As an experienced wedding planner who curates a variety of weddings and events throughout the UK, I love the opportunity to coordinate and design celebrations in beautiful locations abroad like Rebekah & Scott’s stunning event in Le Mas de la Rose.

For this French destination Rebekah & Scott invited 59 of their closest friends and family to celebrate with them. The overall vibe for the weekend was a chic black tie wedding that felt polished but still relaxed enough for everyone to enjoy the stunning French setting.

After joining the couple around twelve weeks before the wedding I had the time to get to know their priorities and vision for the day so I could confidently and smoothly coordinate their big day. From creating their bespoke wedding day timeline to managing supplier communication and last minute logistics, my Wedding Day Coordination service provided Rebekah & Scott with the reassurance they needed to know their day would be seamless once their guests arrived in Provence.

A destination wedding weekend in Provence

One of the best parts of a destination wedding is the opportunity to stretch the celebration across the whole weekend.

The couple welcomed their guests to Le Mas de la Rose with a BBQ-style buffet the evening before the wedding. This relaxed way to start the weekend gave everyone a chance to settle into the Provencal surroundings, meet one another and simply catch up before the festivities start.

These welcome events are often one of the highlights for guests travelling for a destination wedding. Oftentimes guests are meeting for the first time and so it gives everyone a chance to mingle, relax and set the tone for the celebration ahead.

Ceremony personal touches

Rebekah & Scott’s wedding ceremony took place in the gardens of their venue where they transformed the space so it really felt like them. With sumptuous arch draping as the background to their vows, the florals and the use of fabrics to create a soft and immersive setting created a ceremony design that looked exactly how the couple envisioned.

Guests were offered parasols and hand fans as they entered the ceremony space, a thoughtful detail that made the outdoor setting comfortable and stylish as these details not only gave comfort but added to the over French style of the ceremony.

Rather than choosing a traditional officiant, the couple asked a close friend to act as their celebrant which made the ceremony feel incredibly personal and meaningful.

Outdoor garden drinks reception

To keep the atmosphere lively without overpowering conversation, a saxophonist performed during the drinks reception creating a relaxed soundtrack as guests enjoyed drinks in the sunshine.

Lawn games including croquet, ring toss and finska were set up across the garden. These small touches added a playful element to the afternoon and kept guests entertained while they mingled and explored the grounds.

The cake cutting also took place during the drinks reception which was important to the couple. This was a fun and meaningful moment with music in the background and all their guests gathered around to cheer on the cutting of the cake.

Designing a modern wedding reception

Dinner took place inside the reception space at Le Mas de la Rose, where the couple opted for a more modern table layout using serpentine tables rather than traditional round tables.

This style of layout changes the atmosphere of a room allowing a beautiful flow where guests can connect and chat across the tables without it feeling too crowded in the space.

The reception design itself remained intentionally clean and elegant, incorporating elements that reflected their ceremony styling. Soft draping across the ceiling added warmth to the room and helped soften the architecture, while candlelight and long linens kept the overall aesthetic romantic.

With guests dressed in black tie, the room immediately felt polished and celebratory without needing excessive decor.

Speeches and evening celebrations

As dinner came to an end, the evening moved into speeches from the father of the bride, the bride herself, two bridesmaids and two best men. These moments brought a lovely balance of humour, emotion and celebration to the evening.

Later, the atmosphere shifted once again as the party began. A DJ took over the music for the evening celebrations, ensuring the dance floor stayed lively as guests continued the celebration late into the night.

Destination wedding coordination

Joining a couple in the final weeks before their wedding is always about making sure everything they have carefully planned comes together smoothly on the day itself.

For destination weddings in particular, my Wedding Day Coordination service plays an especially important role. With guests travelling internationally and celebrations often spanning multiple days, having someone overseeing timings, suppliers and logistics allows the couple to fully enjoy the experience with their guests.

This wedding in Provence was a wonderful example of how a clear vision, a beautiful setting and thoughtful planning can create a celebration that feels both elegant and relaxed.

If you are planning a destination wedding and would like the peace of mind of an expert by your side, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to chat about your wedding vision with me.