When Tami and Daniel set out to design their dream wedding, they were not looking for the newest hotspot or a fleeting design trend. Instead, they sought a location rooted in history, elegance, and enduring romance. They found their answer along the sun-drenched coast of the Mediterranean, choosing the legendary Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons property on the French Riviera, as the backdrop for a multi-day celebration that effortlessly blended old-world glamour with deeply personal touches.
For the couple, the choice of destination was anchored in both aesthetics and personal history. Cap-Ferrat’s unmatched beauty, perched high above the azure sea, made the decision an easy one. Beyond the visual splendor of the landscape, the hotel carried a deeper resonance. It is an iconic landmark on the Riviera that has stood the test of time, rather than a trendy newcomer. That timeless quality was precisely the feeling Tami and Daniel wanted their wedding to embody. Working entirely on their own to plan the details, the couple found an invaluable partner in the hotel’s staff. Adèle De Oliveira served as a true magician on the Four Seasons front, leading a behind-the-scenes team that went above and beyond at every turn, anticipating needs before the couple even had to ask.
The weekend festivities began well before the ceremony, unfolding across several iconic regional spots and establishing an intimate, immersive experience for their closest friends and family. The welcome party kicked off with a memorable sailing excursion from Nice to Monaco, offering guests a stunning perspective of the coastline with the Grand-Hôtel visible from the water. The voyage captured the palpable anticipation of the weekend ahead and brought the couple full circle to a terrace where they had previously gotten engaged, surrounded by the people who mean the most to them.
The celebrations continued on Saturday with a sporting nod to tradition. Guests gathered at the Nice Lawn and Tennis Club, clad strictly in Wimbledon whites, for a competitive tournament. The activity was so well-received and special to the group that the couple intends to make it an annual tradition. By the time the wedding day arrived, the atmosphere was relaxed, joyful, and deeply connected, shaped by an intimate group of guests with whom the couple shares lifelong bonds.
Food & Drink
The culinary program for the wedding day was a masterclass in French gastronomy, curated to reflect both local provenance and personal significance. Cocktail hour featured a custom bar built specifically around Deutz Champagne, marking a special partnership with the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat. This bubbly centerpiece was complemented by a trio of martinis chosen deliberately for their personal meaning to the couple: a Passion Martini, a Perfect Martini, and a Vesper, which served as a subtle nod to James Bond. Throughout the cocktail hour, live piano music drifted across the space, setting a sophisticated tone.
Dinner shifted outdoors for an alfresco four-course menu designed by Michelin-starred chef Yoric Tièche. Carefully crafted in collaboration with the hotel’s culinary team, the menu was presented entirely in French, with individual dishes thoughtfully customized for each guest.
Rather than opting for a traditional tiered wedding cake, Tami and Daniel stayed true to their personal style by introducing a live mille-feuille station. Chefs assembled the classic French pastry entirely to order directly in front of the guests, adding an interactive culinary element to the evening. As the formal reception drew to a close, the celebration shifted toward the water, with dancing at Club Dauphin by the pool and late-night chicken wings served under the stars.
Florals & Decor
The visual landscape of the ceremony and reception was brought to life through a lush, garden-style floral palette. Comprising garden roses, David Austin roses, peonies, hydrangeas, sweet peas, and spray roses in shades of blush, cream, and soft peach, the arrangements transformed the property into a romantic sanctuary. Oversized urns flanked the ceremony aisle, while a dramatic serpentine centerpiece ran the entire length of the long dinner table, and blooms cascaded naturally from the edges of the custom bar. Tami’s bouquet carried the same soft palette, thoughtfully integrated with a touch of blue delphinium woven through to serve as her traditional "something blue."
Gold accents were threaded evenly throughout the design scheme, grounding the romantic pastels with a touch of warmth. Vintage chandeliers hung gracefully above the dinner tables, while additional lighting elements were grounded across the terrace through gold flatware, taper candles, and the warm, ambient glow of cylinder candles clustered densely at each place setting. Both the historic fountain and the bar were dressed extensively with trailing florals and greenery.
As evening fell, natural candlelight took over the space, lining the floor of the cocktail and dinner areas and flickering softly across the tabletops. Together, the expanse of the sea, the rich garden blooms, the shifting candlelight, and the subtle touches of gold created an atmosphere that felt at once elegant and effortless—glamorous, but never overly staged or rigid.
Special Details and Memories
Looking back on the whirlwind of events, the couple notes that several poignant moments stand out above the rest. The intimacy of the guest list ensured that every interaction felt meaningful, with the knowledge that these relationships will endure for a long time to come.
The ceremony itself bridged cultures and languages, conducted part in French and part in English by a dear friend who was actively learning French. The personal vows exchanged during the ceremony proved to be deeply moving, leaving virtually no dry eye among the attendees. Later in the evening, the couple surprised their guests with a meticulously choreographed first dance. The routine opened romantically to the song "Everything" before dynamically transitioning into "You’re the One That I Want" from the film Grease, filling the reception with energy, joy, and celebration as the night unfolded on the French Riviera.
