Parisian romance meets modern elegance in Sarah and Pierre’s wedding celebration, a weekend that balanced intimacy, sophistication, and playful touches in equal measure. The couple welcomed their guests with a rehearsal dinner at Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, a hidden Montmartre gem. Their wedding day at Château du Champlâtreux continued this story, with its historic architecture and sweeping gardens providing a naturally breathtaking backdrop. Every detail, from the light, romantic drapery and delicate floral accents to the alfresco-style dining and sunset-lit reception, was curated to feel effortless yet extraordinary. Sarah’s bridal wardrobe captured the same blend of modernity and romance, with a sculptural House of Renhue gown complemented by a sparkling Kyha reception dress, while Pierre’s refined tuxedo echoed the understated elegance of the day. THE WED member Agence LB guided the weekend seamlessly as wedding planner, stylist, and on-the-day coordinator, ensuring each moment – from the intimate first look to the lively after-party – felt thoughtfully designed and effortlessly joyous. The result was a celebration that radiated warmth, style, and an unmistakable sense of Sarah and Pierre’s personality.
Our Welcome Dinner
Location
Pierre & I really wanted to create a memorable and intimate welcome for our guests’ first evening in Paris. Hôtel Particulier Montmartre felt like the perfect choice. It is a rare and magical oasis tucked away in Montmartre, with only five rooms in total. The boutique hotel is especially known for its romantic private garden and secluded courtyard, both of which are hard to find in the city.
Décor & Ambience
We envisioned the evening as an elevated, cocktail-style dinner with our close friends. The hotel’s existing design features deep red velvet lounges, gold detailing, and a moody bar, so we played into that atmosphere with rich red florals and custom window vinyl. Dinner took place in the glass-walled terrarium and out in the garden, where even the resident chickens added a whimsical and romantic touch. As cocktails began, a pianist joined us and turned the bar into a lively lounge for the rest of the evening. It was the perfect way to kick off our wedding weekend!
Our Style
Knowing Pierre and I would be wearing more classic looks for the ceremony, we really wanted to have fun with our outfits the night before. I discovered Australian designer Courtney Zheng a few weeks before the wedding and quickly became obsessed with her silk-wool ensembles. The two-piece set I wore felt modern with vintage touches and was a chic fit for the city setting. Pierre worked with Saf, the Australian designer behind Cobra S.C., to design a custom wool suit for the evening. He uses bespoke fabrics, and together they selected a beautiful brown wool that tied in perfectly with the warm and romantic atmosphere.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
Pierre (Swiss) and I (Australian) met nearly eight years ago in Paris. We were both living there at the time and happened to match on a dating app. What we thought would be a simple after-work drink quickly turned into a seven-hour date as we wandered from bar to bar across the city. We felt a connection almost immediately, and six short weeks later, we moved in together!
The Proposal
Pierre proposed in October 2023 on the rooftop of our San Francisco apartment. Telling me that we had a casual date night planned, he invited me up to the rooftop for a quick glass of wine before calling our Uber. Once there, he coyly confessed that instead of dinner, we were actually leaving that night for a four-day getaway to Big Sur. Before I could register my shock, he got down on one knee and proposed. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. Moments later, our close friends—who had been covertly recording the entire proposal—revealed themselves from our neighbours’ balconies. Getting engaged in our own home, in a place where we have made so many memories, made the moment incredibly special, and we’ll forever treasure that apartment and the memories tied to it.
The Engagement Ring
Pierre collaborated with David Perry, a friend and recent Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Design Award finalist, to create my engagement ring. I have always been drawn to emerald cuts for their timelessness and the way they elongate the finger. Pierre later worked with David again on his wedding band, which we’re obsessed with: a classic yellow gold band with a matching emerald baguette stone set flush in the centre.
Our Wedding
The Vision
Authenticity was really important to us and factored into each decision we made while planning the wedding weekend. Keeping our personal style in mind, we wanted the wedding to feel elegant, timeless, and in harmony with the venues. The setting of Château du Champlâtreux truly wows you in every aspect, so we let it speak for itself and opted for lighter floral accents, candles, and touches of romantic drapery to complement the space.
Our Team of Vendors
We worked with Louise Boucher, owner of Agence LB, who was indispensable in the lead-up and on the day itself, helping bring our vision to life. For photography and videography, we worked with Keryn Sweeney and Lachy Films, whose candid, documentary-style approach captured the weekend so beautifully. I also had an amazing experience with my makeup and hair artist—Charlene brought such a kind and calm energy throughout the weekend that was contagious!
