A Modern Winter Wedding in the French Alps

Photography by Dos Mas en la Mesa & Loïc Untereiner.

Amidst time-worn wooden panels in a chapel in the French Alps, Beatrice and Paul wed.

For their winter ceremony, rustic elements were reborn alongside soft florals, a floating installation of feathery greens, and satin bow detailing bookmarking each pew. The ethereal reception took place in La Cabane des Praz, a restaurant in Chamonix, where a multi-course meal unfolded alongside a table of mousseline silk and dried dandelions for their white fairy floss wedding cake.

Straying from the traditional, the bride wore a custom Didier & Angelo gown, adorned with a cape of silk organza in sinuous, layered ruffles, a nod to 1960’s couture.

The wedding was artfully captured by Dos Mas en la Mesa.

winter wedding

Our Story

Names / Beatrice & Paul

Location / Chamonix, France

Wedding Date / March 1st – 3rd, 2024

Guest Numbers / 85

winter wedding

How We Met

Paul and I met in a pub in London through mutual friends. He had just returned from an adventure in Brazil, and I was deep into my studies. It didn’t take long before we really hit it off.

Our Engagement Story

Paul and I were enjoying a week sailing in Turkey with friends. As we arrived in Istanbul, a city we’d always wanted to visit, Paul had arranged a private rooftop for the two of us near the Galata Tower for the sunset. It was absolutely magical. He’d planned everything perfectly, but when we got there, he got a bit nervous and opened the champagne before proposing! It made the moment even more special and memorable.

What we love most about each other…

Béatrice : Paul’s boundless energy and his ability to make me laugh endlessly. Paul : Béatrice’s genuine kindness and my drive to pursue my passions as an art gallerist.

winter wedding

The Setting

Wedding Location

Paul and I dreamed of a winter wedding in the mountains, and we wanted something both authentic and elegant in the French Alps. We discovered a charming wooden chapel right next to one of the most elegant wedding venues, La Cabane des Praz in the area. For the brunch, we chose a refuge atop the ski slopes where we enjoyed a typical Savoyard dish with a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc. Everything just fell into place, and that’s how we knew Chamonix was perfect for us.

Aesthetic

What mattered most to me was working with people I could fully trust, which is why I chose This Humid House for the artistic direction, Filigrane Haute Papeterie for the stationary. To contrast the wood of our venue, This Humid House suggested white, delicate flowers to bring elegance, along with an abundance of candles to enhance the coziness of our winter wedding. It created a beautiful, intimate atmosphere that was just perfect.

Preparation

Paul and I got ready in separate rooms with our five best men and bridesmaids, along with close family. We each had a special brunch, opened some champagne, and took our time getting ready. It was a lovely moment to enjoy quality time with our closest friends before the big day. For me, one particularly special moment was having my mother, one of the top hairdressers in the world, prepare me for the big day. That intimate mother-daughter time was truly unforgettable.

Photography

When searching for photographers, we wanted someone who could capture the emotions and mood of the day. Dos Mas en la Mesa from Spain were perfect a perfect match, as they have a great eye for capturing intimate moments of beauty and love without falling into wedding clichés. We were also incredibly grateful to have some amazing talents among our guests including some of the artists I represent at the Spaceless Gallery. Lara Porzak, America’s top film photographer (and celebrity wedding photographer), captured many poetic and intimate moments with Paul, that was a real treat. Natalia Poniatowska, a dear friend and talented artist, I also represent, captured our engagement party and civil wedding while my best friend, Gabrielle Connole, generously photographed my dress fittings with designers Didier & Angelo, my mother, and me. These are memories we will forever cherish.

Videography

We decided to keep the filming minimal as our venue were quite small and intimate. We didn’t want to overwhelm our guests with too much capturing, preferring instead to let photography capture the memories.

winter wedding

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

This Humid House came up with the concept, they wanted our ceremony to feel like we were floating on clouds. The cute little church was the perfect spot for an intimate solemnization. This Humid House aimed to create a nest-like ambiance while also elevating us, making it feel as if we were surrounded by clouds.

Reception Décor

Our reception décor focused on elegance and lightness with white florals and candles. Bringing lightness was key, with a special focus on the table settings. They wanted to soften the chalet’s rustic charm and create a warm, inviting atmosphere for our black tie reception.

“A nest-like ambiance for the altar was created through sculpturally suspended booms that stood in honest contrast to the chapel’s raw, wooden panels.”

Wedding Planner & Stylist

We didn’t have a traditional wedding planner, but Humid House helped us with the entire visual identity of the wedding. It was a trust-based relationship where This Humid House kept suprises for us along the way. We agree to an overall aesthetic direction, and I let them take it from there. The element of surprise was crucia for us but also for the guests who discovered the decors as the day unveiled!

Flowers

We chose white, pure, and elegant flowers, aiming for arrangements that felt light and simple. My bridal bouquet included a special brooch from my mother, and we added sweetpeas in various shades of white and pale pink mixed with the fabric of my inner cape. It really felt like an extension of my dress and I carried it like a muff. My bridesmaids had round bouquets that complemented my dress and shoes.

