A Jewish Wedding in Provence

An intimate wedding celebration blending Jewish traditions, the French way of life, and the art of Marc Chagall.

In the heart of the Provençal countryside, surrounded by ancient trees, olive branches, and the warm light of late summer, Salomé and Itai celebrated their Jewish wedding at the Château du Griffon. The celebration brought together religious traditions, contemporary art, and a deep connection to nature, creating an atmosphere characterized by restraint, personal significance, and great warmth.

Photographer Alexandra Sellier captured the special moments of the day in a visual style that beautifully highlighted the natural light of Provence and the many thoughtful details of the wedding.

A love story set in Montreal, Paris, and Provence

Salomé and Itai met while they were studying in Montreal. Today they live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and regularly spend time in France.

To propose, Itai returned to the place where their story had begun. After asking Salomé’s parents for her hand in marriage in Paris, he proposed to her one autumn afternoon on Mount Royal in Montreal. Together, they walked along some of the paths that had brought them together during their college days.

They ultimately chose the south of France for their wedding. The Château du Griffon, a historic 18th-century estate, provided the perfect setting with its light-colored stone facades, spacious terraces, and views over the lush parkland. The château’s architecture and the natural beauty of Provence provided a harmonious backdrop for the celebrations.

A Jewish wedding ceremony full of meaning

The wedding centered on the religious ceremony, during which Salomé and Itai consciously brought together their family roots and Jewish traditions. Ashkenazi and Sephardic rituals were incorporated, as were the three languages: Hebrew, English, and French.

The outdoor wedding ceremony was marked by a special sense of tranquility and solemnity. As the guests arrived, Jean Ferrat’s “C’est beau la vie” began to play—a song whose poetic message perfectly complemented the couple’s personal vision for their wedding.

Salomé then made her entrance to “Agape” by Nicholas Britell. The music symbolized a love that transcends the ordinary. The traditional “Boi Kallah” further underscored the religious significance of the moment.

It was especially important to the couple that the ceremony retain its spiritual significance. The wedding was meant not only to tell the story of their relationship but also to honor their families’ heritage, while leaving room for their own interpretation of traditions.

Inspiration from the Art of Marc Chagall

An extraordinary element of the wedding concept was the artistic inspiration drawn from Marc Chagall. His works, in which love, spirituality, tradition, and modernity converge, reflected many of the ideas that Salomé and Itai wanted to incorporate into their wedding.

The design of Le Plan Parfait drew on this connection and translated it into a cohesive concept that deliberately blended into the natural surroundings.

Olive branches, lavender, and wildflowers defined the floral design by Fabre Fleurs Sophie Baly. The flowers looked natural and understated, without losing any of their expressiveness. Olive branches symbolized peace, while lavender and wildflowers evoked the Provençal landscape.

The stationery also held special personal significance: Salomé and Itai designed all the printed materials themselves. As a result, the wedding’s design became a unique blend of art, nature, and their shared history.

A wedding dress that blends couture and tradition

The extraordinary wedding dress by Giambattista Valli Paris played a special role. Inspired by the shape and movement of flowers, the design combined floral elements with an expressive, modern silhouette.

Several layered elements, sheer panels, and delicate lace created an intriguing interplay of volume, texture, and lightness. The dress appeared both romantic and confident, traditional and contemporary.

For Salomé, it was precisely these contrasts that made the design so beautiful. The modern cut blended with classic bridal fashion elements without appearing conventional.

Throughout the day, she changed up her look by mixing and matching different pieces of her outfit. In the evening, new jewelry and accessories gave her bridal outfit a more relaxed, modern twist. Her look was complemented by a veil from Gisele So Paris. Itai wore a suit by Ike Behar.

A late-summer wedding celebration in the South of France

After the emotional ceremony, the celebration continued in the special atmosphere of the Château du Griffon. The warm light of late summer, the historic facades, and the natural floral arrangements lent the celebration a timeless beauty.

Looking back, Salomé and Itai described their wedding day as a day filled with peace, serenity, and beauty. They especially remember the radiant light of late summer and the warmth of their family and friends.

Her greatest wish had been to experience the day fully and consciously, to savor every moment together, and to show her guests how much their presence meant to her. She felt a special sense of gratitude toward her parents, who had accompanied her on her journey through life.

As a result, their Jewish wedding in Provence became a very personal celebration that uniquely combined religious devotion, artistic freedom, and the beauty of nature.