Immersive Elegance: An Ethereal Wedding at Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay

Selma and Anis’s wedding at the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay was a dialogue between past and present. Once a Cistercian monastery, now a retreat of refined quiet, the abbey’s worn stone and ivy-covered walls became both stage and character.

The ceremony unfurled within the abbey ruins, where pastel flowers appeared to grow from the ancient stone, echoing the soft disarray of nature reclaiming architecture. 

The reception was held beneath vaulted ceilings where tables were adorned with moss and blooms (dahlias, hydrangeas, garden roses) overflowing onto various fruits and delicate crystal glassware, a balancing act of poise and play. 

The bride wore a Zuhair Murad gown with Christian Louboutin heels. 

Our Story

Names / Selma Akkari & Anis Harb

Location / Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, Cernay La Ville, France

Wedding Date / July 26^th, 2025

Guest Numbers / 280

How We Met

We met on the island of Patmos in Greece while on holiday in August. There was an instant connection from the very first meeting, and we didn’t leave each other’s side for the rest of the trip. I even managed to convince Selma to postpone her ferry back home to stay with me a few more days.

Our Engagement Story

I proposed to Selma during a week-long trip to the Dolomites. After a three-hour hike to Lago di Sorapis, a breathtaking turquoise lake high in the mountains, we sat down to have lunch. That’s when I surprised her by pulling a ring out of my backpack instead of the picnic she was expecting. The setting felt perfect; we both love nature and hiking, and I wanted the proposal to reflect the things that mean the most to us.

What we love most about each other…

Anis: I love that Selma is effortlessly funny and has a kind, generous heart. She’s curious and ambitious and keeps life exciting!
Selma: I love how grounded and genuine he is, and how he makes me and everyone around him feel valued. I love how easygoing he is. We share so many passions, from our mutual coffee obsession to his enthusiasm for fun nights out with friends.

“The Abbaye revealed itself as the perfect haven, just an hour from the city yet nestled in a world of its own.”

The Setting

Wedding Venue

The Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay is a former Cistercian abbey located about 45 minutes from Paris. Founded in 1118, it thrived for centuries before being abandoned during the French Revolution and falling into partial ruin. It is now a hotel owned by Paris Society. It offers a beautiful setting, carefully curated interiors, and sophisticated, cozy rooms designed by Cordélia de Castellan.

Wedding Location

We dreamed of celebrating in France, near Paris, because I (Selma) grew up there and felt our wedding should be rooted in a place close to my heart. Paris is also where our love began to take shape, and bringing our guests there felt like honoring both my story and ours together. The Abbaye revealed itself as the perfect haven, just an hour from the city yet nestled in a world of its own. It offered our guests the ease of proximity while also carrying them into the serenity and beauty of the French countryside. We loved the idea of offering them not only a gathering but an experience, something they might never encounter on their own. To us, it was about weaving a dream from the moment they arrived to the moment they departed, surrounding them with a sense of wonder and timeless beauty.

Aesthetic

Selma: As an interior architect, aesthetics and thoughtful research are part of my everyday life. Planning our wedding was especially exciting because it brought together so many things I love: celebrating the love of my life, reuniting friends from across the world; Paris, Beirut, New York, and bringing a vision to life from concept to reality. Unlike architecture, which endures in space, this creation was ephemeral, yet I knew its memory would last forever in our hearts and in the photographs. My aesthetic is minimal and refined. I’m drawn to softness, whether in color, form, or atmosphere, details that don’t shout but carry warmth and intention. I love spaces and settings that feel inviting, gentle to the eye, and deeply considered, where every detail has been handled with care.

Preparation

On the morning of the wedding, my two best friends and my two older sisters came into my suite, a beautiful, spacious room at the hotel. We had coffee and fruit while they surprised me with the most thoughtful gifts and stories. The energy was pure joy! They were so genuinely excited for me that I couldn’t stop smiling and felt like the luckiest girl in the world, soaking up every second of this incredible weekend. There were so many pinch-me moments. After eight months of planning, the day was finally here, and it was even more wonderful than I ever dreamed. My mom helped me get ready, and she knew exactly what we had envisioned, how to place the dress, the little details, so having her there felt so reassuring and grounding. I also loved the energy of my makeup artist and hairdresser; they were playful, confident, and brought such a lighthearted vibe to the room. It kept everything fun and easy, and I realized I was much more relaxed than I ever expected to be!

Photography

A friend of mine shared their Instagram profile with me, knowing how much I was struggling to find photographers who truly matched what Anis and I envisioned. We didn’t want a style that was cheesy, literal, or forced. The moment we discovered Dos Mas en la Mesa, we were captivated; their style felt romantic, timeless, and artistic, exactly what we had been searching for. What struck us most was that their work wasn’t just about the couple; it was about the entire atmosphere, the joy of friends, the warmth of family, the play of light, the beauty of the surroundings, and those fleeting little moments that make a story unforgettable. It was about capturing a feeling, not just a picture. When I saw our photos for the first time, it felt like looking at our true selves, every detail so real, so alive. It was exactly how I wanted our story to be told.

