Having been introduced by a mutual friend, Blair Bitove and Jackson Safrata enjoyed lunch together before later heading out on a dinner date. “We actually ended up having dinner with my whole family… we were going to a concert that evening that they were also attending, so he thought it was better to meet them, so they could have a conversation before the show,” describes Blair. “He fit in so seamlessly with my family, and I knew then it was a perfect match.” 

The couple’s romantic relationship flourished and while on a trip to Sardinia, Italy, Jackson proposed. “We took a boat ride just the two of us to a secluded beach where he had set up blankets and candles,” she describes. “It was really cute – as soon as I said yes, there were local fishermen on their boats and they all screamed auguri (meaning ‘best wishes’ in Italian).”

Jackson is originally from Vancouver, and Blair grew up in both Toronto and Florida and attended college in Los Angeles, so they realized that guests would be traveling from all over, no matter where the nuptials were held. “We wanted to get married in the summer and looked at venues in France and Italy, until falling in love with a château in Cannes,” shares Blair. 

Over the course of the next 10 months, the bride and groom planned for a dreamy destination wedding with 250 loved ones in attendance. The betrothed enlisted the professional assistance of celebrity planner Mindy Weiss: “Mindy and her team were a dream to work with. The team was amazing, and I never felt stressed at all,” admits Blair. 

Since the couple wanted to be legally married in the U.S., they opted for an intimate ceremony in Florida with the bride’s grandparents present, as they were unable to travel to Europe. For the celebration in Cannes, the bride envisioned an all-white affair “to let the venue shine,” says Blair, who shared that the château was already beautiful on its own. 

“The band came out on the balcony at one point of the night, and it was so magical.”

The affianced pair highlighted a multitude of traditions and familial elements during the ceremony, including Blair’s brother serving as the officiant. “My dad is Macedonian Eastern Orthodox and my mom is Jewish, so we had a unique chuppah that resembled a roof of a house. We also performed the exchanging of the crowns, a Macedonian custom, led by my godfather and uncle,” illustrates the bride.

Adorable ring bearers and the couple’s dog Basco processed down the aisle to “Kiss the Girl” by Samuel E. Wright from the Disney movie The Little Mermaid, a film that has long-standing sentimental value to Blair, her brother, and now her nephews. 

Blair made her grand entrance and stunned onlookers as she donned a timeless strapless gown – that she worked on for months to carry out her vision with the couture team at Chanel – and carried a classic bouquet of vanilla roses and peonies. A version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Kina Grannis played as she made her way down the aisle. “Seeing Jackson for the first time at the altar will always be the best moment for me,” confides Blair. “We locked eyes and shed a few tears.” 

As the day went on and guests shifted to the reception space, they were greeted by violinists situated in the bushes and posed like statues. “The musicians were incredible!” notes the bride of the unique entertainment. “The band came out on the balcony at one point of the night, and it was so magical.” Blair changed into a lace minidress, which kicked off the after-party that went into the wee hours of the morning.

The newlyweds were grateful for the perfect big day and readied for fun in St. Tropez with friends, followed by a romantic road trip to Italy to see the sights of Portofino, Umbria, Tuscany, and Rome. Blair’s only advice: “Don’t let a single thing distract you from celebrating and having the best time!”

This real wedding was originally published in the Winter 2025 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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