A Poetic Wedding in Provence

Set within the hushed wilds of a Provençal park, Beatrice and Pierre-Emmanuel’s wedding unfolded. Encircled by century-old trees and botanical rarities, the ceremony took shape beneath a canopy of filtered sunlight and sculptural blooms that seemed to rise straight from the forest floor. Guests were seated in the round, blurring the line between audience and participants in a tableau of intimacy.

At the reception, a vision of tactile modernity met pastoral charm. Sleek white linens served as the canvas for painterly table compositions — a mix of mother-of-pearl, citrus, and hand-formed candleholders, layered with florals arranged like brushstrokes. 

The bride wore a made-to-order gown from the archives of Cecilie Bahnsen with Amina Muaddi lace-up sandals and a bow of silk organza cascading from her hair.

Our Story

Names / Beatrice Söderberg & Pierre-Emmanuel Marzouk

Location / Nîmes, France

Wedding Date / May 31st, 2025

Guest Numbers / 80

Budget / €100,000

How We Met

We met at a student party in Paris on a cold winter night in 2012, one of those nights when all you want to do is stay in. But somehow, after much hesitation, we both went. Once we started talking, we couldn’t stop. There was so much to say, and it felt like time stood still.

Our Engagement Story

After spending some years apart (Pierre in Boston, Beatrice in Stockholm) and five years together in London, we moved back to Paris just in time before COVID hit in 2019. The circumstances made it difficult to move forward with a wedding the way we envisioned. In 2022, we welcomed our daughter, Iris, and time flew by.

Pierre finally proposed during a night out at our favorite restaurant in the 19th arrondissement, Soces, in Spring 2024. It was very intimate and romantic.

What we love most about each other…

Pierre: I think, at the end of the day, I admire her. She can do things that seem completely out of reach for me, and that, in a way, is the ultimate form of love. It’s basically the next step after respect.

Beatrice: With Pierre, there’s never a quiet moment. He loves being surrounded by friends and family, and I feel so lucky to share those moments together.

The Setting

Wedding Location

We were looking for a private venue in Provence, close to our families’ summer homes, something personal and intimate, ideally with a bit of history. It turned out to be quite the challenge until our good friend Julie recommended a domaine near Nîmes. We visited and fell in love with the gorgeous Italian family villa and its unique park filled with plants from all over the world. Having lived in several countries ourselves, we felt instantly at home.

Aesthetic

As young parents with a high-energy toddler, there was little time in the day to plan a wedding. We knew we needed help to bring our vision to life, something clean and modern with a touch of history.

After some research, I stumbled upon Romain and Atelier Blanc, who turned out to be the perfect match. Pierre and I shared a few interior design references and some inspiration images, and we placed our full trust in Romain and his team. The result was more than I ever could have imagined.

Preparation

We rented the villa for the week leading up to the wedding, which allowed us to spend intimate time with our closest friends and their children. This also meant the children were very much part of the celebration, adding a playful, spontaneous mood. I got ready with my bridesmaids and Pierre with his best men, while our daughter played in the garden with her friends.

Photography & Videography

Colina and Valentin from Cova Productions were a perfect fit for the aesthetic and mood we envisioned. After a quick video call to get to know each other, we immediately felt at ease with their kind personalities and artistic approach. We wanted to fully enjoy our guests and the celebration, with only a few group photos. For us, it was most important to capture the emotions and the overall feeling, which they did with beauty and perfection.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

For our wedding, we dreamed of an intimate ceremony, a moment suspended in time, away from the world. We wanted the day to feel like a family reunion, surrounded by nature in a cocoon of tranquility. The park, with its majestic trees, felt like the perfect setting.

We entrusted Romain with the design, allowing him to surprise us while staying true to our wishes. He proposed a circular layout for the ceremony, which emphasized unity and intimacy. Every guest felt included, like a member of one big family sharing a deeply emotional moment.

Around us, flowers appeared to emerge from the ground, creating the illusion of a secret, almost magical garden. Their colors, textures, and forms blended into a poetic, yet structured atmosphere.

