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Cream, Dusty Pink and Deep Green at Château Hermitage de Combas, Occitanie

Dominique and Greg married at Chateau Hermitage de Combas near Beziers in spring 2024, with cream and dusty pink florals. Photos by Darek Smietana.

By Elena Moretti | Published 4 October 2025

Dominique and Greg chose Chateau Hermitage de Combas, a refined spring wedding estate near Beziers for their May celebration, with palm-lined pathways and globe string lights setting the tone from arrival. Clementine Ward of Award Weddings shaped the day's seamless rhythm, guiding the couple from garden ceremony to candlelit courtyard dinner. Their wedding unfolded across one of the most scenic chateau wedding destinations in Occitanie, where stone architecture and open countryside framed every moment.

Photography
Darek Smietana
Venue
Chateau Hermitage de Combas, Hérault
Region
Occitanie, France
Couple
Dominique & Greg

Getting Ready

Mother fastening the back of the bride's long-sleeve lace gown in a wood-panelled room in black and white
Groom seated adjusting black patent shoes with tuxedo shirt and jacket draped on French chair
Bride in white lace gown with five women in dusty blue to navy dresses in bright interior with abstract painting
Groom fastens grey bow tie on pleated dress shirt with silver cufflinks in close-up portrait

Dominique prepared in a sun-filled room inside the chateau, surrounded by ornate painted panels and carved French furniture. Julie Les Coquettes styled her hair in a soft updo, keeping the look polished and natural. Greg dressed in a classic tuxedo shirt with black patent shoes, adjusting his cuffs in quiet concentration. The bridal party gathered around Dominique for a candid portrait against the white-walled interior, laughter filling the space before the walk outside.


Ceremony

Outdoor ceremony setup with wooden cross-back chairs and blush floral aisle arrangements on gravel terrace before white manor
Bride in ivory satin gown with lace overlay walks down garden aisle with father past greenery and blush floral arrangements
Wedding party at floral arch ceremony in front of white Belle Epoque villa with bridesmaids in blue gowns
Outdoor wedding ceremony on lawn before Belle Epoque villa with floral arch, seated guests, and bridal party

Rows of natural wood cross-back chairs lined the gravel terrace in front of the chateau's pale facade, with vineyards stretching behind. Dominique walked down the aisle on her father's arm, her fitted ivory satin gown catching the spring light. The couple exchanged vows beneath a floral arch dressed with soft greenery and cream roses, the ceremony unfolding against the Belle Epoque architecture. Guests leaned forward in their seats, drawn into the quiet emotion of the afternoon.


Bridal Portraits

Bride in white lace long-sleeved gown with cathedral veil glancing over shoulder in classical salon with chandelier
Dark-haired bride in lace high-neck long-sleeve gown smiling in front of painted chateau wall panels
Bride in high-neck lace gown with crepe skirt smiling in front of painted chateau door
Bridal portrait

Dominique posed in a classically decorated salon, glancing back over one shoulder as light from the tall windows caught the lace sleeves of her fitted ivory gown. The high neckline and long sleeves gave the dress an architectural elegance, complemented by a flowing veil. Darek Smietana framed her against the chateau's neoclassical wall panels in muted blue and gold, letting the painted motifs serve as a backdrop that felt both historic and intimate.


Couple Portraits

Black-and-white portrait of bride and groom embracing in a formal garden with statue and trimmed hedgerows
Bride and groom walking hand-in-hand on a gravel garden path lined with trimmed hedges
Couple touching foreheads on stone terrace with palm trees and white villa balustrade behind
Couple kissing on cypress-lined gravel driveway with golden backlight and warm lens flare at sunset

Darek Smietana moved between black-and-white and colour, capturing Dominique and Greg walking hand in hand along gravel garden paths lined with cypress and bamboo. One frame showed the couple embracing in the formal garden, Greg's arms wrapped around Dominique as she leaned into him. The groomsmen joined for a group shot on the same path, standing shoulder to shoulder in dark suits and pale ties. Each portrait balanced formality with genuine warmth.


Cocktail Hour

Guests mingling on courtyard at golden hour before Mediterranean venue with terracotta roof and string lights
Thirty guests in formal attire mingling on gravel terrace at French estate garden during afternoon cocktail hour
Live jazz trio with drums, upright bass, and saxophone performing on venue terrace beside palm tree
Prawn and courgette skewers with tartlets arranged on rustic wooden serving board

Guests mingled on the gravel courtyard beneath the wrought-iron balconies, cocktails in hand as a jazz trio from Cocktail Jazz played upright bass, drums, and guitar under the late afternoon sun. The Mediterranean-style facade, with its terracotta tiles and arched windows, framed the scene. Roughly forty guests circulated in small groups, their formal attire catching the warm spring light as conversation drifted across the terrace.


Reception

Bride and groom kiss behind croquembouche tower with lit sparklers during evening cake cutting at stone-walled reception
Five-piece wedding band performing in stone-walled venue with green uplighting, trumpet player and drummer visible on stage
Black-and-white photo of energetic reception dancing inside stone-walled venue with guests cheering
Musician in flat cap playing acoustic guitar and singing at outdoor wedding reception

Traiteur des Garrigues served dinner inside the stone-walled venue, where green uplighting cast a warm glow on exposed rafters. Long tables dressed in cream linens carried silver cutlery and printed menus, each setting precise and understated. The evening peaked with a traditional croquembouche by the same caterer, Dominique and Greg kissing behind the towering cream-puff dessert. Wildfire DJs took the floor after dinner, and guests filled the room until the music faded.


Design and Details

Indoor sweetheart table with blush and cream roses, gold chiavari chairs, and taper candles in a bright ballroom
Wedding reception place setting with printed menu card, silver cutlery, crystal glasses, and blush peonies
Bridal bouquet of blush sweet peas, peach roses, and cream carnations with silk ribbons on antique writing desk
Reception table with blush peony and ivory rose centerpiece, brass candlesticks, and crystal glassware at table 8

Fleurs Design by Faustine built arrangements that layered dusty pink roses, deep green foliage, and touches of blue thistle across the reception. The sweetheart table sat in a bright ballroom beneath floor-to-ceiling windows with charcoal grey drapes, while place settings paired polished silver with pale ceramics and printed menus by Promesse Graphique. Maison Options supplied the glassware, each piece reflecting candlelight as evening settled in. A flat lay of groom accessories, including patent shoes and brass-trimmed details, added a final texture.


More from the Day

Fan palm trees along a gravel pathway decorated with globe string lights and uplighted yellow and orange floral bases at n...
Wicker loveseat with white rose and blush delphinium arrangement beside carved walnut cabinet
Groom flat lay with black patent loafers, ivory bow tie, teal ring boxes, gold cufflinks, and boutonniere
Groom and six groomsmen in black tuxedos with white bow ties on gravel path with palm trees
Aesthetic
ElegantLuxury
Guest Count
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Budget Range
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Bride's Dress
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The Venue

The couple chose Chateau Hermitage de Combas, a chateau in Occitanie.

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