Loading...

WEDDING BLOG

French Bohemian Wedding at Les Domaines de Patras

September 23, 2020 | riley

Every wild and free-spirited fiance needs to see Sanddy and Simon’s boho wedding at Les Domaines de Patras! Their French wedding–put together by Daylove Events–has everything from dramatic floral arrangements put together by Menthe Sauvage to vintage rugs and colored smoke bombs. We’re obsessed with Sanddy’s custom-made Elise Martimort gown that she paired with another customized piece—an incredible leather jacket for the end of the night.  

See Free People meets the French countryside below with the gorgeous photos that Les Bandits captured. 

The Couple:

Sanddy and Simon

The Wedding:

Les Domaines de Patras, Solerieux, France

A Custom-Made Wedding Dress

I wanted to feel like myself, so I chose a simple dress without lace or embroidery. The dress was very airy, and it suited my style (plunging neckline, slit up the leg, wide openings under the arms). My inspiration was the dress worn by Edita Vilkeviciute during her wedding in Italy. So I decided to have a custom dress made. After giving her an idea of what I wanted, Élise Martimort–the designer–gave me a sketch in 3 minutes during our first meeting. I knew it was my dress. It was completely unique! I wore it until the end of the night. I didn’t want to change my outfit! You only wear your wedding dress once, so I wanted to make the most of it.

Bohemian Wedding Day Vibes

For the decorations and style of our wedding, Simon gave me carte blanche. He trusted me completely and knew how much I wanted to plan it. I wanted a kinfolk/boho style for the decor–with fresh and dried flowers, lots of plants, and wood. Refined and modern style was the focus.

Why Les Domaines de Patras

We live in Paris, and we were looking for a venue in the south of France. Thanks to our wedding planner–Daylove Event–we found the perfect place, Les Domaines de Patras. From the first time we saw it, we knew. The place is magic! The owners, Kety and Eric–so adorable–make the place feel so warm. The barn–our reception location–matched the style of our wedding perfectly. It didn’t require much decoration. It was perfect for dining and partying. We wanted the majority of our guests to stay at the wedding venue, which was possible thanks to Les Domaines de Patras’ guest rooms.

The Wedding Favors

We had a hangover kit prepared for each guest. For a three-day long wedding, this kit was handy. On the dinner table, women received a small vial of olive oil, and men got a small jar of honey. For my wedding party and our mothers, we had a glass bell made with various dried flowers inside.

 

The Wedding Team:

Photography & Videography – Les Bandits
Event Planning – Daylove Event
Venue – Les Domaines de Patras
Floral Design – Menthe Sauvage
Catering & Cake – Entre Amis Traiteur
Live Music – The Beau Ties, Jane Acoustic Duo
Invitation Design – Cotton Bird
Makeup Artist & Hair Styling – Billy and Clyde
Wedding Dress – Elise Martimort
Groom’s Apparel – Faubourg Saint Supplice
Rings – Mauboussin
Rentals – Velvet Rendez-Vous

 

Congratulations to Sanddy and Simon on their boho wedding at Les Domaines de Patras! And thank you to Les Bandits for sharing their special day with Junebug. To see more French boho wedding inspo, check out Ismaëlla and Aurélie’s Kinfolk-Inspired Wedding at Ferme Gerquesalle!

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

How to Plan a Unique Wedding

September 22, 2020 | brooke


photo by T & V Photography

We see a lot of weddings. Every year, our team reviews thousands—yes, thousands—of real wedding submissions for Junebug Weddings. We know a thing or two about unique weddings. 

If you’re searching for unique wedding ideas in hopes to replicate them—we have news for you. You’re not going to find the perfect unique wedding on Pinterest or even on this blog. The word ‘unique’ literally means “being unlike anything else.” How could you be unlike anything else while copying someone else’s day?

We’re here to help you dig deep to create your day. Let us inspire you to discover your own unique, one-of-a-kind, original style. Then, we’ll turn it into your wedding.

What Makes a Unique Wedding?

We’re giddy with excitement when we open a real wedding submission and immediately feel like we personally know the bride and groom. Careful choices create a sense of personality. Examples of choices that show your unique tastes are a totally rad location, a choice to use only female vendors, or a replica of your favorite board game as a backdrop for photos. 

How to Use Inspiration You Find Online

Finding inspiration is okay! In fact, we recommend finding photos to help guide decisions and spark creative ideas. For example, if you find a photo of stunning table arrangements, take that photo to your florist and explain why you like it. 