Stationery

I wanted our invitations to be a tactile experience, reflecting my sensibility to materiality. I was looking for someone who worked with handmade papers but I realized that French companies don’t often offer that for wedding invitations. After struggling to find the right company to help us, I discovered Filigrane Haute Papeterie. Jennifer’s handcrafted letterpress, gold leaf, and embossing were perfect. Our stationery was simple yet elegant, featuring gold, green, and off-white, with subtle details that elevated each piece. I loved working with Jennifer.

Favors & Bonbonniere

Paul and I went back and forth on this and honestly never settled on the perfect idea for guest favors so when in doubt, go without!

Cake

Inspired by the snow, I wanted our cake to be different, unexpected, and playful. We chose white fairy floss made by Maison de la Barbe à Papa in Paris, and This Humid House created an extravagant table with mousseline silk and dried dandelions, making it a whimsical and memorable part of our reception.

Food & Beverages

Throughout the weekend, we served Champagne Lanouvelle, Brut Affriolant. We love this champagne for its quality and its quintessential Parisian vibe, along with its beautiful packaging. Our reception was held at La Cabane des Praz, the best restaurant in Chamonix. Their food, from amuse-bouches to mains, was delicious. We opted for a mix of hearty food with sophisticated aesthetics and flavors, including their must-try 36-hour roasted lamb.

winter wedding

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

Designing my outfit with Didier & Angelo was an absolute treat. When I first met them in their charming Parisian atelier, they immediately understood my vision. We had tried many traditional wedding dress shops, but I just didn’t see myself in the typical bridal attire. After a few appointments, my mother, who had worked on shoots with Didier & Angelo years back, suggested I meet with them. They brought a unique 1960s couture twist to my unconventional outfit, perhaps because they come from the fashion world and don’t conform to traditional wedding dress standards.

My ensemble included an outer cape made from Loro Piana wool and an inner cape in silk organza that felt like a cloud, perfect for the cocktail reception after the church. For the evening, I took off the second cape, revealing my mini dress with cuissardes, which was essential for me to dance all night long. Didier & Angelo brought a couture touch while keeping the outfit practical and fun. They also personalized my Courrèges shoes with pompoms made from the silk of my inner cape.

Paul looked incredibly chic in a Tom Ford tuxedo and elegant Alden moccasins.

For our civil wedding, I wore my mother’s vintage Christian Dior dress. She styled it with custom-made shoes and gloves, and I wore it without the gloves and belt, creating my own look. It fit like a glove, and I was so proud to wear her dress.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

I loved working with Guesclin on our engagement ring and wedding bands. Paul found the emerald I always dreamt to have, and when designing it, I was inspired by medieval cloisonné jewellery. Mathieu from Guesclin showed me various textures, and we decided on a matte effect to highlight the artisan’s craftsmanship. Working with these extraordinary artists in their atelier was a real treat.

My “something borrowed” was a little bead brooch that belonged to my great- grandmother. My mother handed it to me on the wedding day, and we incorporated it into my bouquet.

Hair & Makeup

For the wedding, my mum styled my hair in natural waves. For the civil wedding, she created a classic chignon to complement the iconic Christian Dior dress. My makeup was natural and elegant. I just wanted to look myself and I know, Paul also appreciate that.

Groom’s Attire

The groomsmen wore classic tuxedos with black turtlenecks for the day and switched to black formal attire for the evening. They looked so chic.

Bridesmaids Dresses & Shoes

There was a bit of controversy at first with some family members because I opted for black mini dresses for my bridesmaids. Having a winter wedding, I really felt the contrast with the white mountains & the weather called for a chic yet fresh black look. We had them in minis, long boots & boleros to match the spirit of my 1960s vibe. I don’t regret my decision a minute, they looked stunning and modern!

winter wedding

Entertainment

Reception: We had Jack Cino DJ Sax from France, who combines mixing with playing saxophone and drums. All generations loved it, and the party lasted until 4 am!
Brunch on the Slopes: We were fortunate to have Paul’s friends, Édouard, Bertie, and Martux, who are great DJs. They made the mountain dance!

Celebrant

Gail was our celebrant at the Protestant Church of Argentière. She also prepared us for the wedding and conducted a beautiful bilingual ceremony for us.

Readings

We had a bilingual Protestant benediction that included biblical readings and some of our favorite poems. Paul’s vows were inspired by Aznavour’s “Je veux vivre avec toi.” A personal highlight was having our childhood friend Pilar Benavides play for us. Our closest friends participated in the ceremony, making it very personal.

winter wedding

“To contrast the wood of our venue, our florist suggested white, delicate blooms to bring elegance, along with an abundance of candles to enhance the coziness of our winter wedding.”

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

It was all so special. It’s impossible to isolate one moment of this perfect weekend. I would say a very intimate and touching moment was when Paul and I were alone for the first time and I read a love letter to him.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

Listen to Paul and worry less! Everything was just perfect.

Your guests will match your energy. We set the tone with a very energetic entrance before the reception.

Aim to feel like a guest at your own wedding, leave all worries behind and delegate as much as you can so you can enjoy this special moment with your other half.

Work with people you trust and let them guide you with their experience. I worked with Filigrane for all the stationary and she was so good at understanding us. Likewise with This Humid House who made every detail a special addition to the aesthetic of our wedding weekend.