Exquisite French Chateau Wedding with Stylish Elegance

Lisette and Matthew’s wedding at Chateau Challain (an actual fairytale castle if ever we saw one) is giving us major royal wedding vibes. From the decor to the bridal attire, it’s all so timeless, so chic. The couple’s vision was brought to life by Cici Events, whose meticulous planning and exquisite design created an unforgettable atmosphere.

The floral arrangements by Mister Brett Events featured vibrant tulips and delicate settings that perfectly complemented the spring season. In Love Photography by Wim Vanhengel captured every heartfelt moment, from the couple’s tender vows to the joyous reception. Can we also talk about Lisette’s classic Rosa Clara strapless gown paired with opera gloves from Cornelia James for the reception?! This beautiful bride sure knows how to accessorize! Matthew’s sophisticated look was completed with a custom Indochino tuxedo. This wedding was not only a celebration of love but also a beautiful showcase of thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship.

Read on to hear the couple’s love story, inspiration, and tips for crafting an intimate wedding in such a grand space.

The Love Story

Our paths briefly crossed at a trip to the Naples Zoo in 2014. We didn’t say more than a few words to each other but hung out for the day with mutual friends. I remember walking away thinking how I would love to be with someone as magnetic, loyal, and genuine as him one day. Four long years later, I saw him across a local bar and with some liquid courage reintroduced myself. Whatever I said worked and he reached out days later through a Facebook message to invite me out to dinner. After our first date, I knew this was something special.

A few weeks after our first date in Naples, Florida, we spent a weekend in Chicago visiting museums and the best the city offered. On February 10th 2018, he took me to Gibson’s Steakhouse for dinner where we sat at a table next to the fireplace and he asked me to be his girlfriend. After, we walked around outside and it started snowing. We both remember the feeling so clearly one that we never felt before.

The Ring

Once we were ready to take the next step in our relationship, we came to an agreement that I should be involved in picking out the ring. So we went to the Diamond District to design a custom ring together. I was inspired by vintage rings and wanted to create one that was unique and timeless like our love for each other. The ring has an A.Jaffe band with an oval cut center diamond and diamond halo.

Wedding Planning

I have always been inspired by French and European architecture from our travels. From the very beginning, we wanted an intimate wedding that felt like a vacation for us and our guests. I searched for every possible venue that fit those conditions locally and nationally before opening up the possibility of going abroad. Given my search for a French-style venue and garden that complemented the soft pastels of spring, it seemed logical to seek out a location that naturally encompassed these elements. When I discovered Chateau Challain, I knew it was the perfect choice.

After visiting the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and Vizcaya Estate in Miami, the idea of staying in such a place seemed like an unrealistic dream. So when I stumbled upon Chateau Challain online in the same year, I instantly knew it was where we were destined to be married. The chateau’s romantic history and breathtaking beauty made it the perfect backdrop for our wedding.

We used various tools and resources to help plan the wedding, including withjoy.com for our wedding website and RSVPs, overthemoon.com for our registry, and Canva and Pinterest for inspiration boards. Despite challenges like seating arrangements, our meticulous planning ensured a smooth and memorable celebration.

The Big Day

On the morning of our wedding, I woke up surrounded by my wedding party in the breathtaking makeup room at Chateau Challain. We indulged in a delicious brunch and enjoyed listening to Taylor Swift on repeat. It was the perfect way to kick off the day, filled with laughter and cherished moments. Meanwhile, Matthew spent the morning walking the grounds of the Chateau, soaking in the early morning light, the beauty of the landscape, and gathering himself for the day. He then shared breakfast with guests and even ventured to the local town pub for a few drinks with guests and family, creating unforgettable memories and sharing laughs before returning to prepare for the ceremony.

The ceremony was a deeply personal and emotional experience, filled with unique touches and heartfelt moments. It began with Matthew walking out to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran on the harp, a song that held significant meaning from the early days of our relationship. After family and the wedding party entered, ‘Lover’ by Taylor Swift on the harp started playing, a song that reminds me of when we moved in together.

We crafted our own ceremony reflecting our intimate understanding of our love and commitments to each other. The exchange of personal vows was the highlight, moving everyone present to tears as we declared our promises to each other. It was a moment of deep connection and love, unlike any moment I’ve seen before.

Fashion

Choosing my wedding day look was a thoughtful and meaningful process, with each attire piece carefully selected to reflect my style and heritage. Finding the perfect shoes proved challenging, but stumbling upon Something Bleu’s stunning designs on Instagram felt serendipitous. Their spring 2022 collection included a shoe that closely matched my dress pattern, and after reaching out directly through Instagram, they graciously accommodated my request, resulting in the most special shoes I’ve ever owned.

To complement the cooler weather and elevate my reception look, I chose Cornelia James for high-quality custom opera gloves. Jewelry played a crucial role in completing the look, with Swarovski crystals chosen to signify the end of winter and provide a modern touch or “something new” with the earrings and necklace. Lastly, for something borrowed, I wore my mother’s wedding day earrings with a BCBG long-sleeved gown the night before. She was very touched to have those included in the festivities. I credit my style and love for fashion to her.

Design and Unique Details

The decor and design elements of our wedding were carefully curated to reflect the essence of spring and create a romantic atmosphere throughout each part of the celebration. For the rehearsal dinner, we opted for a single long table to foster intimacy, adorned with vibrant tulips, floral table settings, and crisp white accents reminiscent of the beginning of spring.

Continuing the theme into the ceremony, we incorporated stunning florals against an all-white setting in the garden. The reception featured a U-shaped table with a sweetheart table, where the florals harmonized with the delicate plates and table settings. Our wedding planner, Cici Events, and florist, Mister Brett Events, went above and beyond to bring our vision to life, surpassing our expectations with their attention to detail and creativity. The result was the most beautiful wedding we had ever seen, truly encapsulating the romance and beauty of our special day.

The Team

Our vendors, led by our wedding planner, Cici Events, were instrumental in bringing our wedding vision to life. They exceeded our expectations with their dedication and expertise, ensuring every detail was perfect. Working with our photographer, In Love Photography by Wim Vanhengel, and videographer, George Panagiotakis, was particularly memorable. They made us feel so comfortable as we explored the quiet streets of the French town, capturing beautiful moments along the way. We are grateful for Wim and George’s talent and creativity in capturing our special day.

Reflections and Advice

Focus on what is important to you and your partner on your special day. We were so fulfilled after our trip because we were so happy with the outcome of the choices we made. Sadly my grandparents couldn’t be there but I surprised them with full hair and makeup to have a photoshoot in my dress before anyone else was able to see it. They also FaceTimed my family to be present at the ceremony. My grandma joked that she was the only one that was there and didn’t have to get on a plane.