Can you add a flower that represents you? Maybe you can source vintage vases to hold the flowers. Or keep the arrangements as-is and design napkins with fun facts about you as a couple. 

Create a Mood Board of Inspiration vs. Replicating

Designing a wedding mood board can provide a centralized place to collect ideas and inspiration photos. Be sure to include a variety of photos—not just wedding photos. Including images of outfits, home decor, and graphic designs can help your wedding team brainstorm unique ideas for your day.

wedding mood board example
Download our Canva template to create your own mood board.

Let Go of Expectations

If you’re dreaming of a unique wedding, it’s important to let go of any preconceived notions about what a wedding “should be.” Forget what you’ve seen at friends weddings or what your parents say you have to do. Your highest priority should be to create a day that makes you feel comfortable, present in the moment, and has thoughtful touches at every turn. 

How to Communicate You’re Breaking Tradition

Be blunt, honest, and communicate your desires clearly. We promise you’ll feel empowered by doing so. Try using any of these options when you’re communicating your unique ideas:

  • “We love how you did ‘XYZ’ for your wedding, but ‘ABC’ is more important to us.”
  • “Thank you for the ideas, we’re hoping to brainstorm things that will be unique to our story. We can’t wait for you to see what we come up with!”
  • “That tradition makes us uncomfortable.”
  • “We decided on mismatched dresses so each bridesmaid can choose a gown that represents their unique style.”

Unique Wedding Ideas from Real Junebug Couples

Remember the thousands of weddings we review every year? When we choose to feature real couple’s weddings on Junebug Weddings, we are careful to select the ones that are truly unique. When you see other couples break tradition, embrace quirky ideas, and rock their true style—we hope you feel free to embrace your truest selves, as well. 

We’ve rounded up a few truly unique weddings to inspire you on your journey.


photo by Fox & Film Photography

This Fabulous Feminist Wedding at Ace Prop House + Studio

The Couple: Steph & Bobby

Location: Miami, Florida 

What Made the Wedding Unique: Steph and Bobby broke tradition in the most awesome of ways for their funky and feminine wedding in Miami, Florida. The couple hired all woman-owned businesses as their vendorstalk about a rockstar move! We’re in awe with how they made an already fun venue even cooler with food trucks, disco balls, and floral creations. 

How to Use This Wedding as Inspiration: Are small businesses important to you? Do you want to support Black-owned businesses? Do you want to hire an all-female team? Consider what you stand for and how you could incorporate social causes into your wedding. 

Edgy Industrial Fall Wedding at Castaway Portland

The Couple: Courtney & Marcell 

Location: Portland, Oregon 

What Made the Wedding Unique: If you’ve ever dreamt of an interesting wedding, take this couple’s advice: break as many rules as possible. Courtney nailed the non-traditional bridal look with a fabulous champagne-colored, beaded gown, and Marcell looked rad in all black attire. You could tell fashion style was important to this duo!

How to Use This Wedding as Inspiration: Take note of how each of you dress in “everyday” life. Is comfort important to you? Do you swoon over gold jewelry? How can your wedding outfits mimic your everyday style—or leave them in the dust with show stopping looks?

Old Hollywood Wedding at The Houdini Estate

The Couple: Adam & Diana

Location: Laurel Canyon, California

What Made the Wedding Unique: Adam and Diana love Old Hollywood and Havana vibes—their wedding reflected it. Their guests were already feeling special receiving rad, themed invitations, and the party was only enhanced with a marajuana bar (when in Rome—right?), cigars, the couple’s favorite food truck, and even more personal touches. 

How to Use This Wedding as Inspiration: Specialty entertainment can be an awesome way to bring a touch of you into your wedding day. Whether it’s your favorite coffee shop, a popsicle stand, food truck, or local band—give your guests a chance to experience something you love as a couple.  


photo by Evren Türker

Fashion-Forward Blush and Baby Blue Zurich Wedding

The Couple: Florian & Gustavo

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

What Made the Wedding Unique: Florian and Gustavo wanted their guests to feel their belief that “happiness is only real when shared.” They created individual invitation cards that included curiosities, dates, and facts about them. 

