A Fine Art Provence Wedding: Katie Julia & Buck’s Painterly South Of France Celebration

Mar 14, 2026 | Weddings

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Katie Julia and Buck’s wedding at La Bastide de Laurence in Provence is a love story of epic proportions. The journey to this point was one filled with healing, collaboration, and most importantly, love. The couple brought together their dearest family and friends for five days of Provençal slow luxury, inviting them to almost step inside an Impressionist painting. The wedding itself was the embodiment of fine art, but most importantly it was a celebration of triumph over adversity.

When Katie Julia accepted Buck’s proposal in Paris at the Musée d’Orsay, neither of them knew that their blissful moment of joy would mark the beginning of Katie Julia becoming seriously unwell. While in Paris, Katie Julia picked up an infection that would have a severe impact on both her ability to work and her quality of life. The chronic pain she experienced was debilitating and all-consuming. What followed was a long journey back to health, fully supported by Buck, who remained her constant during this time, further deepening their connection.

The wedding therefore became a focus for Katie Julia’s recovery, a moment in the future she could work toward, visualizing her father walking her down the aisle. It gave her mind purpose and determination to create something beautiful while reconnecting with the fundamental essence of her being: art. She also knew that nature would be a key element, as it had been an integral component of her healing. From the herbs used in her recovery, which were featured on her dress, to the Monet-inspired setting, toxin-free makeup, and endless blooms, nature intertwines through every aspect of the celebration, a reminder of its restorative power.

Katie Julia is an artist. Long before she picked up a camera, the paintbrush was, and still is, her tool of choice. After studying Art History at university followed by drama school, it is no surprise that creativity and theater weave their way through her work. Her desire to create legacy pieces that, like the old masters, stand the test of time is one of the reasons fine art–loving couples are drawn to her photography.

With such attention to detail, one might wonder how she was able to bring together her own wedding under immense expectation and self-critique. The answer lies in the team of talented creative women from the wedding industry who came together to bring Katie Julia and Buck’s vision to life. The in-house media team, working under Katie Julia’s art direction, captured many of the most emotive moments of the celebration, creating imagery that makes it almost impossible not to feel deeply moved.

Katie Julia is fascinated by detail, and nothing that appears in her work is there by coincidence. Each element carries meaning and history. From the Monet-inspired blooms to the carefully created table linens, bridesmaids’ bags, and bespoke gowns, every aspect of the celebration reflects thoughtful intention. This wedding is the culmination of all the inspiration, memories, struggles, and love that make their story so unique. Everything Katie Julia and Buck hold dear has its place within this painterly world they created.

The wedding was a multisensory masterpiece, and the sheer scale of the undertaking is a testament to all those who helped bring it together. Friends jumped into a lorry and a van to drive everything to the south of France. The cake was flown in delicately on the lap of its designer. And an incredible group of women worked collectively to bring the magic to life.

After a blissful welcome party, the wedding day began with Katie Julia and her bridal party getting ready together in nervous anticipation.

Katie Julia’s bridal party was made up of an extraordinary group of inspirational women, each accomplished in her own field and deeply important in her life. Her Maids of Honour were Minal Budheo, a coach, healer, and Reiki master, and Jessie Westwood, one of the UK’s leading wedding planners. Jessie also had the epic task of planning Katie Julia and Buck’s wedding, which she did with immense hard work and creativity. The couple will forever be thankful for the integral role she played in their celebration.

They were joined by a remarkable group of bridesmaids including Alice Wilkes, a leading UK wedding and brand event designer and planner; Sally Bean, the couture wedding dress designer who also created Katie Julia’s main bridal look; Nikki Armytage-Foy, founder of Electric Woman and life coach to many high-profile figures; and Rose, one of Katie Julia’s closest friends, who designed the wedding’s branding and stationery as well as the beautiful patterns used on the linens. Also part of the bridal party were Rosie Green, a leading UK wedding planner; Ruby Eva, an actress, singer, drama school CEO, and talent agent. Lauren Lea who is an amazing business manager and she was my own business manager for several years during the years my career grew hard and fast and she has not only worked in my business but she’s gone on to help many other women in business. A mention must also go to Michelle Kelly of Pocketful of Dreams, a leading UK wedding planner and dear friend, who appears in many of the bridesmaid photographs and played a role on the day, particularly during the ceremony, helping seat guests and keep everything running smoothly.

Each bridesmaid wore her own choice of gown, allowing them to express their individuality. Most importantly, Katie Julia wanted each of them to have their own moment where they felt iconic. The wedding was as much a love letter to these creative women, honoring their friendship and their contributions to both the celebration and Katie Julia and Buck’s journey.

