A Romantic, Elegant Wedding at Chateau de Courtomer in Courtomer, France

As far as bridal accessories are concerned, Liv Hart’s designs are about as swoon-inducing as they come. So it comes as no surprise that the designer planned a romantic destination affair at a chateau in Normandy for her nuptials to Jesse Gastelle (31 and an economist). “We knew we wanted every moment of our wedding to be all about love, and we wanted to celebrate with our closest friends and family,” Liv says. “We thought it would be fun to create an adventure that we could all share, so we rented a beautiful location in the French countryside, Chateau de Courtomer, to spend the week exploring France and celebrating our lives together.” Every detail was packed with personality, from the hand-lettered invitations complete with a custom drawing of the venue to the floral arrangements designed by Liv’s mother. The ceremony took place outdoors on the steps of the chateau, where the 18th-century architecture gave the festivities an air of old-world elegance. After their “I dos,” Liv and Jesse joined their friends and family for an unforgettable six-course immersion into French cuisine. “Dinner lasted four hours! It was so much fun to celebrate with such an authentic French dinner,” Liv says. “One of many great memories from the early afternoon on our wedding day was listening to our chef, Perrine, singing in the kitchen as she prepared our dinner. She was so kind and an incredible chef.” The tablescape captured the sophistication and drama of a still life painting: crisp white linens embellished with gold cutlery, brass candlesticks, fresh fruit and romantic arrangements of blush roses, wispy greenery and moody burgundy and plum-colored blooms. Some tips from Liv: “Be present in every moment. It all goes by so fast. Don't lose sight of it being all about love. Also, it is surprisingly affordable to get married in a French chateau. Don't feel intimidated by planning a destination wedding. It can really be a memorable getaway for everyone.” —Libby MacCarthy