They wrote to us, “Continuing with the unique style of ‘us,’ we decided to avoid the basic male suit. Our suits matched the colors, flowers, and other decoration elements of the wedding day—as well as the surrounding elements of the venue and season. That’s why we chose the top of Zurich as our venue, to also bring an excellent open air atmosphere to our guests, where they could enjoy the excellent view of our home.”

How to Use This Wedding as Inspiration: Be like Florian and Gustavo—thoughtful and wholehearted in your planning. Consider the feelings you want to inspire for your guests and—most importantly—yourselves

Wedding inspiration can come from anywhere. While we hope to inspire you to create a perfectly unique wedding, we encourage you to follow your heart when it comes to planning. After all, the music will fade, the guests will go home, and you’ll be left standing with your new spouse. Remember what makes that day the most special—start there.

Looking for the team to help pull off your unique wedding ideas? Visit our directory of carefully selected wedding professionals.


photo by T & V Photography

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

Intimate Glam Chicago Wedding at The Kimpton Allegro

September 22, 2020 | riley

Intimate weddings are all the rage right now, and just because they’re smaller doesn’t mean they can’t be over the top glamorous. That’s exactly what Chanel and Sheldon decided when planning their Chicago wedding at The Kimpton Allegro. Between Chanel’s long-sleeve lace Pronovias gown to the abundance of roses put together by Fleur Chicago and the gold accents, everything about the day transported us back in time to glamorous old Hollywood. Oh–not to mention–the bride changed into a head-to-toe lace jumpsuit for the reception! 

Every photo that Junebug member Arielle Teft Photography captured is incredibly chic and we can’t wait for you to gush with us. So what are you waiting for? Get to scrolling and be prepared to be wowed! 

The Couple:

Chanel and Sheldon

The Wedding:

The Kimpton Allegro, Chicago

Chanel’s Wedding Day Fashion

It was extremely important for me to have a gown that was full lace and had a lengthy dramatic train and long sleeves. I tried on at least 50 dresses until I settled on a beautiful Pronovias gown from Designer Loft Boutique in NYC. I wanted an old Hollywood red carpet style for my hair–silky and sleek, swooped back into a low bun so that my makeup and earrings would be the focal point. My dress was paired with pearl statement earrings from Deepa Gurnani and Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Floral Lace Crystal-Toe Pumps. Carrie from Sex and the City has always been my style icon, so Manolo’s were a must! 

Sentimental Wedding Gifts

Right before I walked out of my bridal suite to meet him at the alter, Sheldon left a gift for me. It was a framed photo from the summer we first met before we started dating. It was special because 1. I didn’t even know he had this photo, 2. he isn’t the sentimental type at all, so this felt incredibly thoughtful and 3. he never takes or keeps photos. I am positive he has less than 20 photos on his phone across the last decade. It meant so much to me that he had this and saved it for all these years. My gift to him was Hermes cuff links in the shape of a knot to signify our “tying of the knot.” He wore them on our wedding day.

Intimate Wedding Day Vibes at The Kimpton Allegro

Our wedding vision was romantic and intimate. We knew we wanted to have it in the evening with lots of candles to give the room a vibrant illuminated glow. Sheldon and I are also very detail-oriented and fashion-forward people, so it was important for the wedding to reflect that part of us. Our décor was simple yet elegant–with pops of navy, fuchsia, ivory, and gold. To be completely frank, the venue was so beautiful it didn’t require much.

A Personalized Speciality Cocktail

Our favorite wine is rosé, and our favorite spirit is gin, so we had a rosé and gin spritzer called The McIntosh. Sheldon also surprised me and had giant bottles of rosé flown in from Spain. We had enjoyed this particular wine during our trip to Barcelona at a restaurant called El Nacional.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Arielle Teft
Venue – Kimpton Hotel Allegro
Floral Design – Fleur Chicago
Officiant – Nicholas Pearce
DJ – Brinton Flowers
Invitation Design – Mingle Design Studio
Makeup Artist – Janae Wesby
Hair Styling – Kyra Brown
Wedding Dress – Pronovias
Bridal Accessories – Nadine Merabi
Groom’s Apparel – Articles of Style
Groomsmen’s Apparel – The Black Tux
Rings – The Clear Cut

 

Congratulations again to Chanel and Sheldon on their intimate glam Chicago wedding at The Kimpton Allegro! Big thank you to Junebug member Arielle Teft Photography for sharing their special day with us. To see more of Arielle’s work, check out her profile in our directory of best wedding photographers in the world!

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings
← Older Entries