Three Gowns and Two Vineyards: A Bordeaux Elopement Editorial

A styled Bordeaux elopement at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte and Les Sources de Caudalie with three gowns and vineyard terrace dining, captured by Sorya Pedoussaut.

By Sophie Laurent | Published 9 January 2020

Three Gowns and Two Vineyards: A Bordeaux Elopement Editorial

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

Set between Les Sources de Caudalie and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in the heart of Bordeaux's wine country, this elopement editorial brought together vineyard tranquillity and refined French artistry. Planned by Christelle Guegan, the styled celebration followed a modern couple escaping to the South of France for a private exchange of vows surrounded by nature and fine wine.

Photography

Sorya Pedoussaut

Venue

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Region

Bordeaux, France

Couple

Bridal Portraits

A couple poses outdoors on a gravel path in front of a circular floral arch decorated with white blooms and trailing greenery. The groom wears a black tuxedo with a bow tie, while the bride wears a sleek long-sleeve white gown with a front slit, a embellished belt at the waist, and holds a barn owl on her gloved arm. The setting appears to be the manicured grounds of a French chateau or manor house, visible in the background with ivy-covered walls and formal lawns. The shot is a full-length portrait with a classic, editorial style.

A bridal portrait taken outdoors in a garden setting, with a softly blurred green foliage background. The bride wears a long-sleeve ivory fitted gown with a bateau neckline, a front slit, and crystal embellishment detail at the shoulders, paired with a delicate crystal hair piece and drop earrings. She holds a medium-sized bouquet composed of white peonies, cream hydrangeas, lavender roses, blue thistle, and trailing greenery. The image is a close-up portrait shot with the bride glancing downward toward her bouquet.

A couple portrait taken outdoors on the grounds of what appears to be a French château or manor, positioned beside a calm ornamental pond. The bride wears a white tulle A-line gown with a lace-detailed bodice and has her hair pinned up with a small floral hair accessory, while the groom wears a navy blue suit. The two stand facing each other in an intimate pose, with the bride's hand resting on the groom's jaw. The stone façade of a building is partially visible through the trees in the background. The shot is a full-length portrait with soft, even natural lighting and a slightly overcast look, giving the image a light, airy feel.

Sorya Pedoussaut captured the bride across three distinct gowns, each one chosen for a different setting within the two Bordeaux estates. Vineyard rows, garden terraces, and stone archways provided striking backdrops as the dresses moved between boho charm and classical grace. The variety of looks created a visual narrative that showcased the dual character of the region.

Reception

A close-up shot of a bronze sculpture depicting two classical figures carrying a large bunch of grapes on a pole between them, positioned on an ornate stone pedestal. The sculpture is set within formal garden grounds featuring a decorative wooden pavilion or boathouse structure over a calm pond in the background. No people or wedding party are visible in this image; the shot focuses entirely on the venue's decorative garden feature. Potential venue feature image.

Close-up detail shot of an outdoor wedding reception table centerpiece. The arrangement is set in a brass pedestal compote vase and features a mix of blush pink ranunculus, white poppies, coral and pink parrot tulips, light pink hydrangea, and small wax flower accents in a soft, garden-style composition. Brass taper candlestick holders with white and blush pink unlit taper candles flank the centerpiece on both sides. The table is styled with white linen napkins printed with an olive branch motif and crystal cut-glass stemware. The overall decor palette combines brass, blush, coral, and white in a romantic garden aesthetic.

The evening garden dinner unfolded on the chateau's terrace, where a long table dressed with trailing florals, taper candles, and vintage glassware created a scene of intimate luxury. The vineyard stretched beyond the table's edge as the last light of the day warmed every surface. Each place setting told a story of careful curation, rooted in the traditions of Bordeaux hospitality.

Design and Details

Close-up detail shot of a two-tier wedding cake placed on a stone surface outdoors. The cake features textured white buttercream with a raked or feathered finish, accented with gold leaf decorations on both tiers, and sits on a gold cake board. The top is adorned with fresh flowers including blush and coral peonies, lavender wisteria sprigs, and white blooms, with additional wisteria cascading down the left side of the cake. The overall palette combines white, gold, blush, coral, and soft lavender, giving the design a romantic garden-inspired aesthetic.

