Planning a wedding always comes with its challenges, but Danny (@dannydkelley) and Shane’s (@shanekkelley) Friday September 6, 2024, celebration in the South of France brought a level of unpredictability in the weather that tested even my 11 years of experience. Despite the worst rain I've ever seen in over a decade of running weddings across Europe, Danny and Shane's celebrations were absolute perfection - a testament to teamwork, resilience, and a whole lot of love.
A Celebration in Three Acts
As with the majority of our weddings, Danny and Shane’s celebrations were structured across three beautiful days, each with its own unique charm and character.
Day One: The Rehearsal Dinner
The festivities began with an elegant rehearsal dinner set along an alley of lavender, where a single long table was dressed in exquisite blue toile de jouy tablecloths. Blue and white floral centerpieces, candles, and our signature charger plates and crystal glassware added a timeless touch, alongside the venue's cutlery. Overhead, our string lights cast a warm glow as guests enjoyed a barbecue dinner catered by the venue. The evening began in style with a champagne tower, constructed by our team, adding a celebratory sparkle to the gathering.
Day Two: The Wedding Day
The wedding day itself, as detailed below, was a masterclass in adapting to unpredictable weather while maintaining a seamless, stunning experience for the couple and their guests.
Day Three: The Pool Party
The celebrations concluded with a relaxed pool party, a chance to reminisce about the unforgettable moments of the wedding day.
Thankfully, the sun graced us with its presence on both the first and third days, framing the stormy wedding day with perfect weather.
A Ceremony Under Stormy Skies
The rain on that late summer Friday was relentless. Most couples dream of an outdoor wedding under clear skies, and Danny and Shane were no different. But with faith, patience, and a touch of military precision, we pulled off their outdoor ceremony during a rare break in the storm.
Guests were briefed to stay on standby in the château’s drawing rooms, umbrellas were prepared, and I kept a watchful eye on the satellite weather forecast. When a patch of blue sky finally appeared, we moved swiftly. Chairs were set up in record time, guests took their places, and Danny walked down the aisle arm in arm with her dad.
A special thank you goes to the fabulous musicians of Ensemble Obbligato (@ensembleobbligato) for their flexibility and willingness to work with us and adapt to the ever changing plans, heroicly
playing their stringed instruments as beautifully as ever in the humid climate.
The photos by Karina Santos (@karinasantosphoto) captured the atmosphere if this incredible event beautifully. As you can see, it was pure magic.
Navigating Tough Decisions
The cocktail hour unfolded back in the cozy confines of the château while the team finalized the dinner setup. Unfortunately, the weather made an outdoor reception impossible. Even if the rain stopped, the saturated ground and relentless mosquitoes would have made it uncomfortable for guests.
The groom remained ever-hopeful, asking if we could open the sides of the tent to bring the outdoors in. But then the universe answered definitively: a crash from the skies followed by torrential downpour and winds lashing the rain horizontally at times made it clear the tent sides would stay firmly in place!
We pivoted to create a warm, inviting indoor dinner setting, adorned with candles and single-stem roses. Danny’s impeccable tablescape design transitioned seamlessly into this new environment, resulting in an intimate and romantic atmosphere.
Partying Through the Storm
Post-dinner, we moved the festivities to the coach house, where string lights and parasols allowed guests to spill out onto the terrace. The rain eased slightly, but this crowd wasn’t fazed by the weather—they danced, celebrated, and partied into the night with the incredible beats of DJ Halcyon Nights (@halcyonnightsfr).
Even in the midst of the storm, love shone bright. Danny & Shane's wedding proved that with a stellar team, adaptability, and a bit of faith, even the most unpredictable weather can’t dampen the joy of true love. Let us help you create your unforgettable day, rain or shine. Schedule a no-obligation intro call with Sarah today.
Follow the dream team
Planning: @sarahthomasevents
Photography: @karinasantosphoto
Videography: @rickymeyerfilms
Hair & Makeup: @sarahnikaglam
Content Creation: @rafaellimabastos
Florals & Design: @opera_de_gardenia
Strings: @ensembleobbligato
Catering: @les_pradines_traiteur
DJ: @halcyonnightsfr
The Couple: @dannydkelley & @shanekkelley
Venue: @chateauladurantie
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