding. Just outside Bordeaux, the estate’s centuries-old Lebanese cedar tree set the stage for a ceremony that was as poetic as it was personal, weaving the couple’s love story with Tonie’s cultural heritage. With visionary planning, floral design, and styling, the day unfolded as a symphony of textures and tones – soft green linens, candlelit tablescapes, and abundant blooms in hydrangea and amaranth. Guests dined at a serpentine table adorned with grapes and glowing tapers, an ode to the surrounding vineyards. Tonie’s bridal look was a masterclass in modern romance: a customized Ines di Santo gown that balanced timeless silhouette with contemporary edge, paired with heirloom earrings and metallic Jimmy Choo heels. From a lively Lebanese Zaffe to intimate moments under the cedar’s sweeping branches, the celebration was a harmonious blend of French château grandeur and the warmth of family tradition.

A Dreamy Château Wedding Where French Romance Meets Lebanese Tradition

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

During our ceremony, it was described as the “invisible string theory.” Braeden and I attended the same high school, but with nearly 4,000 students, our paths never crossed. Six years later, while I was living in LA and he was in Florida, fate finally intervened. I was back home, out to dinner with mutual friends, when our paths finally crossed. The connection was instant—so natural, it felt as if we’d known each other forever.

^{The Proposal}

To celebrate my birthday, Braeden planned a trip for us to London. Looking back, I should’ve picked up on the signs when he insisted we visit a specific coffee shop early in the morning—on the other side of the city. As we walked through the quiet streets, what I thought was a quick stop at the beautiful St. Dunstan in the East Church Garden turned out to be the spot where he proposed. Surrounded by ivy-covered ruins and the soft London light, it was perfect—especially meaningful as London was the city where my parents had fallen in love and decided to marry.

^{The Engagement Ring}

Braeden worked with Houston-based Gawee Jewelers to design my engagement ring, choosing a marquise diamond set on a gold infinity band—the very same band that belonged to my mom when my parents were married. Discovering this detail when we got engaged was the most beautiful surprise. It holds even deeper meaning for me, as my dad passed away in the early months of my relationship with Braeden. Wearing their wedding band as part of my engagement ring makes me feel like my dad is with us, supporting us as we build our own story.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

There are so few moments in life when you have all the people you love gathered in one place. We wanted our wedding to be more than just a celebration of our love for each other—it was also a tribute to everyone who had shaped us and supported us on our journey to this moment of unity. With this at the heart of every decision, and with the guidance of our incredible planner, Sarah Thomas, we designed a day that blended tradition with a contemporary, romantic feel.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

We will forever be grateful for the incredible team of vendors who brought our wedding vision to life. Our planner, Sarah Thomas, not only orchestrated every detail but also designed and created our stunning florals. Having Megan Kelly, whose work I had admired for years, as our photographer was truly a dream come true—and the incredibly talented Andy Ew of Sixteen 9 Films captured our day on film in a way we’ll cherish forever.

Laura Cawte took care of my hair and makeup for the welcome party and styled my hair on the wedding day, while Glam.byh perfected my wedding day makeup. For the welcome party, The Toulouse Gypsy Jazz Band performed while guests enjoyed delicious bites from chef Natasha Jalibat with her team from The Forks. On the wedding day, Damien Keys brought the fun as our pianist and DJ, joined by Amber Jordan on saxophone and Beirut Zaffe. Our guests enjoyed an unforgettable dinner by Maison Dulou Traiteur, and our beautiful (and delicious!) wedding cake was made by Wooden Spoon by Cora Lee.

^{The Location}

With Tonie’s family roots in Lebanon, we always knew our wedding would be a destination celebration in Europe—a “halfway” point for loved ones traveling from different parts of the world. When we discovered Chateau Gassies, a breathtaking estate just outside Bordeaux that could host 40 guests on site, we instantly felt it was the perfect place for our wedding.

A 250-year-old Lebanese cedar tree stands on the property, and for Tonie, this was the ultimate sign. Growing up, she often spoke with her dad about the cedar trees of Lebanon, and after his passing, the Cedars of God became the place she imagined him most—surrounded by peace. Having such a meaningful connection at our venue made it all the more special. The night before our wedding, we shared our private vows beneath the branches of the cedar tree—a moment that felt both intimate and deeply connected to Tonie’s family and memories.

