“The custom welcome boxes were a hit! We used vintage wooden
crates and sourced all items locally including olive crackers, a tin of
lavender olive oil, calissons (very local Provencal candy made of almond
paste), tapenade, local rosé with custom labels and the book A Year
in Provence. Also accompanying the boxes was a customized itinerary
with local suggestions for activities like markets, wineries, and great
shops and restaurants.” —Wedding Planner, Julie Savage Parekh
une histoire d’amour
The wedding ceremony was held outside, overlooking the town of
Bonnieux. In France, dinner is the most important part of the wedding
and therefore stands on its own (without dancing as is typical with
American weddings). Guests enjoyed a 5-course tasting menu which
included truffle, lobster, and lamb while a live band played traditional
French tunes in the background.
The couple also served the festive traditional "wedding cake" — pièce
montée — at the party.
After dinner, guests were invited into the bergerie (farmhouse) for a dance
party with Yelena and Julien's favorite DJ from LA, Michelle Pesce.