Will you marry “moi” ?

Here is the much awaited sixth installment of our monthly interview with Caroline Berthe, Senior Wedding Coordinator at Chateau & Villa Weddings, who is not only rushed of her feet at the moment organizing other brides’ weddings but is also just over 6 weeks away from celebrating her own French wedding in the south of France.

After the excitement of her civil ceremony that took place in an Ice Chapel in Sweden in March, read on to discover how the preparations for her second wedding ceremony and party are progressing.

CVW Blog: After the emotion of your Swedish wedding, are you able to focus on the preparations of your summer wedding taking place in July in the South of France?

Actually, I am really happy we had the Swedish wedding as I feel the pressure is off now and I can look forward to the wedding this summer as more of a relaxed celebration surrounded by lots of our family and friends. I feel like a spoiled child, getting to re-live the magic and emotion of a wedding day for the second time!

CVW Blog: How many guests are you expecting at your summer wedding?

Everyone said yes! We didn’t expect this as it is on a Thursday and smack in the middle of the summer. We are currently at 121 guests but there are still a few outstanding RSVPs so we may even make it to 130! Yikes!

CVW Blog: What type of wedding ceremony are you planning? What type of celebrant will preside the symbolic ceremony?

We are planning a very different type of wedding ceremony. I have seen so many types of ceremonies from different cultures that we wanted to create a truly unique one by integrating a mixture of all of the favorite parts of other ceremonies I’ve seen during my years as a wedding planner.

We will incorporate parts of a traditional catholic service with some protestant and jewish aspects, and maybe even something like the Rwandan ceremony where the bride receives a jug of milk for prosperity and the groom a mask or a lance to protect his new bride and family. We have no relation to this culture at all but the symbolism is strong and we want guests to be surprised.

We haven’t decided how everything will flow together, but we are working on this with my mother’s best friend, a very spiritual lady, who will preside the ceremony. It means a lot to her and us that she is doing this.

CVW Blog: What type of venues have you chosen for the ceremony, cocktail and dinner?

The ceremony will take place in the gardens of an ancient chapel located in the Pyrenees mountains and surrounded by apricot and peach trees. With the famous Canigou mountain in the backdrop, it will be just beautiful. The cocktail will take place at the same place. We will then drive down to the dinner hall which is a really nice renovated room in the center of the village. Old stone walls, high ceilings with old white beams. Very rustic.

CVW Blog: How will your dress be adapted for a summer wedding?

I will be wearing the same dress as the Swedish wedding only without the fur coat. The designer will be adding a nice simple red belt with some beads and additional lace and maybe a few ribbons to give it a more Spanish feel.

CVW Blog: What are the wedding colors?

It will be a mixture of strong summer colors: red and white with a touch of orange, fushia and eggplant. I’m very confident in the florist I have chosen (my favorite and the one I recommend to all my couples!). I asked him not to tell me much about what he has planned so that I can be surprised on the day. I’m very excited about it!

CVW Blog: Are you having any bridesmaids? If so, how will they be dressed?

All of the children will be wearing white. I am having small belts made, similar to mine, that we’ll tie around their waists. They will each carry a small gerbera. They are all quite small, the oldest will be 3 years old, so we’ll see how that goes! For bridesmaids and groomsmen, we’ll have 3 each. The men will be wearing a red waistcoat with a white long sleeved shirt and black pants. No jacket or tie. For the girls, they will be wearing raspberry red dresses, to the knees. The material is really light and airy so perfect for a wedding in high-summer.

That’s all for this time! Stay tuned for the next interview when we’ll discuss the atmosphere Caroline is creating for her wedding, the decoration, menu, favors and a surprise! She’ll also share some of her top tips to help you create your own perfect wedding in the South of France!