FROM TEXAS TO BORDEAUX: A DESTINATION WEDDING WOVEN IN CEDAR & SUNLIGHT

Sarah Thomas Events
2 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

On a hillside just outside Bordeaux, under the gentle sway of a 200-year-old cedar tree, Tonie and Braeden pledged their love not once, but twice.

The couple—based in Texas—gathered 75 guests from across the United States and Lebanon for a three-day wedding celebration at Château Gassies, a stately 18th-century estate perched above the Garonne River. For Tonie, whose family heritage is deeply rooted in Lebanon, the towering cedar on the grounds was more than symbolic. It was ancestral. Which is why she and her beau pledged their vows under its boughs, quietly and authentically in a private ceremony, the night before their official nuptials took place.

A Welcome Woven in Flavor and Jazz

The celebrations began with a welcome party that felt more like a curated experience than a casual arrival. Catered by chef Natasha Jalibat with her team from The Forks, the dinner buffet was a maximalist nod to the senses: draped in ruffled fabrics and decked out with overflowing platters of French cheese, charcuterie, grapes, and a live seafood station where prawns and mussels were sizzled to order. Guests were treated to an introduction of the wines they'd be tasting throughout the celebrations. A local Bordeaux crémant, crémant de Limoux, a grand cru red from nearby St. Emilion, a local sauvignon blanc and a Provençal rosé, not to mention a specially sourced prosecco for the pool party and Aperols...

The soundtrack? Toulouse Gypsy Jazz Band, lending the evening a vintage cinematic glow as dusk fell across the gardens.

Later, as the band’s final chord lingered in the air, Tonie and Braeden slipped away with Megan Kelly Photography & Sixteen 9 Films, to exchange private vows beneath the cedar tree’s ancient canopy. It was the kind of moment that can’t be staged—quiet, reverent, and wholly theirs.

Hair and makeup for the welcome party was provided by the talented Laura Cawte.

A Grand Entrance

As guests arrived on the wedding day, they were immediately immersed in the grandeur of the setting. A breathtaking welcome sign—crafted from organic linen and measuring nearly 16.5 feet tall by 6.5 feet wide (5 metres by 2 metres)—draped dramatically from one of the château's upper windows, rippling gently in the breeze. It was more than an introduction; it was an invitation to something extraordinary.

Guests made their way past this striking statement piece and were handed flutes of Crémant de Limoux—a sparkling wine with deep roots in French history and a character as refined and quietly confident as the celebration itself. This was not a wedding chasing spectacle, but one anchored in love, intentional beauty, cultural meaning, and timeless taste. Crémant de Limoux, often overshadowed by its more famous cousin Champagne, is in fact the original—its méthode ancestrale pioneered by Benedictine monks at the Abbaye de Saint-Hilaire in 1531, well before Dom Pérignon popped his first cork.

With sunlight warming the estate, guests strolled toward the Oak Grove where the ceremony awaited, the majestic cedar tree standing sentinel just beyond.

The Ceremony: Rooted in Culture, Elevated in Style

The wedding itself began in the Oak Grove, where the cedar once again stood watch behind a thoughtfully designed altar: a ground arch starting low and building in height to encapsulate the couple. Crafted in soft green, lavender, and pale yellow tones that mirrored the springtime palette and the couple’s understated elegance.

The couple's friend Cody officiated, striking a tone that balanced intimacy with celebration, while pianist and DJ Damien Keys filled the grove with music that never overpowered, only elevated. Braeden and the bridal party arrived through the oak trees, whilst Tonie, accompanied by her mother, made a contemporary entrance directly in front of guests, appearing through the back of the floral arch. Though her beloved father could not be there in person, a seat was reserved for him on the front row—a quiet, powerful tribute that made his presence unmistakably felt.

The ceremony flowed into a sunlit cocktail hour with panoramic views of Bordeaux. Local caterer Maison Dulou brought theatrical flair with oysters and foie gras prepared live in front of guests, as Damien returned with a sunset DJ set that transitioned seamlessly from classic to contemporary.

Versailles Meets the Vines

Guests made their way into the Charles X dining hall through the château's grand doors, pausing at a seating chart displayed among Romanesque vessels overflowing with hydrangeas, amaranth, and trailing grape vines. Inside, Versailles-style mirrors and antique chandeliers reflected the last golden rays of the evening across the sage green tablescape.

At the serpentine top table, green linen tablecloths met white lace placemats, green toile de jouy stacked charger plates, and slim menus on cold-pressed fine grain organic cotton paper-stock, in classic serif type. Signature glassware was paired with green wine goblets, while nude candles—chosen as a nod to Pantone’s 2025 color of the year, Mocha Mousse—flickered alongside clusters of grapes for an effortlessly timeless table design. For the dinner florals, we stripped away purple tones in favor of leafy greens and soft yellows to keep the aesthetic grounded and elegant.

The pièce montée des choux, a nod to French tradition and crafted by Maison Dulou, was presented tall and proud with classic fire crackers and cut by the couple with our Andalusian sword, before giving way to the night’s second act.

The Party: Tradition, Reimagined

Just as dinner ended, the unmistakable rhythms of a Lebanese Zeffe band, Beirut Zaffé , filled the hall. I don't even have words to describe the ambience they created—it was electrifying, emotional, and truly a privilege to witness. Their presence transformed the energy in the room, creating a moment that felt both ancient and alive, rooted in tradition and full of joy. Guests rose instinctively, clapping and dancing as the couple was paraded back into the spotlight. From there, Damien Keys and Amber Sax took over—he on the decks, she stealing the show with every note. The dance floor didn’t rest.

Outside, a cigar bar drew curious guests with its curated collection, complete with tasting notes explaining origins, burn times, and which of the couple’s signature cocktails (his Mezcal Old Fashioned, her Patron Basil Smash and the couple's dog, Reign's Grey Goose Lemondrop Martini) best complemented each cigar. It was detail without pretense, fun without force.

As the evening took flight, Tonie and Braeden slipped away with a few close family members to the balcony overlooking the dancefloor for a private moment to cut their American style cake. A masterpiece, crafted by Wooden Spoon by Cora-Lee, in three tiers playing with textures and, again, the Mocha Mousse color palette. This intimate scene was witnessed by those on the dancefloor as it organically transitioned into an etherial moment of complete revery as the couple cut their cake and took the first bite of their future together.

A Final Toast

The weekend ended poolside, steak-frites in hand, courtesy of Ben’s Food Truck. The Aperol bar glowed under the spring sun, and a few rounds of Patron Silver shots fueled a spontaneous group taxi ride to nearby Saint-Émilion, the UNESCO World Heritage site that delivered a final flourish of red wine and rustic charm.

In a world increasingly full of curated experiences and algorithm-fed aesthetics, Tonie and Braeden’s wedding was something else entirely: grounded, generous, and infused with cultural pride. It was a weekend of old trees, bold music, timeless food, and lasting love.

If you're dreaming of a destination wedding in France, Italy, Montenegro or beyond—one that weaves your heritage, style, and story into every moment—I’d love to hear from you. Schedule a no-obligation introductory call with me today and let’s begin crafting something unforgettable together.