of French Gastronomy, Haute Florals, and Cinematic Romance Sets a New Standard for Destination Weddings
The wedding of Ashleigh and Andrew unfolded as a masterclass in elegance, blending timeless traditions with deeply personal touches across a multi-faceted celebration. From a meticulously crafted menu celebrating the finest traditions of French culinary art to breathtaking floral installations and an immersive musical journey, every element of the event was designed to offer guests an unforgettable experience steeped in sophistication, romance, and charm.
Food & Drink
At the heart of the evening’s festivities was a wedding menu that celebrated the rich traditions of French gastronomic cuisine. Conceived and executed for the occasion by the executive culinary team at the Ritz, the multi-tiered dining experience was designed to delight the senses and honor classic French culinary techniques while incorporating modern, imaginative flair.
Guests were welcomed to the dinner with an exquisitely prepared amuse-bouche, setting a refined tone for the courses to follow. The first formal course featured sea bass served as a delicate quenelle, beautifully complemented by a rich champagne emulsion and paired with a succulent roasted langoustine. The main course transitioned to a tender beef fillet, served alongside classic dauphine potatoes and elevated by an unexpected yet harmonious ginger barbecue sauce, which bridged traditional French preparation with contemporary flavor profiles.
The meal concluded on a sweet, seasonal note with a classic Fraisier cake, paying homage to traditional French pastry arts while serving as the centerpiece of the dessert service. To accompany the culinary offerings, a selection of custom cocktails was crafted exclusively for the event, adding a personalized and contemporary touch to the evening’s extensive drinks selection and ensuring that every element of the dining experience reflected the couple’s unique taste.
Florals & Decor
Floral design served as one of the defining, overarching elements of the celebration, conceptualized and brought to life by renowned floral artist Anne Vitchen. A lush and cohesive palette of pinks was carried consistently throughout every facet of the wedding design, creating a visual harmony that united the various spaces and events of the day.
The ceremony space was anchored by a spectacular, showstopping floral arch. Composed of voluminous hydrangeas, lush roses, and a diverse variety of seasonal flowers in varying shades of pink, the installation provided a deeply romantic and visually striking backdrop as the couple exchanged their vows. This meticulous attention to detail and commitment to a unified floral language continued seamlessly into the reception spaces.
The pink-hued aesthetic reappeared in the intricate table centerpieces that adorned the dining area, the custom-adorned champagne bucket, and the bride’s meticulously arranged bouquet. Even the wedding cake was thoughtfully integrated into this botanical theme, adorned with coordinating fresh florals that ensured a beautifully cohesive look from the earliest moments of the ceremony to the final hours of the reception.
Wedding Cake
The wedding cake itself stood as a culinary and visual triumph, bringing a fresh and seasonal touch to the evening’s dessert offerings. Crafted as a traditional French Fraisier cake, the confection featured layers of fresh, vibrant strawberries nestled within delicate layers of sponge and rich cream, perfectly balancing the elegance of classic French pastry-making with the vibrant pink floral aesthetic of the celebration.
In keeping with the overarching design of the event, the cake was finished with delicate floral details that echoed the exact blooms used throughout the rest of the wedding’s decor. This thoughtful integration created a seamless transition from the floral installations to the dessert table, serving as a beautifully cohesive and memorable final touch to the formal reception dinner.
Special Detail #1: A Cinematic Musical Journey
Live music played a particularly pivotal role in shaping the atmosphere of the wedding, with the couple curating a distinct classical musical experience to accompany each individual phase of the celebration. Rather than relying on a single soundtrack or ensemble, the event featured a sequence of talented musicians whose performances evolved alongside the mood of the day.
During the ceremony, harpist Dora performed, creating an intimate, serene, and deeply elegant setting as guests gathered to witness the vows. As the celebration transitioned to the cocktail hour, pianist Miroskhyn Dmytro provided a sophisticated soundtrack, filling the space with graceful melodies that encouraged conversation and relaxation.
For the highly anticipated moments of the first dance and the cutting of the wedding cake, the musical direction shifted toward a contemporary classical sound reminiscent of the popular aesthetic associated with the series Bridgerton. Performed by the violin and flute duo Anastasia Chudo, these classical arrangements of well-known contemporary songs brought a romantic, cinematic quality to the celebration, offering guests an unexpected yet sophisticated interpretation of familiar melodies.
Special Detail #2: The Cigar Bar Experience
As the formal events of the evening gave way to a more relaxed celebration, the couple introduced a dedicated cigar bar for their guests. Designed to offer a sophisticated alternative experience alongside the ongoing festivities, the cigar bar provided a refined space for guests to unwind and socialize.
To elevate this offering into a truly memorable keepsake, custom matchboxes were created especially for the wedding. These personalized accessories added a considered, bespoke detail to the cigar experience, reflecting the couple’s dedication to curating thoughtful touches for every attendee present.
Special Detail #3: The Vintage Telephone Guestbook
Moving away from traditional written notes, Ashleigh and Andrew incorporated an interactive and deeply personal element into their reception with a vintage telephone guestbook. This modern alternative allowed guests to lift a classic telephone handset and leave their congratulatory messages, well-wishes, and memories as spontaneous audio recordings.
The vintage telephone installation offered a more intimate and authentic alternative to a conventional guestbook, capturing the genuine tones, laughter, and voices of loved ones in real-time. Long after the wedding day has passed, this unique audio archive will provide Ashleigh and Andrew with the rare and cherished opportunity to hear the voices of their family and friends as they celebrated together on the couple’s wedding day.
