The Provence style originated in France, and from there spread throughout the world. It arose in that part of the country where most of the population belongs to the peasantry, even the word “provence” itself means “province”.
A Provence style wedding dress is characterized by such concepts as tenderness, romance, grace and elegance. This outfit is perfect for a bride, because in it the girl will look feminine and sophisticated, and this is precisely the goal that many girls pursue.
Peculiarities
A Provençal wedding, also known as French country, is a mixture of naturalness and sophistication , expressed primarily in traditional cuisine and attention to detail.
Main features of the celebration:
- the predominance of light, pastel, as if sun-scorched shades - sand, lilac, soft pink and blue, terracotta, olive;
- absence of pretentious, pompous elements;
- a lot of space - high ceilings, wide dance floor;
- good lighting , preferably natural, but if this is not possible, you should think about how to position the lighting fixtures so that they imitate the bright sunlight - the southern zenith;
- as many natural materials as possible - wicker baskets, cotton and linen, wildflowers;
- French cuisine – cheese, wines, pastries.
Advice! The main thing is to create an atmosphere of village fun, carefree, and family at the celebration.
Decorations
The image of the newlywed is thought out to the smallest detail so as not to introduce vulgarity into the airy lightness of the style. The hairstyle does not tolerate styling or artificial curls; just braid your hair and pull out a few strands. Flower buds in the hair look lovely, filling the image with special touching. Makeup is also chosen to be close to natural shades; it is a mistake to use bright lipstick and a layer of foundation.
Moderation is observed when choosing accessories. A girl should strive for spontaneity; there is no need to show off all the jewelry:
- The rule of minimalism when choosing jewelry. It is enough to choose elegant earrings with small stones that highlight the color of your eyes;
- Preference for vintage jewelry. It's time to find your grandmother's box to choose antique jewelry with floral patterns. A cameo brooch, necklace or medallion looks interesting. Preference is given to sophisticated products, leaving massive earrings or rings for another celebration;
- The youth of the bride will be emphasized by elegant silver necklaces or pendants. You can choose the color of bracelets consisting of many thin chains. It is important not to overload the image with unnecessary details, so everything should be in moderation;
- The charm of an airy sundress with an open back is emphasized with a string of pearls. If the bride believes in omens, then you can do without this decoration;
- The openwork sun umbrella looks beautiful, repeating the main color of the wedding dress. You can also choose a spectacular lace shawl and guipure gloves.
A bouquet is also considered an important wedding accessory. It is unnecessary to make elaborate bouquets of roses; the best choice is wildflowers with Provencal herbs. Lavender is chosen as the center of the composition, anemones and violets are selected for it.
The postulate when choosing a wedding dress is that charm lies hidden among simplicity. The modesty of the wedding dress will not make the bride pale; on the contrary, the radiance of youth and freshness will make the holiday sparkle with romantic notes.
Place
Usually the wedding is moved outdoors and celebrated during the warm period - late spring, summer, early autumn.
The ceremony looks fabulous against the backdrop of lavender fields, but if you can’t go abroad, then your native open spaces are perfect : a forest, the shore of a lake or river, a meadow with the enchanting aromas of flowering herbs or with mown haystacks.
The banquet can be organized in a country house with a terrace or in tents made of light untreated flax. It is permissible to take the table and chairs out into the fresh air or place them under a canopy if there is concern about the weather changing.
If you prefer an indoor celebration, then a restaurant with interiors in Provencal style would be an excellent option. Wooden decoration details, unplastered walls, wicker furniture, a lot of light will turn your celebration into a real French fairy tale, and bad weather will be completely harmless.
Grace and simplicity
Of course, the classic version of the wedding dress remains white and is complemented by the necessary decor (flowers), which transports you mentally to Provence.
Sometimes brides want to experiment and choose a dress with a colored lining fabric, trimmed with sheer chiffon with floral motifs on top, which is also a great option.
