For Her French Château Wedding, the Bride Wore a “Timeless but Daring” Sculptural Gown
It was a law school romance that began in the quiet corners of the Cornell Law Library and reached its grand crescendo at the Château de Villette in Condécourt, France. Dara Brown and Alex Henry, two attorneys, tied the knot on September 14, 2024, surrounded by their closest family and friends.
The couple met in 2015 during their first year at Cornell Law School, where they quickly became inseparable. “Alex says he first noticed me during orientation on the tour of the library, but we truly hit it off at his birthday party, where his DJ alter ego made an appearance,” Dara recalls. From study sessions to snow-filled Ithaca winters, the pair navigated the rigorous demands of law school together. “Our classmates often saw us as yin and yang—two contrasting personalities that perfectly balanced each other,” Dara says.
Seven years later, their shared journey brought them back to France, a place that held particular sentimental significance. “After law school, I received a fellowship to research and develop human trafficking laws and policies in Paris,” the bride shares. “Alex lived with me during that time, and we spent weekends exploring French museums and châteaus.” Their decision to marry abroad felt like a full-circle moment. “Choosing France honored an important chapter of our story, and it allowed us to focus on what truly mattered: celebrating with the people who supported us,” she adds.
The planning process, though initially daunting, was seamlessly executed with the help of Amanda Virga of AMV Weddings. Amanda’s expertise proved invaluable, from selecting the idyllic Château de Villette to coordinating a spectacular firework display—a surprise orchestrated by Alex. “Little did Dara know, I had been working with a French pyrotechnical company to arrange for a massive firework show,” Alex says. “The company specializes in synchronizing their displays to music, so I created a remix of ‘Still Into You’ by Paramore for the occasion. It was one of the most rewarding moments of the day.”
When it came to her wedding attire, Dara’s choices added to the magic. A columnar white dress from New Arrivals was worn to the wedding’s welcome cocktail hosted at the Ritz Paris. For the big day, Dara got dressed in a pearl-colored, boudoir-chic silk slip dress from Victoria Beckham before changing into her wedding gown: a showstopper by The Atelier BY Jimmy Choo that took the silhouette of a traditional trained wedding dress and updated the concept with origami-like folds and embroidery. The wedding gown was discovered during New York Bridal Fashion Week, with Dara being drawn to its pleats and folds that resembled the architectural peaks of whipped cream. “The moment it touched my skin, I knew it was the one,” Dara said. “Everyone in the room seemed to feel the same way.”
For the reception, Dara opted for a lace dress by Pnina Tornai followed by an Oscar de la Renta beaded metallic gown, fulfilling her dream of wearing something timeless yet daring. “Every dress I wore that day told a story,” Dara reflects. “Each one was a reflection of me, my journey, and the love and care that went into making the day extraordinary.”
The ceremony, held on the manicured grounds of the château, was led by Dara’s work mentor, who meticulously crafted a heartfelt and deeply personal officiation. “True to form, my officiant didn’t play around—he practically deposed us and our families beforehand to get every detail just right,” Dara laughs. The couple’s vows brought everyone to tears, including Alex, who swore he wouldn’t cry. The ceremony ended with the couple jumping the broom, an African-American tradition symbolizing their new beginnings.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour by the pool, where truffle risotto stole the culinary spotlight. The evening transitioned seamlessly into dinner and dancing, with the château’s grand interiors providing the perfect backdrop. “One highlight was Alex’s surprise firework display, which left everyone in awe. It was such a magical moment that capped off the celebration beautifully,” Dara says.
The bridal party was dressed in a harmonious palette of peach, sage, and toffee, and Dara’s thoughtfulness extended to every detail, from toile-patterned silk pajamas for her bridesmaids to pearl earrings gifted as tokens of gratitude. Meanwhile, the groomsmen spent the morning playing golf at Le Golf National, where the golf tournaments of the 2024 Olympic Games were held.
Reflecting on the day, Dara described it as a coming together of love, effort, and shared history. “During the ceremony, we were utterly in awe—of the moment, of each other, and of the love surrounding us,” she says. “It felt surreal, like time had paused just for us.”
As they embark on a new chapter together, Dara and Alex keep returning to the memories of their wedding day. “After nearly a decade together, our wedding has deepened our sense of unity and commitment to each other,” Dara said. During the reception, guests raised glasses to toast cocktails named after the couple’s beloved dogs, Baldwin and Romulus—a playful nod to their growing family and the love that surrounds them.
Photo: Lucy Munoz1/87For the welcome event, I wanted to channel a modern twist on classic Parisian style. This New Arrivals dress was the perfect look to set the tone for the night and day ahead.
Photo: Lucy Munoz2/87Arriving at our welcome event, we were overwhelmed with excitement—so thrilled that the day had finally arrived!
Photo: Lucy Munoz3/87Entering the courtyard to join our closest friends and family was a moment that we will never forget.
Photo: Lucy Munoz4/87At the welcome event, I enjoyed spending time with several of my closest friends, Meg, Jules, Sydney, and Lindsay.
Photo: Lucy Munoz5/87There is nothing like being surrounded by the people you love most—it was pure magic.
