Our Expertise

A hotel buyout is not always necessary, but it can significantly improve guest experience for certain formats. Buyouts offer privacy, flexibility with timing, and smoother logistics, particularly for multi-day celebrations. However, they also come with minimum stays and higher financial commitments. In some cases, a combination of private venues and a hotel block can deliver a similar experience with greater flexibility. The right choice depends on guest count, budget and the overall flow of the weekend.

Do we need to buy out a hotel for our wedding?

Yes, provided the planning team is fully managing site visits, supplier coordination and on-the-ground decision-making. Many international couples plan their wedding entirely remotely, relying on detailed documentation, visuals and regular calls. The key factor is trust and transparency. Clear processes, realistic timelines and proactive communication allow couples to make informed decisions without being physically present, while still achieving a highly personal and refined result.

Can we plan a destination wedding without visiting France?

Initial wedding budgets are often set before venues, production constraints and guest logistics are fully understood. As planning progresses, couples gain clarity on what is realistically required to deliver the level of experience they envision. This is particularly true for destination weddings involving travel, transport and multiple events. Budget adjustments are usually not driven by decoration choices, but by staffing, technical production and logistical requirements that only become visible once planning is underway.

Why budgets often increase during the planning process?

A seamless wedding experience is the result of careful planning rather than visible effort. Clear schedules, well-briefed teams and precise coordination allow events to unfold naturally. Guests should never be aware of transitions, technical adjustments or last-minute changes. When planning is done well, the focus remains on the celebration itself, creating a sense of ease that is felt rather than noticed.

What makes a wedding feel truly seamless?

For high-end destination weddings involving multiple events and venues, we generally recommend starting the planning process 12 to 18 months in advance. This allows sufficient time to secure key venues, align supplier availability, and develop a coherent design across the entire weekend. Shorter timelines are possible, but they often limit choice and increase pressure on logistics and production. Early planning also allows for more thoughtful decision-making, particularly for international couples coordinating travel, accommodation and guest communications from abroad.

How early should we start planning a destination wedding?

For multi-day destination weddings involving several venues, a full-service planner is not a luxury but a necessity. Beyond design and supplier coordination, full-service planning covers logistics, staffing, scheduling, budget control and on-site production across the entire wedding weekend. Without this level of oversight, responsibilities often fall back on venues or families, leading to gaps in communication and increased stress. In our experience, the complexity of high-end destination weddings requires a central point of coordination from the very beginning through to the final guest departure.

Do we really need a wedding planner?

The cocktail reception plays a key role in the rhythm of a wedding day, acting as a transition between the ceremony and dinner. When it is too long, guests can lose energy and focus, particularly in warm climates or outdoor settings. When it is too short, there is often insufficient time for couple and family photographs, creating unnecessary pressure. The most successful cocktail receptions are carefully timed and gently animated, offering guests something to engage with while allowing the couple space to step away. Thoughtful pacing, light entertainment and interactive elements help maintain momentum without turning the cocktail hour into a waiting period.

Finding the right length for a cocktail reception

Weather plays an important role in shaping wedding timelines and overall planning in the South of France. Early June through to the end of September is generally considered the most reliable period, offering warmer temperatures and longer evenings. July, despite being hotter, typically has the lowest rainfall of the year and can be an excellent choice when timelines and guest comfort are carefully managed. April, May and October can also be beautiful months, with softer light and fewer crowds, though there is a higher likelihood of rainfall. In recent years, weather patterns have been shifting, with warm conditions arriving later in the spring and extending further into autumn. As a result, flexibility and contingency planning have become increasingly important when designing outdoor celebrations.

Understanding seasonal weather patterns in the South of France

In the South of France, timing is not only a logistical consideration but a creative one. Light and temperature vary significantly throughout the day, particularly in warmer months, and should inform the structure of the wedding timeline. Ceremonies scheduled too early can feel uncomfortable for guests, while those planned too late may compromise natural light. Aligning key moments with the soft transition toward sunset allows for a more relaxed atmosphere, better guest experience and more harmonious visual results. When planned carefully, the progression from daylight to evening becomes part of the emotional rhythm of the celebration.

Designing a wedding timeline around light and temperature

Unexpected moments create emotional impact when they are introduced with intention. This might take the form of a change in setting, a performance, or a shift in rhythm during the evening. The key is restraint. When surprises are woven naturally into the flow of the event, they feel authentic rather than staged. Thoughtful timing ensures these moments enhance the experience without disrupting the overall balance of the celebration.

Designing moments guests did not expect

At a certain level, successful weddings are defined less by individual design elements and more by how guests experience the weekend as a whole. Flow, timing, comfort and logistics play a major role in how an event is remembered. Transport delays, overcrowded spaces or unclear schedules can undermine even the most beautiful settings. Many planning decisions are therefore guided by guest experience rather than purely aesthetic considerations.

Why guest experience drives most planning decisions

Provence is often perceived as a more affordable alternative to the French Riviera, but this is not always the case for high-end weddings. While venue hire can be lower, additional costs related to infrastructure, transport and accommodation frequently offset the difference. Remote locations may require more production, longer supplier travel times and increased staffing. The overall budget depends less on the region itself and more on the format, guest count and level of service expected.

Is Provence less expensive than the French Riviera?