Fuji 400H | Polly Alexandre Photography

Villa-Ephrussi-Wedding-Photographer-001

I’m delighted to share this beautiful wedding, one of my 2013 highlights, with you today to mark the launch of my new redesigned blog. Renata & Johnny’s love story involves 2 jetskis, 2 cities, 1 sea urchin, 40 spikes and a hospital. You can read more about their story, and see their Ibiza pre-wedding shoot here on the blog.

The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is one of the most beautiful villas on the Cote d’Azur. It overlooks the Bay of Villefranche and the Bay of Beaulieu and is in one of my favourite areas of the South if France; such gorgeous coastline, so romantic; it’s a perfect choice for your wedding.

Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild was a strong, intellectual woman who built a dream villa and put together an exceptional collection of art and antiques.When she discovered this plot of land in 1906, Béatrice fell in love with the beauty of the spot. However, back then, it was no more than an arid rock crossed by a mule track. When she learnt that the land was for sale, she bought it immediately. It took 5 years to build the villa and when finished she used it to home her incredible collection of porcelains, paintings by the masters and furniture. She made this her winter residence from 1912 onwards and came here regularly for over ten years, during which she split her time between Paris, Monaco and Deauville. The villa is now owned by The Academie des Beaux Arts, and open to the public, as well for private hire.

Renata and Johnny got ready at the Grand Hotel du Cap, and had a private first look in their gardens, before travelling together to the Villa Ephrussi for some pre-ceremony photographs in the gardens. A beautiful and moving Jewish ceremony followed under a glamorous huppah in the centre of the gardens, and as Renata and Johnny walked down the aisle together as husband and wife, the music started and the fountains shot high into the air in celebration. Guests explored the gardens over a cocktail reception and then were seated for a beautiful outdoor dinner in the gardens. Speeches followed, live music and then a wild party to the sounds of an awesome band from Marseille, a dessert table, macaroon pyramid, lively hora dancing and yet more dancing late into the night. As you can see from the photos, the day just got more and more fun as it went on!

Want to continue dreaming?! You can see more images of Cap Ferrat here on my blog. The couple’s post wedding brunch will be coming up soon on here too…love the extended celebration that a destination wedding affords…..more time with your family and friends and a chance to really anchor in your time together.

To Mr & Mrs C: a huge congratulations to you both, wishing you all the love and happiness and shared adventures in the world. Happy 1st Anniversary! xx

Credits: Ceremony & Reception Venue: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild; Preparation Location: Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat; Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier; Evening Reception Dress: Femmes Fatales by Ella Tatarinova; Hair: Fabrice at the Grand Hotel St Jean Cap Ferrat; Groom’s Suit: Tom Ford; Florist: Ronni Fleurs; Cake: Potel et Chabot; Wedding Planner: Lavender and Rose Weddings; Stationary Suite: Louise Richardson; Videography: Allora Visuals; Wedding Story: The Wedding Reporter

Formentera is a tiny island, one of the Spanish Balearic islands, just 9 miles long and barely a mile wide, that can only be reached by boat from Ibiza. It’s like a younger, sleepier, more rural version of Ibiza, although really it has it’s own character entirely. We escaped to Formentera for a few days sleep and sunshine. There’s not a lot to do there, but that’s exactly why we went…. time to slow down, restore the energies and press pause on life.

Cala-Saona-Formentera-001 Cala-Saona-Formentera-002 Cala-Saona-Formentera-003 Cala-Saona-Formentera-004 Cala-Saona-Formentera-005 Cala-Saona-Formentera-006 Cala-Saona-Formentera-007 Cala-Saona-Formentera-008 Cala-Saona-Formentera-009

I loved:

1. Cala Saona. A wild and deep beach, surrounded by wild grasses and trees, and red clay cliffs. Waves crashed into onto the beach, transporting me away to another world as I lay in the sun.

2. Cala Saona Hotel. The only place to stay, set at the back of the beach. Less than £50 a night, it was great value, clean, comfortable, the best sea views & had a lovely pool area and great service.

3. Driving round on a moped with the wind through my hair & my arms wrapped tightly around my husband

4. Shopping in San Francesc, the island’s capital. I especially loved the beautifully curated Balafia shop with a stylish mix of fashion & interiors. I picked up this pretty dress in the softest cotton and the most perfect mint green colour from French label Germaine des Pres (which even rolls up into a teeny tiny bag: perfect for travelling!) & this pretty cotton covered notebook. Also worth a visit is Mandala, a clothes shop that stocks Havianas and great summer dresses. I picked up a lovely long white dress by Bobi, a LA based label that’s new to me, and another white dress by Italian label Ra-re. You can never have too many white dresses for summer! Being the end of the season they were also in the sale too. Bonus!

5. Sleeping. Pretty much the whole time, when I wasn’t eating.

6. An amazing sunset – the kind that only a cloudy sky can bring…dramatic reds, oranges, blue-purples…

7. Feeling part of nature

8. Spending time chatting with my husband, our legs dangling over the port whilst we waited for the Balearia captain to finish hia siesta and drive the boat back to Ibiza.

If this tempts you, you can see more images of Formentera on my blog here and here.

Oh, I love summer…..and it’s about to start all over again…. this time tomorrow I will be sunning myself whilst wondering round a French Chateau (all in the name of work of course…)…mmmmm, can’t wait…!

Renata and Johnny – Wedding Photography at Villa Ephrussi de Rothchild, Cap Ferrat, Cote d’Azur

My Formentera Holiday – Cala Saona