Wedding | Mathilde & Maxime

The Anti-Bride
39 minutes ago
6 min read

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We are Mathilde and Maxime, both under 30, and we own and operate a hotel and restaurant within our family business. We enjoy sharing experiences and being with our family and friends, celebrating life, and hosting them at our home during our free time.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

Maxime proposed when we were on a safari in Tanzania. We then spent a week in Zanzibar, and it was in an incredible hotel that Maxime made his proposal—everything was prepared in advance with the hotel staff—it was such a magical moment! We were so lucky, as our airline company had lost our luggage, and Maxime had brought the ring on board with him!

We were certain we didn't want a very small wedding, but we also didn't want an enormous one. Since we cherish spending time with family and friends, we wanted to have those closest to us present. We chose to get married at Île de Ré because we have a family home there, but it was challenging to gather so many people in a space that could accommodate them on this small island in France. However, we managed to make it happen!

How many guests did you have?

We had around 170 guests.

Tell us about your outfits.

(Mathilde) — I am very keen on fashion and on mixing and matching very specific outfits. I wished to have different styles of outfits throughout the 3 days of the wedding. I was thinking that if one day I was going to get married, I wanted to get married in Jimmy Choo shoes! I was deeply moved when my mother-in-law wanted to give me this pair of shoes; it's a truly cherished gift for me.

I also adore trousers and suits, and I wanted to find a unique statement jacket as part of a suit. I discovered one from the brand Jacquemus, which was highlighted in a fashion show. It was initially out of stock but fortunately became available again, so I grabbed it, with the assistance of a personal shopper! I also got some trousers at Atelier 5 Caen (which was also working on Maxime's suit) to match my Jacquemus jacket, and we made it bespoke so it could mix and match perfectly!

I had a big crush on my wedding dress after trying at least 30 different dresses, and I chose the creator Rime Arodaky, which was also gifted to me by my parents. I added and removed some details from it, so it looks quite bespoke, and this is what I like about it too. I added a scarf during dinner time, some embroidered sleeves, and a veil at the church, so I could accumulate, mix and match, and make different playful combinations with one unique outfit.

For the party, I added statement sparkling earrings by Isabel Marant, which are gorgeous. For the brunch, I was thinking of wearing a dress with a big flower. So I had a long white dress with a flower, and I found it very surprisingly in the Mango Collection. I got it retouched so it could match my silhouette perfectly.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

We opted to plan everything ourselves. Although I had met some wedding planners in Île de Ré, none seemed like the right fit, so we embraced a DIY approach. Maxime's parents, having lived there for several years, were able to assist with the organization and planning. It was crucial for us to prepare as much as possible in advance to ensure everything was ready before our arrival. We got there a week before the wedding day to enjoy time together without any stress. Additionally, we hired two wedding coordinators to manage all the logistics over the three days of our wedding, allowing us to fully enjoy the event with our guests. The weather was beautiful, making it perfect for everyone.

For the atmosphere of the wedding, we aimed for a natural, beach-inspired vibe with a chic touch—something relaxed and laid back. Our guests remarked that the wedding was truly unique, as we wanted it to reflect our personalities, be comfortable for everyone, not overly formal, and modern, allowing people to express themselves and celebrate freely. For the Sunday brunch, we collaborated with the florist on a new decoration to evolve the arrangements from Saturday to Sunday, incorporating plants and lemons. We wanted to create a fresh experience for the brunch, featuring a local ice cream parlor, "la Martinière."

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

On Sunday evening, most guests departed, but a few friends remained. We extended our time together without any pressure, sharing laughter and conversation in an intimate setting, and it was wonderful! Many who stayed mentioned it was a highlight of the wedding. The advice is to maintain the magical atmosphere of the wedding, as returning to daily life turns it into a beautiful memory. However, by staying an extra week on Île de Ré after our wedding, we created a sense of continuation that made a significant difference!

Any tips for couples getting married?

Allowing room for spontaneity is crucial—a wedding is a significant event, and like all events, some things are unpredictable. Embracing this unpredictability can lead to beautiful memories to cherish as everything unfolds naturally. I recommend stopping the organization of your wedding a few days in advance so you can enjoy the company of those who are there for you and truly savor the present moment with them. Relish the moments on your wedding day—I personally had an incredible time, and so did my husband! These joyful memories are what we cherish most, and they are truly important. If you can have someone manage all the coordination on the day itself, it’s even better.

We also believe that having a live band is fantastic, as it creates a real show for everyone. We opted for a shorter dinner and danced together instead!

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

We took time to choose carefully the vendors surrounding us: the venue, the photographer, and the videographer as top priorities for us, and the music too, which had a very important role in our wedding.

I reached out to several photographers, taking a step into the unknown, as I wanted to find someone I could connect with and feel comfortable around. I came across Alia Paienda's profile on Instagram again. We were colleagues at Burberry in London, and when I saw her photos, I thought, "They have an editorial touch with a fashion-forward vibe, which I absolutely love! It's exactly my style! I need to reach out to her!" I also felt we could feel at ease with her; we appreciated her approach, admired her work, and her attention to detail. She immediately understood what we envisioned for our wedding; everything felt amazing, organic, and natural!

We also took her advice to collaborate with Michael, the videographer, and the film turned out sublime! The emotion of the wedding and celebration is palpable, and we can see everyone. When we received the photos, we thought about publishing them in a magazine, yet they also captured each emotional moment authentically. We are thrilled with the outcome, as it exudes human warmth and attention to detail. The editing is subtle and timeless, creating a natural and balanced feel. We wanted the beauty of the moment to shine in the photos and video, and that's exactly what happened. We will cherish them for a lifetime.

Reception: Restaurant La Plage, Rivedoux | Celebrant: Church ceremony | Hair: Bénédicte (Friday), Salon Jancyle (Saturday) | Makeup: Sister in law | Catering: Restaurant La Plage, wines curated by Maxime | Cake: La Boulangerie Marin | Stationery: Cotton Birds @cottonbirdfr | Entertainment: Madame Rouge @madamerouge_theband & DJ Bob Avna | Friday Outfit: Jacquemus @jacquemus jacket, Atelier 5 Caen trousers @atelier5caen | Wedding Dress & Veil: Rime Arodaky @rimearodaky | Suit: Atelier 5 Caen @atelier5caen | Shoes: Jimmy Choo @jimmychoo | Earrings: Isabel Marant @isabelmarant | Rings: by a jeweller friend