Giving guests a full year to pencil-in the date for Danielle + Joshua’s destination wedding in Normandy, meant their guests could really unwind and enjoy themselves in the French countryside…Such a thoughtful part of the planning when friends and family are traveling from all over the world! Other details not to miss: the romantic field of tall grass where the couple tied the knot, the groom’s talented family members that provided the music for the ceremony and my favourite, Danielle’s tasteful styling choices for her Monique Lhuillier wedding gown, Arielle. Choosing this dress for it’s effortless quality, meant that Danielle could keep her hair and make-up gorgeous and natural and pair it with subtle accessories. So good, enjoy!
Danielle + Joshua | June 4, 2013 | Chateau Le Mont Epinguet, Normandy, France | Dress Listing: Monique Lhuillier, Arielle
The Ceremony
My husband is Australian and I am American, so regardless of where we had the wedding, family would have to travel. Instead of just one side of the family traveling we decided to get married in France and create a memorable experience for everyone! We told our friends and family 1 year in advance and ended up having 50 guests that spent an entire week together at the Chateau in the countryside where we had our wedding. The ceremony was in the most beautiful green field just behind the Chateau. It was overgrown except for one cut down area in the middle, so we decided to have our ceremony there! Joshua’s family is full of incredible musicians, so we had a real stand up piano put in the middle of he field and his brother played during the ceremony. Joshua’s favorite song is Amazing Grace, that was the song I walked down the grassy aisle to as Dan (his brother) played and sang. It was quite magical.
The Reception
The reception was in the lawn at the front of the house, 2 long tables for the guests to eat and drink at, and a sweetheart table for us. We had a local chef cater dinner and it was to die for! The sun doesn’t set until 10 or 11pm so everyone enjoyed the magical outside setting together. We moved the dance party inside and had the piano moved in as well as a friend DJing. Our first dance was a total surprise for Josh, I had his brother and sister play and sing Corrine Bailey Rae’s “Just Like A Star”. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, one of the most memorable parts of the whole night. Nearly every guest stood up and made a speech to us, usually boring, but everyone in attendance was so invested in us and there was so much love that it was a wonderful thing. The night ended around 3am with everyone dancing and singing together. One word to describe the night, magical.
Danielle’s Dress Search
I ALMOST bought Vera Wang’s Gemma. I was so close until I came across a picture of a girl in Monique Lhuillier’s Arielle. I just knew that was the dress! I really wanted a form fitted, a little sexy, show stopping, detail oriented, and elegant dress. To me, Arielle was the best fit for what I wanted.
How Danielle Felt in Her Wedding Dress
I didn’t want to take the dress off. I still wish I could wear it to the grocery store or just hanging around the house! The three words I would describe about how I felt; sexy, womanly, and happy! Best off all my husband thought I looked like a goddess, a perfect dream.
Why Danielle Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
A dress as beautiful as the Arielle I can’t imagine just sitting in a closet for forever. It’s rare that someone will wear their mother’s dress (the 80’s were terrible), I certainly don’t expect my future daughter to want to wear mine. I want the dress to make some other girl’s dream come true and be there for the happiest day of her life.
