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Fanny & Gabriel

I’m not even sure where to begin to describe today’s beautiful French extravaganza, from the bride’s stunning lace gown, to the circus performers at the reception and the cobblestone streets. There’s something utterly romantic about France and today’s couple (who married in the Loire region) just encapsulated everything I’ve come to know and love from one of the most romantic countries in the world. Our newlyweds met through mutual friends. “Gabriel and Fanny met 8 years ago and the first time they saw each other, everyone knew they were meant to be together forever. Gabriel had organised with one of Fanny’s friends to stay out of the apartment so he could organise roses in each corner of the room and he prepared a wonderful meal. Fanny was so excited and did not expect a proposal but was wild with excitement when he did ask her that night. Gabriel is a romantic.” Photos today are by the ever talented Gemma Clarke who traveled all the way to France to shoot today’s beauty (and didn’t she do it in a scrumptious way?). Gemma is not only a photographer who can capture the moments, details and ambiance beautifully but she’s a downright lovely person too! Note: The bride asked for no photos to be published of her face to protect her privacy.

Fanny wore a beautiful lace gown by Dephine Manivet and Chloe shoes. She had a friend who is a flower wholesaler so created her own bouquets and floral arrangements.

Fanny and Gabriel were married in a church in an old village which is in the commune of Béhuard.

Fanny’s friend designed the invitations and Fanny created the rest of the stationery.

You might recognise today’s wedding from Once Wed, Fanny and Gabriel hired two photographers! “I wanted candid photos, moments of emotion, photos of the place, people, scenery and details. Photos with style and vintage appeal were very important to me. I booked a French photographer, Emilie Gerard and she brought along this great Australian photographer, Gemma Clarke. I asked for no posed photos at all as I wanted to capture the real moments. I really like the photos Gemma took, very much in the style I like, she is very talented and so adorable in her personality like Emilie!”

The evening and dinner took place in a forest, Domaine du Bouchet Marchais Gennes. Fanny says “As I liked several themes, I decided to make Gabriel a little of each to try to do something unique, I took a little “circus”, “shabby”, “British “and  “Mary Antoinette”, “Boheme”. I also wanted a forest AND a barn, it was important to me. The peculiarity is that I also wanted to eat … outside! Everyone told me “You’re a crazy girl! Never never make you, everything will fly away or be damaged, no one does that!”. Even the caterer did not believe even the day before, I told people that I would not change my opinion, and trust me it was magic!” “I wanted to create several ‘worlds’ during the wedding. I created a forest “magic” with lanterns everywhere around the trees, I wanted the dinner is to be very “Versailles” with servers, round tables, chairs, “Napoleon” – a centrepiece that tells stories (history books)! I wanted the DJ to be with us with vintage music, soft and romantic, I wanted everything to be like a romantic film!”

Fanny was inspired by an eclectic mix of beautiful things. “For inspiration, I saw Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, I looked for books on the circus, the bohemian, the 20s, romantic style, shabby, British. For help, with the  long list I became a real library of wedding sites!” The unique entertainers and props: trailer, barrel organ, comedians, corner booth, cotton candy and popcorn machine were all part of Fanny’s vision for the day (Fanny’s a stylist, you can read her blog here).

Fanny made a lot of the details herself.  “I did the decorations myself: liberty flags, banners, garlands of ribbon, corner booth, old books, paper-covered liberty, table with numbers, table plan with labels, printed menus, gifts for the guests!”  The scrumptious cupcakes and cake were made by Cupcakes & Co.

Fanny’s memorable moments included some of the things that didn’t go well. “Bottles of Coca Cola had exploded in the fridge in the kitchen of the caterer, it was terrible! When the caterer came to put the candles on the cake, one of them has also exploded (really) and Gabriel put out the fire!” After dark a special treat came out. “At midnight we had an ice cream bicycle shop and it was fabulous – more popular than the cupcakes!“

A big thank you to Fanny & Gabriel for sharing their wedding day today on Polka Dot Bride! Congratulations! Thank you also to Gemma Clarke for sharing today’s amazing images!