Story - Scottish Wedding at Domaine de Valbonne
- domainedevalbonne6
- 3d
- 5 min read
If you’re a UK or US couple dreaming of a chic destination wedding in Provence, Domaine de Valbonne is one of the most enchanting venues in the South of France. Known for its golden light, warm autumn colours, and timeless Provençal charm, the estate is especially magical for an October wedding, when the sun casts soft orange tones over the vineyards and stone buildings.
Surrounded by olive trees, lavender fields, vineyards, and beautifully restored historic houses, the Domaine offers the perfect setting for English-speaking couples seeking an elegant, romantic, and truly immersive wedding experience in France. That’s why Jenna and Sam, a wonderful Scottish couple, chose Domaine de Valbonne for their chic autumn celebration — drawn by the scenery, the relaxed French lifestyle, and the opportunity to host an unforgettable wedding weekend abroad.
In the story below, they share their inspirations, their planning tips, and the standout moments of their destination wedding in Provence, offering valuable insight for UK and US couples dreaming of a stylish and memorable celebration in the South of France.
Could you briefly tell us your story and why you chose to get married in Provence?
We toured France on our motorbike in 2022 and fell in love with the picturesque towns, beautiful vineyards and calming atmosphere. When we got engaged in 2023 and decided on an abroad wedding it was only fitting to go back to France to tie the knot!
What were your initial expectations when looking for a wedding venue abroad?
When looking for a venue abroad we wanted somewhere our guests could stay with us for the whole weekend and that felt like a home away from home.
You booked the Domaine without even visiting in person. How did you feel making that decision from afar, through your conversations with Julien and the virtual tour?
Without visiting the venue in person, it was a big decision to go ahead and book it however after the first video call we had with Estelle and Julien we knew this was the one and we were in great hands. They thought of everything, and we knew they had it covered from the suppliers to the finer details and the running of the whole weekend. They are genuine, caring people and made us feel so welcome from day one. Their experience in the industry was very evident, and we felt super confident that they would make sure it was perfect and it was! . The virtual tour is a fantastic bonus and helped us picture our day and make decisions from afar.
Coming from Scotland, did you find it reassuring to rely on our advice in selecting trusted vendors (caterer, DJ, photographer, etc.)?
The trusted vendor list provided by Estelle & Julien was a huge help to us. With not living in the area we wouldn't have known where to start so this made the whole planning experience so much easier knowing they had worked with the vendors before and could recommend them.
What first captivated you when discovering Domaine de Valbonne (its size, charm, exclusivity)?
We loved that we could have our guests staying with us for the full weekend as this was one of our top priorities. The charm of the Domaine and its homely feel really drew us to it, aswell as the beautiful views, the pool and the many areas to choose from for the different parts of our wedding day. We also loved that we would be drinking wine from the vineyard you can see next door!
The Domaine is vast and offers a variety of spaces: the courtyard, renovated barn, vaulted cellars, swimming pool, pétanque court, forest, not to mention the lavender fields and olive groves. How did your guests experience this diversity?
Our guests loved experiencing the different spaces at the Domaine and couldn't believe how beautiful it is. It felt like each part of our wedding was at a new venue.
The Domaine has more than 50 beds on site. How did this make your wedding easier (enjoying the party longer, staying together all weekend, avoiding transfers)?
Having all our guests staying together at the venue was perfect. It allowed us to spend time with everyone invited as your wedding day goes by so quickly you don't always get the chance to spend time with everyone if it's just the one day. It made the whole weekend feel more relaxed which is exactly what we wanted.
Which moment or which space best reflected the chic Provençal atmosphere you had envisioned?
It is so hard to choose as everywhere you turn at the Domaine captures the Provencial atmosphere. The brickwork, the vineyard, the flowers, the sun setting over the olive trees and lavender fields - everything is picturesque and feels like a dream!
As an international couple, did you feel it was essential to have a wedding planner to orchestrate a wedding on such a large estate?
Our wedding planner Julie at Festidays Planning and assistant planner Manon at MLJ Events were life savers! We could not have done it without them, our wedding fairies! Julie provided invaluable support leading up to the wedding and confirmed all details/delivery times and locations with all of our suppliers which would have been difficult for us to do with not knowing the area. Julie booked video calls with me and some of the suppliers to run through what I wanted and fill in the blanks. They thought about everything. And on the day of the wedding they took control and made sure everything ran smoothly whilst being a calming presence. Their experience and talent in what they do was exceptional.
Did you use the Domaine’s concierge service to manage logistics (deliveries, vendor coordination, setup of spaces)? In what way was it helpful?
Concierge service was very helpful in making sure the running of the Domaine went smoothly and was taken care of. From setting up spaces to keeping everything tidy, it was a big help.
Did being able to delegate part of the logistics allow you to fully enjoy your wedding and your guests?
From the minute we arrived at the venue I switched off and allowed the dream team to take over. It was amazing to know everything was in good hands and allowed me to enjoy it from start to finish.
If you had to sum up your experience at Domaine de Valbonne in just one word, which would you choose?
Magical.
Jenna & Sam – Married in October 2024 at the Domaine de Valbonne
Copyright photographer Ben Levy
Wedding Planner Julie Festidays
Assistant wedding planner Manon MLJ Event
Music DJ Monsieur Sept
Caterer Disco & Tacos