Then there were the musicians. Their soft, delicate melodies danced with the light filtering through the trees, enveloping the ceremony in sound and emotion. Their music added a layer of quiet elegance that was incredibly meaningful.

Reception Décor

For the reception, we envisioned décor that was both modern and organic, each table a work of art blending elegance and creativity. White tablecloths created a luminous base for a sophisticated design filled with sculptural and graphic elements.

Painted artworks served as portals into a parallel universe, their shapes and colors reflecting the poetry of the day. Next to them, floral arrangements were styled in a structured, geometric way that contrasted beautifully with their natural softness.

Candle holders, sculpted from timeless, natural materials, added dimension and warmth. Dried oranges, seashells, and mother-of-pearl were arranged to create artisanal yet refined table pieces. The candlelight brought everything to life, creating a cozy, magical ambiance.

Each table told its own story, together forming a cohesive, artistic expression of the day’s spirit. The blend of graphic art and organic materials created an atmosphere that felt both contemporary and timeless.

“Then there were the musicians. Their soft, delicate melodies danced with the light filtering through the trees, enveloping the ceremony in sound and emotion.”

Wedding Planner & Stylist

Neither of us had a clear plan or mood board at the start. But Pierre and I share a love for food, architecture, and music, and we wanted our wedding to reflect that, a magical weekend for our guests to remember.

I discovered Romain through a French wedding blog, and from our first call, I knew it was the perfect match. As both a wedding stylist and planner with interior design experience, he was able to interpret our dream and bring it to life with vision and creativity. He was an incredible support throughout the process and especially on the day of our wedding. Responsive and thoughtful, he ensured everything ran seamlessly, allowing us to enjoy each moment fully.

Flowers

We wanted a floral style that felt both sculptural and natural, organic yet modern. It was a challenge, but Pauline worked magic. Her creativity and dedication captured the essence of our vision, adding a sense of poetry and refinement to every arrangement. The result was enchanting, a perfect balance between nature and art.

For my bridal bouquet, I chose the iris, a flower that shares its name with our daughter. It was a meaningful way to include her in the day, a symbol of love and new beginnings.

For my bridesmaids, I wanted something that honored my Swedish heritage. Pauline from Botanique Bazar created delicate, slender flower crowns, each one unique and ethereal. They weren’t just beautiful accessories; they were a quiet tribute to my roots, a symbol of love and connection that transcended borders.

Stationery

I collaborated with an old colleague from my time at COS, who now runs her own bespoke hand-printed stationery studio, Emma Bradstreet Paper & Press, in the UK. Working with her felt meaningful. She truly understood my vision.

Together, we created a collection that reflected the location and the spirit of the day. With Emma’s talented touch, we brought to life beautiful illustrations of the estate, capturing its timeless charm with minimalist elegance. The stationery felt like more than just an invitation. It was a quiet prelude to the celebration, and a reflection of the simplicity and love that defined our wedding.

Cake

We wanted something light and fresh, so we chose an oversized pavlova topped with seasonal fruit from the south of France.

Food & Beverages

After the ceremony, the festivities began with cocktails and a live jazz band, followed by a seated dinner served family-style to keep things relaxed and warm.

Starter: Chilled green pea soup with dill and smoked ricotta.
Main (to share): Duck breast with green pepper sauce, crispy potato cake, and a radicchio salad with glazed baby carrots, pistachios, and fresh mint.
Midnight Snack: Mini hot dogs.

Cocktails and dinner were organized by Thomas and Chef Agathe from Ripailles Paris, who did a fantastic job with their lovely team.

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

I chose a romantic, made-to-order dress from the archives of Cecilie Bahnsen, styled with a giant silk organza bow in my hair and lace-up sandals by Amina Muaddi.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

We chose Trinity rings from Cartier as our wedding bands, and my engagement ring is from Repossi. My “something borrowed” was an antique pearl necklace with matching earrings from the 18th century, borrowed from my mother-in-law.

