The Bride Wore Vintage—And Her Own Custom Designs—To Her Loire Valley Wedding

When deciding on a location for their summer wedding, which was held on August 30, 2025, the couple turned to the Loire Valley in France, a place filled with meaning for both of their families. Not only was Alexandre’s father French, but the bride’s aunt and uncle, Thierry and Clare Vivier, own a home in the region. The to-be-weds decided on Château de la Huberdière—a retreat in Nazelles-Négron that overlooked Leonardo da Vinci’s final resting place—as their venue. “The chateau’s owners, Patrick and Lodo, are expats from Italy and well-versed in helping others celebrate this special region,” explains Sophia.

The bride was well-versed in organizing events herself after a decade of working in fashion at brands like Ulla Johnson, so she took charge of organizing the wedding celebration. “I felt confident we did not need to hire a wedding planner and could handle it ourselves, even while living thousands of miles away in LA,” Sophia says. “We were engaged for a year and a half—which helped—and I truly enjoyed researching vendors, gathering inspiration, and ensuring each creative detail had meaning and intention.” The couple also hired Maryne Olive Marchesi of Marchesi Weddings as a month-of coordinator to ensure all the final details were settled and relieve the bride of planning duties that final week. “If not for her (and Alex!) stepping up, their support allowed me to be present and enjoy every single moment,” adds Sophia. “I would be remiss not to mention Clare’s husband, Thierry, whose family is from the area and served as our ‘boots on the ground’—and incredible translator—throughout the planning process.”

The celebrations would move from casual to elegant, beginning with an outdoor party on Thursday evening at Clare Vivier’s garden in Saint-Calais. “Everything was prepared by family members, who were in and out of the kitchen all afternoon, and then we brought in a local crêpe truck for dinner,” describes the bride. “The party went late into the night, with an impromptu concert with my uncles playing guitar, my cousins taking turns on the mic, and Alexandre DJ-ing and guests dancing to Prince and Sade under the stars.”