My Riviera Wedding

After a busy season I have finally got round to catching up on my blog entires and am delighted to share another wedding with readers which I organised in 2010. Larissa and Ivan, a handsome young Ukrainian and Kazak couple from Monaco celebrated their wedding with 80 family and close friends in a stunning château on the French Riviera. Having rented the property for a long weekend, the couple went for a 3-day schedule with an informal, family style BBQ rehearsal dinner on the Friday, the wedding on the Saturday and an American style brunch in the Sunday. The focus for the wedding was on great music and Michelin star quality food. Singer songwriter Lizzy Parks performed at the rehearsal dinner with her guitarist who was flown in from the UK for the occasion. The Bride’s favourite singer / pop star from the Ukraine, the beautiful Tina Karol performed with her live band at the reception and the brilliant acoustic party band the Phly Boyz entertained guests during the welcome drink and cocktail. The cocktail and reception were catered by celebrated Monaco based chef Michel Mico and Imaginez provided the fabulous transparent tent, lighting, sound and decor.

Below is a selection of images taken of the ceremony and reception by fantastic photographer Bruce Thomas.

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On the 16^th June 2010, I received an enquiry from a lovely Australian couple called Cathy & Brad who wanted to organise a fantasy winter wedding on the French Riviera in December 2010 on the bride’s birthday. Over the months, I worked with the couple to source a wedding venue, wedding celebrant, florist, wedding car, photographer, hair and makeup artist, organise airport transfers and take care of general coordination. The beautiful Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat was chosen as the venue for the wedding to take place on Wednesday 22^nd December.

Due to collect the couple at Nice Cote d’Azur airport on Sunday 19^th December, Cathy & Bradley’s itinerary was changed because of the snowy weather at London Heathrow airport. Almost 24 hours later, on Monday 20^th December, I collected the couple at Nice airport minus all of the 3 items of luggage that they had checked in at the beginning of their journey, including all of the Bridal wear and Groom attire… After a harrowing journey which I learned involved a 10 hour plane journey for nothing (Cathy & Brad left Hong Kong to London, got 5 hours into the flight and the plane turned round and went back to Hong Kong), multiple stopovers, 3 days of plane food and little sleep, this was a major blow to say the least.

Upon arrival at the Fairmont Hotel in Monaco where Cathy & Brad were staying, we decided to remain optimistic that their baggage would be delivered the next morning at their hotel. The following day, it became clear that this was not going to happen so the wedding day had to be changed from Wednesday 22^nd to Thursday 23^rd to give us more time to find replacement Bridal wear and Groom attire. After much searching, I was able to source everything the couple needed at Rezzo Mariages; a brilliant wedding store in Nice. Cathy went for a strapless white sparkling tulle Demetrios dress and Brad chose an Italian designer suit. The team at Rezzo were amazingly able to alter  the dress and suit in 8 hours and Cathy actually  preferred the new dress to the one she had previously bought. Thank goodness this cloud had a silver lining!

A word of warning to all Brides planning on bringing their dress with them for a destination wedding. Make sure that your travel and or wedding insurance covers the entire cost of the loss of your wedding outfits and try to take them as hand luggage if at all possible!

Here are some photos of Cathy & Brad’s rainy wedding courtesy of Alban Pichon.

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