Not forgetting the wonderful group of younger bridesmaids, who brought a joyful, fairytale energy to the day. Buck’s daughters were among them: Birdy (15), an art scholar; Georgia (12), who is currently very interested in makeup and beauty; and Cecy (10), who dreams of becoming either a singer or an artist. They were joined by Darcy, Buck’s niece (his brother’s daughter), who lives in Australia and is a brilliant young athlete, as well as Katie Julia’s nieces Darcy and Eliza, who are still very little but absolutely loved being part of the princess-fairytale atmosphere of the day.

Katie Julia’s mother wore a bespoke gown by Sally Bean in a beautiful shade of green that not only complemented the wedding palette but was also inspired by a Lake Como wedding previously photographed by Katie Julia. The gown was created at the same time as Katie Julia’s wedding dress, making it a meaningful mother-daughter experience. It was Katie Julia’s mother who first introduced her to many of the herbs and natural approaches that ultimately played such an important role in her recovery.

A special mention must also go to the mother of the groom, who designed her own dress, a beautiful pink 1950s-inspired silhouette that complemented the wedding color palette perfectly, showcasing the remarkable creativity woven throughout the entire bridal party. Her love and support throughout Buck's life has helped mould him into the kind and generous man he has become.

Katie Julia’s dress was a masterpiece in itself and, like so many other elements of the wedding, deeply rooted in meaning and intentionally old-world in its aesthetic. The color of aged ivory contributed to the storytelling element of the celebration, as though the dress had been discovered in an antique trunk. The silk tulle layers, reminiscent of the Christian Dior Junon and Venus gowns, offered movement and femininity. The skirt resembled rose petals layered upon one another to create a spectacular vision of beauty. The bodice, embroidered with roses and the healing herbs her mother used during her recovery, was a testament to Katie Julia’s commitment to symbolism. The overall look was soft yet striking.

The moment Katie Julia’s father walked her down the aisle marked the culmination of her determination to recover from illness and the continuation of her love story with Buck. This was her iconic moment, the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another. Pride radiated from her father, a man who had been her rock through so much, as he carried out this deeply symbolic moment with love and brought to life the dream she had held for so long.

The ceremony took place in the gardens of La Bastide de Laurence, where a team of florists, working together for the first time, created a Monet-inspired backdrop reminiscent of Giverny itself. Three floral arches blended seamlessly into the surroundings, as though they had always belonged there, perfectly complementing the English roses already growing in the garden. Fine art flourishes appeared in every detail, in the stonework of the buildings, the abundant floral displays, and the natural light filtering through the trees, creating beautiful moments for guests to enjoy during the ceremony.

As Katie Julia and Buck exchanged vows beneath the blooms, the wedding transcended their expectations. It became a powerful affirmation of their love, commitment, and respect for one another.

During cocktail hour, guests soaked in the beautiful surroundings while Katie Julia changed into her second look. Dior has always been a great inspiration to her. Not only had she long admired the fashion house, but it also played a part in her engagement story, as Buck and Katie visited the Dior exhibition while in Paris. Katie Julia had always envisioned wearing Dior on her wedding day, so it felt serendipitous when she found the dress just three weeks before the wedding. The dress also symbolized her healing journey, stepping out of her beautiful but more restrictive ceremony gown and into the Dior dress represented freedom of movement and the joy she had longed for during her recovery.

The long dinner table stretched through the landscape and lavender fields, draped in custom linens and adorned with bespoke stationery, further examples of the collaborative spirit that shaped the day. As the light transitioned from golden hour to dusk, guests shared laughter and conversation while enjoying the delicious Provençal cuisine.

After the speeches concluded, a saxophonist led guests to the nightclub, where dancing and celebration continued late into the night to the music of Young Guns.

What is clear from this celebration is that Katie Julia understands a wedding is one of the rare moments in life where you can create something deeply personal and meaningful. It goes beyond aesthetics. To create something truly timeless, it must transcend trends and remain authentic to the couple. It is also a reminder that art is not just one thing, it can be immersive, emotional, and a celebration of love and culture.

For Katie Julia and Buck, this was a joint endeavor. They shared the vision and committed to it wholeheartedly. They embody the spirit of slow luxury, choosing to slow down and live intentionally without losing ambition. Instead, they create moments that ignite the soul and memories that linger long after the event.

It is why they work so well together. Buck not only understands the nature of the artist but cares deeply about the details as well. They are not only soulmates; they are a team who have both traveled a long road to reach this point. And that is why their love can be felt in every frame.