This Elegant Wedding in Provence, France, Incorporated a Custom Print from the Bride's Own Accessories Line

Let's Rehearse

The pair's rehearsal dinner took place at Le Pigonnet, the hotel where the couple stayed at when they visited France for the first time together. On a scenic stretch of grounds, one long table was set up underneath a pergola, which was covered with string lights and adorned with hanging lanterns.

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Thoughtful Details

Neely and her mother had planned to use the same table runners for the rehearsal dinner and reception, but when they ran out of time, they decided to buy sheets and have them trimmed to fit (genius!). The blue-and-white printed Matouk x Schumacher sheets set the stage for vibrant centerpieces and an elegant place setting featuring, which was anchored by a vintage-inspired plate. "We also brought along the napkins from our small wedding celebration in Philadelphia, which felt very special," Neely says. "We didn't pack light!"

Dashing Couple

For the pre-wedding party, Neely donned a white one-shoulder dress from Bernadette, which she paired with blue Asha earrings and vintage Monolo Blahnik shoes. Rob wore white pants, a button-down shirt, and a blue jacket from Alton Lane.

Printed Dream

On the big day, Neely slipped into an off-the-shoulder Monique Lhullier wedding dress with a floral print, sweetheart neckline, and billowing sleeves. She purchased the gown through Mark Ingram Atelier. "Mark is a close family friend—he is the ultimate guide for the wedding-dress hunt," Neely says. "The little dusty velvet bow was all Mark's idea. It was the best finishing touch."

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Pastels Abound

Neely's bridal bouquet by Florésie consisted of white, cream, and light blue flowers; it was tied with a blue silk ribbon. "We wanted to bring out the touches of blue in her gown featured in the butterfly print," says Kerry, one of the couple's planners from Lavender & Rose. The bride's mother, sister, and flower girl dressed in shades that complemented the dress' florals, which resulted in a cohesive pastel palette.

All in the Details

She accessorized her look with Manolo Blahnik slingback sandals and vintage Chanel drop earrings borrowed from her mom. "No veil—the dress did all the work!" Neely says.

The Groom's Look

Rob wore a white dinner jacket paired with black tuxedo pants and black smoking slippers, all from Alton Lane. Neely's wedding gift to Rob was a classic wristwatch, which he wore on the big day.

Black-Tie Wedding Party

Neely and Rob asked their wedding party to meet the black-tie dress code and choose their own looks. "We all talk a lot, so I knew we'd be in touch as they decided," Neely says. "Although it's possible my sister and partner in crime, Chloe, did a little coordinating when I wasn't looking."

Get Comfortable

The pair had a unique vision for their ceremony seating as their wedding weekend approached. "The setting was so incredible—it would have been so easy to lean formal," Neely says, "but we wanted to find a way to signal to all our guests to relax and enjoy." Instead of traditional chair rows, the couple put together groupings of couches, lounge chairs, and picnic blankets. Umbrellas were set up to provide some shade and guests were offered parasols.

"Once we had finalized the furniture and how we were going to layout the seating vignettes, we worked with our florist to create coherent floral décor that kept with the relaxed seating style," notes Kerry. Each seating cluster was dressed up with lush greens and blooms; stone urns held natural compositions of blue-and-white florals at the altar.

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Pretty Programs

Wedding programs featured the same dusty blue shade and an illustration of an olive leaf which, when pulled to the side, revealed the service details.

Here Comes the Bride

Neely made a dramatic solo entrance; she cut through the property's symmetrical shrub garden to meet her father, who escorted her the rest of the way.

The Personal Ceremony

Neely and Rob were married by a reverend in an Episcopalian ceremony during their 2020 wedding, so they wanted their wedding in France to feel more personal; they asked their mother's best friend to be their celebrant. "It was the perfect combination of positivity, love, and gravitas," Neely says. "I was in tears the whole time."

The couple wrote their vows together and recited them to one another during the ceremony. Rob's brother and Neely's sister each shared a reading and Neely's youngest brother read the prayers.

