A Romantic Provençal Garden Wedding in France with Pastel Blooms & Antique Details

Silk, old-world charm, and modern romance in the French countryside

Against the rustic charm of Provence, Chloe and Adam’s day captured everything we love about destination celebrations in the South of France – fragrant gardens, historic stone walls, and a warm, effortless atmosphere that felt both intimate and unforgettable. Designed with an old-meets-new sensibility, the couple’s vision blended classic European refinement with a contemporary coolness that reflected their story perfectly. Every element – from the soft floral palette to the candlelit tablescapes beneath a canopy of string lights – was styled to perfection. The result was a celebration that felt natural and deeply personal, yet strikingly chic. Every moment – from the sun-drenched ceremony beneath tall plane trees to the joyful cocktail hour by the pool and the moonlit dinner under the stars – was captured beautifully by our member photographer, Nina Wernicke.

A Romantic Provençal Garden Wedding in France with Pastel Blooms & Antique Details

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

We first met in Sydney early January 2017, introduced by mutual friends. I had just travelled to Australia from the UK via South East Asia, and although we were both still quite young and not looking for a relationship, we couldn’t deny the instant connection between us - it honestly felt like fate, being in the right place at the right time. Fast forward five months, and we were in a relationship. I ended up staying in Australia for almost seven years before we eventually decided to move to the UK.

^{The Proposal}

Adam proposed to me in one of our favourite cities, Amsterdam. On our first evening there, we went out for dinner and found a cosy local bar near our stay in this beautiful little neighborhood. After a few margaritas we headed back to our apartment, which had a lovely bay window overlooking a quaint street. As we sat by the window, I noticed Adam’s reflection and when I turned around he was on one knee with a ring. His speech was impromptu and from the heart - there were a few nervous rambles, but we both laughed, smiled and I said Yes!

^{The Engagement Ring}

I’ve always loved antiques and wanted my ring to feel timeless and classic. We found a beautiful jewellery store in London that specialised in antique pieces, where we chose a diamond handcrafted around the 1920s. Its soft sparkle in the sunlight gives it so much character. Adam had it set into a new gold band, perfectly balancing modern elegance with vintage charm.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

We both knew we wanted our wedding to be in Europe - a small, intimate celebration surrounded by our closest family and friends. Coming from opposite sides of the world, we hoped for a destination that felt meaningful to us both, and after a trip to France the year before, Provence just felt right. We envisioned a romantic, outdoor day framed by the region’s natural beauty and charm. Our vision was old meets new - elegant yet relaxed, with an effortlessly cool feel that reflected us as a couple. From the moment we saw the venue, we knew it was everything we’d hoped for. Authentic, full of character, and the perfect setting to bring our wedding to life.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

Our vendors were incredible and truly brought our vision to life. We first booked our venue, photographer, and caterers, followed by our planner. Our photographer captured the day perfectly - natural yet with an elegant, editorial touch. The caterers went above and beyond, serving amazing food and adding creative touches to the setup, from styled stations to overseeing cocktails throughout the night. Our florist used soft, romantic tones to enhance the setting’s natural beauty. Having a team so aligned with our vision made the day seamless and more special than we could have imagined.

^{The Location}

The venue was nestled in a picturesque Provencal town, filled with charming boutiques, restaurants, and antique shops lining the canal along cobbled streets. It had a vibrant, romantic atmosphere - very us. I actually discovered it on Instagram, and just two weeks later we flew out to see it in person. The moment we arrived, we were in awe - the house and gardens were even more beautiful than we’d imagined. We knew instantly it was the perfect setting, with so many beautiful areas to use, our aim was simply to enhance its natural beauty.

A Romantic Provençal Garden Wedding in France with Pastel Blooms & Antique Details

^{The Ceremony}

The ceremony took place in the heart of the garden, along a pathway framed by tall plane trees. Elegant vases filled with a mix of flowers stood at the end of the aisle. As guests settled in, our favourite songs played softly in the background, perfectly setting the mood. It was an emotional moment - the vows were personal and touching, and my mum walked me down the aisle. To be honest, this was when my nerves kicked in, but seeing Adam and everyone there instantly calmed me.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

The cocktail hour was one of our favourite parts of the day, a moment to soak everything in and celebrate with our guests. Bubbly and signature cocktails flowed as our DJ played vinyl records, mixing artists like Jungle and playing some reggae. The cocktail station was set around one of the prettiest features of the house - the pool area which was bright, lively, and full of atmosphere. The sun was shining, the drinks were crisp, and everyone was mingling, laughing, and just having a good time.

