A Riviera Wedding at Domaine du Mont Leuze with Medieval Charm

Samantha and Julien's luxury Riviera wedding at Domaine du Mont Leuze with a ceremony in Eze, transparent design by Gustavo Averbuj, and sweeping Mediterranean views.

By Elena Moretti | Published 25 September 2018

A Riviera Wedding at Domaine du Mont Leuze with Medieval Charm

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Garden Estate

Domaine du Mont Leuze

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · Alpes-Maritimes

Up to 501 guests

From €13,880 4.6 (191)

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Up to 501 guests

From €13,880 4.6 (191)

Samantha and Julien brought international flair and Riviera elegance together at Domaine du Mont Leuze, a private estate for luxury weddings on the French Riviera. Their celebration began with vows in the medieval Church of Eze and continued on the estate's sea-facing terraces in Provence, designed by Gustavo Averbuj with transparency and light at its heart.

Photography

Venue

Domaine du Mont Leuze, Alpes-Maritimes

Region

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Couple

Samantha & Julien

Getting Ready

A getting-ready scene showing a bride seated on an ornately carved dark wood bench or daybed beneath a large window with wrought-iron balcony railings visible outside. She is wearing a white sheer lace robe and is smiling downward while adjusting her earring, with long dark hair worn loose. The interior setting features warm wood flooring and a terracotta-toned curtain to the right, suggesting a French chateau or villa bridal suite. The portrait is a medium shot taken from the side, with natural window light illuminating the scene.

A getting-ready scene showing a bride and four bridesmaids celebrating together indoors, likely in a chateau or manor bridal suite with ornate gold-framed decor and warm drapery visible in the background. The bride, wearing a white lace-trimmed robe, is popping a champagne bottle while the bridesmaids, dressed in matching blush pink satin robes with lace trim, hold champagne flutes and react with laughter. All five women are laughing and leaning in together in a candid, lively group moment. The shot is a close-up portrait-style image with warm, natural window light.

The morning began in a bright hotel room overlooking the Riviera, where the groomsmen gathered in matching attire, adjusting cufflinks and sharing relaxed laughter. Samantha's preparations ran in parallel, with her Lee Grebenau gown from Spina Bride laid out alongside a dramatic Daphne Newman veil and Ranjana Khan earrings reserved for the evening.

Ceremony

The couple shares a kiss during a confetti exit on an outdoor tree-lined path, surrounded by approximately 30 guests on either side forming a receiving line. The groom wears a white tuxedo jacket with black trousers, while the bride wears a fitted white lace gown with a long cathedral veil. White petal confetti fills the air as guests toss handfuls. Female guests wear formal attire in mauve, dusty purple, and blush pink tones, including a bridesmaid in a blush pink off-shoulder gown holding a white bouquet. The wide shot captures the full procession aisle with the couple centered in the composition.

Wedding guests gather outside the entrance of a Baroque-style peach-stucco church with a clock tower, likely on the French Riviera, following or preceding a ceremony. Approximately 15–20 guests dressed in formal dark and light attire are clustered near the arched doorway, with what appears to be the couple visible among them. Two terracotta potted olive trees flank the church entrance as decorative elements. Wide-angle shot taken from a low angle looking up at the church facade, emphasizing the architecture against a partly cloudy sky. Potential venue feature image.

A wedding ceremony taking place inside a historic Baroque chapel with an ornate frescoed ceiling featuring classical figurative paintings and gilded architectural detailing. The bride and groom are seated with their backs to the camera at white chairs decorated with white hydrangea and eucalyptus floral arrangements tied with white ribbon, facing the altar where an officiant in gold vestments stands. The bride wears a long cathedral-length veil and a white gown, while the groom wears an all-white suit. A wide-angle shot captures the full interior from the nave to the altar, emphasizing the vaulted painted ceiling, marble balustrade, candle sconces, and large religious paintings on the side walls. The ceremony style is classic and formal, set within an ornate religious interior with warm ambient lighting. Potential venue feature image.

