Australian Couple Flew To France To Say I Do!!
As the sun shone down on the picturesque Chateau Robernier, a dreamy European wedding unfolded, bringing together an Australian couple and their nearest loved ones. We sat down with the lovely pair to uncover the story behind their special day…
Love Story
Michelle and Bayard’s love story spans almost eight years, originating when they were high school sweethearts. Despite the distance and time apart, they reconnected after many years and eventually shared their first kiss at a university law courtyard show. After some careful planning, Bay had a bespoke ring crafted and was ready to propose in Marseille in August 2020. However, COVID-19 had other plans, and the proposal was put on hold.
When the pandemic subsided, the London couple took a trip to Lincolnshire, where Bay finally got down on one knee and asked Michelle to marry him. According to Michelle, she doesn’t remember much after that, except for the long hug and kiss that followed. After the excitement settled, they popped a bottle of champagne, rang their friends and family back home in Australia to share the news, and then made their way back to their villa to celebrate with their closest companions.
The Wedding
Michelle and Bayard’s dreamy French wedding was a true celebration of love and heritage. After initially planning three trips abroad to find the perfect venue, they were forced to secure a booking at Chateau Robernier without seeing it in person due to COVID-19 constraints. Despite not being able to tour the venue, the couple was thrilled with their decision, stating that their wedding day was ‘perfect in so many ways.
‘ With large families, Michelle and Bayard had to be selective about their guest list, ultimately inviting around 145 people who were able to travel internationally. The morning of the wedding, Michelle led a yoga class for her bridal party on the grounds overlooking the chateau, which she found to be an excellent way to calm everyone before the big day. Throughout the celebration, the couple incorporated various elements that held sentimental value.
For instance, they featured Italian-inspired music, including the Tarantella, in memory of Michelle’s recently deceased Nonno who was from Calabria. Additionally, they honored her father’s mother’s French heritage by hosting the wedding in France and serving French delicacies on the menu.
The couple’s favorite moment from their special day was when all the guests gathered for a group photo in front of the chateau, surrounded by metre-high balloons that were released into the crowd just before the snap. This picturesque scene filled with joy, laughter, and floating balloons still brings tears to Michelle’s eyes when she thinks about it.
The Dress
The Bride revealed her bespoke gown details, stating that she commissioned a custom-made Elbeth Gillis dress from Angelica Bridal in London. The dress underwent alterations to give it two distinct looks – the most notable changes being a modified neckline, added detachable straps, and buttons down the back. For the ceremony, she opted for the straps and paired them with Bay’s great-grandmother’s stunning pearl necklace and pearl studs.
To achieve the desired look, Bay’s mother cleverly repurposed a piece of lining from her own dress to shorten the necklace. This thoughtful touch added emotional significance to this special moment. As the reception got underway, the Bride removed the straps to showcase the dress’s original neckline and wore custom-made pearl drop earrings crafted by a family-run business based in Portobello Road markets.
Inspiration behind the destination
As we’re both from Perth, you might expect our wedding to have been held back home, surrounded by family and friends at one of the city’s renowned wineries or picturesque beaches. However, Bay and I wanted to do something different. We took a risk and chose to celebrate in the UK/Europe, where all of our extended family is now based. This unconventional choice came with its challenges – many of my relatives were unable to attend the wedding, despite our hopes that they would be there.
Fortunately, my mum’s three brothers surprised me on my special day by showing up unexpectedly, having previously told me they wouldn’t be able to make it. It was an incredible and heartwarming moment. Having a destination wedding in France, where I’m not fluent in the language, reinforced our decision to hire a professional wedding planner. We knew that navigating the logistics of the event would be overwhelming without one.
And we were proven right – a planner became essential for ensuring the smooth execution of our larger-than-expected celebration. For us, it was crucial to have someone who could handle all the details, allowing Bay and me to truly enjoy our special day.
Advice to Future Brides
I’m a firm believer that having a planner can make all the difference in planning a stress-free wedding. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s an essential investment for any couple looking to create unforgettable memories on their special day. When it comes to budgeting for your big day, it’s crucial to prioritize what matters most to you and your partner. For us, having a live band and DJ was a must-have, but unfortunately, the cost outweighed the benefits.
Instead, we opted for a DJ-only setup, which allowed us to allocate more funds to other important details that brought our wedding vision to life. Speaking of budgeting, I also want to emphasize the importance of allocating resources to photography and videography – these mediums are instrumental in capturing the essence of your special day and providing cherished memories for years to come.
In this regard, I highly recommend Lost in Love Photography and Dear Vincent Videography, as they did an incredible job of capturing our wedding story. Another crucial aspect of planning a memorable wedding is finding the right vendors who can bring your vision to life.
For us, that meant working with talented professionals like Wildfire DJs, Jessica Berullier (makeup and hair artist), Philoxenia Events (bartending), Pop and Bloom (prop hire), Catherine Bradfield Design (events and flowers), and Elbeth Gillis (wedding gown). With the right team in place, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the experience of planning your wedding.
Ultimately, my biggest tip for any bride would be to invest in a planner – it will save you from a world of stress and allow you to truly cherish this special moment.
