White Florals and Stone Church Vows at Chateau Mas de Montet

Katherine and Lewis wed at Chateau Le Mas de Montet in the Dordogne with vows in a 12th-century monolithic church. 54 photos by Awardweddings.

By Elena Moretti | Published 22 May 2023

White Florals and Stone Church Vows at Chateau Mas de Montet

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Somewhere beneath the limestone vaults of a 12th-century monolithic church in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, Katherine and Lewis said their vows while candles flickered along the stone floor. Their weekend celebration at Chateau Le Mas de Montet, a Renaissance-era estate set within 60 hectares of Dordogne parkland, brought together family and friends from the United States and the United Kingdom for a multi-day gathering shaped by history, white roses, and long evenings under string lights. Wedding photographer Awardweddings captured every moment, from the getting-ready laughter to golden-hour portraits in open countryside.

Photography

Awardweddings

Venue

Chateau Le Mas de Montet

Region

Dordogne, France

Couple

Katherine & Lewis

Getting Ready

This black-and-white getting-ready or departure shot captures a bride photographed from behind as she stands in a doorway, transitioning between two interior rooms. She is wearing an off-the-shoulder ball gown with a structured bodice, a delicate embellished waist belt, and a full skirt with a substantial train spread across the floor. A mid-length tulle veil falls from her upswept blonde hair. In her right hand she holds a round bouquet of what appear to be white peonies or roses with ribbon streamers. The interior setting features classic French architectural details including paneled white doors, an ornate gilded wall sconce with lamp shades, and a carved dark wood headboard visible to the left, suggesting a chateau or upscale hotel bridal suite. The image is a full-length portrait shot with soft, even tones and moderate contrast typical of B&W film-style processing.

A getting-ready scene set in an indoor bridal suite featuring a bride and six bridesmaids posing together in front of a dark wood four-poster bed frame. The bride wears a long ivory satin robe, while the six bridesmaids are dressed in matching pale blue short robes; all seven women wear white fluffy open-toe slippers. Behind them, the wedding gown and light blue bridesmaids dresses hang on wooden hangers from the bed frame's crossbar. The room features cream-colored walls, a bronze and gold multi-arm chandelier overhead, and two landscape oil paintings on the walls, giving the space a classic, formal interior aesthetic. This is a full-group portrait shot taken at medium distance.

Katherine and her six bridesmaids gathered in the chateau's upper rooms, robes in ivory and pale blue against a backdrop of four-poster beds and gilded chandeliers. The bridal gown, an off-the-shoulder ivory ballgown with a crystal-embellished waistband, hung alongside ice-blue bridesmaid dresses on wooden hangers. A pearl bracelet was fastened, buttons were secured in soft window light, and the room buzzed with the particular energy that comes from champagne poured before noon.

Ceremony

An overhead wide shot captures a bride descending a grand interior staircase with a long cathedral-length veil and a full white ballgown, accompanied by approximately five bridesmaids in pale powder blue dresses and one woman in a navy dress who appears to be assisting with the veil and train. The staircase features dark wood banisters, deep red carpet with a polka-dot pattern, and is lit by two ornate brass and glass lantern-style pendant lights hanging in the stairwell. Each bridesmaid carries a bouquet of ivory roses and white blooms with eucalyptus greenery, while the bride holds a compact all-white bouquet. A large framed oil painting is partially visible on the upper landing wall, reinforcing the classic, formal interior setting of what appears to be a chateau or manor house. The composition is shot from directly above, giving a dramatic bird's-eye view of the processional descent.

The bride and groom walk hand-in-hand during their post-ceremony recessional under an open-sided wooden-beamed structure attached to a stone chapel or church, with white flower petals being tossed into the air around them. The bride wears an off-the-shoulder white ballgown with a crystal-embellished belt and a cathedral-length veil, carrying a round bouquet of white peonies and ivory blooms with eucalyptus greenery. The groom is dressed in a navy suit with a champagne waistcoat and a coral/pink tie, wearing a white floral boutonniere. Approximately five to six bridesmaids line the left side wearing floor-length pale ice-blue dresses and holding white and green bouquets, while other guests clap and cheer on both sides; the overall styling palette is white, ivory, and pale blue with a classic, formal aesthetic. The shot is a medium-wide portrait-orientation image capturing the full couple and bridal party in natural daylight.