The bride and groom are seated together during an indoor religious ceremony, laughing and smiling warmly. The setting appears to be a historic chapel or church with aged plaster walls and ornate paintings visible in the background. The groom wears a white tuxedo jacket with a black bow tie and a small white floral boutonniere, while the bride wears a lace long-sleeve gown with a long veil draped over her hair. Behind them, approximately three groomsmen are visible in classic black tuxedos with bow ties and white boutonnieres, also smiling and holding ceremony booklets. The overall styling is classic and formal, and the shot is a medium close-up portrait taken from a slight angle.

The ceremony took place in the historic Church of Eze, where classical music echoed off stone walls scented with eucalyptus. Samantha and Julien exchanged vows in the intimate medieval setting while guests looked on from polished wooden pews. The village's narrow streets and ancient architecture framed the couple's exit into warm Mediterranean light.

Bridal Portraits

A bride and groom walk hand-in-hand away from the camera through a narrow cobblestone alley in what appears to be a historic Provençal or South of France village. The bride wears a white lace fitted gown with a long cathedral-length veil, and the groom is dressed in a white jacket with dark trousers. The alley is flanked by aged stone and rendered walls draped with climbing green vines, with a wrought-iron lantern hanging overhead and terracotta-roofed buildings visible in the background. The shot is a medium-wide portrait taken from behind, emphasizing the village architecture and the couple's path forward through the setting.

A couple portrait taken outdoors on stone steps in a narrow village alleyway, likely in a medieval hilltop village in the south of France. The groom, wearing a white dinner jacket with black trousers and a black bow tie, kisses the bride on the cheek while she smiles broadly at the camera. The bride wears a fitted long-sleeve lace gown with a cathedral-length veil and holds a compact bouquet of white calla lilies with green stems. A small retail display of lavender sachets and woven baskets is visible on a shelf mounted to the stone wall beside them, adding local character to the scene. The composition is a mid-length portrait shot, with the couple framed between rough-cut stone walls.

A couple portrait taken outdoors on a stone terrace or rampart with a panoramic hilltop view in the background. The groom, dressed in a white tuxedo jacket, black trousers, and black bow tie, is seated on a stone wall and kissing the bride on the cheek. The bride stands beside him wearing a long-sleeve lace and tulle fitted gown with a nude/blush underlay and a cathedral-length veil that trails along the stone floor. A small white calla lily bouquet rests on the wall to the left. The composition is a medium full-length portrait shot capturing both figures against the open sky and forested hillside backdrop.

A black-and-white couple portrait showing the groom kissing the bride on the cheek while she smiles broadly at the camera. The bride wears a long-sleeve lace gown with a deep V-neckline and floral lace appliqué along the sheer sleeves, and her hair is worn down. The groom is dressed in a light-colored suit jacket with a dark bow tie, a small floral boutonnière, and a dark-dial sport watch on his wrist. The image is a close-up portrait with a soft, bright background suggesting an outdoor elevated setting such as a terrace or rooftop. The high-contrast black-and-white tones give the image a sharp, editorial quality.

Samantha and Julien paused on the stone steps of Eze's narrow alleyways for portraits that captured the medieval charm of the village. The warm Riviera light fell across the couple as they descended toward a sweeping coastal overlook, with the bay town visible in the distance behind them.

Reception

Wide-shot landscape photograph showing the hilltop village of Èze on the French Riviera, with a multi-arch stone viaduct bridge in the foreground and the Mediterranean Sea visible in the background. No people or wedding party are visible in this image. The shot appears to be a venue establishing or location shot, showcasing the dramatic clifftop architecture and surrounding scenery. Potential venue feature image.

The couple shares their first dance at an outdoor reception, embracing closely with their foreheads nearly touching in an intimate moment. The bride wears a long-sleeve lace gown with floral appliqué detailing on sheer fabric and has long dark hair worn down, while the groom is dressed in a white suit. The reception appears to be set on a waterfront terrace with white Chiavari chairs and tall white floral centerpieces visible in the background, surrounded by approximately 20-30 guests watching the dance. The image is a mid-range portrait shot with a shallow depth of field, keeping the couple sharp in the foreground while the seated and standing guests blur into a warm, softly lit background.

