Audrey Tcherkoff and Wesley Grogor
Wedding date: August 31, 2013
Location: Le Domaine des Andeols, Luberon, France
Their Story
When Wesley sent Audrey a box of beautiful chocolates with a handwritten note wishing her to get well – she knew he would become more than a friend.
Introduced by friends in Dubai six years ago, the stunning French entrepreneur and philanthropist Audrey and charming South African managing director-cum-racing car driver Wesley remained platonic until three years ago when they discovered that they both wanted to be together. Audrey happily says: “Since the very first date, we have been at each other’s side.”
A true romantic at heart, Wesley pulled out all the stops when it came to proposing. On her arrival to Dubai from a business trip, Audrey was greeted by a driver and a bunch of roses and was promptly whisked off to Wesley’s home.
Audrey knew he was up to something when the entrance of the building was awash with roses. Audrey entered the apartment to find Wesley stood in a tuxedo in a house full of roses and petals. Audrey says: “I couldn’t believe what I saw! I found it so romantic. He had prepared a beautiful evening dress for me to wear and told me that we were going to have the most memorable evening. After I changed, we toasted to the evening. Then Wesley got down on a bended knee and proposed. I was so moved that I could barely talk. I jumped on him and said: ‘YES!’”
The Wedding
Venue: The wedding was a three-day affair at Le Domaine des Andeols in Luberon. The first night saw close family and friends dining under the stars with digestives after dinner. Day two was the incredible church service followed by sunset cocktails next to the pool, while a saxophonist played. Guests nibbled on delicious meats, olive oils, cheeses and wine. The dinner reception took place under the stars and a giant tree, beside a small lake. The fabulous affair concluded with a brunch where guests wore white and were gifted a panama hat with Audrey and Wesley’s names and the date of the wedding printed on it.
Number of guests: 150 from all over the world.
Dress: Elie Saab.
Shoes: Both the bride and groom wore Jimmy Choo.Wedding rings Cartier.
Flowers: “My wedding planner introduced me to the amazing flower artist Marianne Guedin, known for her contemporary and organic approach,“ said Audrey. The couple opted to mix flowers with fruit, with a green and white colour scheme.
Music: Audrey entered to the Wedding Song by Angus and Julia Stone. For the cocktail and dinner reception the band Paris Groove, who did the music for Audrey’s granmother’s 70th birthday party and her 30th, played their hits. Lastly, Ariel Wizman, a famous French personality, DJed, spinning international beats.
First dance: One Day by Asaf Avidan & the Mojo.
Food: For the reception dinner, the couple chose local produce. To start, a heirloom courgette tarte tatin and gazpacho made from the garden’s tomatoes was served followed by a grilled sea bream with an amazing risotto (the chef’s specialty). Dessert was a passion fruit sorbet with frozen Mojito.
Cake: Raspberry cream cake coated with white layers of cream and local flowers on top.
Unique touches: The table-seating theme was famous couples in history. The menus featured bespoke calligraphy flown in from South Africa courtesy of Wesley’s mother Jill. Lastly, Audrey and Wesley wrote a note to every guest.
Honeymoon: Wesley whisked Audrey away on a surprise trip to Tulum, Mexico.
Audrey’s Top Tips:
• Include your husband in the planning. “I was very lucky to have a fiancé who got involved in every detail. We both got passionate about organising our wedding and made a very good team!
• Take the time to enjoy every moment. “Getting married is a unique moment of true happiness as you are surrounded by the people you love and to have them all together at the same time and place probably won’t happen again soon. It is very important to take the time and enjoy every second of it from the preparation to D-day.”
• Let your bridesmaids be themselves. “I decided to not impose a dress on to my bridesmaids as I wanted them to feel comfortable and to choose a dress they felt the most beautiful in.”
Little Black Bridal Book
Venue: Le Domaine des Andeols, Luberon, France, andeols.com
Catering (including cake): Le Domaine des Andeols (same as above)
Photography: Studio Cabrelli, studiocabrelli.com
Music band: Paris Groove, parisgroove.com
DJ: Ariel Wizman, facebook.com/pages/Ariel-Wizman/
Invitations: Stern Graveur, Paris, sterngraveur.com
Flowers: Marianne Guedin, dinguedeguedin.fr