^{The Reception}

Our reception took place outdoors in the garden, set along one long table draped in soft white linen and illuminated by string lights overhead. We loved every detail of the setup - flowers staggered along the table, silver cutlery, vintage-style plates, and simple glassware creating a refined yet relaxed feel. Guests were served olives in silver coupes and homemade butter to start, followed by the most delicious food and flowing wine as the sun began to set.

Nearby, a large pavlova stood as the centerpiece - the perfect sweet touch to end the evening. After dinner, I changed dresses and we walked down the stairs into the courtyard for our first dance. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as we danced the night away, finishing the celebration with late night woodfired pizza.

A Romantic Provençal Garden Wedding in France with Pastel Blooms & Antique Details

^{The Special Touches}

We loved the speeches - they were definitely a highlight of the day. It was such a special and personal moment, filled with love and energy that carried through the rest of the day. Just before dinner, Adam and I shared a quiet moment in the garden, taking it all in before joining our guests. We felt an overwhelming sense of happiness, reflecting on how beautifully the day was unfolding and feeling excited to continue the celebrations into the night.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

Our favorite moment was walking out together after the ceremony, with petals falling all around us. It was such a special feeling - that rush of joy and relief all at once, and then getting to greet all our guests together for the first time made it even more memorable.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

I wore a silk two-piece from Kricket Marie. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one - beautifully simple and effortlessly elegant. I styled it with a silk scarf that tied the whole look together. For my second outfit, I wanted something comfortable to dance in and found a beautiful lace dress from a London boutique called De La Vali. I’d always envisioned wearing both silk and lace, so it felt like the perfect combination - one for day, and one for night. Wedding dress shopping can be quite pricey, so I loved that everything I chose could be mixed and re-worn for other special occasions. For jewellery, I kept things understated with classic diamond studs, and paired both looks with Tom Ford heels.

^{The Groom’s Look}

Adam wore a fitted Hugo Boss suit, opting for a timeless black-tie look that was both sharp and elegant. He added silver and pearl cufflinks for a touch of refinement and finished the ensemble with modern chunky dress shoes from Samsoe.

^{Our Groomsmen’s Looks}

We wanted the groomsmen’s looks to complement Adam’s suit, so he chose classic black-tie outfits from a Sydney store, tailored to each of them. Since most of the groomsmen were already in Australia, a recent trip for a friend’s wedding gave them the perfect chance to finalise their outfits.

A Romantic Provençal Garden Wedding in France with Pastel Blooms & Antique Details

^{Our Bridesmaids’ Looks}

I envisioned the bridesmaids’ dresses being different in style and colour, while still complementing one another. I wanted my maid of honours and bridesmaids to feel comfortable and beautiful, so I shared a selection of colours and styles and let them choose their favourites. I loved the pastel tones, which tied in beautifully with the overall look and feel.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

We quickly realised just how much time and effort goes into planning a wedding. Knowing ours would be overseas, we felt it was essential to have a local wedding planner. We already had a clear vision of what we wanted and the vendors we hoped to work with, so it was important to find someone who could manage communications and coordinate the day. Partial planning suited our needs perfectly. Most importantly, trust your instincts and choose what feels right for you - your wedding should reflect your vision, not anyone else’s.

^{For On The Day}

What mattered most to us was being able to slow down and truly take in every moment. We would definitely recommend having a planner or coordinator to handle setup and keep everything running smoothly. After all the effort that goes into planning, it’s such a relief to switch off, be present, and simply enjoy the day, because that’s what you’ll remember most.

^{For Post-Wedding}

For destination weddings, we’d definitely recommend planning a recovery brunch - it’s a lovely way to catch up with guests and relive the day in a more relaxed setting. Ours was held at a local wine bar, with the sun shining and the perfect atmosphere. We’d also recommend a mini-moon, giving you the chance to unwind and reflect on the unforgettable experience.