The couple is sharing a cake tasting moment during an outdoor evening reception, with the bride feeding the groom a piece of wedding cake. The bride wears a deep V-neck lace and sheer fitted gown with large white sculptural drop earrings, and the groom is dressed in a cream or off-white dinner jacket. A two-tiered white wedding cake with scalloped detailing and small green leaf accents is visible to the left. The setting appears to be a terrace or courtyard in front of a building with warm amber lighting and shuttered windows. Several guests are visible in the background, including one photographing the moment. The image is a close-up portrait shot with warm, candlelit evening tones.

Dinner moved to the estate's open terrace, where long tables faced the sea beneath a canopy of stars. Gustavo Averbuj's transparent design concept carried through in glass accents and open floral arrangements that kept the Riviera panorama visible from every seat. The couple danced late into the evening as the coastal lights shimmered below.

Flat Lays

A flat lay detail shot showing a French wedding invitation card alongside a portion of a bridal veil or lace fabric. The invitation features an ornate die-cut shape with curved edges, printed in a classic serif and script typeface combination on cream or white card stock, bearing the names Samantha and Julien with a ceremony date of Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption in France. To the right, a heavily embroidered Chantilly-style lace with floral and leaf motifs in ivory is partially visible, likely a veil or dress detail. Both items are laid on a warm beige marble or stone surface. The overall styling palette is ivory and cream with a classic, formal aesthetic.

A close-up detail shot of a bride being helped into her wedding dress during the getting-ready portion of the day. Two sets of hands are visible — one fastening a row of small round buttons or button loops running along the back of an ivory lace gown. The dress features intricate lace detailing and a sheer tulle panel or veil overlapping the back closure. The background is heavily blurred with large circular bokeh highlights creating a bright, white and silver-toned backdrop. The composition is a tight macro-style detail portrait focusing on the hands and dress back.

Close-up detail shot of an outdoor reception table setting on a terrace or balcony with a panoramic mountain backdrop at dusk. The centerpiece features three tall cylindrical glass vases of varying heights filled with water, white roses, white calla lilies, and submerged floating candles. The table is dressed in a white linen cloth and set with crystal wine glasses, white charger plates, and silver cutlery, with small votive candles and a place card visible. The overall decor palette is strictly white and clear glass, giving the tablescape a clean, minimalist look consistent with a modern or classic wedding style.

A nine-image collage documenting a full wedding day at what appears to be a French chateau venue. Top left: a flat lay detail shot of white floral bouquets including hydrangeas and roses arranged on a decorative surface. Top center: an outdoor ceremony recessional with the couple walking through a petal toss, bridesmaids in mauve and dusty rose gowns lining the aisle. Top right: a black-and-white close-up portrait of the groom in a white jacket being assisted by groomsmen in black tuxedos. Middle left: the bride in a long-trained white gown with bridesmaids in blush and lavender dresses inside an ornate interior room. Middle center: an outdoor portrait of the couple seated on a stone wall or terrace with a lush hillside backdrop, the bride in a heavily embellished long-train gown and the groom in a floral ivory suit. Middle right: a black-and-white portrait of the bride alone near a large window, her cathedral-length veil dramatically spread around her, high contrast tones. Bottom left: a wide shot inside an ornate baroque chapel with frescoed vaulted ceilings and gilded decor, the couple standing at the altar during the ceremony. Bottom center: an exterior shot of decorative wrought-iron gates reading 'Chateau de Mont Jeure' with ivy-covered walls behind. Bottom right: the bride and bridesmaids in light pink satin robes laughing and drinking champagne during getting-ready preparations. Potential venue feature image.

A nine-image collage documented the day's details, from a flat lay of bridal accessories to the estate's floral arrangements. White bouquets resting on a cream upholstered bench, gold-accented place settings, and the invitation suite all reflected the couple's palette of ivory, glass, and Riviera blue.

The Venue

The couple chose Domaine du Mont Leuze, a garden estate in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Premium

Garden Estate

Domaine du Mont Leuze

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · Alpes-Maritimes

An exceptional wedding and events venue located at nearly 600 meters altitude on the heights of Villefranche-sur-Mer, offering panoramic views of Nice, Cap-Ferrat, and the surrounding hills. The estate features elegant Provençal-style buildings, terraces, gardens, a helipad, and on-site accommodations for up to 38 guests.

Up to 501 guests

From €13,880 4.6 (191)