A couple shares their first kiss during a wedding ceremony inside a cave or underground grotto, standing in front of a large ancient Romanesque stone structure with arched columns on two tiers. The bride wears an off-the-shoulder white satin ballgown with a cathedral-length veil and a thin embellished belt at the waist; the groom wears a navy suit with a patterned tie and a white buttonhole. The base of the stone monument is lined with glass votive candles and a low arrangement of white flowers, while two large stone urns flank the scene holding tall arrangements of white flowers — including what appear to be hydrangeas, stocks, and foliage — adding height on either side. The warm amber lighting from the candles and artificial lighting illuminates the carved rock walls of the cave interior, creating a dramatic, intimate atmosphere. This is a full-length portrait shot capturing both figures and the full architectural backdrop. Potential venue feature image.

The ceremony took place inside Eglise Monolithe Saint Jean in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, a vast underground church carved directly from rock in the 12th century. Candles lined the stone floor around the octagonal altar, flanked by tall urns of white delphiniums, hydrangeas, and roses. A string quartet played as guests filled the vaulted interior. After the vows, the couple walked through the village streets to champagne and an accordionist in the town square, white petals tossed in the air around them.

Bridal Portraits

A portrait shot of a bride photographed from behind, standing in an open set of tall French doors that flood the frame with bright natural backlight. She is wearing an ivory off-the-shoulder ballgown with a corseted back closure and a thin crystal or beaded belt at the waist, paired with an elbow-length tulle veil over loosely curled blonde hair. The interior setting appears to be a chateau or manor house room, with cream-painted woodwork, draped curtains, and a decorative tassel key visible on the door. The bright overexposed exterior suggests a garden or grounds beyond the doorway.

A bridal portrait of a single bride standing in an open set of French doors, looking back over her shoulder toward the camera. She wears a white off-the-shoulder ball gown with a fitted bodice featuring a crystal-embellished belt, a long cathedral train, and a shoulder-length veil. She holds a compact round bouquet of ivory peonies or garden roses. The interior setting shows warm beige floor-length curtains and warm-toned flooring, consistent with a chateau or manor house interior, while the open doors reveal a sunny outdoor landscape. The shot is a full-length portrait with natural backlight creating a soft, bright contrast between the interior and exterior.

A bride is being helped out of a vintage dark grey/black classic car, likely a Citroën 2CV or similar French vintage vehicle, on a gravel surface outdoors. A man in a navy blue suit is assisting her by holding her hand as she steps out, while another guest in grey stands nearby. The bride wears a white strapless ball gown with a full tulle skirt and a long cathedral-length tulle veil, and carries a compact round bouquet of white roses. The setting and vintage car choice suggest a classic, polished wedding style. This is a mid-range portrait shot taken in bright natural daylight.

Katherine's off-the-shoulder ivory satin ballgown, fitted with a crystal belt at the waist, caught the light differently in every frame. A cathedral-length veil fell over loosely curled blonde hair, and pearl drop earrings and a bracelet kept the accessories understated. Standing in the doorway of the chateau with the Dordogne countryside visible behind her, she held a tightly packed bouquet of ivory roses and white hydrangeas.

Couple Portraits

A black-and-white couple portrait taken outdoors in front of what appears to be a château or manor house with tall French windows and ivy-covered walls. The bride and groom are kissing while holding hands; the bride wears a cap-sleeve, low-back white gown with a thin embellished belt at the waist and has long, wavy blonde hair, while the groom wears a dark suit with a white dress shirt and tie. The composition is a close-up portrait shot with soft, bright highlights and gentle contrast, with the architecture and foliage slightly out of focus in the background.

A close-up couple portrait taken outdoors during golden hour, with warm amber light illuminating the bride's face and skin. The bride wears a white off-the-shoulder gown with a clean, structured neckline and a jeweled belt at the waist, her blonde wavy hair loose, and a solitaire diamond engagement ring visible as she rests her hand on the groom's shoulder. The groom wears a navy suit jacket with a white shirt and a coral patterned tie. The composition is a tight mid-shot focused on the bride's face and the couple's embrace, with the background softly blurred and out of focus.

The couple is pouring champagne into a coupe glass tower during an outdoor cocktail hour, with the groom in a navy suit, salmon-pink tie, and dark sunglasses holding a large champagne bottle, and the bride in an off-the-shoulder white gown with a beaded waist detail and a veil. The champagne tower is arranged on a gold bamboo-style bar cart with a mirrored top, and the champagne is visibly cascading down through the stacked coupe glasses. Approximately six to eight guests are gathered behind the couple, smiling and photographing the moment on their phones, dressed in formal attire including a grey midi dress and a floral printed gown. The setting is an outdoor courtyard in front of what appears to be a stone château building, and the portrait-oriented medium shot captures both the couple and the reacting guests in natural sunlight.

