Golden Hour Romance at Chateau Tour Saint Christophe, Bordeaux

Maja and Alex's vineyard wedding at Chateau Tour Saint Christophe in Saint-Emilion, with golden hour light, regional wines, and candlelit dining.

By Elena Moretti | Published 19 November 2019

Golden Hour Romance at Chateau Tour Saint Christophe, Bordeaux

Latest Weddings

Chateau de Villette

Classic-Modern Romance Editorial at Château de Villette

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte

Château d'Arcelot

Modern Elegance & Calla Lilies Wedding at Château d’Arcelot

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Bathed in golden light, Maja and Alex celebrated at Chateau Tour Saint Christophe in the heart of Bordeaux's Saint-Emilion vineyards. The celebration captured the easy elegance of a destination wedding in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with a vineyard ceremony, regional wines, and candlelit dining framed by medieval stone.

Photography

Venue

Château Tour Saint Christophe

Region

Bordeaux, France

Couple

Maja & Alex

Getting Ready

A bride and groom share a kiss while standing in an arched stone gateway at what appears to be a French vineyard or domaine, photographed during golden hour with warm sunset light glowing through the arch behind them. The bride wears a flowing ivory lace gown with short sleeves and has white floral hair accessories, while the groom wears a navy suit; they are holding hands during the kiss. A wooden welcome sign with white script reading 'Welcome Maja & [name] August 18' is visible to the right, along with a wine barrel, a white lantern on the ground, and a 'Visites' information placard on the left pillar. This is a full-length portrait shot with the couple centered in the archway, styled with a romantic rustic-chic aesthetic consistent with a French wine estate setting. Potential venue feature image.

A getting-ready moment captured in a close-up portrait shot, showing a bridesmaid or helper fastening the back of a bride's white lace wedding dress. The dress features a deep open back with lace trim detailing across horizontal panels and short cap sleeves with a bohemian-style aesthetic. The helper is wearing a colorful floral robe in coral, orange, and green tones, along with a rose gold watch and delicate gold and pearl bracelets. The background is bright and overexposed, suggesting an outdoor or well-lit indoor setting.

A black-and-white getting-ready shot capturing three men laughing together in an indoor room, likely a hotel or private residence. The central figure, presumably the groom, is dressed in a dark suit jacket with a patterned bow tie and a pocket square, while the man to his left wears a white dress shirt with a dark tie and holds a glass. The third man is partially visible in the foreground, out of focus. The image has strong contrast with bright highlights and deep shadows, conveying a candid, joyful moment among the groom and groomsmen. Close-to-medium portrait composition with a shallow depth of field.

In the morning light of the Saint-Emilion estate, Maja prepared with her closest friends nearby. Her bridal look balanced refinement with ease, chosen to complement the vineyard landscape and the warmth of the day. Meanwhile, Alex readied himself in a separate wing of the chateau, the medieval charm of the surroundings setting a quiet, focused tone.

Ceremony

A bride is being escorted down the aisle by two people — a woman in a gold sequined midi dress on her left and a bald man in a dark suit on her right — during an outdoor wedding ceremony. The bride wears a white gown with a low open back, a cathedral-length veil, and a floral crown made of greenery and small blooms. The ceremony is set on a grass lawn with wooden bench seating filled with approximately 30–40 guests dressed in colorful outfits, with a decorated arch or structure visible in the background. The shot is taken from behind the processional group, framed as a medium-wide portrait walking away from the camera.

A newly married couple walks back down the aisle following an outdoor ceremony, with guests on both sides tossing confetti. The bride wears a long ivory dress with a beaded or embroidered cap-sleeve bodice, and the groom wears a navy suit with a light blue pocket square and a white boutonniere. The ceremony took place in a garden setting with a simple rustic wooden arch visible in the background. Approximately 10–12 guests are visible lining the aisle, dressed in a mix of colorful outfits including a gold sequined dress and a floral-patterned dress. The overall styling is classic and relaxed, and the image is a wide shot taken in bright natural daylight.

An outdoor wedding ceremony taking place on a grass lawn, with approximately 60–80 guests seated in rows of wooden and folding chairs arranged in an aisle formation. The ceremony appears to be in progress, with guests facing forward toward what appears to be an officiant or couple in the distance. Guests are dressed in a mix of colorful outfits including red, blue, green, and neutral tones. The chair backs are decorated with small greenery arrangements. Wide shot taken from a slight elevation and distance, framed by tree branches in the foreground, giving the scene a garden-party aesthetic in bright natural daylight.