And if you prefer extraordinary styles, you can choose soft blue, pink, cream, olive or even lavender.
Stylists recommend choosing outfits for girlfriends in these colors.
But the bride should remain gentle, pure and solemnly beautiful in white. Although, ivory color is also allowed, which also fits organically into the registration in nature.
Bride's image
The image of the bride should embody innocence, naturalness and carefreeness.
Dress and shoes
It is better to choose a dress with a simple cut, from flowing, natural fabrics, the simplest possible silhouette, without unnecessary decoration.
Too shiny or tight fabric, corsets, crinolines, excessively fluffy skirts are inappropriate and too pompous. But a romantic lace dress is a great choice!
Shoes made of natural material with medium or low heels , light and comfortable. If you want to completely give up heels, then not shoes, but elegant sandals look wonderful.
Hair and makeup
If you choose a hairstyle, then loose, easily flowing hair, perhaps slightly curled into fluffy curls, is best suited for a wedding in Provence style. Smooth glamorous outlines, an abundance of varnish, complex weaving, excessive decoration, and intricate updos look foreign. But a careless low bun or braids look fresh and fit into the style. A wreath of real flowers or a sprig of lavender tucked behind the ear will wonderfully complement the look, making it especially romantic.
If your style and hair color allow such experiments, we recommend doing light highlights - the effect of burnt hair will be a wonderful finishing touch to a natural Provencal look.
Idea! The final touch of the look can be made with vintage antique jewelry. It is important that they look calm, restrained, and unpretentious. It is more correct to give preference to elegant things that are not conspicuous, but only emphasize the bride’s impeccable sense of style.
As for makeup, the best option is nude , barely noticeable, without bright contrasting touches, they will be completely inappropriate. If you want to add color, it is better if it is soft pastel colors - lilac, pink, blue, beige.
Bouquet
Modest, small bouquets of wildflowers, dried flowers, and ears of wheat look original. A wonderful addition to the composition will be lavender - the lilac symbol of Provence.
The ideal complement to a simple dress will be a bouquet made entirely of charming lavender. For a boutonniere, they also use a sprig of this flower, tied with a ribbon.
"Princess"
A princess style wedding dress is a delightful outfit that is accompanied by a full, long skirt. These dresses exude tenderness and sophistication.
The models are famous for their variety of finishes, including drapery, guipure bodices, and embroidery elements with precious, rich threads. At the same time, they approve of chic, huge, shiny accessories.
Stylists advise choosing shoes of snow-white or gold color and possible shades, with elegant heels or platforms, preferably decorated with pearls. An integral element of the image is the veil. Preferably long and multi-layered.
We hope that the material will become a handy cheat sheet for you when choosing a wedding dress. And let it be the only one in your life!
Groom's outfit
The groom is asked to abandon excessive solemnity. A tuxedo or a formal black suit looks heavy and out of place in a carefree village setting. Light colors, large checks, stripes or polka dots look much more harmonious at a Provencal wedding - the style allows you to play with different prints.
You can go further and choose a lavender or blue-gray suit color. Instead of a jacket, it is appropriate to get by with a vest, and a tie can easily be replaced with a colored scarf.
Advice! Provencal style allows you to combine pants with a jacket of different colors, and also does not require classic low shoes at all. It is better to replace them with comfortable and simple moccasins.
Suspenders, a straw hat, natural fabrics, pastel tones, as if bleached by the sun, will wonderfully complement the image. A boutonniere that echoes the bride’s bouquet - made from a sprig of lavender or ears of wheat - will beautifully complement the image.
Bride's bouquet and hairstyle
The bouquet must necessarily consist of dried flowers and wild plants, since the fields of Provence are famous for the variety of delicate and fragrant flowers. Natural shapes and soft colors are exactly what you need. It is better to avoid burgundy and red tones. The shades of the bouquet are very delicate and desaturated. An excellent option if the bouquet is made of lavender branches. This way you can bring a Provençal flavor to your wedding celebration.
