Destination wedding in France in Uzès — Valerie & Frazer
CONTENTS
Destination weddings
in France, in Uzès
Destination wedding in France: the radiant elegance of Valérie & Frazer in Uzès
Between the golden stones of Uzès, the sun-drenched olive trees, and the intimate atmosphere of the Bastide of LussanThe marriage of Valérie and Frazer celebrates a certain idea of luxury: that of perfectly controlled simplicity.
Based in London, the couple had long envisioned a honeymoon weekend that reflected their personalities — warm, elegant and deeply rooted in the South of France that they love so muchSurrounded by their loved ones who came from the United Kingdom and France, they considered each moment as a sunny interlude where aesthetics never took precedence over emotion.
From the civil ceremony on the legendary Place aux Herbes to the religious ceremony in Uzès Cathedral, culminating in a candlelit dinner under the stars at the Bastide de Lussan, this report reveals a sincere and refined art of hospitality. A celebration where raw materials, local flowers, candles, and ancient stones create a naturally spectacular setting.
Through the delicate images of Justine OsetDiscover a destination wedding in France with an editorial aesthetic, conceived with gentleness, balance and intention — far from excessive staging, closer to what really matters.
The initial meeting
We met in London.
The wedding venue in Uzès
Frazer and I had a clear vision for our wedding from the very beginning, and Uzès, in the Gard region, immediately stood out: it's an area we love and know very well. La Bastide de Lussan was a natural choice: rustic, welcoming, with beautiful stonework, surrounded by nature, and offering breathtaking views. We wanted our loved ones to be able to stay on-site and enjoy the weekend mornings and lunches at their own pace. Half of our guests were coming from the UK, and it was important to us that they discover the region through our wedding.
Since we live abroad, my parents They visited the place for us, in the middle of winter and via Facetime, and even under these conditions our initial impression was confirmed!
What appealed to them the most
What charmed us most were the different spaces within the Bastide, which allowed us to create distinct and welcoming atmospheres. In the evening, the inner courtyard was illuminated by numerous candles, offering a starry sky above the ancient stones. It's simple and elegant.
Wedding planning
Wedding preparations in Uzès
We were surprised to have to start preparations so early: the South of France, and Uzès in particular, is very popular for weddings. Several venues already had half their calendar booked, more than a year and two months in advance.
Wedding proceedings
Frazer and I had a civil ceremony on Friday at the Uzès town hall, with a small group of people, then shared a drink and a large fougasse from Aigues-Mortes at the La Voûte restaurant on Place aux Herbes. On Saturday, we had a religious ceremony at Uzès Cathedral. followed by a reception at the Bastide de Lussan. The next day, a large paella brought together some of our guests, followed by a pizza night at my parents' house with our friends. Even though the weekend was intense, it allowed us to spend time with our guests in different settings.
We wanted our wedding to reflect both our cultures: a text was read in English during the religious ceremony, and the speeches were translated and illustrated with photos so everyone could follow along. Some traditions were omitted: no car procession, bouquet toss, or wedding cake.
The challenges of this remote organization
Being based abroad was a challenge, and we were supported by a local wedding planner.
The key steps that required the most work from us were mainly related to the religious wedding: preparing the file was laborious and took several months.
We also had to manage the budget carefully, while working exclusively with local and trusted suppliers.
Wedding Decor & Atmosphere
The wedding atmosphere
We wanted something warm and elegant, with a wedding mainly in the late afternoon and evening accompanied by music throughout. The sun was shining, and we had a beautiful sunset.
Wedding colors
We did not choose any colours for the decoration so as not to feel limited: they imposed themselves naturally, with the beige and white of the stone, the green of nature and a few touches of light pink in the bouquets and the decoration.
Wedding stationery
The invitation, created by a family member, was a drawing of us sitting on the fountain in the Place aux Herbes in Uzès. The stationery was simple, high-quality, and colorful, with two sets of invitations in French and English.
