Our Director of Digital Product's Storybook French Countryside Wedding

Rip & Tan: Let’s talk location—what drew you to France?

Heaven Schydlowsky: There is nothing quite like summer in France. The long summer nights/late sunsets, the hot days spent with glasses of wine, the buzzy air full of people enjoying a vacation in the countryside or the coast…it all feels romantic. And my husband, Philippe, was French it felt like the perfect place to celebrate our love.

Rip & Tan: Can you tell us more about the venue?

Heaven Schydlowsky: A few summers ago we attended a birthday party at our family home in the west of France outside of La Rochelle. I knew (not even engaged yet!) that we had to get married here.

The home was an old farmhouse from the 1600s that was turned into a beautiful petit chateau—blue shutters, fountains, blooming gardens, and a natural pool…it’s a gorgeous setting.

Our cousins were also married here, so it felt like a sweet ode to perhaps continuing a tradition in the family.

Rip & Tan: What was the general look and feel you envisioned for your nuptials?

Heaven Schydlowsky: I wanted our wedding to exude the classic romance in the French countryside—nothing too stuffy, just effortlessly beautiful and personal. The home itself already had such beautiful features, so we leaned on florals and simple linens to tie it all together.  

For my dress, I chose the French brand A La Robe. It came with a lace trim so I called in Blanco Veil to make a custom cathedral-length mantilla veil. I was going for romance…and boy did it deliver. She even hand embroidered our initials in light blue for my something blue in the lace. For accessories, I kept it elegant and timeless. I worked with Stacy Nolan on custom diamond drop earrings and a tennis bracelet both in white gold to accompany my wedding bands. To tie it all in, I wore my favorite ByFar heeled sandals. 

We envisioned having a very personal feel to the wedding and the way we wove that in was by including our friends and family in the nuptials. For the ceremony, my college friends, Emily and Myles, sang as everyone walked to the altar. I walked down to Emily singing her rendition of To Know Him is To Love Him. It was stunning and might have been the reason why I cried walking down the aisle. My middle school friend, Dru, officiated with the perfect blend of lightheartedness and heartfeltness.

For dinner, our chef friends from New York made the most beautiful menu using local ingredients from the nearby marchés. We also had our moms bake two beautiful wedding cakes in their traditional styles. For the party, we called on our two DJ friends from Paris. Even the wedding prints were designed by my dear friend, Juliette! All of these personal touches and contributions made for a very special day. Our wedding was undoubtedly a mirror of our lives…we felt so loved.

Rip & Tan: How did the planning process pan out? Any tips you can share for other brides-to-be? 

Heaven Schydlowsky: Planning a wedding, in general, can be challenging, but planning one abroad sometimes felt impossible. My main tip, especially for a destination wedding, is to make sure you and/or your planner map out the entire day with visuals in advance. From florals, to music, and catering—work way in advance. Beyond that, let go a bit: not everything will be as envisioned. It rained all week up until the hour before our wedding. It was totally unexpected, but closer to the day I found a lot of ease in letting go. People were coming to celebrate our authentic love and I knew that rain or shine we’d have the best day ever.

Rip & Tan: It wouldn’t be a proper wedding without some touches of Jenni Kayne. Can you share the pieces you incorporated into your special day? 

Heaven Schydlowsky: I wanted to make sure that getting ready with my bridesmaids included a cozy environment. When my bridesmaids arrived a few days before, I gifted them different Jenni Kayne sweaters in various neutral tones. The morning of, I lit my favorite Jenni Kayne candle (Topanga), turned on the playlist my maid of honor created, and slipped into my Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan. 

I also added a vase to my vanity that held flowers from the garden. All of this with a bottle of champagne created a perfectly calm setting in our bridal suite while I wrote my vows (last minute, hah!).    

Rip & Tan: With all the excitement, weddings can often be a bit of a blur—what are some of the ways you kept yourself present in the moment?

Heaven Schydlowsky: I really felt so much joy seeing all of our friends and family come from all over the world to celebrate with us. However, I made a point to not leave my husband’s side after the ceremony so that we could experience it all together. There was much energy, laughter, and happy tears…and like I mentioned before, I didn’t let myself get too wrapped up in the logistics of the event. Instead, I focused on what was right in front of me…and it was usually Philippe, smiling right back at me. It was honestly one of the most beautiful days of my life. 

Rip & Tan: Whether planned or unexpected, what were some of your standout memories from the day?

Heaven Schydlowsky: I have so many to share! To weave in some French tradition, Philippe’s uncle had been teaching him to saber a champagne bottle. Every single time we practiced, Philippe was perfect! When it finally came time for him to saber the champagne in front of our wedding guests, he just couldn’t seem to get it right. After a mini tutorial from another family member, Philippe was back on track. We were able to get a good tease and laugh at this.

Philippe and I brought in a local band to play jazz during cocktail hour and dinner. During dinner, the music had become so irresistible that people actually got up and started dancing. We actually stopped eating and spent 30 minutes dancing. Perhaps it was a precursor to how the night would actually go. When the real dance party started later that night, we had so much fun that we ended up dancing until 5:30 the next morning. Thankfully, we gifted all of our neighbors champagne the week before.

Rip & Tan: Any other words of advice you’d like to pass along?

Heaven Schydlowsky: Just a few!

When you pick out your flower types, go see and smell them in person. Not only does it create some excitement around the big day, but it’ll also help you envision it in real life!

Weave in personal touches that showcase your love and personality as a couple. Don’t get too stuck up on the social media traditions or what others are expecting…do exactly what feels right for both of you.

Delegate a specific person or group of people to get you water and food while you’re getting ready. It’ll keep you hydrated and happy while you prepare for the long day ahead. Fun fact: our groomsmen made our lunch that day and included local French dishes like beef tartare!

Try taking a cold shower the morning of. I know it sounds crazy, but cold showers have so many benefits—like focus and clarity. What a perfect way to clear your mind for an epic day ahead.