Date: 10 August 2022
Whether you know it as the Fashion Capital, the City of Love or the City of Lights, there’s something about Paris. “For more than 50 years, it’s been my dream to go,” explains Morgaine. “When my sister Julie renewed her wedding vows in Virginia, I was deeply moved. So, for our 35th wedding anniversary, Derek and I combined my two dreams and the magic happened. With Parisian-based planner Laura Montorio and her photographer husband Pierre Torset in their corner, the couple’s reservations about “language, culture, times zones, and one million other things” swiftly evaporated. “Laura navigated all those challenges, seemingly effortlessly, behind the scenes,” says Morgaine.
The newlyweds chose an iconic location for their ‘second wedding’ feast. “Derek is an engineer and when a friend told me there was a fabulous restaurant on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, I knew that had to be where we’d spend our evening,” Morgaine says. “Every course was exquisite, but what stands out is the glorious spiral ice-cream dessert with a candle and a chocolate sign saying: Joyeaux Anniversaire!”
With photos of their glorious day now front and centre in the album, the sweethearts can reflect on the many highlights. “I can honestly say this was the happiest and most meaningful day of my life,” says Morgaine. “And it was fun, not stressful!” adds Derek of an experience that was a little ‘out-of-the-box’ for his usual style. For the bride, a special memory was “floating from one historic and magnificent setting to another in our little love bubble,” she says. “This magical feeling was possible because of Laura and Pierre’s fun and gentle guidance plus the pleasure of being chauffeured by Pascal in a little 1954 Citroën Traction Avant”.
And how do you honeymoon after such a fairytale experience? “We caught the train to the south-west of France and stayed for ten days in Le Chevalier Noir, a charming B&B in the heart of the 800-year-old village of Cordes-Sur-Ciel,” says Morgaine. “This was my husband’s favourite part of the whole trip, lol!” For couples considering a romantic escape of their own, no surprise Morgaine has only encouragement. “It makes it possible for you to be truly present for your own ritual, your own precious day,” she says. “And savour every second!
DREAM TEAM:
Officiant + Planner The Paris Officiant (Laura Montorio) // Photographer Pierre Torset // Dress Kelly Royall // Makeup + Hair Artist Katia Ren // Wedding Flowers La Plume // Violinist Euterpe Paris // Vintage Car Automedon
