REAL WEDDINGS

Real Wedding | A French Fantasy Brought To Life For Poonam Gill & Marc McMillan

Within the verdant embrace of a centuries-old château, two hearts were united in a celebration as enchanting as the estate in which they stood

Nina Catt

April 11, 2026

In the heart of Vancouver, where creativity dances through the corridors of design schools and inspiration lingers in the air, a quiet spark was lit between two kindred spirits.

Poonam Gill and Marc McMillan first crossed paths in 2015, their lives gently brushing against one another through shared classes and mutual friends. Yet it was a serendipitous classroom pairing that truly entwined their destinies. That day, something shifted. A shared curiosity bloomed, a tender admiration took root and a connection that would gradually grow into a lifelong love began.

Fast forward to the autumn of 2021 when Marc orchestrated a surprise that would change everything when he whisked Poonam away for a three-week European escape. The morning after their arrival in Paris, he led her to the banks of the Seine, where a photographer waited inconspicuously. With the city’s timeless romance swirling around them, Marc proposed. “He said the ring was weighing down his pocket and there was just no waiting,” Poonam recalls with a smile. “He wanted to spend the rest of the trip celebrating.” And celebrate they did – sashaying through the South of France in a convertible before wandering through the beauty of Milan and Lake Como, where they first imagined exchanging vows.

But fate, ever playful, had other plans. With pandemic backlogs still affecting Italian venues, the couple shifted their vision. A year of planning followed, filled with dreams, decisions and the search for a venue that could hold not just their ceremony, but their hearts. They found it in Château de la Flocellière, a centuries-old estate nestled in the French countryside. With its architectural beauty and its storied past – having survived the French Revolution – the château felt like a symbol of enduring love. “Marc and I absolutely love design and architecture,” Poonam tells Dream Weddings. “We wanted a place that reflected our passion and could host our guests for four days, not just one.” Sixty loved ones flew in, and the couple made sure every detail was meticulously taken care of.

The festivities unfolded like a midsummer dream. Day one welcomed guests with a garden party, where a floral and pastel-toned dress code set the tone for a weekend of joy. Laughter echoed around the pool as families mingled, basking in the golden sunshine. Day two brought the Mehendi ceremony, a vibrant Indian tradition where Poonam’s hands and feet were adorned with intricate henna designs. Music filled the air, and all of the women joined in; their palms painted with delicate patterns that whispered stories of celebration.

Day three began with the Maiyan ceremony, a jubilant ritual in which turmeric paste was gently applied to the bride and groom, symbolising blessings and purification. That evening, the château came alive with the Jago celebration – a lively Punjabi tradition of singing, dancing and staying up late to herald the wedding. “The word Jago means wake up!” Poonam laughs, her eyes sparkling with the memory.

The couple had already held a civil ceremony in Kelowna, British Columbia, officiated by Marc’s beloved grandmother, affectionately known as Memere. “She’s married all her children and grandchildren,” says Poonam. “It was an honour to also have her officiate our ceremony at Château de la Flocellière in France.”

On day four, the château transformed into the couple’s vision of timeless elegance. Guests arrived in black-tie attire, surrounded by white and green floral arrangements created from hydrangeas, baby’s breath and Poonam’s favourite flower, orchids, a staple in her interior design work. “They’re the most elegant flower,” she says. Her bouquet mirrored the décor, a graceful arrangement of orchids and soft blooms that radiated sophistication.

Poonam walked down the aisle in a strapless Pronovias gown, accompanied by both parents, as a string quartet played A Thousand Years. Marc’s entrance was set to Skyfall, adding a cinematic flourish to the moment. Their vows, chosen from Memere’s cherished favourites, were heartfelt and deeply personal. “Our wedding was deeply emotional,” the bride shares.

The reception was an enchanted celebration of love and laughter. Though a first dance had been planned, the energy on the dance floor was too infectious to pause. “Everyone was already dancing and having a good time, so we just joined in,” Poonam smiles. “I think our first dance ended up being Summer by Calvin Harris!” A DJ kept the party alive into the early hours, and a grand fireworks display lit up the night sky, dazzling the newlyweds and their guests.

After the wedding, the couple embarked on a honeymoon that reflected their love for adventure. Marc, the mastermind behind all their travels, planned every detail. “I only find out about our trips a few weeks before,” Poonam laughs. “Marc plans it all.”

Their journey began in South Africa, where they experienced a luxury safari in the heart of the Timbavati Reserve at Kings Camp. “It was one of the most exciting experiences we’ve had recently.” From there, they flew to Dubai, lounging at the illustrious Jumeirah beach clubs and soaking in the sun. Their final stop was Egypt, where they wandered through ancient pyramids, marvelling at the grandeur and mystery of history.

From a classroom in Vancouver to a fairytale celebration in a French château, and onward through the untamed beauty of Africa and the golden sands of the Middle East, Poonam and Marc’s love story unfolds like a modern-day epic, woven with serendipity, adventure and unwavering devotion. Their wedding was far more than a celebration; it was a poetic reflection of their souls – romantic, deeply thoughtful and profoundly, beautifully in love.