Getting the Party Started

The couple hired a string quartet for the ceremony—and then majorly surprised guests during the recessional. As the couple exited the ceremony space, the Jazz Alpes Orchestra appeared from the side of the gardens and picked up the beat of Joe Garland's "In The Mood." "As our guests followed us out of the ceremony, the brass band led us up to the cocktail hour, winding our way through the terraces and gardens of the chateau," Neely says. "It really kicked off the party atmosphere!

Grazing Station

Neely and Rob stepped away to snap some portraits, but quickly returned to the cocktail hour to socialize with their loved ones. When Neely traveled to France with her father for a planning visit, the highlight of their trip was creating a signature cocktail with the venue. They offered a Provençal lavender spritz (Neely's French version of a Pimm's cup), and an old fashioned with a playful twist, which was Rob's choice. In addition to passed appetizers, guests helped themselves to a buffet of charcuterie and cheese grazing boards.

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Secret Garden Seating Chart

The couple and their planner teamed up with their florist to create a secret garden seating chart display; they encircled a tree with antique white iron benches and hung gold framed seating assignments from cast iron hooks.

Custom Print

Dinner took place outside, nestled between the buildings of Chateau de la Gaude, where long tables were placed underneath string lights. "We went for warm festoon lighting to bring the French village square feel to the dinner space," Kerry says. The bride used one of Neely & Chloe's custom prints for the table runners.

Textural Settings

Each place setting included simple white plates, wooden-handled flatware, and dinner menus printed dusty blue cardstock; they matched the welcome booklets that were given to guests upon their arrival. Menus were finished with a white wax seal.

Centerpieces featured seasonal blooms including asters, delphiniums, oxypetalum, alstroemeria, campanulas, Queen Ann's lace, and garden roses—all of which complemented the French garden in the distance.

French-Forward Dinner

Neely and Rob wanted the event's dinner and dancing portions to feel like distinct moments on the big-day timeline. "Dinner was meant to feel like a fabulous dinner party under the stars," Neely says. They offered three French wines, including a rosé from the venue; dinner began with lobster with a citrus verbena, followed by a choice of rack of lamb smoked with herbs and potato mille-feuille or sea bream with olive oil, carrots, and fennel.

The Millefeuille Cake

The couple served a strawberry millefeuille, a layered puff pastry dessert with whipped cream or custard filling. "I'm still dreaming about it," the bride says. "More than one person was late to the dance floor because they needed seconds of dessert!"

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Let's Dance

Neely and Rob shared their first dance to Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Something's Gotta Give." After, "the dance floor didn't slow down for a moment—more than a few guests took the stage with the band to show off their moves," Neely says. Once the band wound down for the night, the couple and their guests made their way to the after-party at the chateau's bar and restaurant, where they served classic Croque Monsieur sandwiches, fries, and crepes as late-night snacks.

The couple soaked in the rest of their wedding weekend before heading on their honeymoon in Mallorca, Spain. "Our wedding was smaller than we expected due to all the COVID-19 challenges, but in retrospect, I can't imagine it larger," Neely says. "Rob and I were able to float leisurely from table to table, stealing moments with pals and family at every turn."

Sources

Photography, Rémi Dupac
Rehearsal Dinner Venue, Le Pigonnet
Wedding Venue, Catering, and Cake, Château de La Gaude
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Lavender & Rose
Flowers, Florésie
Paper Products, TPD Design House
Bride's Gown, Monique Lhuillier; Mark Ingram Atelier
Bride's Jewelry, Chanel
Bride's Shoes, Manolo Blahnik
Bride's Hair and Makeup, Camille Bonardi
Bride's Rehearsal Dinner Outfit, Bernadetta; Asha; Manolo Blahnik
Groom's Attire, Alton Lane
Music, Lady's Orchestra; Jazz Alpes Orchestra; Salut; DJ La Planeta
Rentals, Be Lounge; Options
Favors, Le Roy Réné
Transportation, AS Transport Prestige
Lighting, AB2