The Location
We spent a lot of time thinking through the best location for our wedding and quickly realised that we would love nothing more than to return to the city where our story began. Paris holds such a special place in our hearts, and sharing it with our closest friends and family felt so right. When Louise presented Château du Champlâtreux, we instantly fell in love. Located only forty-five minutes from the city, it has the most incredible architecture and gardens that make you feel as though you’ve stepped into a piece of French history.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was held in the expansive gardens of the château, surrounded by greenery and a beautiful floor arch by House of Prose. The owners of the venue had also planted wildflowers in the spring, which was a lovely surprise for us when we arrived on Saturday morning. Walking out those château doors and seeing Pierre waiting by the fountain will forever be a core memory for me.
The Cocktail Hour
We really wanted to give our guests the chance to experience all areas of the venue, so the cocktail hour was hosted at the entrance to the château. Guests enjoyed champagne and bites accompanied by music from an acoustic trio—Parisian-style street jazz inspired by what we’d heard so often while living in the city.
The Reception
The reception was everything we had envisioned—friends and family seated for an alfresco-style dinner in the gardens, served with incredible French food. While it had been cloudy for most of the day, the sun miraculously appeared at that moment to deliver a magical sunset as we dined. As dinner drew to a close, we brought out espresso martini shots to toast with our cake: one sheet-pan tiramisu with “Just Married” dusted in French on top!
The Special Touches
It’s not often that you get the chance to party in a castle with your closest friends and family, and we wanted to take full advantage of that. Inspired by Saltburn, we doused the reception room in red light and smoke, creating the perfect sultry after-party vibe. What made it even more special was having our close friend and DJ, Wizzy, provide the music late into the night.
Our Favorite Moment
One of our favorite moments happened right after the ceremony. Pierre and I slipped into one of the ballrooms while our guests made their way to the cocktail hour. Since we chose not to do a first look, it was the first time all day that we found ourselves alone together. We had the chance to simply breathe, revel in the feeling of being married, and absorb the moment—just the two of us. We even practised our first dance one last time in the empty ballroom. The whole moment felt surreal and is something we’ll always treasure.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
For my wedding dress, I was searching for something that felt feminine and sculptural, and I found that in House of Renhue. The two-piece ensemble was figure-hugging, with an overskirt that created a beautifully draped A-line silhouette. For the reception, I changed into a floor-length dress by Australian designer Kyha. What made this piece so special was that it was entirely beaded, creating the most incredible sparkling effect—perfect for dancing.
The Groom Looks
Pierre wore a classic tuxedo from The Knot Standard, perfectly tailored and effortlessly refined. It suited him beautifully and captured the modern, understated elegance we envisioned for the day.
Our Bridesmaids’ Looks
Each of my bridesmaids wore looks by Bec + Bridge, opting for their deep brown colourways. I’m obsessed with this colour at the moment and felt it would contrast beautifully against both the interior rooms and the outdoor greenery.
Our Advice
For the Planning Process
It’s never too early to complete items on your to-do list. We fell into the mentality of “we’ll do that task when we get closer to the wedding,” only to find ourselves swamped with outstanding decisions the week of the wedding. Whether it’s picking out your music or buying your getting-ready outfit, get it done early—time absolutely flies in the months leading up to the day.
For On The Day
Surrender to the day and don’t sweat the small stuff. Whether the schedule is delayed, family incidents occur, or other small mistakes happen, don’t let them take up headspace. Breathe, move on, and be present—because the day is fleeting, and you deserve to enjoy every moment.
For Post-Wedding
So many people warn you about “post-wedding depression,” but it only exists if you give it power. Personally, I was so happy to regain all my free time again! The hard and time-consuming part of planning is over, and now you get to enjoy being married to your best friend. The best memories are yet to come!
Vendors
Photographer: Keryn Sweeney
Videographer: Lachy Films
Venues: Château du Champlâtreux, Hôtel Particulier Montmartre
Wedding Planner, Stylist & On the Day Coordinator: Agence LB
Florist: House of Prose
Catering: MG Reception, Hôtel Particulier Montmartre
Music: Gianni Vincenzo, Swing Cocktail
Hair & Makeup: Makeup By Charlene
Style
Welcome Party Dress: Courtney Zheng
Ceremony Dress: House of Renhue
Reception Dress: Kyha Bride
Wedding & Engagement Ring: Perry Jewelry
Groom Suit: The Knot Standard
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bec + Bridge
