Brides-to-be, prepare to fall in love with the classic elegance of Samantha and Chris’s breath-taking wedding in the heart of France! Set at the stunning Château de la Citardière, their special day was the epitome of romance, style, and intimate celebration—featuring Samantha’s utterly gorgeous Made With Love gown, ‘Valley.’
A Match Made in Barcelona
Samantha and Chris’s love story started with a simple swipe right on Tinder in 2017, but their connection was anything but ordinary. Hailing from Wigan and Belfast respectively, they met for their first date six months later and quickly found themselves on a whirlwind journey. Just a year after that first date, they moved to Barcelona together and have been living their best lives ever since, working as primary school teachers at a private British school.
Chris proposed in December 2022 at their favourite spot, Daft Eddy’s, in Belfast—by the shore of Strangford Lough, under the rain, with a ring hidden in a beautiful pink Chupi ring box. It was a moment filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of rain—utterly perfect for these two.
An Idyllic French Setting
For their wedding, Samantha and Chris chose the enchanting Château de la Citardière in Mervent, France. With friends and family scattered between Barcelona, the UK, and beyond, this beautiful chateau was the perfect middle ground. When they visited in April 2023, they instantly knew this would be their dream venue.
In July 2024, they exchanged vows surrounded by their closest loved ones in this magical setting, celebrating over three incredible days. The couple opted for a classic, elegant, and intimate theme with an oyster colour palette and lush greenery to highlight the natural beauty of the venue’s sprawling grounds.
The Dress of Dreams
Samantha found her dream gown with us at LOVE: Valley by Made With Love. As soon as she saw Valley on our Instagram, she was captivated by its simple, classic, and elegant design. With a stunning lace back detail and flowing train, Valley was everything she had envisioned and more.
During her first visit to LOVE, she tried on Valley and knew immediately that it was The One. Samantha paired her gown with a cathedral-length silk tulle veil from Couture Veil, which perfectly complemented the understated elegance of her dress. On her big day, Samantha was a vision in Valley, keeping her look simple and timeless with pearl accessories and soft, romantic waves.
Reflecting on her experience at LOVE, Samantha said, “I visited a number of boutiques before visiting LOVE and I can honestly say nothing compared to my experience with Emma and her team. They made me feel so comfortable from the moment I walked in. The boutique is beautiful, and the entire process, from finding my dress to the fittings, was seamless—even with me living in Barcelona! They made sure my fitting appointments were during my school holidays and provided so much guidance to ensure everything fit perfectly.”
A Day to Remember
For Samantha and Chris, every moment of their wedding day was special, but there were a few highlights that really stood out. One of the most unforgettable moments for Samantha was walking down the aisle and seeing Chris waiting at the top – “a moment I will always cherish,” she recalls.
After a delicious dinner, the couple watched as their bridesmaids and groomsmen entered the reception to Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love—a high-energy entrance that had all their guests on their feet. Later, Samantha and Chris snuck away for a golden hour photoshoot on the rooftop terrace, capturing some intimate moments together as the sun set over the French countryside.
Their wedding was filled with laughter, love, and so many personal touches, from a champagne tower to a playful photo race with their guests.
A Team of Incredible Suppliers
Samantha and Chris worked with some incredible wedding vendors to bring their vision to life. A special shoutout goes to their photographer and videographer duo, Laura and Joaquim of TwoforOne Events. Their relaxed, friendly approach and ability to capture every moment of the day made them a perfect fit for this celebration.
The talented Julien Mueller provided live music during the cocktail hour, keeping guests entertained as they sipped champagne under the trees. Samantha also wanted to thank her hair and makeup team Eugénie Grandhomme, L’Atelier Signature, Marie Hair Styling and Make-up who worked their magic to make her and her bridal party look flawless.
Finally, their wedding coordinator, Laura from Biskoul Events, ensured everything ran smoothly, allowing the couple to truly enjoy their day without worrying about the logistics.
Top Tips for Brides-to-Be
Samantha shared her top wedding planning tips for future brides:
- “Take moments throughout the day to step back and soak it all in. Chris and I did this, and it’s one of our fondest memories”
- “You will have heard it before, but it is true – don’t stress about the little things! On the day, you’ll be so happy that all the worries you had before won’t matter”
- “Add personal touches to make the day special. We loved our family wedding photo timeline, which brought our loved ones into the celebration, even if they couldn’t be there in person”
- “Plan for golden hour photos! The light is magical, and the pictures will be worth it”
- “Get the champagne tower!”
Fall in Love with Valley
If, like Samantha, you’ve fallen in love with Valley by Made with Love, we’d love to help you find your dream gown too. Get in touch with us at LOVE Bridal to book your appointment: email hello@lovebridalboutique.co.uk.