^{The Ceremony}

Our ceremony took place in the Oak Grove, where the cedar tree served as a natural altar, beautifully complemented by a ground arch that grew in height to surround our officiant and friend, Cody, along with Braeden and myself. Braeden and the entire bridal party made their entrance down the aisle in the traditional way. For my entrance, I wanted something a little different—my mom walked me, and together we came down the steps of the Chateau, the cedar tree behind us, and entered through the back of the floral arch. It was a moment that felt both intimate and unforgettable.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

We hosted our cocktail hour on the back terrace of the Chateau, with the majestic cedar tree as our backdrop. Guests enjoyed an array of canapés, a fresh oyster bar, and a live foie gras station. To set the mood and get the celebration underway, we paired the delicious bites with flowing drinks and house music—ensuring everyone was well-fed and ready to enjoy the festivities.

^{The Reception}

Guests entered the reception through beautiful French doors adorned with florals, stepping into a room filled with warm green linens, clusters of grapes, and the soft glow of nude candles. We made our entrance shortly after to “Electricity” by Dua Lipa before heading straight into our first dance. A live piano performance signaled the start of dinner and continued to play throughout the evening, adding an elegant touch to the atmosphere.

One of our favorite details was the serpentine-shaped table, which allowed us to connect more easily with our bridal party and share in the joy of the evening. The night was filled with special moments—heartfelt speeches and dances with our mothers, a nod to tradition with the pièce montée des choux, and pure celebration as a DJ and live saxophonist kept the energy high until 4 a.m. Late-night eats and a cigar bar rounded out the festivities, making it a night we’ll never forget.

^{The Special Touches}

We honored Tonie’s father with a reserved chair during the ceremony, and tied a letter and charms of both him and her late grandparents to her bouquet. Our beautifully designed seating chart featured candles and Romanesque vessels overflowing with hydrangea and amaranth, and included a “Table Infinity” where we listed the names of loved ones who had passed.

At the bar, we offered signature “His” and “Her” cocktails, along with one named after our dog, Reign. One of the most thoughtful surprises from our planner was the drink menu—she had drawings of us and our dog printed on the bar itself, adding a playful and personal touch that made the celebration even more special.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

Without a doubt, our favorite moment was the Lebanese Zaffe. A tradition in Lebanon during weddings, we re-entered the reception after dinner alongside the incredible Beirut Zaffe group. We kept it a surprise for our guests, and I’m so glad we did—their performance was absolutely electrifying, instantly getting everyone up and dancing. Braeden and I were lifted onto the shoulders of family and friends, carried high above the crowd in celebration. Sharing this piece of tradition with our loved ones, especially those from the U.S. who may never experience it again at a wedding, made the night truly unforgettable.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

For our welcome party, I wore an ivory satin dress from Rat & Boa, paired with simple gold jewelry. I loved how effortlessly chic I felt that night—it was the perfect way to kick off the celebrations. On the morning of my wedding, I chose a chiffon lace robe from Iconic Atelier with a set from Kat the Label. This look was the perfect start to the day, making me feel confident and beautiful from the very beginning.

Choosing my wedding dress was much more challenging. I wanted something timeless with a bit of edge, and after visiting The Bridal Finery, I found it—a beautiful, customized Ines di Santo gown. It was everything I could’ve imagined and more. I completed the look with earrings passed down from my mom and metallic Jimmy Choo heels for a fun, modern twist.

^{The Groom’s Looks}

For the welcome party, Braeden chose a custom olive and sage suit, perfectly complemented by classic Ferragamo loafers, setting a sophisticated yet relaxed tone for the festivities. On the wedding day, he donned a tailored tuxedo from Suit Supply.

^{Our Bridesmaids’ Looks}

I wanted my bridesmaids to wear any dress that made them feel most confident and beautiful. I shared a color palette with them based on our mood board and florals, and they followed it perfectly. I love the pop of metallic, gold, and mixed fabrics from their dresses. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos and looked sharp.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

People are what make the wedding—and the planning experience—truly special. Surround yourself with vendors you trust and invite the guests you love. From the very start, you set the energy that will carry into your day, so decide what you want it to be rooted in.

^{For On The Day}

The moment the wedding festivities start—be present and release control. Focus on the love surrounding you and your partner, and no matter what happens, it will be the best day of your life.

^{For Post-Wedding}

If possible, plan a recovery party or brunch. It’s a wonderful way to reconnect with guests in a relaxed setting, spend more quality time together, and thank your vendors in person before everyone says their goodbyes.

A Dreamy Château Wedding Where French Romance Meets Lebanese Tradition