Claire Abeille, French (41) and Timothy Keating South African (46). Claire works as VP Communications at Kerzner International (Luxury Hospitality & Property company who own One&Only,) and Tim works in Private Equity Mining. The couple met online. Their first date was at a Wine Bar in Notting Hill called Cépages. They both knew instantaneously they had met “their person”.
Tim proposed on a run in the Alpilles in Provence. They had taken a break to admire the view at one of their favourite spots and Tim pulled out the most gorgeous bespoke diamond ring he had commissioned, from the rough stone to the design and setting.
The best part of our day was…
The whole day, from the first moment we saw each other in the chapel to every moment surrounded by all our closest loved ones celebrating with us and having such fun together. Dancing like mad to DJ Betto’s music
We choose to get married at…
Chateau de Grimaldi in Aix en Provence, the region is significant to us. Incidentally, we both discovered the chateau independently on the same day, as we were researching online and had separately made contact to check on availability. We fell in love with the property, the grounds, the chapel and most importantly the dramatic ruins of the Chateau. We were able to spend the whole week leading up to the wedding at the chateau with friends and family coming in from all around the world. A week of celebrations leading up to the big day which was so special!
I knew I found ‘The One’ when…
Dress: As soon as I walked out of the fitting room at Mews Bridal with the Rime Arodaki INXS dress, I knew it was the one, my movement and the smile on my face said it all! I then had the chance to meet Rime herself the next day and she saw me in the dress and made the most beautiful sketch. It was meant to be!
Tim was inspired by a look he discovered on Instagram and we had the shirt custom made by a tailor in Spain and a backup shirt custom tailored in Dubai, we found his trousers in London and had his jacket custom made in Paris…a truly global look!
All shoes of course were Christian Louboutin, where I previously worked.
The most enjoyable moments of planning were…
All of it! The food tasting day! Music with DJ Betto and planning all the flowers and decorations with our amazing wedding planner, Marina from Les Demoiselles De Madames – she made everything feel possible while keeping an eagle eye on the detail so we could relax and enjoy on the day!
The hardest part of planning was…
We loved the wedding planning but the hardest part was fitting it into our relocation from London to Dubai, living in three countries at the same time and spending 80% of our time apart during the planning while both starting news job in different countries!
Our wedding menu highlights were…
The menu was typical Provençal, the “apéro” (cocktail) reception had some amazing live stations, including the most beautiful ceviche and a delicious truffle pizzetta
Our first dance song was…
U2’s Amazing Grace segway into Where the Streets Have No Name. We had a soloist sing Amazing Grace in the chapel during the ceremony, it tied it all together.
The best accounts to follow on Instagram for big-day inspo are…
The Wedding Edition of course!, @lesdemoisellesdemadamme, @frenchweddingstyle
I found many suppliers on the Instagram of our wedding venue, the Chateau de Grimaldi, and got inspired by the florists (@le.fleuriste) caterers…
My top three tips for any couple would be…
Enjoy, relax on the day and have fun! Your guests will feel it and have an even better time too. Don’t sit couples together! Seat everyone next to new people.
For our honeymoon we chose…
We enjoyed a week with friends in Saint Tropez immediately after the wedding and have yet to choose the destination for the official honeymoon, it will have to be one of the amazing One&Only resorts, Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda, Reethi Rah in the Maldives or Mandarina in Mexico are on the top of our list!
If I was able to do it all over again, the one thing I would change is…
Walk slower down the isle! I was just so excited.
List of suppliers:
Caterer: Roland Paix @roland_paix
Venue: Chateau de Grimaldi
Dress: Rime Arodaky @rimearokady found at Mews Bridal @themewsbridal
Groom outfit: Trousers Rubinacci @rubinacci_official, Jacket Society Room @society_room
Flower girls: La Coquetta @lacoquetakids
Florist: Le Feuriste @le.fleuriste
Tableware: Linens: Volga Linens @volga_linen
Stationery: Les Demoiselles De Madame (our wedding planner) @lesdemoisellesdemadame
Wedding website: Joy
Photographer : Andrew Leo @leowedphoto
Wedding rings: De Beers @debeersofficial
Makeup: Audrey Denjean @audreydenjean
Hair: Les Ciseaux De Marie @lesciseauxdemarieofficiel @lesciseauxdemarieofficiel
Wedding Planner: Les Demoiselles De Madame @lesdemoisellesdemadame
