Solene + Alexis by Roxane Beaufils

We wanted the celebration to feel like an experience.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We are both architects and have been living in Paris for several years. I am originally from Paris, while Alexis comes from Saint-Malo, on the Breton coast. We each run our own architectural practices, and we sometimes collaborate on competitions or more personal projects, such as our apartment near the Buttes-Chaumont.

Architecture is a shared passion for both of us, and we spend a lot of time exchanging ideas, supporting each other, and working through intense periods together when projects are demanding.

So much so that we got engaged under the stars, in the hot pools of the Vals Therme in Switzerland, designed by Peter Zumthor — a must for architects.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met almost ten years ago. At the time, we worked in two different offices located at the same Parisian address. It was the kind of quintessential Parisian courtyard where we kept running into each other — on the way to lunch, heading to after-work drinks, or even leaving little notes for one another on the windows.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

I fell in love with Brittany — perhaps even more than Alexis himself — and we return there often. The region is incredibly beautiful, and we wanted to get married there so the people we love could discover it as well. Getting married by the sea is unforgettable, especially in this particular bay, where the tide retreats incredibly far before coming back in close, transforming the landscape throughout the day.

Because we weren’t getting married in the summer, we knew it wouldn’t be the kind of traditional outdoor dinner where the scenery alone creates the atmosphere. In autumn, if you want your guests to be comfortable, dinner has to be indoors.

So we wanted to create something truly special, with décor unlike anything seen every day — something immersive that people would remember. We wanted the celebration to feel like an experience.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

We loved every part of the process, but the décor was definitely our main focus. We are both very hands-on and creative people through our work, so it was important that the atmosphere of the wedding truly felt like us — stylish, but not too formal, with a strong artistic sensibility.

We spent hours designing the invitations, personalising each one for every guest and incorporating Alexis’s drawings into the design. We then focused on creating the atmosphere for the dinner around details that genuinely mattered to us. For example, we didn’t want traditional white tablecloths, so we chose deep orange velvet instead, which immediately set the tone for the entire décor.

We also created suspended installations of orange organza, cut into squares and hung above the tables. The fabric has a mesmerising quality, constantly shifting with the light. The idea was to create an orange sky that emphasised the layout we had designed for the tables. Beneath them, long ribbon-like LED lights were installed like waves of light, their reflections shimmering across the glass walls surrounding us.

For each guest, we also designed a small colored concrete block engraved with a unique oyster pattern, which served as a way for people to find their seat. Oysters were kind of the underlying theme, to the point where even the disco ball was one.

I would say it’s important to create something that truly reflects who you are. Take the time to find the personal details that will make your wedding unique to you and meaningful for the people there. Sometimes it’s not about big gestures, but small, thoughtful touches that make all the difference.

Of course, it costs money, but it doesn’t have to be expensive to feel extraordinary. Some people say they would rather travel than spend money on a wedding, but honestly, it was the best money we ever spent.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We worked with Atelier PenFoll, with whom we instantly connected. These women are true architects of flowers. We had incredibly stimulating brainstorming sessions together, and because we wanted to move away from anything too traditional, they were genuinely inspired by the project.

After one of our meetings, we went home and made 80 small concrete pyramids for them, allowing metal stems to be inserted so the flowers could appear suspended in the air. They did a truly extraordinary job. Their work beautifully enhanced every part of the wedding — the ceremony, the cocktail hour, and the dinner. Our guests were amazed and mesmerised by the installations: carnivorous plants, rare species, white carnations perched on metal stems, and many other unexpected details, like our custom ceremony lectern, made from concrete blocks from which flowers seemed to emerge.

And of course, there was our photographer. We had a difficult time finding someone whose vision truly aligned with ours. Many wedding photographers focused on traditional imagery, which is beautiful, but didn’t feel right for us. We were looking for someone with more of an artistic eye, someone interested in both digital and film photography. Roxane was recommended to us by our DJ, and as soon as we met her, we knew she was the perfect fit.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

I am not a typical bride, as I hardly ever wear dresses — if at all. So for months I was unsure: should I wear one for this special day? After all, it was my wedding. But I knew I wouldn’t feel comfortable in a traditional dress, and I wanted something simple yet unusual.

I searched for a long time until I discovered the beautiful brand Kamperett, which felt far from the traditional big white wedding dress aesthetic. They had this elegant sheer gown that appeared minimal at first glance but revealed exquisite details — a long row of buttons down the back, soft pleats at the hem, and the delicacy of the fabric. That became the first part of my outfit.

Because the gown was transparent, I needed something to wear underneath. Instead of a white dress, I chose a white silk top and trousers. So I ended up wearing both a dress and pants in a layered look. I completed the outfit with elegant brown boots and a custom veil embroidered with a sun and the words “à n’avoir que toi d’horizon,” meaning “only you as the horizon,” taken from Aimer à perdre la raison by Jean Ferrat.

Alexis chose a modern, wide-cut suit from Jacquemus. He wanted something not too formal, so he paired it with a simple white T-shirt instead of a shirt, allowing the silhouette of the suit to stand out.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Our wedding rings were made by an old friend who studied architecture with Solenne before becoming a jeweller. They were crafted using gold from antique family jewellery passed down from both sides of our families. Inside both rings, wave-like patterns were hand-hammered into the gold to remind us of the sea, which we love so much. The letters “A” and “S” are engraved inside the rings, intertwined in a logo we designed together.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

We really loved the floral work made by PenFoll; it wasn’t planned at first, and we contacted them a bit late, but we are so glad we found them.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Everything felt like a dream, as if we were floating through the day surrounded by love. If we had to choose two standout moments, the first would be arriving at the ceremony. We chose to arrive together, hand in hand. As we walked toward our guests, seeing every face in that moment was incredible, and a break of sunlight at just the right time made it even more magical.

Another very special moment came at the end of dinner, just before dessert, when we surprised our guests. The waiters brought in 110 fortune cookies, each one containing a unique message written personally for every guest. It was an incredibly emotional moment.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

We will share our vows: “We choose to love each other, we choose to be a family, we choose to build together, we choose to understand one another, we choose to be committed, we choose to communicate, we choose to be there for each other.”