A styled detail shot of a gold vintage bar cart displayed outdoors on a gravel path, set against lush garden greenery with a stone statue partially visible in the background. The upper shelf holds a two-tier white textured wedding cake decorated with gold leaf accents, lavender and blush florals including what appear to be macarons and small blooms on top, alongside five filled champagne flutes. The lower shelf contains a loose arrangement of blush and dusty pink peonies along with a small triangular paper decoration. The overall styling is classic-French with gold and blush tones, and the image is a medium wide shot taken in bright natural daylight.

Wide-shot image of a wooden pavilion or gazebo structure built on stilts over the edge of a calm pond, surrounded by lush green trees and waterside vegetation. A large bird — appearing to be a heron — is captured mid-flight just above the water's surface in the foreground, its wings spread wide and touching the water. The pavilion features a wraparound deck and a tiled roof, and its reflection is visible in the still water below. No people or wedding-specific decor are visible in the frame. Potential venue feature image.

The editorial's design played on the contrast between rustic vineyard textures and polished ceremony details. Stationery balanced rustic calligraphy with elegant card stock, while a round floral arch framed the terrace ceremony scene. The colour palette drew from the Bordeaux landscape, with warm tones, deep greens, and touches of blush threading through every element.

Flat Lays

A bridal getting-ready scene presented as a two-image diptych. On the left, the bride sits on a white bed wearing a blush/rose gold satin robe over white lace lingerie, with long blonde hair loose, eyes closed, in a relaxed posed portrait with lush green foliage visible through a window in the background. On the right, a close-up detail shot focuses on the bride's neckline and hand, showcasing the blush satin robe fabric, white lace trim underneath, and what appears to be an engagement ring on her finger. Both shots are softly lit with warm natural light and have a light, airy film-style aesthetic. The composition combines a three-quarter portrait with an intimate detail close-up.

Close-up detail shot of a wedding reception tablescape featuring ivory and gold-brushed French macarons displayed inside an open geometric brass and glass terrarium box. The table is dressed with a white linen runner and scattered greenery sprigs, with a brass taper candle holder and white candle visible in the soft-focus background. The overall decor palette is white, gold, and green, consistent with a modern minimalist styling approach. A second geometric brass terrarium is partially visible to the right.

A nine-image collage of a French wedding styled shoot featuring consistent green, white, and gold tones throughout. Top left shows a symmetrical wide shot of an ivy-covered chateau or orangerie with a formal hedged driveway approach, serving as the primary venue exterior. Top center features a vintage brass dessert bicycle cart holding a tiered white wedding cake with greenery accents. Top right shows the couple standing together at a circular floral ceremony arch covered in white blooms and greenery, set in a formal garden with clipped hedges and a grass lawn. Center left is a flat-lay of watercolor-style wedding stationery in soft grey and white tones, arranged with ivy sprigs, a small teal dish with blue eggs, an agate slice, and two decorative butterflies in orange and teal. Center middle is a close-up detail shot of a gold geometric terrarium or ring box with small macarons or confections and eucalyptus sprigs. Bottom center shows the bride in a long-sleeved minimalist white gown holding a compact bouquet of white blooms and eucalyptus in a garden setting. Right panel features a portrait of the couple in an outdoor waterside setting, the bride in a lace sleeveless gown and the groom in a navy suit, sharing a close romantic moment. Potential venue feature image.

Close-up detail shot of a wedding reception place setting on a warm-toned wooden table. A white dinner plate with a gold beaded rim sits on a matching gold-rimmed charger, holding a small individual chocolate dessert with a dark mirror-glaze finish and a cocoa-dusted dome topping, monogrammed with 'PM' in white. A grey agate slice place card with the name 'Louis' written in gold calligraphy is propped against the dessert. Silver cutlery and a crystal wine glass are visible in the background, suggesting a classic, refined reception table design with a dark chocolate, gold, and grey decor palette.

Detail compositions featured fine calligraphy on textured paper, silk ribbons, and delicate ring shots arranged against natural linen. Bridal accessories and shoes were styled with dried botanicals and vineyard foliage, each flat lay reflecting the editorial's blend of rustic warmth and refined taste. Envelope wax seals and hand-torn edges added artisanal character.