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French Lavender Fields Proposal

CATEGORIES

August 28, 2021
Words by Lauren Ertl
Photos courtesy of Andrea Marino

Two to three weeks out of the year Provence, France is covered in fields of fragrant lavender. These gorgeous purple rolling hills are the perfect backdrop to any romantic moment, especially proposals.

Recently, a destination photographer and expert planner teamed up to create a proposal inspiration like none other. This is for you couples out there with wanderlust and an affinity for wild beauty, sweet romance and everlasting memories. Read our exclusive interview with the team who made it happen below:

Q: How did this styled shoot first get started?
A: This idea was born after several real proposals that I (Andrea) captured in the last few years at the lavender fields in Provence, particularly after one where the groom-to-be hired a string quartet to surprise the love of his life, this was featured on an international blog. I started wondering, what if we recreate the whole experience to target high-end clients with a dream team, including a wedding planner, an exclusive venue and a classic car? And so we did! We found a real couple to make it as genuine as possible, and we created a visual example of what we can do for our clients. We wanted to mix the luxury experience with the provencal countryside. 

Q: What was the inspiration for the theme/style of the shoot? How did the location of the shoot influence it?
Lavender proposals in Provence are still rare and what better backdrop than the fields! We wanted to highlight this beautiful region and the best and largest fields only known by locals. We wanted to mix the luxury experience with the provencal countryside. 

Q: Tell us about the proposal. What elements were included and why?
A: We wanted to include the classic car experience to the couple so they admire the beautiful landscapes that you can only find in the natural park before they arrive at the proposal location. The proposal was set up at the largest lavender field only found in Plateau de Valensole, this showcases the Verdon Canyon mountains on the back. After she said yes, we delivered a champagne bottle with two fancy glasses to celebrate the big moment. 

Q: Tell us about the dinner look. What elements were included and why?
A: 
For the dinner celebration (the day after the proposal) we wanted to match blue and purple colors in an ancient monastery filled with Sauvage greeneries only found in the cloister. We found unique tableware where we see handpainted illustrations about Joan of Arc, every little detail showcases iconic French history. 

Our idea is to offer and inspire couples with the whole provencal experience in a refined monastery with a catering and accommodation service as this location is only 15 minutes away from the largest fields in the Plateau. 

Q: How did the team of vendors work together? 
A: I 
contacted Eva, the wedding planner and gave her a brief of my vision and then we contacted Laurent who is a fine art filmmaker in France and Canada, we brainstormed back and forth to give life to this dream of a styled shoot. 

Q: What was your favorite part of the shoot and why?
A: 
The champagne part! It was very fun and natural, we had a blast with the team. Because lighting is essential for both photo and video, we had a short amount of time for the proposal at the fields, around 25 minutes before the dusk set in! I only shoot before and after sunset so we pushed our creativity to put it up together right in time. 

Vendors: Fine Art Photographer: Andrea Marino; MUAH : Irina Elena Beauty; Wedding Planner and Floral Designer: Evarusso Wedding; Couple: Léa & Xavier; Furniture: Lydia Russo; Venue/Catering: Monastere de Segries; Classic Car: Voitures Passion Videography: Laurent Rostaing

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