Videography

Similar to what we envisioned for photography – natural, flowy, and emotional.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

Selma: I drew inspiration from a Gucci immersive garden image I had come across. The idea was to make it feel as though the plants had naturally grown out of the ruins where the ceremony was held. It created a beautiful dialogue with the existing greenery already weaving through the stone walls and window openings. The décor enhanced those surroundings with soft pastel tones, designed to feel organic and integrated rather than staged.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

Strawberry & Champagne. They had some great suppliers who made our vision possible, their floral design studio did such an amazing job, and their light and sound engineer was very on point.

Flowers

I drew inspiration from different ideas for each event. For the Friday celebration, we hosted a garden picnic by the lake with live food stations and open lounge seating. I envisioned a fresh countryside feel with florals in predominantly yellow tones, complemented by a playful market of fruits and vegetables. For my bridal bouquet, I wanted to echo the color palette of the ceremony flowers, soft pastels of green, white, and purple. The design was intentionally loose and organic, keeping it natural rather than structured. For the Saturday wedding dinner, the flowers became part of the tablescape, arranged on a bed of moss rather than in traditional vases. We featured dahlias, garden roses, and hydrangeas, creating a romantic and elegant atmosphere.

Stationery

We placed custom stationery in each guest’s hotel room alongside their personalized gift. It included an open envelope holding three illustrated cards with eclectic, playful graphics that outlined the weekend’s program. Designing the stationery was such a joy for me. I’ve always loved graphic design, so I collaborated with a talented illustrator to bring the vision to life. Together, we created a hand-drawn map of the property, highlighting where each event and activity would take place.

Favors

A custom silver-plated “vide-poche” made in Lebanon. I always try to support and work with artisans from where we’re from. We had our wedding date engraved along with a quote we love: “Love is only real when shared.”

Cake

We chose cakes from the amazing French pastry chef Cédric Grolet. They were not only delicious but also added a playful touch to the celebration. The vibrant raspberry hue tied in beautifully with other details, from the stationery to even the tent flooring, creating a fun and cohesive thread throughout.

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

My dress was by Zuhair Murad, a designer whose work I’ve always admired for its craftsmanship and timeless elegance. The silhouette felt effortlessly feminine and refined, perfectly balancing structure and softness. It was a piece that made me feel entirely myself, romantic yet understated. I paired it with classic Christian Louboutin heels, which added just the right touch of sophistication while still being comfortable enough to move and dance in throughout the night.

Bridesmaids’ Dress & Shoes

Each of my bridesmaids wore a dress that reflected her own personality within a soft, cohesive palette. I wanted them to feel comfortable and confident, so we chose light, flowing fabrics that moved beautifully in the summer air. The result was natural and harmonious, complementing the relaxed yet elegant tone of the day.

Wedding Rings

Our wedding bands were a reflection of our personalities and shared values. Anis chose a classic design from Tiffany & Co. – simple, refined, and timeless. Mine was from Vikjet Fine Jewelry, a delicate piece that complemented my engagement ring and carried a quiet elegance I’ll cherish forever.

Jewelry & Accessories

I wore a custom diamond necklace designed by my mother in collaboration with Lebanese jeweler Andre Marcha. It was created especially for the occasion, and it felt deeply meaningful to wear something that symbolized her love and creativity. It’s a piece I’ll treasure for life.

Hair & Makeup

Since I usually wear little to no makeup, I wanted a look that felt fresh, luminous, and authentic, something that enhanced rather than transformed me. We focused on glowing skin, soft definition, and neutral tones to keep everything natural and elegant. My hair was styled in relaxed waves that felt effortless and modern, complementing the romantic tone of the day. Together, the look felt true to who I am: simple, feminine, and grounded.

Groom & Groomsmen Attire

Anis wore a Cifonelli three-piece suit in midnight blue. We wanted his look to feel sophisticated but not overly formal, something that felt like him. The tailoring was impeccable, and the rich tone of the fabric brought a quiet depth and modernity to the overall aesthetic.

“Unlike architecture, which endures in space, this creation was ephemeral, yet I knew its memory would last forever in our hearts and in the photographs.”

The Details

Wedding Songs

Our ceremony song was Halo by Ane Brun. We’ve always loved this version, it felt so tender and emotional. Anis often calls me “angel,” so it was a sweet and subtle nod to that.

Entertainment

We had Swan Band performing for most of the night, creating such a lively and elegant atmosphere. Later, two DJs flew in from London for the afterparty, and they kept everyone dancing until the early hours, it was the perfect transition from romance to celebration.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue / Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, Cernay La Ville, France

Wedding Stylist & Planner / Strawberries & Champagne

Photography / Dos Mas en la Mesa

Videography / Joe Chedrawi

Bride’s Dress / Zuhair Murad

Bride’s Shoes / Christian Louboutin

Wedding Rings / Tiffany & Co.

Jewelry & Accessories / Andre Marcha

Hair / Bassel from Claude Maxime Salon in Paris

Makeup / Tom Sapin

Stationery / Tanya Hayek

Florist / Floraison

Cake / Cedric Grolet

Catering / Paris Society

Entertainment / Swan Band