“It was instantly love at first sight,” Morgan Bailey recalls of meeting Felix Lau. “We actually told each other we loved each other and knew we’d want to get married within a day of meeting in person.” True to their whirlwind connection, Felix proposed just nine months later.
“We had been traveling as digital nomads in Europe for a few months, so we designed the ring together entirely online and through video calls,” Morgan says. The two had talked about a private proposal, a special moment just the two of them could share. “When we finally made a trip back to Felix’s hometown of Toronto, we both knew the ring was at his apartment. We walked in and it was sitting on the counter and we both looked at each other and had no idea what to do. Felix opened it and asked me to marry him, and I still felt totally shocked even though it wasn’t a surprise!”
A wedding at Château de Jalesnes was an easy choice, as their first family trip together, shared with Felix’s loved ones, was in France. “We also couldn’t think of a reason NOT to have a wedding in a French chateau!” Morgan exclaims. Embracing the charm of an intimate celebration, they curated a guest list of only family and their closest friends. “We knew from the start that we wanted a small destination wedding where we could spend time with all of our guests. We wanted each event to feel distinct and have its own vibe and style. I come from a Jewish family from Philadelphia, and Felix was raised in Toronto but his family is from Hong Kong, so we both had distinct traditions that we wanted to include.” Apricity Event Co. planned the multicultural affair, while Alexandra Vonk lensed the weekend and Our Story Creative captured it all on video.
The to-be-weds drew color and menu inspiration from their destination for the welcome party. L’Orée des Bois plated the French fare as the couple participated in the Chinese tea ceremony. “The Chinese tea ceremony was a new experience for almost everyone in my family,” Morgan notes. “Something my grandparents have always taught me is to make those close to you feel like family, so we had all of the traditional tea ceremony elements: double happiness symbols, red dates, traditional-inspired attire, and added chairs for everyone invited so they could feel included and watch the ceremony.”
Following this, they hosted an intimate rehearsal dinner at Fontevraud Abbey—the oldest of its kind. The decor embraced the natural beauty of the abbey, while chef Thibaut Ruggeri curated a menu that complemented the setting.
“For the wedding, it was very important that we represented our different heritages and our love for color and food,” Morgan notes. “I really wanted it to feel like you were walking through a field of flowers during sunset.” As for her attire, Morgan walked down the aisle in Monique Lhuillier’s Masterpiece dress, which she elevated with a custom jacket and cape. “I knew I wanted something that could hold up against such a stunning venue and felt the combination of the floral lace, dramatic train, and cape was perfect.” Onorina Jomir applied her glowing makeup look. “For the after-party, I changed into a ’70s-inspired mini by Taller Marmo. I absolutely love disco and LOVED dancing the night away in the fringed mini.”
On August 19, 2023, Morgan and Felix married in a Jewish ceremony underneath a sprawling floral chuppah by Esther Lamarche Design. “Our rabbi did a great job incorporating our personalities, and the ceremony was full of laughter and just felt so fun,” the bride recalls. “I think the minute I walked out the doors with my dad, all of my nerves disappeared and as cheesy as it sounds I felt like all I saw was Felix from that second on.”
The celebrations began as everyone took a seat at one table underneath a canopy of flowers and lights. The newlyweds danced to Ingrid Michaelson’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” which ended in a surprise firework show that had everyone cheering and eventually on the dancefloor alongside Jazz Around Midnight. Afterward, everyone moved indoors for dessert by Grand Chemin and more dancing. Morgan, Felix, and their parents did the horah before pouring a Champagne tower which fueled the revelry until the early morning hours.
Looking back on the day, the fireworks show remains a standout moment in the couple’s memory. “The surprise fireworks show was absolutely surreal,” the bride says. “I think it was around 10 minutes long and everyone was gathered around the little dance floor after our first dance. It’s one of those moments I replay in my mind over and over because it was just so perfect.”
