There was hardly a dry eye when Valentin Kretz and Charina Sarte said their I do’s in front of 100 friends and family members at the Beldi Gardens in Marrakech, Morocco on 8 July. The couple, who had been in a long-distance relationship for four years until Charina moved to Paris, was spellbound by Morocco when they spent a holiday there in 2015. The night prior, they held a welcome dinner at the Riad l’Orangerie, where guests enjoyed refreshments at sunset before going down to the courtyard for the meal.

On the big day, a radiant Charina walked down the aisle in a beautiful lace mermaid gown of her own design, while Valentin looked dapper in a dusty blue linen suit. The bridesmaids wore white dresses specially designed by the bride for each one, and the groomsmen wore navy linen suits. Tim Yap, Charina’s best friend, officiated the ceremony.

After the cocktails, the guests headed to the dining room for the reception. A loud horn announced the arrival of the bride and groom, who had been carried into the venue in palanquins. Following a sumptuous meal and a programme highlighted by heartfelt messages from those closest to the couple, belly dancers ushered the guests to the courtyard for a night of dancing under the stars.

Valentin Kretz and Charina Sarte wed in beautiful and exotic Marrakech

Groomsmen and groom: Hugo Colleau, Geoffroy Brosollet, Martin Kretz, Amaury Brossolet, Valentin Kretz, Gaspard Voiseau, Flavien Delvedier, Louis Kretz, Marc Gueco

The wedding gown designed by the bride herself

Bridesmaids and bride: Leah De Guzman, Alta redor, Trish Panlilio, Charina sarte-Kretz, Tess Villareal, Charmaine Palermo

Morrocan tribal percussionists

The Kretz family: Louis, Olivier, Valentin, Sandrine, Martin, and Rafael

The newlyweds share an intimate moment

The Beldi Hotel is situated on the property of the 14-hectare Beldi Country Club in Marrakech. Marrying both Moroccan and French aesthetic, it is a charming oasis of greenery and fl ora, with a rose garden overlooking the Atlas Mountains. “The Beldi was recommended to us by Val’s brother when we had gone on our holiday,” shares the bride. “We had always thought that it would be the perfect place to get married. After Val proposed, we called them up immediately and were lucky to get a slot.”