Fusion Wedding French Riviera

Real Wedding: Michael and Neil's Elegant Fusion Wedding French Riviera

Location: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, French Riviera

Couple: Michael and Neil

Season: Summer

A Multicultural Love Story

Michael and Neil’s Fusion Wedding French Riviera weekend was elegant, sophisticated, and truly special. These two grooms come from different corners of the globe. Michael is Turkish-Swiss-Russian and wanted to include his Jewish traditions in the ceremony. Neil is Chinese from Shanghai and also wished to represent his culture on their wedding day. Both men incorporated their families, heritage, and traditions into the ceremony, making it meaningful and rich.

How They Met

The dynamic couple met when Michael was visiting the hotel that Neil was managing. They quickly locked eyes and hit it off immediately. With many trips across the ocean to see one another, they fell in love while exploring the world together.

The Proposal

Neil proposed in front of Michael’s family at an intimate dinner with a custom-made ring. Each of their wedding rings held a ruby, symbolizing luck in Chinese culture. This was just the start of many traditions they would honor.

Thoughtful Planning

Michael was thoughtful with every detail of the planning process, keeping his guests' happiness as his main priority. Every detail was given the utmost attention, from guest gifts to menus and entertainment. Everything was planned to perfection so their friends and family would have an extraordinary experience during their Fusion Wedding French Riviera weekend.

Welcome Boxes

The couple provided welcome boxes for their guests that included a lavender candle, local honey, soap, herbs de Provence, olive oil, custom engraved Evian water bottles, a lavender sachet, and glass decorative wall hangings of the evil eye.

Accommodation and Exploration

Some guests stayed in a seaside hotel in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, while others stayed in a luxury hotel in the center of Nice. From these locations, they were able to explore the best the French Riviera had to offer.

The Welcome Dinner

To kick off the wedding weekend, everyone met and mingled at a seaside restaurant for a beachfront welcome dinner featuring a delicious Mediterranean spread of fresh fish and local specialties.

Getting Ready

The morning of the wedding day was peaceful. Michael and Neil got ready with their best friends by their side in rooms overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean.

First Looks

Once they arrived at the famous Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild for their fusion wedding French Riviera, they wandered through the many exotic gardens and up to the Temple d’Amour for their first looks. This moment was heartwarming and made our hearts swell.

The Ceremony

The ceremony took place on a platform constructed over the fountain, the centerpiece of the villa’s gardens. String musicians played as the couple walked down with their parents to meet under the arch. Before the ceremony, Michael’s niece played the guitar and sang – there was not a dry eye in the house. The ceremony included many traditions, such as the Chinese tea ceremony honoring the parents and the smashing of the glass after the big kiss.

Cocktail Hour

The ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour at sunset with vibrant hues of pinks, oranges, and purples painting the sky above. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails and scrumptious canapés before heading to the tented area for dinner, beautifully lit to create a romantic and magical atmosphere.

The Reception

The menu was chosen perfectly with numerous options for their international guest list to enjoy. Live music continued with electric strings and a tenor opera trio that brought guests to their feet.

Fireworks Display

Just before dessert, the wedding party moved to the seaside terrace to watch a custom fireworks display perfectly timed to the couples’ favorite songs. The fireworks sparkled over the Mediterranean as all the guests watched in awe.

Dancing the Night Away

The night continued with dancing in the ballroom, illuminated with dozens of disco balls creating a starry, glittery ambiance.

Farewell Brunch

The following day, Michael and Neil hosted a farewell brunch with the most diverse spread we have ever seen – luscious salads, fresh seafood, oysters, shrimp, colorful pastries, and cakes. After saying their final goodbyes to the newlyweds, some guests stayed in the Riviera to continue exploring, while others had to rush home. One thing is for sure, they will all keep Michael and Neil’s wedding weekend close to their hearts.