Lakeside Weekend Soiree

Andrea & Alexis

This couple planned two weddings – one in Brazil for 270 people and the other was an Annecy Lakeside Soiree for 250 people. The invite list included guests from over 10 cities and 4 countries. This Brazilian bride was Jewish and the French groom was Catholic so in addition to representing their cultures we also wanted to represent both religions in the weekend-long event. The four day wedding weekend was absolutely beautiful with every location overlooking the famous Lake Annecy. 

The guests attended a welcome party on the docks with live music and a DJ at sunset followed by a firework show for Bastille day. Welcome packages were given to the guests to include truffle sea salt, herbs de Provence and brightly colored wraps in case of a cold night. The best thing in the welcome kit was beautiful prints of the groom’s father’s watercolors on postcards, services, transfer cards, and the print continued into the menus and even aprons of the catering staff throughout the night.

The wedding ceremony was in Talloires overlooking the lake with mountains standing tall in the background. White umbrellas were used to shade from the summer sun and custom fans on each guests bench. Live music played as this bride walked down the white flower-lined aisle before taking the hand of her groom. The couple’s’ family said a few touching words in French, Portuguese and English before the bride’s grandmother started the ring blessing passed along to each guest. Then the couple shared their first kiss as Mr. & Mrs. under a giant wood and floral arch. 

The post-ceremony cocktail hour was in a greenery lined tent. A family tree was displayed with photos of the couple’s adventures as well as family photos from generations back. A giant map was placed under another tree where guests were encouraged to pin a tag on a dream destination for the couple to visit. Everyone lined up on the shore and dock to take photos with the gorgeous view before a boat pulled up to the couple’s surprise. A wedding crasher? No, the couple’s best friends surprised them with a boat to whisk them away to the reception. They shared a few moments together soaking in the pink mountain scenery before being dropped off at the family dock on the other side of Lake Annecy.

The reception location was at the groom’s family home in Menthon St Bernard where his family had been married generations in a garden with a direct view to the church’s clock tower in the old town center. The guests were welcomed with a mini bottle of pastis, a famous apéritif from the South of France, before walking the lantern-lined path around the house to the backyard that had been transformed with candles hung by ribbons over comfy lounge seating areas, tented dinner reception and a dance floor strung with lights. The guests found their seats following the table names of the couple’s favorite travel adventures together.

After a classic French dinner with foie gras starters and a large variety of French specialties, the bridal party from all over the world shared stories of the moments when they met or adventures they had shared together. The groomsmen were a blast, they created a slideshow gameshow here all of the guests had to guess the end of the stories the boys had spent together, some in the very house we were gathered in.

The bride and groom knew their international guests came to the party so they had hot snacks as well as fruit, meat, and cheese platters served all night long. The couple even brought specialty alcohols from Brazil and America to France to share with friends.

One of the first dances was the horah, so all of the family gathered around for the fast-paced celebratory Jewish tradition. Napkins waving the couple was lifted high into the air. Everyone stayed on the dance floor as the first dances started then the DJ turned the party level up to 10. After dancing into the wee hours of the night guests were shuttled home for some shut-eye. The Annecy Lakeside Soiree wasn’t over.

A delicious brunch was served with all of the french favorites you can imagine. Coffee, tea, croissants, quiches, pastries, and bread with an assortment of jams. The weekend ended too quickly as the guests spent their last days on the beach before taking their flights back home.

Now the couple plans to travel the world while keeping their home base in New York. The couple spent their honeymoon on a safari ticking off one peg from their travel guest book. Congrats Andrea & Alexis, safe travels! Thank you letting us plan your stunning Annecy Lakeside Soiree.