DESTINATION WEDDINGS · FRANCE
Ré Island — softer, slower, more discreet
English-speaking wedding planner & designer on the island, since 2010
MG EVENTS - ILE DE RÉ
Meet Your Wedding Planner on Ré Island
There is something undeniably special about getting married in France — the soft Atlantic light, long summer evenings, the quiet elegance of a candlelit dinner under the pines.
I'm Mélanie — the wedding planner and designer behind MG Events, based on Île de Ré. Together with Nicolas, my art director and photographer, I've been creating intimate, effortlessly chic weddings on the island since 2010.
I'm not running a Paris agency that flies in for the weekend. I live here. I know which beach catches the best evening light, which caterers earn my trust, and which private estates open their doors for a wedding.That local knowledge is what makes an island wedding actually work."
Everything handled in English
Video calls, quotes, contracts, planning tools — your entire journey with me happens in English. Several of our couples each season come from the UK, and London is only one hour behind: scheduling calls is easy.
Why the Ile de Re ?
There is something undeniably special about getting married in Ile de Ré.
Often described as the understated jewel of the French Atlantic coast — authentic French charm, without the Riviera excess.
A 25-minute drive from La Rochelle airport, with direct flights from London
Authentic French charm, without the Riviera excess
Intimate venues and private estates — including your own family home, if the island already feels like yours
Ocean, vineyards, salt marshes and pine forests
A refined, relaxed alternative to Provence
Wedding Venues on Ile de Re
Celebrations here range from intimate gatherings of under 50 to larger celebrations of up to 180 guests — always personal, never a production line.
Exchange your vows facing the Atlantic, golden hour included.
Seaside ceremonies
From the raw stone of Fort de La Prée to the refined ramparts of the Bastion — history, privatised for your day.
Historic Fortifications
For the most intimate celebrations — under 50 guests — many of my couples choose a house that means something to them, like the Demeure des Jardins in Saint-Martin, a favourite with my English couples. I make any of them wedding-ready.
Private villas & family homes
How I can help
From venue selection to the last candle on your tables. Budget management, vendor sourcing, full decor design, and coordination on the day itself. You arrive on the island; everything is ready.
Full Planning & Design
Organisation & Coordination
You've already found your florist, your look, your vision. I handle vendor sourcing, budget, timeline and full coordination on the day — décor excluded.
Wedding Design Only
You're handling the planning — I create and install the entire look of your day: stationery, flowers, furniture, lighting, table design.
Trusted Local Vendors
Caterers, florists, DJs, celebrants : a hand-picked network built over 15 years on the island. They're not suppliers to me, they're part of the team.
You focus on the joy. I handle the complexity — and the French.
Planning From Abroad — Made Simple
Planning a wedding in another country can feel overwhelming. My job is to make it feel simple — structured, transparent and fully manageable from wherever you are.
How it works
Video calls that fit your time zone
One point of contact — in fluent English — for every vendor
Clear budgeting, no surprises
A dedicated online planning platform, everything in one place
Trusted local vendors I've worked with for years
Full on-site coordination on the day
Real Weddings
UK Couples on Île de Ré
Stephanie & John
A British couple married on Île de Ré, surrounded by their closest friends. 'Calm, authenticity, and the feeling of being in the right place, at the right moment, with the right people' — exactly what they came here for.
Lara & Joe
An English couple married at Fort de La Prée, who closed their day with a sunset drive to the ruins of the Abbaye des Châteliers in a vintage orange Méhari. Their guests kept using one word to describe it: 'Magical.
Holly & Max
An English couple who chose a private estate near La Rochelle — garden, pool, reception hall and rooms for every guest, all on one property. It felt like being welcomed into a home, if that home happened to be this beautiful.
⭐ 4.9/5 — 85 Google reviews
Getting Married on Ile de Re
FAQ for International Couples
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French civil ceremonies require residency, so most international couples legally marry at home and hold their celebration on the island — a symbolic or celebrant-led ceremony, indistinguishable from the "real thing" for your guests. I guide you through both options.
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Fly to La Rochelle (direct from London Stansted and Gatwick, seasonal) — the island is 20 minutes from the airport, connected by bridge. Alternatively: TGV from Paris to La Rochelle in 2h30.
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The island offers everything from boutique hotels (Hôtel de Toiras, La Baronnie) to large family villas. I help you build an accommodation plan for your full guest list.
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Most weddings I plan here — venue, catering, décor, every vendor — start around €40,000, with recent celebrations reaching €100,000 and beyond. That's the overall wedding budget, not my planning fee: I'll walk you through my rates separately, from our very first call.
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May, June, September — beautiful weather, fewer tourists. I generally advise against mid-July to mid-August, when the island is at peak season.
Start Planning Your
French Island Wedding
Everything begins with a video call.
Prefer email? Write to me directly
The adventure starts here.
If you like what you see, I'd love to hear from you. Take a moment to tell me about the two of you, what you're dreaming of, your date, your guest count, and the kind of meal you're imagining.
I'll then send you a venue proposal and a budget estimate tailored to your project — usually within 48 hours. If it feels right, I'll offer you a first video call: free, no commitment.
That's how we'll confirm the right connection, which matters as much as the planning itself. I answer every enquiry personally.
If you don't hear back within 72 hours, please check your spam folder.
Hello Mélanie, we are …