Kellee Sandoval and AURÉLIEN Fiardet
October 6, 2013
Ceremony & Reception:
Domaine Margelle, Scotts Mills
It’s fitting that the love story starring Kellee Sandoval, 30, and Aurélien Fiardet, 31, began at a wine bar. Over a flight of Oregon Pinot Noir, French-native Aurélien and Utah-bred Kellee shared their mutual fascination with all things wine. Phone numbers were exchanged, a relationship blossomed and four years later, Aurélien presented Kellee with a small box while they stood on Pont de l’Archevêché, aka “Lovers Bridge” in Paris. “I had a feeling it wasn’t earrings,” recalls Kellee.
A wedding in France was nixed in favor of Domaine Margelle’s vineyards in Oregon’s wine country. “It looks like you took a home from the south of France and plopped it into the Oregon countryside,” says Kellee of Domaine Margelle’s distinctly French accent. As the couple wanted to weave together their Oregon and French worlds, the evergreen woods and hiking trails of the vineyard lent a Northwest flavor to the location.
Working with event designer Chevonne Ball, owner of Portland’s Soigné Events, Kellee’s dream of a “vintage Hollywood glam at a French garden party” took shape. Unfussy lily and rose floral arrangements set in patina brass vases decorated tables set with vintage plates and lace tablecloths. After saying their bilingual vows beneath a grapevine-decorated tent, the couple and their guests dined on French bistro favorites including veal cheek bourguignon and a five-cheese course, washed down with, what else, both French and Oregon wines.
An overly enthusiastic game of hide-and-seek among the younger guests resulted in a toppled croquembouche, a traditional French wedding dessert. But that didn’t dampen the spirits of the multicultural party. Though many guests spoke only French or only English, there was no language barrier on the dance floor where DJ Aaron Shepard spun French pop records and DJ Cooky Parker played a set of funk and soul.
After a honeymoon spent in Southern California, the couple returned to their Alberta Arts home in Portland that they share with their cat, Bishii. Kellee is a sales representative for wine importer Zancanella, and Aurélien is a wine export manager for Terroirs Originels.