Beneath the open sky of the vineyard, Maja and Alex exchanged vows surrounded by the rolling hills of Saint-Emilion. The ceremony's palette drew from the landscape, soft greens, warm stone, and golden light creating a natural frame. Guests gathered among the rows of vines, the intimacy of the setting giving the moment a personal, grounded quality.

Reception

The bride and groom are seated at the head table during a reception, laughing and looking up at a man in a dark suit with a blue tie and boutonniere who is leaning in to speak with them. The setting is a winery barrel room, with large wooden wine barrels stacked along the back wall decorated with trailing green ivy garlands. The bride wears a white short-sleeved lace dress with a small floral hair accessory, while the groom wears a dark suit with a patterned tie. The table is set with white linens, wine glasses, water bottles, candles, and low greenery centerpieces with small yellow and white flowers. A food display with skewered appetizers is visible in the background to the left. The shot is a medium close-up portrait capturing a candid, joyful moment among the three.

A close-up detail shot of a wedding reception favor display set on a wooden surface. Two wooden wine crates — one labeled 'Chateau La Patache, Pomerol' and the other 'Chateau Haut-Brisson, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru' — are filled with white tissue paper and used to hold hangover kit favors for guests. A small black chalkboard-style sign in the center reads 'Hangover Kits' with the phrase 'Love is the best medicine, but this may help too.' A row of dark wine bottles is softly blurred in the background. The styling is classic and wine-region-themed, incorporating authentic French Bordeaux wine crates as decor elements, consistent with a chateau or vineyard wedding setting.

Dinner at the chateau carried the golden warmth of the afternoon into evening, with tables dressed in neutral linens and seasonal arrangements. Regional wines from the estate's own vineyards accompanied each course, grounding the meal in the terroir of Saint-Emilion. As the sky deepened, the candlelit setting took on a warm, intimate glow that kept guests at their seats well into the night.

Flat Lays

A nine-image collage from a French wedding with a colorful, garden-party aesthetic. Top left: a close-up detail shot of a straw sun hat with white pom-pom trim and the text 'Mrs. French' written on the brim, resting on a stone surface. Top center: two women, likely bridesmaids or the bride and a guest, photographed from behind wearing vibrant floral robes in coral-pink and multicolored tropical prints, standing indoors near a window. Top right: a close-up table setting detail showing a white plate with a menu card, tall white taper candles, crystal glassware, silver cutlery, and a greenery runner with small orange fruits. Center left: a wide shot of tall palm trees standing in a manicured garden beside a trimmed hedge, with vineyard rows visible in the background. Center: a wide outdoor ceremony shot showing approximately 50-60 guests seated in rows on a lawn under large mature trees in bright afternoon light. Center right: same detailed table setting as top right, slightly different angle. Bottom center: a wide interior shot of a long feasting table set for dinner inside what appears to be a barrel-vaulted stone wine cellar or cave, with cross-back wooden chairs, low greenery centerpieces, and white linens running the full length of the room. Bottom right: a wide golden-hour shot of a couple walking hand-in-hand down a vineyard path, backlit by warm sunset light, with rows of vines on either side.

Close-up detail shot of a wide-brim straw floppy hat personalized with the text 'mrs french' in white script lettering on the brim, trimmed with a white pom-pom ribbon band. The hat is resting on a stone surface, likely a balustrade or ledge. The accessory has a relaxed, playful bridal style and appears to be a getting-ready or bridal detail prop.

Close-up detail shot of a wedding reception table setting featuring a white linen tablecloth, stacked white porcelain plates topped with a printed menu card and a personalized place card reading 'Dorothy' in gold script. A lit white taper candle rises from a lush greenery runner composed of trailing foliage, accompanied by white hydrangea arrangements in white cube vases. A table number card (number 8) is visible on the left. Crystal wine glasses, silver cutlery, and bread rolls on side plates complete each place setting. The overall decor palette is white and green with gold accents, reflecting a classic, clean aesthetic.

Close-up detail shot of multiple bottles of Ruinart Brut champagne chilling in a large silver ice bucket filled with crushed ice. The dark green glass bottles with gold labels are arranged horizontally and upright within the bucket, with additional bottles visible in the soft-focus background. The shot is taken at an outdoor or covered setting with bright natural light filtering in from behind. This appears to be a cocktail hour or reception beverage station setup.

Stationery in warm neutral tones reflected the vineyard's understated palette, with handwritten details and textured card stock. Bridal accessories, rings, and wine-country accents were arranged with intention against the estate's aged stone surfaces. Each flat lay captured the refined simplicity that guided the couple's approach to their celebration.