Wedding flowers
For the floral arrangements, we wanted something very natural and local: olive trees and rosemary as a base. Our florist-decorator only uses what she finds in nature, which perfectly matched our expectations and the flora of the region. For the guests' departure, a table offered a basket filled with lavender sachets.
For the bride's bouquet, we worked with two different florists for the town hall and the church, creating two different styles, with my only specific request: peonies in one of the bouquets.
The decoration relied on stone, the wood of bistro tables and chairs, large white candles, large baskets of wildflowers and olive leaf centerpieces.
DIY
We didn't create anything ourselves, but we did salvage some items, such as empty wine bottles from the Duchy of Uzès which served as candle holders.
The choice of outfits
Inspiration
Frazer and I love clothes and have extensive wardrobes; so we thought about this aspect early on, especially with a three-day wedding. I chose my two dresses in Paris, alone with my mother.
What guided their choice
For the civil ceremony, I wanted something simple yet striking. I envisioned a straight-cut midi dress that would show off a beautiful pair of colorful heels. The very puffy sleeves weren't what I had imagined, but I really liked the retro feel. The dress was altered to create a more streamlined silhouette. The structured fabric was enough on its own; I simply wore my hair in a half-up style.
Frazer had his suits custom-made by a tailor in London: on Friday he wore a double-breasted jacket that didn't match the trousers, and on Saturday a classic and timeless dark grey suit.
An anecdote
I had a bit of trouble finding a church dress at first: many Parisian designers offer very informal, bohemian, or too-light styles for my taste. After several fittings where I didn't feel comfortable, I tried on one last dress before leaving "just to check" that it wouldn't suit me, and it became my favorite. It had a slightly retro feel with the collar and a real evening effect thanks to the satin and subtle sequins.
Bridal accessories
My shoes for both days were high, chunky heels, comfortable thanks to a cushion built into the sole. As for jewelry, I set aside my everyday pieces and kept only those from my grandmother and my christening.
Wedding providers
We already knew some of our suppliers and each one really took the time to understand our vision and the desired aesthetic and adapted to create something that reflects who we are.
We particularly enjoyed working with vendors at the beginning of their careers: open, available, and willing to explore less conventional ideas. This confirmed for us that long experience doesn't necessarily guarantee better service. Our talented photographer, Justine Oset, captivated us with the freshness and delicacy of her work, as well as her ability to capture images perfectly aligned with the wedding's aesthetic.
What mattered most, apart from the quality of the work, was kindness, gentleness and the ability to support, like our florist-decorator, Josée Marly.
Of course, everything wasn't perfect. Some service providers fell short of expectations—paradoxically, these were often among the most expensive and experienced, sometimes rigid and a little too used to the process to truly listen. But that's part of the reality: you make do, you adapt, and you keep what's essential.
The most moving memory
Seeing all our loved ones gathered at the Cathedral, having come from several countries, was a very powerful moment.
For me, Walking down the aisle with my father, feeling my mother adjust my veil, and wearing my grandmother's jewelry are precious memories.
For FrazerMeeting up with friends in the Place aux Herbes after the town hall was a moment of true joy, as was showing my family around the town and the region.
Unforgettable moment
For both of us The projected family photos, our parents' laughter, the reunions between guests who hadn't seen each other for years, and the joyful little excesses of some, truly marked the day. We also thought of our grandparents.
Their best choice in wedding planning
We should be accompanied by our wedding planner, Megan was truly one of our best choices. Her presence brought a real gentleness to the process: she knew how to guide us, ease our burden, and quickly understood what mattered to us. Thanks to her, we were able to remain calm and fully enjoy the planning without feeling overwhelmed. The religious aspect was also extremely important: it was very personal, and it gave a special depth to the day.
Another point that really made a difference: choose a place that, in itself, does not need much decorationThis made the organization simpler, while giving it a natural and elegant aesthetic, which is what we were looking for.
What if I had to do it again?
Our wedding was a perfect reflection of us; it truly represented us. It wasn't meant to impress anyone: we, of course, favoring beauty and goodness wherever we could, but it remained true to our style and tastes, without ever becoming a staged performance.
