Like so many young girls who dream of that moment when they’ll fall in love … when the glass slipper will fit and the sleeping beauty will awaken to her prince, so was Courtney Corbin-Simon’s childhood dream about her wedding day. On March 2, 2013, Courtney married Nadir Simon, and her childhood dream became a real-life fairy tale. Today, we share her story and beautiful international wedding.
PinCourtney’s dress was designed by Nashville-based designer, Houri Barahimi.
Courtney grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and moved to Nashville with her parents almost 20 years ago. Upon graduating high school, however, she jetted off to New York City to pursue a college degree and a dance career with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. While dancing with Alvin Ailey, the company’s world tour landed her in Paris, France, the City of Love.
And that is exactly what it became for Courtney when she first met her husband-to-be, Parisian Nadir Simon. Meeting through a mutual friend, she agreed to let Nadir show her around the city. Little did she know, it would be the beginning of the rest of her life.
PinPinProud brother of the bride!
“Within a four week span of time,” Courtney said, “we ended up meeting and falling in love. Just imagine it … a summer in Paris. It was literally a fairy tale kind of meeting.”
After dreamy days passed in the park with wine and cheese and weekends spent traveling the countryside of France, Alvin Ailey’s tour came to a close, but Courtney and Nadir’s love did not. The infatuated couple dated long distance for almost four years, traveling back and forth between cities, until Nadir eventually moved to New York City in 2010, ready to begin their life together. He proposed to Courtney at her favorite restaurant in New York, Megu. From there, it was a quick eight months until the wedding day.
PinPinA congratulatory toast to the groom.PinCourtney got ready for the big day at The Michelangelo Hotel in New York. It was a short walk across the street to the wedding and reception venue.
Courtney discovered her passion for event planning soon after she left Alvin Ailey, and her talent could not have shown itself at a better time. While exploring her new-found knack and preparing to launch her own Nashville-based event planning business, A Sensory Fare, Courtney planned the entire wedding on her own.
Knowing exactly what she wanted, however, it was a smooth planning process for the bride to include four simple necessities:
a simple, elegant atmosphere
incredible food, wine and champagne
the company of their closest friends and family
and a clear celebration of both cultures.
“As an event planner, I work with very specific artisans,” Courtney said. “I seek out the best chefs, the best musicians, the best staff, and I really do my research to make it the best event possible. And that’s exactly what I did for my wedding, too.”
PinThe Michelin Guide three star-rated French restaurant, Le Bernardin, was the ideal location for both the wedding ceremony and reception.PinCourtney walked down the isle to Händel’s L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato duet, a song that inspired her while dancing with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.PinPinBringing both of their families together, Courtney and Nadir lit a unity candle at the beginning of the ceremony to symbolize the two families becoming one.PinFor the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Simon! PinCourtney planned the event herself and now has an event-planning business in Nashville, A Sensory Fare.PinPinLe Bernardin’s renown chef, Eric Ripert, prepared a custom menu for Courtney and Nadir. Exceptional food was one criteria especially important to the foodie couple.PinPinThe wedding party and guests danced all night to Affinity Brass, a band Courtney and Nadir found performing in the subway one day.PinThe wedding cake was made by Ghaya Oliviera, executive pastry chef for Daniel restaurant in New York City. The buttercream cake featured a light raspberry filling and was adorned with white orchids cascading down its three tiers.PinPinGuests left the reception with gift bags containing Jack Daniel’s lollipops and a small bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, leaving everyone with a final splash of southern flare.
Although the wedding may have been over, the celebration of Courtney and Nadir’s marriage was not. Friends and family hosted a second wedding party for the bride and groom a few months later, but this time in Marray, France. The party took place on the grounds of a castle Nadir’s grandfather used to own in Marray, the perfect setting for their happily ever after.
PinCourtney and Nadir wore all black while the guests dressed in white for the celebration in France.PinPinNadir’s father was honored to read excerpts from a traditional French wedding ceremony while a friend translated for American guests.PinThank you, Courtney and Nadir for sharing your beautiful story!
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Thank you, Courtney and Nadir for sharing your beautiful story!