The couple shares a first dance outdoors at night, surrounded by approximately 20 guests holding lit sparklers that illuminate the scene with warm golden light. The bride wears a sleek white gown with a beaded waistband detail and cap sleeves, while the groom wears a navy suit; she is laughing and facing the camera as they embrace. Guests are dressed in a mix of formal attire including a red floral maxi dress, a fuchsia dress, and dark suits, many smiling and cheering while holding their sparklers aloft. The wide shot captures the couple centered in the frame with guests forming a loose circle around them against a dark night-sky background.

As golden hour arrived over the Dordogne countryside, Katherine and Lewis walked through open fields with the sunset behind them, her cathedral-length veil lifting in the breeze. Mark Ward of Awardweddings used the warm amber backlight to frame portraits against the rural landscape and the chateau's ivy-covered facade. The sparkler-lit first dance and a dip-and-kiss in the fading light closed out the portrait series with the kind of unguarded joy that only comes at the end of a long, good day.

Bridal Party

A bridal party group portrait taken outdoors on the grounds of a French chateau, with the ivy-covered stone facade of the building prominently visible in the background. The group of approximately 16 people includes the bride in an off-the-shoulder white fitted gown and the groom in a navy suit with a coral-pink tie and matching coral socks, both seated on white Chiavari chairs at the center. Bridesmaids wear floor-length light grey/silver chiffon dresses, while groomsmen are dressed in charcoal morning suits with light grey waistcoats and coral-pink ties with small white buttonhole flowers. The composition is a wide shot with some members standing and others seated, arranged in a relaxed, candid-style pose with people interacting and laughing, shot in warm afternoon sunlight. Potential venue feature image.

A group portrait taken outdoors on a gravel path, featuring the bride surrounded by eight groomsmen against a backdrop of a French village with historic stone buildings and terracotta rooftops. The bride wears an off-the-shoulder white ballgown with a cathedral-length veil and carries a bouquet of white peonies and ivory blooms. The groom stands at center in a champagne waistcoat with navy trousers, while the seven groomsmen all wear matching navy suits with blush pink ties and white floral buttonholes. The classic, formal styling is consistent across the group, and the wide-shot composition captures all nine subjects at full length in bright afternoon daylight.

Seven bridesmaids in floor-length ice-blue chiffon dresses flanked Katherine for group portraits on the gravel terrace, the village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne visible behind them. The groomsmen wore navy suits with blush-pink ties and white buttonholes. Between the posed shots, there was the candid stuff that matters more: someone fixing a strap, a shared joke caught mid-laugh, champagne poured on the chateau balcony.

Reception

An outdoor wedding reception dinner is taking place on the grounds of a French château at dusk, with approximately 80–100 guests seated at round tables covered in white linens and arranged with white Chiavari chairs. Multiple strands of warm Edison bulb fairy lights are strung on tall poles across the lawn in front of the château, providing the primary decorative lighting as natural light fades. The château itself is a classic French manor with steep slate-roofed turrets, stone façade, and ivy-covered walls, its windows glowing warmly from interior lighting. The wide-angle shot captures the full scale of the reception setup against the silhouette of the building at twilight, emphasizing the relationship between the outdoor dinner setting and the architectural backdrop. Potential venue feature image.

Two live musicians perform during an outdoor wedding reception, with one playing a brass trumpet and the other playing a tenor saxophone; both wear matching dark burgundy vests, white shirts, and black ties. The setting is a garden or estate grounds with multiple round and rectangular tables dressed in white linen, white Chiavari chairs, and low centerpieces of white florals including what appear to be hydrangeas and roses with green foliage. Warm-toned festoon bulb lights are strung overhead, and champagne flutes are set at each place setting, catching the golden late-afternoon light. The wide shot captures roughly a dozen guests mingling in the background as the reception space is in use, with a classic, garden-party styling aesthetic shot on film giving the image a warm, slightly grainy quality.

Round tables dressed in white linen filled the chateau's front lawn, with Napoleon chairs and centerpieces of white hydrangeas, cream garden roses, and trailing eucalyptus in clear glass vases. Artist-themed table names (Basquiat, Warhol, Rothko, Degas, Picasso) were calligraphed in white on a gold-framed vintage mirror. As the sun dropped, Edison-bulb string lights came on above the terrace, and brass musicians played while guests dined on duck and carrot with vanilla. The three-tier buttercream cake, cascading with cream roses, was cut by sparkler light.