A Five-Day Celebration at Chateau Soulac, Dordogne

Graham and Evelyn's five-day wedding at Chateau Soulac in Dordogne, with vineyard views, outdoor dining, and guests from Ireland.

By Elena Moretti | Published 3 December 2012

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Chateau

Chateau Soulac

Nouvelle-Aquitaine · Gironde

Up to 100 guests

From €16,000 4.7 (29)

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Chateau

Chateau Soulac

Nouvelle-Aquitaine · Gironde

Up to 100 guests

From €16,000 4.7 (29)

Graham and Evelyn gathered family and friends from Ireland for a five-day celebration at Chateau Soulac, a historic vineyard estate with elevated views over the Dordogne river. Planned by Marry Me in France, the weekend unfolded across the eight-hectare property in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with outdoor ceremonies, vineyard portraits, and long dinners beneath the open sky.

Photography

Lydia Taylor Jones

Venue

Chateau Soulac, Gironde

Region

Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Couple

Graham & Evelyn

Getting Ready

A sepia-toned close-up portrait of a bride and groom standing together outdoors, both looking downward. The bride wears an off-shoulder dress and a lace or tulle hair piece, with styled updo hair and defined eye makeup; she holds what appears to be a bouquet of light-colored flowers. The groom wears a dark tuxedo jacket with a white shirt and a light-colored boutonniere on his lapel. The warm sepia tone gives the image soft contrast with lighter areas around the subjects and a darker background of textured tree bark.

Black-and-white portrait of a bride standing in a narrow interior hallway, looking downward with a relaxed pose. She wears a strapless or one-shoulder white fitted gown and holds a round bouquet of what appear to be peonies or ranunculus, rendered in bright white tones against the darker dress fabric. Her hair is styled in an updo with a small decorative piece. The hallway features two pendant lantern-style light fixtures hanging from the ceiling and both walls are densely lined with framed artwork or photographs in dark frames, creating a gallery-wall effect. The image is a full-length portrait shot taken from the far end of the hallway, using the architectural lines to draw the eye toward the bride.

Graham and Evelyn prepared in the chateau's elegant guest rooms with panoramic views over the Dordogne Valley. The five-day format meant the morning carried a relaxed, familiar energy, with friends and family already settled into the rhythm of life at the estate. Bridal preparations unfolded at an unhurried pace, framed by the warm interiors and elevated river views.

Ceremony

A couple stands together outdoors in front of a French chateau or manor house facade with white shuttered windows and stone urns. The groom wears a dark charcoal suit with a white boutonniere and dark tie, while the bride wears a strapless white dress with a large bow or ruffle detail at the hip and carries a round bouquet of white peonies or ranunculus; she also wears a small white birdcage veil and has auburn upswept hair. The setting suggests an outdoor ceremony or portrait moment, with white chiavari chairs visible in the foreground. The shot is a medium portrait composition capturing both figures from roughly the waist up, with a classic, clean white and dark contrast styling theme.

A side-by-side portrait diptych showing the bride and groom separately, likely taken outdoors before or during the ceremony. The bride wears a strapless ivory dress with a structured origami-style shoulder detail and a small blue birdcage fascinator, and holds a bouquet of white orchids and phalaenopsis blooms; she is looking downward. The groom wears a dark charcoal suit with a light blue tie and a white floral boutonniere, and is photographed against a backdrop of green hills. Both are close-up portrait shots with a shallow depth of field.

A composite of two outdoor ceremony images taken at an elevated terrace or balcony with sweeping countryside and river valley views. In the top image, three men in dark navy/black suits with light grey ties and white buttonhole flowers stand together — likely the groom and two groomsmen — one holding what appears to be a ring pillow. In the bottom image, the groom in a dark suit faces the bride, who wears a one-shoulder ivory structured gown and carries a bouquet of white peonies or orchids, with a decorative fascinator in her hair. Both images are wide/medium portrait shots taken in bright midday sunlight, with the landscape panorama serving as a natural backdrop. The styling is classic and formal.

The outdoor ceremony took place high above the Dordogne Valley, with vineyard views stretching toward the horizon. Graham and Evelyn exchanged vows in the soft summer light, surrounded by guests who had travelled from Ireland and beyond. The setting's natural grandeur, elevated hillside, open sky, stone estate behind, gave the moment a scale that matched its significance.

Bridal Portraits

A collage of three wedding photographs from what appears to be a French chateau venue. Top left (black and white): A close-up portrait of the bride and groom walking together and smiling, with guests visible in the background; the bride wears a fitted white strapless gown and the groom a dark suit with a white boutonniere. Bottom left: A wide shot of a terrace or garden area with a group of approximately 15-20 guests mingling outdoors, with a long stone building visible on the left and an open countryside view in the background. Right: A group portrait of the bride and groom with four attendants — the women wear silver knee-length dresses and the men wear dark suits — posing in front of a chateau tower with a pointed stone roof; the bride carries a white bouquet. The overall styling is classic and the venue features traditional French chateau architecture. Potential venue feature image.

