Story - An elegant wedding at the Domaine de Valbonne

If you're looking for a wedding venue in Provence that combines charm, nature, and authenticity, Domaine de Valbonne is a true gem. Nestled in the South of France, this exceptional estate offers a breathtaking setting, perfect for an elegant and romantic wedding .

Surrounded by vineyards , lavender fields , and old stone buildings, this place embodies all the beauty of the South. This is where Céline and Dylan chose to celebrate their union, in an atmosphere that is both natural and refined.

In the following interview, they share with us their experience, their inspirations and the highlights of this unforgettable day, to help you imagine your own wedding in Provence full of emotion and style.

1. To begin, can you tell us who you are and how your love story led you to the Domaine de Valbonne?

We met a little over ten years ago at a party, thanks to a mutual friend. We hit it off right away, and we quickly began a relationship. The beginnings weren't easy; it took us about a year to really find our place in each other's lives. But over time, we found our balance. After a year and a half, we moved in together, then bought our first apartment and adopted a small dog, which made us a little family. At the end of 2022, during a trip to Mexico, we got engaged. We chose to take our time planning a wedding that reflected our personality, and it was only natural that we chose to celebrate this big day at the end of summer 2024, in a place as charming as the Domaine de Valbonne.

2. What made you choose Domaine de Valbonne to celebrate your wedding in Provence?

I visited the Domaine de Valbonne with my mom, and I absolutely fell in love with it. The olive trees, the courtyard, the unobstructed view, the elegance and authenticity of the place… everything captivated me. It exudes a peaceful, warm, and refined atmosphere, exactly what we were looking for for our wedding. My husband trusted me completely with the choice of the venue, and he immediately understood why when he saw the photos and felt my enthusiasm. The kind and professional welcome from Estelle and Julien also meant a lot: I immediately felt comfortable and confident with them. It was obvious, and it was confirmed when my husband was able to meet them a few months later.

3. What did you like most about organizing your wedding at the Domaine?

What we loved most was the beauty of the location, being able to organize everything on-site, and the opportunity to host a large number of our loved ones directly on the Estate. This really reinforced the friendly atmosphere throughout the weekend. The Estate's list of recommended service providers also made our task much easier. Thanks to these trusted contacts, we were able to organize a seamless, stress-free wedding, even without a wedding planner. Almost every service provider knew the location perfectly, which made the organization simple and stress-free, while maintaining exceptional quality.

4. Were there any unforeseen events or challenges during the preparation? And how did you handle them?

Honestly, we didn't encounter any real challenges or unforeseen events during the planning process. I really enjoy organizing and planning ahead, and I was immediately on the same wavelength as Estelle, who is also very meticulous. This excellent coordination really made things easier. We were also lucky not to have to deal with any major unforeseen events beyond our control, which allowed us to navigate the preparations with peace of mind. We were lucky with the weather, but we chose the estate partly for its many options, including a covered dinner.

5. How did you find your service providers? Did Domaine de Valbonne guide or inspire you in your choices?

We found most of our vendors through the Domaine's recommendations list, which was a huge help. Most of the vendors came from their trusted contacts and were fantastic. For the photographer and beauty artist, we did our own research to choose profiles that truly matched our styles. We also used a pizza food truck for the last evening of the weekend, which we had discovered in the area some time before. Even though some vendors were new to the Domaine, Estelle and Julien were very open and adaptable, which made the collaborations easy and enjoyable.

6. Tell us about the search for your dress (or costume): how did the setting of the Domaine influence your style?

For our outfits, we both chose styles and colors that reflected the elegance and authenticity of the Domaine de Valbonne. The natural setting of the venue inspired us to opt for refined yet unadorned clothing, with the idea of remaining faithful to the atmosphere of the estate. We each made our choices surrounded by our loved ones, and had the joy of discovering each other in our respective outfits on the wedding day, a moving and magical moment.