Hair & Makeup

Sarah took care of my beauty look. After the trial and a few thoughtful exchanges, she truly understood exactly what I wanted. I envisioned something simple and timeless, perfectly complementing my original dress so that everything would come together in harmony. Thanks to her cheerful personality and professionalism, I felt completely relaxed throughout the preparations. Her calm presence and expert touch made the experience feel effortless, allowing me to feel like myself and radiant as I stepped into this unforgettable day.

Groom’s Attire

The groomsmen wore dark suits and white shirts by YSL.

The Details

Honeymoon

We decided not to go too far from home and chose a mini-moon at Six Senses, Ibiza, where we had time to reconnect while enjoying the beautiful nature of the island’s northern region.

As a wedding gift, we received a private hot air balloon ride to watch the sunrise over the island. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The sunsets were equally magical, best enjoyed by the sea, like during dinner and a DJ set at the Beach Caves.

Gift Registry

Many of our close friends and family had already traveled far to attend our wedding. Those who wanted to contribute supported our honeymoon, which we plan to take in Japan when our daughter is a bit older.

“Each table told its own story, together forming a cohesive, artistic expression of the day’s spirit.”

Wedding Songs

Music was a key element throughout each stage of the day.

We had a harpist and violinist play classical music during the ceremony, which was dreamy and romantic. A jazz band followed during the cocktail hour leading into dinner.

Once all the guests had taken their seats, we made our entrance together with a saxophonist and conguero, set to a medley created by our DJ. It included songs like Jubel by Klingande and Changes by PNAU, Faul & Wad. The rhythm was impossible to resist, and our friends joined us in a spontaneous dance. It was the perfect way to release the day’s tension before dinner.

After dinner, we opened the dance floor with a waltz to Valse des Fleurs, then danced the night away to a mix of pop, Latin beats, hip-hop, and disco classics curated by the DJ and brought to life by the saxophonist and conguero. It was a magical combination that kept the dance floor alive all night.

Entertainment

We enlisted two musical groups to create unique atmospheres throughout the day. For the ceremony, a harpist and violinist added an enchanting touch that elevated the emotion and created a moment of rare beauty. Their music brought a special kind of magic that stayed with us.

For the cocktail hour, a jazz band set the tone with a joyful and lively energy that encouraged laughter, conversation, and a relaxed, celebratory mood.

Later in the evening, we had Oliver, an incredible saxophonist, who lit up the atmosphere as we entered the dinner. His vibrant and energetic performance added a unique dynamic to every part of the celebration.

Celebrant

We were legally married at our local town hall in Paris two weeks before the wedding celebration. It was an intimate ceremony followed by lunch at our favorite restaurant, Sauces.

On our wedding day, the ceremony was led by Hasse, the priest from the Swedish Church in the South of France. He beautifully connected our two cultures and created a meaningful bridge between my home country, Sweden, and Pierre’s, France.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

We decided to meet for a “first look” before the ceremony. It gave us a few private moments together, just the two of us and our daughter, which felt incredibly special.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

Toward the end of the planning process, I was too tired to make decisions and reached out to a close friend for advice. I wish I had involved her earlier. There are so many decisions to make throughout the process. Toward the end, I began to lose track of what really mattered and needed someone to remind me.

If I could give other couples one piece of advice…

Try to keep things light, it’s your wedding! Also, establish early on who is responsible for what.

Sources of inspiration…

Much of our inspiration came from our travels, friends, and families. Some of the contacts came through them, and the rest were sourced locally with the help of our wedding planner, Romain.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue / Les Jardins de Campagne

Wedding Stylist & Planner / Atelier Blanc

Photography & Videography / Cova Productions

Content Creation / Capture Studio

Bride’s Dress / Cecilie Bahnsen

Bride’s Shoes / Amina Muaddi

Wedding Rings / Cartier

Hair & Makeup / Sarah Saad for Madame La Marquise

Stationery / Emma Bradstreet Paper & Press

Florist / Botanique Bazar

Catering & Cake / Ripailles Paris

Music & Entertainment / Camille Refait Harpist, The Swinging Monkeys, Oliver Martin Saxx

Rentals / Jani Solution

Photobooth / Wild Stories Photobooth

Transport / One VTC Prestige