A Fashion Editor’s Romantic Sun-Kissed Wedding in the South of France
The setting, a 19th century chateau surrounded by lavender and vineyards.
Photography:
Barb Simkova
Let us set the scene for the three-day wedding affair of Ally Dean Spencer, former Fashion & Beauty Editor at Hello! Canada (and previously Associate Editor at ELLE Canada), and investment banker Michael Spencer, in the South of France. The couple hosted 60 of their nearest and dearest (yours truly was a bridesmaid) at a 19th-century chateau reserved exclusively for guests in attendance all weekend long. A welcome BBQ on the first night took place in the estate gardens with sprawling tables topped with local fare and Aperol Spritz (the signature cocktail for the weekend) flowing all night long. The next day, guests cured hangovers at a relaxing pool party overlooking the sun-kissed Languedoc region and topped off the evening with a Golden Hour wine tasting.
But it was on the third day, the wedding day, that it was abundantly clear no detail had been spared. Surrounded by lavender, thyme, and rolling vineyards stretching far into the horizon (the stunning Chateau de Carrasses in the distance), the couple wed in a romantic (and emotional) ceremony, which was followed by an elegant king’s table feast under the stars and a wild dance party, featuring flown-in-for-the-night UK band Indienational to keep the party going until the early hours of the morning.
Click through the gallery below to see every little detail of the magical weekend, from the custom-made couture-inspired headpieces for the bridal party to personalized agate placeholders, and the bride’s *three* dresses.
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“To welcome our guests to the Chateau, we put together... Read More

“We took over the property at Chateau Les Carrasses for... Read More

“We threw a relaxed BBQ in the garden the first... Read More

“Chef Alex prepared all the food over the course of... Read More

“Our welcome cocktail, Aperol Spritz.”... Read More

“The desserts table included a candy bar, which had piles... Read More

“I wore a mix of white dresses over the course... Read More

“We wrote each guest a welcome note that was waiting... Read More

“To kick off our second day at the Chateau, we... Read More

“My 90-year old grandmother cruised around on an inflatable swan... Read More

“Aperol Spritz were a signature cocktail over the course of... Read More

“It would be impossible to stay on a vineyard and... Read More

“The night before the wedding, Michael hosted a cigar-and-whiskey night... Read More

“Pre-ceremony beauty ritual involved a series of face masks including... Read More

“Handmade linen pajamas from Pure White Spa and waffle bathrobes... Read More

“Charlotte Tilbury and Show Beauty sent all the makeup and... Read More

“I have always disliked matchy-matchy bridesmaid dresses, but I knew... Read More

“Hilary, Stephanie, and Noah caught snapping a selfie of their... Read More

“The bridesmaid dresses were a blend of silk charmeuse.”... Read More

“I had no intention of wearing a typical wedding dress,... Read More

“Fluffing the layers of the tiered tulle skirt of my... Read More

“Michael wore a bespoke three-piece tuxedo in a midnight blue.... Read More

“My dress was my something new, and I borrowed vintage... Read More

“Tina of So Pretty In Print created all our paper... Read More

“My darling sister was the one to stand next to... Read More

“Our best friends serving serious bridal party goals in the... Read More

“As part of their bridesmaid gift, I gave each of... Read More

“Moments before walking down the aisle, we walked from the... Read More

“Paper parasols offered guests some shade from the warm September... Read More

“We had one long king’s table for seating with Michael... Read More

“Walking down the aisle with my father, who looked dapper... Read More

“As guests arrived for the ceremony, each woman was handed... Read More

“A local florist named Laurent created this wild archway for... Read More

“Standing on the hilltop overlooking the vineyard, the entire ceremony... Read More

“I love this shot of our first kiss with our... Read More

“A string quartet played a mix of Beatles songs during... Read More

“Immediately following the ceremony, we shared a champagne toast before... Read More

“Our wedding planner, Mahla Pourashama of The Eventeur, sourced our... Read More

“Our first dance was to Jon Boden’s ‘How Long Will... Read More