7. What was your main source of inspiration for your wedding decoration?

We chose not to overload the decoration, as the Estate is already magnificent and very flowery. We opted for simple wooden furniture, in order to preserve the authenticity of the place. The floral decoration was concentrated on the ceremony and the dinner tables. Emilie ( Les Herbes Sauvages ) created a magnificent arch that we were able to use for both moments. We chose autumnal and dynamic colors together to bring warmth and color, while remaining in harmony with the season, knowing that we were getting married at the end of September.

8. What entertainment or activities have you planned for your guests during the day?

For the wedding day, we hosted a reception around the pool, providing a relaxed and friendly setting for our guests. During the evening, a Selfie Joke photo booth was set up so everyone could capture fun memories. Throughout the weekend, we also took advantage of the estate's facilities, such as chess, the pool, ping-pong, and even a bit of Mölkky to add a touch of fun and relaxation.

9. What do you think of the layout of the different spaces in the Estate and the flow of traffic between them?

Everything went very well! The various spaces of the Estate are perfectly laid out, with good flow between them, which allowed our guests to fully enjoy each moment without any constraints. Nothing to complain about; everything was seamless and well thought out.

10. What is your opinion on the quality and comfort of the rooms offered on site?

Great, both for us and our guests. Some rooms were shared, so space was obviously a little more limited, but they were still very comfortable. Everyone really appreciated the elegance of the place and the quality of the mattresses, which guaranteed a good night's sleep even though the nights were short.

11. What was your favorite part of the day?

It's hard to say, because every moment was precious. Organizing our wedding over three days, surrounded only by our loved ones (85 adults, 7 children), allowed us to savor each moment without having to calculate our time. My husband and I even spent a lot of time together, and we remember so many emotions (especially during the ceremony and speeches), laughter, and a wild evening where everyone danced and had fun.

12. Do you have a touching, funny or unexpected anecdote to share about D-Day?

My husband had an "inside joke" between us embroidered inside his suit, and he shared it with me during our photoshoot together. It was both a funny and emotional moment, and our photographer and videographer captured the surprise perfectly. This little detail, which only the two of us understood, added a personal and funny touch to our day.

Another unforgettable memory of our evening: towards the end of the party, our friends and I all started running around the dance floor, carried away by the music. It was a moment of pure madness and laughter, and it's thanks to DJ Monsieur Sept who perfectly captured the atmosphere. He truly listened to our needs and adapted to every moment of the evening, from start to finish, creating an incredible and unforgettable atmosphere for us and our guests.

13. Looking back, would you do anything differently? Did the Estate meet your expectations?

No, we wouldn't have changed a thing. We ended our weekend feeling like we had experienced it exactly as we had imagined. The Domaine, and especially Estelle & Julien and the concierge, ensured that everything was perfectly organized and met our expectations, which helped make this weekend an unforgettable memory.

14. What advice would you give to future brides and grooms who are considering getting married at Domaine de Valbonne?

Our main advice for future brides and grooms would indeed be to trust your service providers and fully enjoy every moment. It's above all your moment as a couple, so spend plenty of time together, whether during the preparations or on the big day. And above all, we strongly recommend using the Domaine's concierge service. We didn't have a wedding planner, but the concierge service recommended by the Domaine was a valuable help with the management. Thanks to their services and professionalism, we were able to fully enjoy our weekend without stress and with complete confidence.

15. Would you be willing to share a rough idea of your overall budget and number of guests?

Our total budget (including the estate, food/beverage, and all vendors for the entire weekend) was approximately €60,000. We had 85 guests for the wedding day and the brunch the following day, and 55 guests were staying at the estate for three nights, which we hosted for the pre- and post-wedding events.

16. In three words, how would you describe your wedding at Domaine de Valbonne?

Serene, happy, authentic.

Céline & Dylan – Married in September 2024 at the Domaine de Valbonne

Copyright photographer Clément Minair

Relive the most beautiful moments of this wedding at the Domaine de Valbonne through the video produced by Parisi Wedding Films .