Gorgeous bride Gaelle had always dreamt of getting married in a garden, so once the very dapper Sofiane proposed to her, finding an outdoor venue was essential and LA MAISON DES OLIVIERS fit the bill with it’s beautiful olive trees and gardens full of flowers. After doing their research online, they went for a simple and elegant feel to the day and these stunning images by MARIE FILM PHOTOGRAPHER show it off perfectly!
HOW DID YOU MEET? We met in Paris through common friends. I had a boyfriend at the time but Sofiane still took the risk to buy me a rose during the night. I thought it was the most romantic thing. We left at the end of the night without exchanging any number. Back in my home town on Monday I broke up with my boyfriend knowing he wasn’t the one. Through a chain of a few events we eventually managed to get back in touch. In January 2006 a wonderful weekend in Bordeaux, my hometown, was the start of our love story. It was definitely love at first sight for both of us.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL: The funny story is there hasn’t been a real proposal. Long story short but it’s actually Sofiane’s Dad who ended up asking me to marry his son. On our wedding day, during dinner and in front of all our guests and family, Sofiane went down on his knee to do his “official” proposal. I’m still giggling thinking about it. Best proposal any bride could expect.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR WEDDING DRESS: Living in Singapore, I could not find a dress as I don’t fit Asian body standards. Having lived in Sydney before and still having two good friends there, I sent them on a mission to find my dream dress. We shared a Pinterest board so they knew which kind of dresses I liked. One weekend back in Sydney and three shops later I found my dress. Julie and Nadine, my two friends, booked appointments in the loveliest boutiques and it was super easy to choose. I probably only tried 10 dresses. I bought the one that made everybody cry when I putted on including the sales assistant. One of my favourite memory of the 18 months leading up to the wedding.
DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS: For the flowers, I only wanted flowers that were in season in Morocco. Wild flowers were a must have on my wish list. For the Moroccan night we had small bouquets with small touches of colour and for the next day large arrangements in pastel tones (our colour theme for the wedding) and plenty of roses as it’s the quintessential flower in Morocco.
WHAT ADVICE WOUDL YOU GIVE OUR TO A COUPLE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING? Get help from wedding planner. It removes all the stress on the day and they have always good ideas and tips during the planning stage. Take time to find the photographer & videographer who is going to follow you. It is important to have the same expectations and the same vision. Especially for a destination wedding, these professionals will be with you a lot of the time so it’s important to be on the same wavelength.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Without a doubt when we first saw each other. The dream was coming true. We are both French but Sofiane has a strong Moroccan heritage. Having living in Australia and Singapore, our guests were coming from five continents, so it was important for us to mix our heritages and share it with our guests ééò themselves all having different backgrounds. For a few days it felt a bit like the United Nations. On the Friday night during the Moroccan night, Sofiane’s sister conducted the henna ceremony for us and the guests. It was so amazing to be able to mix our cultures. During the ceremony on Saturday we were absolutely stunned by the speeches given by our bridesmaids and groomsmen and families. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house ééò even Sofiane cried and he never cries by the way! We have for sure the best families and friends.
Photographer MARIE FILM PHOTOGRAPHER / Videographer KEVIN from SOMETHING WEDDING / Cake 16 CAFE / Florist FLEURITEL MARRAKECH / Website & stationery design JULIENT PHIPPS / Venue LA MAISON DES OLIVIERS / Bride’s gown ELIZABETH DYE from SAVVY BRIDES / Shoes CUSTOM / Hair & make-up SOPHIE LIENARD / Groom’s attire L&K BESPOKE TAILOR / Planners SALMA & SAFAE from MAEV MAROC / Music ABDEL
