Southern France & "Something Blue"
Mathilde & Antoine
The perfect wedding represents a couple completely. For Mathilde and Antoine, that was no small task, both sharing strong ties to Spain, France, England and America. Their resulting ceremony was a breathtaking collage of traditions and personal touches, held in the town Mathilde’s parents were married before her. Read on as the bride shares every detail behind her chateau love story, featuring our pleats as her dream “something blue.”
Photography by Marine Arborio
"I wanted my wedding dress to reflect who I am: a blend of modernity and tradition. Again, I wanted to work with authentic and small-scale suppliers. Victoire Vermeulen was the perfect match — they're a fantastic label run by three sisters. It’s a family affair, which I love. They craft each piece by hand in their workshop in Northern France, a region with a rich history in textile production.
"Initially, I envisioned a long-sleeve dress, but Eugenie, one of the sisters, encouraged me to explore a different style. She was absolutely right! I chose a very modern, simple design — sleeveless with a bare back. I added a belt to structure it, and it gave the dress a very ‘couture’ look. I liked that the dress wore alone was almost like not a wedding dress."
"But what really made this look special was the veil. Since my grandparents are from Spain, I wanted to bring a bit of that heritage into my look. The veil is a contemporary take on the ‘mantilla,’ a traditional lace that women wore around their shoulders. I loved the contrast of the heavy, traditional veil, and the sleeveless, modern cut of the dress. The veil in itself is a piece of art and craftmanship: it is made from a specific lace, dentelle de Calais, and each piece is unique. It somehow reminds me of the lace my grandmother hand-stiched to sheets and gave me when I turned 18 — another family tradition."
"The dress combined modernity with Spanish heritage, but I felt something was still missing — an American touch! Having lived in the U.S. for quite some time, it's become a big part of who we are. So, to honor an American tradition, I decided to wear ‘something blue.' Anyone who knows me knows I have a bit of a shoe obsession, so picking out the right shoes was crucial.
"When I came across the Dahlia heels, I instantly knew they were the one. The color was a perfect, romantic nod to the 'something blue' tradition, adding just the right splash of creativity and color I wanted. Especially since I was going minimal on makeup and jewelry on my wedding day, they really stood out.
"But it wasn’t just about the look — comfort was key. Wedding shoes should be comfortable, something you can truly be yourself in. And the Dahlia heels were exactly that. They were so comfortable, I nearly forgot I had them on! I danced until 6 AM and went to bed without a single foot ache.
"What's more, these heels are so stylish and versatile, I knew I'd be able to wear them again with jeans or a dress, and will always be happy to think `I am wearing my wedding shoes today!’"
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"My husband and I have been moving quite a bit over the last 10 years, living in places like Paris, London, Boston, and now the San Francisco Bay Area. We're truly international, and so are our friends from various parts of the world. We both grew up in Southwest France, and when we decided to get married, we knew it had to be in Gascony — a region near Toulouse that's close to my family and that we both adore. We love everything about it — the food, the landscapes, and the friendly people. We wanted to introduce our friends to this part of France that means so much to us."
"We wanted our wedding to feel intimate and meaningful, so we decided to get married in the same city hall as my parents and grandparents in Boulogne-sur-Gesse, where my mom grew up. Finding the right venue nearby was tough because it's quite off the beaten path, and not a typical tourist spot, but my husband discovered Château du Calaoué. The place isn't widely advertised, so I feel very lucky that he found it. It has remained in the same family since its construction, and we could immediately feel the passion of its owners, Jacques and Sabine, who have been devoted to preserving its heritage and soul. You’re likely to find yourself sitting in Sabine and Jacques' kitchen, enjoying a cup of coffee while sharing your love story.
"The drive to the castle iself is breathtaking, with roads surrounded by bright yellow sunflowers and hills. The castle is beautifully authentic, made from regional pinkish stones. But what really sealed the deal for us was its historic courtyard, surrounded by old ramparts and once used for training horses. It felt just right for our wedding party. It’s not just a venue; it’s a piece of living history that made our big day feel even more special."
"Everything turned out even more beautiful than we dreamed."
"Everything turned out even more beautiful than we dreamed, all thanks to our amazing wedding planner, Manon from mc2monamour, and our florist, Laurene.
"One of the most memorable details from the ceremony was the stunning floral arch. It was meticulously crafted with a variety of flowers that perfectly matched the ones Sabine had planted around the castle, all in our chosen color theme. We exchanged vows under this beautiful arch, which sat on a platform my dad built just for us. Finding the right platform to buy was impossible, so my dad created it from scratch for us. This personal touch made the moment feel incredibly special and lucky.
"Our wedding dinner was set in a magical outdoor setting, under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights that began to glow progressively brighter as the sun set. We had long tables laid out to bring everyone together, covered in white linens. The centerpieces included O’hara roses, chosen by our florist Laurene for their strong, distinctive scent, which became one of my fondest memories from that night."
"My favorite part of wedding planning was working with passionate people! It’s such a privilege to collaborate with professionals who deeply care about their job and have so much talent. My biggest piece of advice to couples planning their wedding is to choose your vendors not just based on the service they provide, but also on their personalities. Great food is important, but if your caterer isn't flexible or understanding, it can make the process much less enjoyable.
"We made sure to choose suppliers we personally connected with and could trust. This approach fostered a family-like atmosphere among our wedding team, who all went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect and smoothly handle any unexpected challenges that came up during the day."
"One really special moment was when we started saying our vows and unexpectedly, a light rain began to fall, even though the sky was still clear and blue. It felt so magical, like the weather was celebrating with us. And then, just as we exchanged rings, the rain stopped. Someone said it was like the sky was crying happy tears, which I thought was really beautiful."