In June 2025, professional footballers Ellie Carpenter and Daniëlle van de Donk celebrated their wedding at the stunning Château Hermitage de Combas in Occitanie, in the South of France — an elegant destination wedding later featured in Vogue Australia.
👉 Read the full Vogue feature:
https://www.vogue.com.au/brides/weddings/ellie-carpenter-danielle-van-de-donk-wedding/
From Morning Light to Evening Celebration
The day unfolded as a refined, full-day experience — beginning with a relaxed morning breakfast and intimate getting-ready moments shared with bridesmaids.
As the light shifted, the celebration moved into a sunlit ceremony, followed by an editorial-style photoshoot across the château grounds, and finally into an elegant evening reception filled with movement, emotion, and energy.
Each stage called for a bridal beauty look that could transition effortlessly — from soft natural daylight to golden hour, and into the ambiance of the evening celebration.
The Bridal Beauty — Effortless,
Yet Long-Lasting
Makeup artist Viktoria Lutska created the bridal makeup for Daniëlle van de Donk, with a clear and intentional brief:
to create an effortlessly natural bridal makeup look that would last throughout the entire wedding day — from morning preparations to the evening celebration, across multiple outfit changes and varying conditions.
“The goal was to keep the makeup as natural as possible, while ensuring it would last through every moment of the day — from the morning preparations to the evening celebration. It had to feel effortless, yet perform under real conditions: heat, emotion, movement, and multiple outfit changes.” — Viktoria Lutska
Working as a destination wedding makeup artist in the South of France, Viktoria focused on:
lightweight, skin-like textures for a natural finish
radiant, glowing skin that enhances without masking
soft, neutral tones suited for both photography and real life
long-lasting techniques adapted to warm weather and long hours
The result was a timeless bridal makeup look that remained fresh, luminous, and elegant from morning to midnight.
Capturing the Atmosphere
The wedding was documented by renowned photographer Caroline Tran, whose signature soft and emotional style elevated the entire visual narrative.
Her imagery captures the full story of the day — from quiet, intimate morning moments to the energy and elegance of the evening celebration.
A Modern Approach to Bridal Beauty
This wedding reflects a modern approach to bridal beauty — where the focus is no longer on transformation, but on enhancing natural features while ensuring longevity and performance.
For destination weddings in the South of France, bridal makeup must work in real conditions: natural light, warm temperatures, movement, and long hours.
The goal is simple — to look like yourself, at your most refined, throughout the entire day.
