Alexis Williams & Alex Barry Exchange Nuptials

By Rob Giardinelli         Photography by Remi Dupac

It is a classic story of modern-day Texas. Two people move from places outside of Texas to Austin, one of the most desired cities in the world. The two initially connect via the dating app, Bumble, yet the fellow instinctively knows that the lass is the one for him. Instead of waiting for her to reply, he heads to another well-known app, Instagram, to direct message her, and, as they say in all great love stories, the rest is history. Thus begins the love story of Alexis Williams, the daughter of Amber Williams and Kurt Williams of Portland, Oregon, and Alex Barry, the son of Mary and Tom Barry of Dublin, Ireland.

Once together, the adventurous couple was immediately drawn to one another. “I knew that we would get along. Even if things don’t go to plan, we are always a good team,” recalls the groom, Alex Barry, upon first meeting his future bride. Meanwhile, Alexis was drawn to their shared interests and beliefs. “I chose Alex because our values and beliefs align. He is kind, loyal, and genuine. Plus, we have so much fun together,” mused the bride.

The couple, who share a love of sports and the outdoors had dated for three and a half years when the groom popped the question on a hike in Austin. “It was right after the 100-year ice storm in February 2021,” recalls Alexis Barry. “We went on our hike with a beautiful overlook. He got down on one knee and popped the question with the sweetest speech. My dream man in my dream city. I was over the moon happy.”

The bride and groom were engaged for 18 months, and during that time, the couple decided France was the place they wanted to marry. After touring nine different wedding venues around the country, they found the perfect spot at Chateau de la Napoule, a 14th-century castle on the Mediterranean Sea in Cannes. The wedding was a two-day affair, which is traditional with Irish weddings. The first day featured the wedding itself, held al fresco on the grounds of the chateau. The shades of pink color palette created a bright and whimsical balance to the Medieval architecture of the venue. Âme Luxury Events planned the wedding festivities. The couple’s first dance was the most memorable part of the day. The bride and groom had hired a dance instructor to teach them a routine, which was performed to an acoustic version of the song, Cinema. After a few choruses, the music transitioned into a faster, electronic version to get the party started.

Keeping with the Irish wedding customs, the second day of the celebration featured a more casual party than the wedding day itself. Friends and family donned their finest summer white ensembles for a Sunset Beach Party at the Riviera Beach Club in Cannes. “There is nothing chicer than being in all white at a beach club on the French Riviera,” mused the bride. The fun continued at the beach club until about 1:00 AM, when a large part of the group headed to one of the hottest clubs in Cannes, Baoli, to dance the night away, capping off two days of pure love and joy.

The couple, already in their favorite country in the world, stayed in France for their honeymoon for an additional week by spending time in the Provence countryside. They live in Austin, where the bride is an interior designer, and the groom works in finance.