She was trying to hail a cab during Manhattan rush hour while carrying approximately one thousand Ralph Lauren shopping bags, when he walked by with the most adorable puppy. This isn’t a scene from a rom-com—it’s the story of how Alyssa Buishas and Dr. Allen Towfigh first met.
Alyssa, a concept designer for Ralph Lauren, dropped everything to pet Allen’s dog, and after chatting, they realized their offices were right across the street from one another. Alyssa, at Ralph Lauren; Allen, at New York Neurology and Sleep Medicine. They began dating soon after. Four years later, Allen surprised Alyssa with a staged photoshoot at their home in the Hamptons—and with a vintage Bulgari emerald cut engagement ring. “It was the exact cut I would have chosen,” she marvels. “And the vintage diamond made it feel even more meaningful. As an avid vintage shopper, I love that it is more sustainable, and it has a story.”
The French countryside has been a source of endless artistic inspiration for Alyssa. While mood-boarding for work, she saved an image of a French home and told her wedding planner, Muriel Saldalamacchia, that she had her sights set on getting married there. Muriel relayed the unfortunate news that the house was in the middle of a sale and wouldn’t be available as a venue.
Six months into the wedding planning process, though, they discovered that the house was in the process of becoming a 19-room boutique hotel and wedding venue called the Domaine de Chalamon. Alyssa wasted no time booking it. Over the next six months, the hotel underwent renovations, and Alyssa and Allen continued planning. Without seeming too themed, the idea behind the wedding aesthetic was something out of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—ethereal, timeless, and most importantly, authentic to the provincial region. Flora & Grace photographed every magical moment. Alyssa worked closely with Capucine Atelier Floral to create a dusty color palette with loose English-style draping.
The bride approached curating her wedding looks like she would approach a work assignment. She built out a creative deck that featured every aspect of the wedding and proceeded from there.
For the rehearsal dinner, she sourced a cream vintage Nina Ricci dress her stylist friend, Chris Lee, pulled from the Albright Fashion Library. “Being there felt like being in an episode of Sex and the City, a pinch me movie moment!” Alyssa confesses. She paired it with natural pearl earrings from Completedworks and embellished her Ilio Smeraldo heels with custom silk flowers from M&S Schmalburg in the New York City Garment District. “I have a long standing relationship with them, and I adore their work,” she shares. “It is a candy shop of the most stunning handmade flowers.” She even hand-designed her flower girls’ crowns with these florals. Meanwhile, the groom donned a cream linen Purple Label Ralph Lauren suit with Thom Browne raffia smoking slippers.
For the wedding day itself, she put on a dress from Berta with tulle bows on the shoulder and slid into sky-high Stuart Weitzman satin heels. For the disco after-party, she then changed into a sequin dress from Rat & Boa. Weddings by Alejandra applied Alyssa’s glowing makeup. Allen changed from his Purple Label jacket into floral jacquard Tom Ford.
Alyssa also created digital paper dolls for every look the wedding party wore that weekend and even an inspiration board for curious guests—think vintage Elie Saab and Marchesa fashion shows. Two of her bridesmaids are also designers, so the three sought out dresses and gowns that were similar to a Rodarte look Florence Pugh once wore. Together they scoured consignment shops and antique fairs until they found one for each bridesmaid. Alyssa took it upon herself to hand-dye and embellish her Nellystella flower girl dress. “Her look was especially important for me, being a childrenswear designer,” Alyssa notes.
On July 1, 2023, Alyssa kept a close eye on the wedding day weather. Despite the forecasts, it was actually perfect. The rain stopped, and the anticipated heatwave was delayed several days. It was, surprisingly, a crystal-clear summer evening, complete with the magical music of the harpist and cellist. Allen’s close childhood friend officiated. “He is an actor with a great sense of humor, and we knew he would make us feel relaxed because he is so comfortable on stage,” Alyssa asserts. Her uncle also read some passages from the Bible. “That was special for me because I was the flower girl in his wedding.” There was also a Persian sugaring ceremony led by a close friend.
After the couple exchanged vows, cocktail hour began with live cooking stations, jazz, and plenty of Champagne. Dinner followed with views of the Bastide and the gorgeous French garden under twinkling string lights. Many of the dishes were traditional Provençal preparations using local produce and seasonal ingredients. The wine was straight from a local hotel’s very own vineyard.
After speeches, the dancing commenced. The newlyweds shared their first dance to Nat King Cole’s “L.O.V.E.,” as performed by Chris Norton and his band. “I have been seeing them live in New York City for years,” she says. “He was the only vendor I knew I wanted ahead of time.”
The after-party was an over-the-top spectacular with guests receiving glitter makeup and listening to the musical stylings of DJ Chimp from Amsterdam. The general feel was inspired by the couple’s escapades and late nights at Paul’s Baby Grand in New York City. French and Persian influences abided—everyone snacked on rose and pistachio-flavored Persian cake and croque monsieur sandwiches until the wee morning hours.