It's difficult to say what we'll do differently, because for us, it was a unique experience we'll never repeat. That's precisely what makes it so special. We wanted to live life our own way, close to what felt right for us, not for others. From that perspective, there are no regrets.
The wedding playlist
First dance • Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel – Tavares
Favorite ceremony music • O Jesus I Have Promised et With us, be Queen
Essential party music • Yes Sir, I Can Boogie – Baccarat
The title that symbolizes their relationship • All You Need Is Love The Beatles
Advice from the newlyweds
Things they should know before starting
What we wish someone had told us earlier, and honestly, is that planning a wedding is difficult. If you have a demanding job, the year of preparation is intense and requires a lot of patience and, above all, communication within the couple. For us, the logistics were a real challenge: it's normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes. We even dedicated one evening a week solely to wedding planning, which allowed us to make steady progress.
Their best advice for a stress-free preparation process
Our first advice would be to to absolve oneself of guiltIf you're struggling to manage certain aspects, it doesn't mean you're "incapable," it's simply that there's a lot to handle. And above all, if necessary, seek help from a wedding planner.
Our second piece of advice: communicate a lot with your spouse and share responsibilities equally. It doesn't have to be exactly 50/50, but alternating projects allows you to carry the marriage together, while avoiding overloading one side.
Another important point: not to feel obliged to do as others do. You don't have to get ready surrounded by your witnesses or take photos before the ceremony, sleep at the reception venue, or manage all the decorations yourself. Everyone should find what suits them and respect their own wishes. Personally, I slept at my parents' house the night before, had breakfast with them, and then my mother and I went to get our hair and makeup done in town that morning. We even ran into some friends and had a coffee. I discovered the reception venue at the same time as the guests.
To fully enjoy the big day
Finally, to fully enjoy the big day, we chose not to consider it as "the day of our lives", but as the happiest day of our lives.
Destination weddings
in France, in Uzès
Destination budget
wedding in Uzès
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We didn't want to exceed a certain amount and worked together to keep things reasonable and realistic.
Our priority was the venue. Uzès is very popular for weddings, and we knew that many couples living abroad have virtually unlimited budgets. We therefore needed to remain strategic and realistic. -
I was very particular about the decor, and it was the only area where I wasn't willing to compromise. For everything else, we made careful choices: never going for the cheapest options, but choosing services tailored to our needs and budget. Some services might have varied in quality, but our main priority was working with local, trustworthy people whose work we truly admired.
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Destination wedding venues in Uzès
Venue & Reception
Reception venue • Bastide of Lussan
Bride's outfit
Wedding dress • ROTATE Birger Christensen & PRONOVIAS:
Shoes • Flordeasoka
Bridal jewelry and accessories • Missoma & Orpheus Jewelry
Groom's Attire
Suit • 40 Colors
Shoes • Loake & Jacques Solovière Paris
Mise en Beauté
Hair & Makeup • Marilyn Institute & Sébastien Gourgeon
Photography
Photographer • Justine Oset
Entertainment
DJ • Romain Solano
Design
Floral design • Florist's Hem & Josée Marly
Organization & coordination
To listen
See more...
Congratulations to the happy couple for this beautiful sharing. We wish them a lifetime of happiness!
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Selection of the editorial staff
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Rosaé Paris – Le Ferdinand ecru babydoll dress
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Sézane – Arina Top
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Cult Gaia – Cassidy Sandals
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Rosaé Paris – Le Vargas satin tank top
The initial price was: €160.00.140.00 €The current price is: €140.00. Buy on rosaeparis.com -
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Rosaé Paris – Le Vandy Dress
The initial price was: €190.00.115.00 €The current price is: €115.00. Buy on rosaeparis.com -
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Jacquemus – Knit wedding dress
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Sézane Ceremony – Hortense Dress
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Etam lingerie – Lace bustier
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Sézane Ceremony – Layla ecru dress
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