Stylist Naomi and John will be forever thankful for their friend who set them up on a blind lunch date in London. Seven years later, Naomi was in New York for a work trip. While in her hotel room, she heard a knock at the door and assumed it was room service, but when she swung open the door, she found John on one knee with a ring and a proposal. He romantically flew over the Atlantic to ask her to marry him.
Once they began the planning process, the couple thought back to all of the destination weddings they had attended together. There was a sense of community and camaraderie when you take your guests out of their normal day-to-day routine and place them in a different country like France. They turned to Holly from Wonderlust Events to help them plan the weekend at Domaine de Blanche Fleur in Provence and Jack Henry to photograph.
The bride-to-be (and new mom) wanted to wear something elegant but comfortable on her wedding day, and Kate of Halfpenny London understood exactly what she envisioned. “Kate was a dream throughout the whole process,” Naomi gushes. “We worked together to come up with a two-piece for the ceremony, which consisted of a cap sleeve bodice and a long full skirt—with pockets for tissues!” For a twist and extra flair, Naomi added a large bow and topped her look off with a gorgeous organza veil. She removed the skirt and bow for the evening festivities and switched into wide-legged trousers with a dramatic gem-encrusted headband. Evie applied her glowing makeup.
The groom looked dapper in a soft white suit from Suitsupply. His best man and other groomsmen donned off-white linen Zara suits with chic pocket squares from Liberty.
On May 31, 2022, guests gathered for the wedding in a courtyard beside an old mill barn with an explosion of flowers by Lettre a Elise along the aisle. “We chose this space, as it hadn’t been used before, and I like to be different!” Naomi laughs. Their lovely Travelling Celebrant learned about the bride and groom’s journey to paint a narrative picture for the ceremony for those who may not have been familiar with their love story beforehand.
After the vows, everyone moved into the next space surrounded by gardens and small running rivers. They sipped refreshing drinks in the sunshine and noshed on canapés, make-your-own bruschetta, and pine-smoked duck. Guests picked up their own personalized limoncello bottles with their labeled table seating assignments. As everyone found their chairs, dinner by L’Eveil des Papilles was served atop white tablecloths and illuminated by chandeliers and warm-toned candles. Each place setting featured Liberty napkins and L’Occitane goodie bags. The music, toasts, and Maison Mirabeau wine flowed freely all night long. The newlyweds sliced into their pavlova cake, which was made in front of the guests during the party.
As the sun set, the candles, chandeliers, and fairy lights served as the main source of luminance and created an ethereal ambiance. The La Dolcezza ice cream truck brought further joy. Naomi and John ventured onto the dance floor for a first dance to Finley Quaye’s “Your Love Gets Sweeter.” From then on, the Wildfire DJs and Gatsby Band took over and kept everybody dancing all night long. The bar team serving his and hers cocktails certainly helped, though.
Late into the night, the pool house opened, and as expected, quite a few people jumped into the water. The party continued the next day with a chill get-together and a Disco & Tacos truck.
