An Opulent Pink-and-Gold Wedding on the French Riviera

The way from the first glance to the aisle

Sorhaya was working part-time in a boutique in Canada in 2011 when a customer caught her attention and the two began chatting. Though Duc left without getting her number, he returned to the store several times over the next few days, trying to reconnect, but missing her each time. "He eventually came back to the store to ask me out, I said yes, and we went on a date," says Sorhaya. Duc moved from Belgium to Canada six months later, and the two became a couple.

In June 2018, Duc was preparing to move to the United States for work while Sorhaya planned to stay in Canada. "Before he left, he made me a promise that he would come back in two years and we would get married," says Sorhaya. "I know some people would've thought that getting engaged right before your significant other is moving to another country is risky, but we both knew our relationship was strong enough to survive a long-distance relationship—and thankfully, we were right."

When they began putting their wedding plans in place, Sorhaya had a very short list of locations: "I've always wanted to get married in the South of France," she says, "and with my husband being Belgian with the majority of his family living in Paris, it was the perfect location for us." The couple chose Château Saint Georges on the French Riviera in Grasse, France, for a destination wedding for 60 guests in 2020. "With the different travel restrictions, it became impossible to have our wedding held as planned," says the bride. They postponed it until August 14, 2021, when the couple and their guests could travel after getting vaccinated.

Royally Charmed

The lavish décor at the château inspired the couple's color palette and overall wedding aesthetic. "I wanted something classic, elegant, and romantic, but mostly personalized," says Sorhaya. The pair combined elements and traditions from both their nationalities, welcomed guests with custom baskets, and made sure the DJ played music all their loved ones could enjoy. "Make sure the wedding really represents what you and your future spouse have as a vision for your big day," says Sorhaya. "A wedding goes by so fast and the last thing you want is to have regrets because you didn't stick to what you wanted."

"We completely fell in love with all the historical details of Château Saint Georges and the gorgeous hilltop view of Grasse and its surroundings," says Sorhaya. "This château is nicknamed 'le petit Versailles'—it translates to 'small Versailles.' It was built in the 19th century and restored to perfection with many intricate and detailed gold moldings paired with small paintings." The building's pale pink exterior and interior combinations of white, gold, and blush pink also inspired the couple's wedding color palette.

One of a kind

Sorhaya had a specific wedding dress in mind while shopping, but after special-ordering it through her boutique, she realized it wasn't the perfect fit she envisioned. Instead, she chose an Eva Lendel off-white A-line gown with floral appliqués on the bodice. An oversized bow tied at the back of the dress just below the bride's neck, and cascaded all the way down to the skirt. "I didn't want to take it off," she says. "It felt like it was me in a dress, and it perfectly fit the theme for the wedding, which was classic and romantic." She added gold chandelier earrings and a crystal bracelet to complement her wedding and engagement bands—both custom-made by a high school friend. "It makes me so happy that my ring is truly unique because my husband and I helped design it, but even more so because it was created with the help of a friend," she says.

Vendors

Source, Martha Stewart Weddings

Photography, Anya Kernes

Venue, Chateau Saint Georges

Event Planning, LifEvents

Catering, De Bouche en Bouche

Flowers, Emily Alarcon

Videography, Air Snap

Stationery, Crème de Papier

Cake, Made in Cake

Music, Mix and Light

Rentals, Maison Options; Vaisselle Vintage

Bride's Gown, Eva Lendel

Bride's Accessories, Vezina veil; Jimmy Choo shoes; Karen Wolf earrings and hair accessories; Olive and Piperbracelet Hair, Harold James (bride); Julien Matha (bridesmaids)

Makeup, Harold James

Bridesmaids' Dresses, Joanna August

Groom's Attire, Zegna

Menswear, SuitSupply

Groom's Shoes, Antonio Maurizi

Bar Service, Flair Evolution

Bride's Rings, Diamond Capital Jewelry

Favors, Une Pincée de Provence