A three-image collage of couple portraits taken outdoors in a vineyard during what appears to be late spring or early summer, with rows of green vines visible in each frame. The bride wears a white mermaid-silhouette gown with a ruffled train, and the groom is dressed in a classic black suit. The top-left image shows the couple kissing at the end of a vine row in a wide shot, while the top-right portrait shows them standing close together, the bride resting her head near the groom's shoulder. The bottom image is a wider low-angle shot capturing the bride's dress train sweeping across the grass between vine rows as the couple walks, giving a sense of movement. The overall styling is clean and classic, shot in full color with bright, natural daylight.

A couple poses together for a portrait beside the thick trunk of a large, ancient tree in an outdoor vineyard setting. The bride wears a white strapless mermaid-style gown with a ruffled bodice and a long train, while the groom is dressed in a dark suit with a white dress shirt, dark tie, and a white buttonhole flower. A vintage tire swing hangs from one of the tree's branches to the left of the couple. Rows of grapevines are visible in the background, indicating a vineyard location. The image is a medium-wide portrait shot taken in natural daylight.

Against the vineyard landscape and the chateau's stone facade, Evelyn posed with quiet confidence in summer light. The Dordogne Valley provided a natural backdrop of rolling green and river views, while the estate's elegant interiors offered a contrasting mood for the more intimate frames. Each portrait reflected the celebration's mix of grandeur and ease.

Reception

A bridal party group shot taken outdoors in a vineyard, with rows of green grapevines extending into the background. Six people are captured mid-jump with arms raised: the bride in a white ball gown, the groom in a black tuxedo with white boutonniere, two bridesmaids in silver-grey knee-length dresses, and two groomsmen in black suits. The mood is celebratory and energetic, with everyone smiling and airborne simultaneously. The image is a wide shot taken at ground level, emphasizing the jump height against the open sky and vineyard rows.

A collage of three reception photos taken in a rustic indoor venue with warm amber lighting and exposed stone walls. The top-left image shows the bride and groom sharing a close moment on the dance floor, with stage lighting and a fireplace visible in the background. The bottom-left image captures the bride photographing something with a camera, illuminated by a warm spotlight. The large right image shows the couple in a close embrace, with the bride wearing a strapless white gown with a large bow detail at the back and the groom in a dark suit with a gold watch; orange and natural-toned fabric bunting is visible overhead. The overall styling is rustic and relaxed, shot in a warm, low-light reception atmosphere.

A bridal party of six walks toward the camera in a wide outdoor shot, arms linked and smiling, in front of a French chateau featuring a distinctive pointed stone tower with terracotta roof tiles and arched entryway. The bride wears a full-length white ball gown, while the two bridesmaids wear knee-length silver-grey dresses; the three groomsmen are dressed in dark suits. The group is positioned on a gravel courtyard flanked by trimmed hedges and mature trees. Potential venue feature image.

Dinner was served outdoors as the Dordogne light turned golden, with long tables dressed in seasonal arrangements and soft linens. Irish hospitality met French countryside warmth across multiple courses and heartfelt speeches. The celebration carried deep into the evening, the vineyard estate's atmosphere making it easy for guests to linger long past the final toast.

More from the Day

A couple portrait taken outdoors on a terrace or garden area with a wide panoramic countryside view visible in the background. The groom wears a dark suit with a light blue tie and a white buttonhole flower, while the bride wears a fitted ivory strapless dress and a small pink fascinator in her red upswept hair. The couple are holding hands and laughing together, captured in a candid mid-shot. The styling is classic with a retro-inspired edge, reflected in the bride's hair accessory and sleek silhouette dress.

Wide-angle exterior shot of a French château wedding venue, viewed from the entrance gate along a gravel driveway. The stone château features a central conical tower, crenellated walls, and a formal arched entrance doorway, flanked by large mature cedar trees and climbing roses in red and pink tones. White wooden gate posts frame the foreground, leading the eye toward the building. No people are visible in the frame. Potential venue feature image.

A split composition showing two detail shots from a wedding. On the left, three vintage-style clocks are arranged against a weathered stone wall, each labeled with a white card indicating the schedule: 'Dancing,' 'Dinner,' and 'Ceremony,' with the clocks set to the corresponding times. On the right, a pair of ivory or cream low-heeled bridal shoes are placed on a decorative oversized letter 'S' made from black mosaic pebble or stone tiles on a light-colored floor. Both images are close-up detail shots highlighting personalized wedding day styling elements.

Aesthetic

Rustic, French countryside

Guest Count

Budget Range

Bride's Dress

The Wedding Team

Venue

Chateau Soulac

FWS

Wedding Planning

Marry Me in France

Photography

Lydia Taylor Jones

Celebrant

Jean Sait

Catering

Chez Amis

Music

Hickesville

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The Venue

The couple chose Chateau Soulac, a chateau in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Premium

Chateau

Chateau Soulac

Nouvelle-Aquitaine · Gironde

A fortified 17th-century chateau with 14th-century monastery origins, set on 8 hectares of vineyards and woodland overlooking the Dordogne river and valley, offering exclusive use for weddings of up to 90 guests with accommodation for 22.

Up to 100 guests

From €16,000 4.7 (29)

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