Gordes, France elopement
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Daniela and Chris, living in Washington, DC, USA, eloped in the beautiful olive groves in Provence, France, just outside of the medieval village of Gordes. Accompanied by an officiant, they emotionally and joyfully pledged their lives to each other and celebrated with an amazing wedding photo session in Gordes. It was a simply magical morning and captured their love story perfectly in this incredible region in southern France.
The day began at sunset with a view of Gordes from the rocks overlooking the village. They then traveled to a beautiful olive tree grove, particular to Provence, under a big shade tree, where Lucy Till performed the ceremony for Daniela and Chris. They also read their vows to each other. After the ceremony, they went back into the magnificent village of Gordes for wedding photos, stopped for a snack and to pick up macaroons from La Duree, and then back to the olive grove for a picnic with macaroons and champagne.
Why Did the Couple Choose Gordes for Their Elopement?
Daniela & Chris: We wanted to have a destination wedding, we had already planned to be in France at this time for the olympics thus added the elopement to our trip. Chris also grew up in France making the country more special to our hearts. Gordes caught our eye because we were looking for a location that had character, romanticism and charm.
We wanted to celebrate our special moment just between us two. We wanted an intimate wedding filled with raw emotions where we could fully share our emotions, feelings, and focus on each other. We wanted our special day to only be about us. We do plan on doing a reception in the future closer to home with friends and family.
What Makes Gordes Special for Elopements?
Karina, the photographer (local to the region): It’s one of the most beautiful villages in France, and combines a charming, medieval feel with gorgeous nature surrounding it. Vineyards, olive groves, mountains–it’s pure paradise!
What Sustainability Considerations Were Made (if any) For This Elopement in France?
Daniela & Chris: We chose to use wooden flowers for our boutonniere and bouquet so that we could keep them as souvenirs from our special day forever.
Did the Couple Incorporate Any Cultural Aspects of the Provence region into Their Elopement?
Daniela & Chris: In a small olive grove we conducted a wine ceremony where we sealed 3 bottles of local chateauneuf du pape into wooden boxes. Each box was dated for our 1st, 5th, and 10th anniversaries to open and enjoy the wine along with reading letters we wrote to each other. We then had a picnic with macaroons and other little treats from nearby shops. We took a coffee break at a little cafe when we were walking through Gordes all dressed up.
What Was the Couple’s Experience with Getting Married in Gordes During the month of August?
Daniela & Chris: We would not recommend August. We had just missed the end of the lavender season and August is incredibly hot in the south of France. We were unfortunate to arrive during a heat wave as well. Despite the heat, we truly enjoyed every second of our stay in Gordes. We would recommend going earlier in the season for better weather and to enjoy the lavender fields.
Karina, the photographer: Mid-April to early November would be the best time of year to plan a visit to this region. Summer can be very hot!
What Are the Best Tips for Planning an Elopement in Gordes?
Daniela & Chris: Do your research and find an amazing wedding planner. Karina Leigh, our photographer, and our officiant Lucy Till, were an amazing team who gave us ideas, helped us coordinate and set up everything to give us the perfect day. Karina even went above and beyond to find an olive grove to match our very specific vision for the ceremony. Finding the right team is essential.
Karina: It’s so easy to get to, just fly into Paris, take the TGV train to Avignon, and then rent a car in Avignon and drive to Gordes, it’s just 45-minutes away. There are wonderful accommodations in Gordes, that include higher-end hotels, B&B’s, farmhouses and Airbnb’s. It’s a place of relaxation, but lots of activities in the surrounding area. I’d recommend booking as early as possible, as the area does have limited accommodations, but the larger city of Avignon also has more accommodation if needed.
How Did the Couple Personalize Their Elopement?
Daniela & Chris: We wrote our own vows, we selected an olive grove outside of town to be intimate. We both love to travel and explore towns. Chris growing up in France added a great deal of history and meaning to our choice of location. We enjoy visiting wineries all year so incorporating the local wine was wonderful.
What Challenges Did the Couple Face While Planning Their Elopement in France, and How Did They Overcome Them?
Daniela & Chris: Biggest challenge was the heat. Thankfully we selected a sunrise ceremony and had a driver arranged who kept the van cool and stocked with water for us. Doing our entire ceremony and photos early helped us avoid much of the heat.
What Advice Would the Couple Give to Others Planning an Elopement in France?
Daniela & Chris: Timing is key, if we had selected 2 days later we would have arrived in the middle of a local event that may have disrupted our plans. Do your research on events in the area to find a less busy time. Don’t choose august because it’s not only hot but also the peak vacation time for France.
Karina, the photographer: I help take care of pretty much everything, so the only thing to do is write your vows, plan your outfits and how you’d like your day to look, and relax! Prepare to enjoy peace and gorgeous views, and fun things to do in the area like wine tasting, hot air ballooning, cycling, hiking, fresh food markets, looking for antiques–the list goes on and on!
What Were the Most Memorable Moments from This Elopement?
Daniela & Chris: The first look at the Gordes overlook at sunrise was the most memorable moment where Daniela was able to show off her wedding dress in its full glory. The beautiful sunrise, gorgoes Daniela, Chris being handsome in his tuxedo, and the incredible view of Gordes really encompassed the beautiful moment that began our married life together.
Why Is Gordes One of the Best Places to Get Married in Europe?
Daniela & Chris: Gordes is absolutely stunning, the nearby wineries and little towns add so much charm to your trip. Gordes is something straight out of the romantic movies.
Gordes is a place we plan to return to in the future. Not only is it a stunning town, it now holds a special place in our hearts.
