Muriel Saldalamacchia
For more than 10 years in the destination wedding business, travelling the world for weddings, Muriel is France based, but has also rocked in Italy few years ago.
Asides her travels with her clients, Muriel is also an International Speaker, dealing with her peers onto the Luxury and destination Wedding Market.
Muriel is also a French author, dealing with business methods to international peers accros the globe, while having the clients in the focus of attention. Her first book "The Anti-Ghosting-Method" is available on Amazon and Barnes & Nobles.
A destination wedding in a Villa in Provence can be quite an unforgettable experience: you can privatize a property for your family and friends and at the same time enjoy lovely weather, gastronomic experiences, and beautiful landscapes. Want to learn more? Check out some tips to get married there.
What are wedding villas?
First, if you are not familiar with the concept of a wedding villa, let me explain it to you. Villas are usually luxurious properties, where you have a place to accommodate your guests (or some of them) and an ambiance to celebrate your wedding ceremony and reception. Couples who choose to get married in a villa are more likely to have an outdoor wedding, as they generally have lush gardens and beautiful landscapes. However, some venues also offer beautiful ballrooms to host your reception.
Hence, this type of venue is very popular among couples who are hosting a destination wedding. This is mainly because it is a very good opportunity to gather family and friends together – and it also facilitates logistics a lot! Moreover, these properties usually allow couples to privatize it for a few days. So, if you believe a wedding in a villa in Provence is perfect for you, you must consider hosting other events there, like a welcome party, a rehearsal dinner, a pool party, and an after-wedding brunch.
Likewise, some properties offer a high-end gastronomic experience for weddings, with renowned chefs as well as wine and olive oil tastings.
Wedding villas in Provence: why choose them?
Obviously, I’m suspicious to say, but I’m a great fan of wedding villas in Provence and I could spend all day here naming all the reasons why you should get married there. Here are a few:
Charming atmosphere and unique landscapes
The first thing you’ll notice once you meet any of these properties is its lush gardens. You’ll definitely be mesmerized by them. Then, when you get to meet the mansions – which will make you and your guests feel spoiled. They usually have a remarkable architectural and historical heritage – at the same time, the rooms are all well decorated.
Nice weather
Located in the Southern region of France, Provence’s climate is predominantly Mediterranean, with long hot dry summers, warm springs and autumns, and clear mild winters. Due to the dreamy and sunny weather conditions, May to October is usually the best time to visit Provence and plan your wedding. The area is very generous with greeneries and has so many to offer – even all year long!
Gastronomic experience
Since you are in France, you’ll be presented with delicious gastronomic experiences – from Michelin-starred restaurants to some of the best wines in the world. And don’t forget to try the “Calissons”, one of Provence’s delicacies.
Lovely villages
Once you are in Provence, getting to know some of its charming villages is a must. In Aix-en-Provence, for example, you’ll learn the real meaning of the verb “flâner” – just walking around its streets, peaceful gardens, appreciating artwork, and shopping. In Valensole, you’ll find the famous lavender fields. If you fell in love with the flower, you can also visit the Musée de la Lavande, in Gordes. Protected as a UNESCO site, Avignon is also a great place to see in the region – especially if you like history. Its gothic and renaissance buildings and the Palais des Papes will enchant you.
What can you expect from a wedding in a Villa in Provence?
Mostly, couples who choose to get married in Provence are looking for an outdoor wedding – probably in a gorgeous garden, with a beautiful view. And that’s probably what you’ll find. However, you can expect much more than that. Here are some ideas of what you can do to provide the best experience for your guests during your wedding in a Villa in Provence:
Pre-wedding events
When you and your guests arrive in the Villa for your destination wedding, we can have some planned activities for you: a welcome drink, a pool party, wine tastings, or perhaps some tours to get to know the region. Also, we can get everything ready for your rehearsal dinner.
Wedding day
On the wedding day, you might expect a relaxed atmosphere. First, you can have breakfast with family and friends. Then, some properties offer SPA services, which you might enjoy, and get ready for your big day.
Ceremony
Your ceremony can be held in a garden or on a terrace, depending on the chosen venue. With that in mind, you’ll walk down the aisle surrounded by nature in a very romantic atmosphere.
Reception
For this part of your wedding in a Villa in Provence, you can choose to have it under the moonlight, in a gorgeous scenario with a special lightning project, or in the property’s salon – which is probably a place with memorable architecture. If you want to host it outdoors, but feel insecure about the weather, you can rent a tent.
The day after the wedding in a Villa in Provence
Time to say goodbye! But we can still plan a delicious brunch for everyone or, if time allows it, a pool party.
How to plan a luxury wedding in a Villa in Provence?
In the first place, if you want to get married in Provence, you should hire a wedding planner, who can communicate with local vendors. At the same time, this professional must be able to talk to international clients, by offering services in English, for example.
The wedding planner will try to understand your needs and style, to create a wedding from scratch. He/she will design a unique experience, taking into consideration the number of guests, all the logistics involved, and your tastes. See 7 confessions your destination wedding planner deserves from you.
Luxury wedding venues in Provence
So, after reading all of this, you decided to have a wedding in a Villa in Provence? Congratulations! You’ve made the right choice! Now it is time to choose the best place to get married.
To make your life easier, I have prepared two articles about the best wedding venues in Provence. Check it out:
Most asked questions about weddings in a Villa in Provence
How much does it cost to get married in a Villa in Provence?
Wedding Villa’s pricing is wide but for a 10 sleep / 4 days rental, most of the villas we’re working with go from 15000€ to 30.000€. Meaning that the weddings we planned in a Villa in Provence might go from 150.000€ to 210.000€ and more, for 110-130 guests for a 3 days wedding, including all logistics (additional electricity with a power generator, luxury mobile toilets, lights…). Of course, prices vary according to the chosen venue and the number of people, and the type of event you’re envisioning.
How to get to Provence?
If you live abroad, the easiest way to get to Provence is by plane, arriving at International Marseille’s airport. Only a 40 to 60 minute-drive depending on what villages you’re aiming to. However, you can also go to Paris and get the TGV to Provence while having a 2h30 train ride only.
Where to get married in Provence?
Above all, the region offers villas (private properties), manoirs, boutique hotels, and châteaux. It is a truly delightful and luxurious experience!
Can foreigners get married in Provence?
Yes, absolutely. However, if you don’t live in France/ at least one of the spouses is French, bear in mind that you’ll not be able to get legally married there. In that case, it would be only a symbolic wedding.