Hair and makeup should complement the charm and lightness of a Provençal wedding. Light twisted strands, loose buns and light French braids are suitable. An unequivocal “no” should be said to high and elaborate hairstyles, complex braids, curls and curls. The lightness and carelessness of a gently braided braid perfectly reflects the concept of this style.
Dress code for guests
Bridesmaids can dress in shades of lilac. Firstly, this is the brightest of the wedding colors of the Provencal style, and secondly, this tone will wonderfully set off the snow-white (although, given the specifics, it is more likely to be milky or ivory) of the bride’s dress.
However, any other pastel colors, as well as large checkered patterns, are also acceptable. Fabrics should be selected that are natural, non-shiny, and discreet. Small bouquets of lavender and dried flowers look good - a smaller copy of the bride’s bouquet or a simplified analogue.
The groom's friends can repeat his suit in a simpler design or emphasize the style with a “lavender” element - a scarf, boutonniere, bow tie. Simplicity and lack of pomp and solemnity are also welcomed.
The rest of the guests should be warned in advance about the theme of the wedding , communicating their wishes regarding outfits in person or in invitations.
These can be general recommendations - rustic style, pastel colors, or more specific elements, for example, any lilac accessory, a sprig of lavender pinned to a suit, a straw hat. Identical accessories will add originality and warmth to the celebration. If you are afraid that your guests will not fulfill your wishes, stock up on accessories yourself and hand them out at the banquet when welcoming guests.
Russian-folk motives
A wedding in the national Russian style will be no less memorable. In ancient times, a young woman's wedding attire consisted of a shirt, skirt and sundress. The image was complemented with an unusual decoration for us - a winding. Today, models in the national Russian style by compatriot designers often contain national motifs.
You can also pay attention to the sundress in the “a-russe” style. Bright A-shaped models are available in many options
A wedding sundress will not only attract attention to the bride, but will also be an excellent solution for pregnant girls or those with curvy figures. With its help, they can benefit from their image.
Celebration decoration ideas
At a Provençal wedding, artificially aged furniture looks most harmonious - worn wooden surfaces, wickerwork, heavy forged elements. If you find antique furniture (or a restaurant with such furnishings), it will be a real success!
Use natural materials - burlap, linen, cotton, including untreated cotton. Don’t forget about small flower patterns and cute details - a bouquet in a teapot or a small birdcage , which will add romance and tenderness to the atmosphere. If the wedding is indoors, make sure there is plenty of space and light. The walls must be either unplastered or wooden. If you couldn’t find such a room, you should drape the walls. Light colors - milky, cream, beige, soft yellow, terracotta will visually expand the space , so stick to this color scheme when choosing draperies.
In floral design, lavender will be an absolute favorite. You can use this wonderful plant solo or in compositions, adding other wild flowers and herbs, dried flowers, and ears of corn. Avoid bright shades of scarlet and blue, they stand out from the overall picture.
Cortege
If you want to immerse yourself in the spirit of the Provencal village, then the best option is a horse-drawn carriage. Yes, this is a capricious transport, but what an unusual one! If you prefer cars, then a great idea is to decorate the motorcade with wreaths of wildflowers . Lilac ribbons or balloons, a vintage car, rented - all this will add sophistication to the ceremony.
Invitations
It is better to print invitations or even handwrite them in a vintage style.
Advice! In the invitation, be sure to indicate the thematic focus of the celebration and your wishes for guests in terms of clothing.
Envelopes with French stamps and stamps, drawings of bird cages, sprigs of lavender, lilac color - such a delicate combination will immediately put guests in the right mood. The lovely gifts that guests receive at the end of a Provençal wedding are:
- French cheese;
- jars of honey or jam;
- sachet with lavender;
- handmade lavender soap;
- fruit baskets;
- spices.
Banqueting hall
It is best to use small vintage parts, because they are the ones that create the perfect look. Each interior element should have its own story, or they can simply look mysterious and intriguing.
Chests of drawers, cabinets, antique suitcases, typewriters standing against the walls will transport those present to a distant, calm village, where life flows smoothly and happily. Lace details are perfect for vintage style , especially if the lace is not snow-white, but grayish, milky, yellowish - with such a color it is easy to create the illusion that the lace was inherited from a great-grandmother.
The inscriptions look good, including those in French. They can be forged or wicker - from dry grass, wildflowers, ears of corn. An interesting idea would be an arch made from ordinary connected doors, wooden, painted white. They can stand either in the middle of a banquet hall or in a field, creating an interesting angle for a photo shoot. An arch woven from fresh flowers looks no worse, but creating such a sweet and romantic solution will require more effort and time.
Don’t forget about herbs - the wonderful smell of mint, thyme, sage will not leave anyone indifferent, filling their hearts with the atmosphere of Provence.
Several photo examples
Notice how gentle the silhouette looks with a high waist, open neckline, wing-shaped straps and a long floor-length skirt, over which flows openwork chiffon with a small train. Very harmonious and at the same time sensual, isn’t it?
If you want to speak on this style, write in the comments.
The next photo shows the midi length. The bodice is closed, decorated with lace motifs that are repeated along the edge of the skirt. Again, the waist is high, and from it, over the lining fabric, a chiffon skirt falls, adding lightness and elegance to the look.
Well, where would we be without a model with lowered sleeves, made of cotton. It is presented in the form of a long style (A-line) with a waistline and a loose neckline with elastic.
By the way, we noticed that the outfit is a soft lavender color, and at the same time it looks very beautiful and sensual.
These are precisely the silhouettes that demonstrate classic Provence, revealing its natural motifs, expressed in the naturalness and lightness of materials.
Table decor
The main highlight of the Provencal style is the replacement of traditional vases with a variety of tableware - tea cups, porcelain teapots, transparent bottles, small jars of jam or honey.
Unusual dishes are used to place small compositions. And how original are the wildflowers, diluting the wooden comfort with muted, delicate colors and peeking out from the most unexpected vessels. Choose a tablecloth from natural materials - linen, cotton, chintz. It can be either plain or in a small pattern - polka dots, flowers, checkered patterns. Lace details are also possible.
Menu
The ideal solution would be to use national French cuisine. Fresh pastries, onion soup, snails, farm pies from apples or berries, cupcakes, macaroni - this is not a complete list of delicacies that guests will be absolutely delighted with. Don't forget about French pride - all kinds of cheeses and wines. You can’t do without all kinds of spices and sauces, without which French cuisine loses its unique flavor.
If you are going to surprise your guests with real Provencal delicacies, it is advisable to invite a chef from a French restaurant who knows exactly all the features of this fabulous, but very capricious cuisine.
Cake
The ideal solution would be a standard-shaped cake consisting of several circles covered with icing. You can decorate it with lilac glaze or mastic, sprigs of lavender, the main thing is that the decor is discreet. But the filling can amaze with its variety - honey, berries, and everything the newlyweds desire.
Idea! Brave couples can use an alternative to the traditional wedding dessert - a cake consisting of heads of cheese of different varieties lying on top of each other. Guests will definitely not forget this dessert!
Wedding dresses with bows and flounces
Bows and flounces are currently very popular among young people. This trend can be called quite relevant. Girls love bows and frills since childhood, it makes them feel beautiful, feminine and desirable.
Wedding dresses are often decorated with such elements, but the main thing here is not to overdo it. Because a dress with a bunch of flounces and bows will cause a storm of laughter, it cannot be called elegant, but if you add a beautiful, chic bow at the bottom to a dress with an open back, you can achieve almost worship not only from the groom, but also from the entire male presence at the wedding . A real lady can add a huge number of flounces to her skirt, and it will look stunning.
The variety of dresses attracts with its splendor. A beautiful bride always evokes a lot of emotions and compliments
A wedding is an important event in the life of every woman, so it’s better not to go wrong with the choice of dress. Wonderful models of various wedding dresses will make every girl think about what length is best to choose and how to complement the outfit.
A good wedding is the key to a happy life.
Accessories
In any themed wedding, maximum attention is paid to the details.
The glasses should be decorated using the decoupage technique, painted with traditional Provençal landscapes or sprigs of lavender. Lace or satin ribbons of a soft lilac color decorating the crystal legs look very cute. As a pillow for the rings, use a sachet - a bag filled with lavender or other herbs. Choose the fabric as simple as possible - raw linen, cotton, chintz with a small pattern of flowers or polka dots, ancient noble lace.
A book of wishes simply must be vintage - craft paper, a beautiful applique of a dried herbarium of herbs lying on the cover, lace or satin ribbons. An interesting idea is to completely cover the cover with lace or burlap, and use regular twine or ribbon instead of a bookmark.
Fabrics and textures
The rich lilac color looks great when used with satin and silk fabrics: it will add luxury to any wedding dress, and grace and elegance to the bride. As an alternative, consider a lace dress.
In addition, to sew a wedding dress in purple, materials such as:
- Chiffon. Light translucent fabric is very popular, because you can sew an airy skirt or an entire dress from it. The look will be complete if you decorate it with a belt.
- Fatin. The most fluffy multi-layered skirts are made from this material.
- Taffeta. The fabric is stiff and is what the bodice of the dress is made from. In the case of a purple outfit, a taffeta skirt will look royally beautiful, especially if you drape it and add jewelry.
- Organza. Fluffy skirts made from this material are very beautiful. The emphasis will be on the bottom.
Scenario
A Provençal wedding is a celebration where family and close friends gather to eat delicious food and have fun. In general, the scenario is not much different from the traditional European ceremony - meeting the newlyweds, congratulations, sprinkling with petals or grains, competitions, toasts, a banquet. At the end, the bride throws a bouquet to her unmarried bridesmaids, after which the guests solemnly escort the newlyweds to a happy family life.
If desired, the holiday is complemented with national flavor. French music will wonderfully highlight the atmosphere. The enchanting sounds of waltzes, giving way to fast fiery melodies, will make your guests either admire the romance or dance until they drop. Live music will add a nice touch to the atmosphere.
You might like some cute French traditions. For example, at the beginning of the banquet, the key to the groom’s house is ceremoniously handed over to the bride. She attaches the key to her belt and wears it proudly until the end of the holiday, artistically playing up the role of the hostess and hinting who will run the affairs in the new family.
Dress decor
The elegance and simplicity of Provence do not allow pretentiousness, glitter of stones, revealing neckline and other excesses.
The main decoration of the dress is the elegant cut and natural fabrics. Lace trim , modest embroidery, and frills are acceptable.
The use of different textures in the dress looks interesting. The layering of the skirt is played out perfectly. Sometimes the layers are made from different fabrics. Sometimes they take one fabric of different shades.
Photo
If you want something unusual, sophisticated and super photogenic, a wedding in Provence style will be just the perfect option for you. This photo will help you verify:
The color of a wedding dress in Provence style - the most fashionable trends
Until recently, wedding dresses were supposed to be exclusively snow-white, but today this tradition is gradually losing ground.
A lavender wedding allows for a wedding dress that is distinguished by a light soft shade: light lilac, blue, milky white, pink, light yellow.
The dress can be completely colored, or it can be made white with colored inserts. Bright, saturated shades are unacceptable for the Provence style, so they must be abandoned. Modern fashionable colors such as ivory, powder pink and the like also fit into the style concept.
The fabric for a wedding dress does not have to be plain. A small floral pattern that does not stand out sharply against the general background of the fabric is quite suitable for this style.
