A Grand Destination Wedding at Chateau de la Valouze, Bordeaux

A grand destination wedding at Chateau de la Valouze near Bordeaux with outdoor ceremony, festoon-lit terrace reception, and guests from around the globe.

By Elena Moretti | Published 18 February 2019

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Chateau

Chateau de la Valouze

Nouvelle-Aquitaine · Dordogne

Up to 150 guests

From €15,800 4.6 (78)

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Chateau

Chateau de la Valouze

Nouvelle-Aquitaine · Dordogne

Up to 150 guests

From €15,800 4.6 (78)

Ollie and his Canadian bride chose Chateau de la Valouze, a grand Bordeaux wedding estate with onsite accommodation for a destination celebration that brought together guests from across the globe. Their weekend began in the UNESCO-listed village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne and continued on the chateau's lawns and terraces in Dordogne.

Photography

Venue

Chateau de la Valouze, Dordogne

Region

Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Couple

Getting Ready

This black-and-white portrait shows a couple embracing outdoors on an open lawn, photographed from behind. The bride wears a lace or textured fitted gown with a low or open back, her hair styled in a loose half-up arrangement with soft waves falling down her back and what appears to be a decorative hair accessory. The groom, dressed in a light-colored suit jacket, holds her close with his face bowed toward her. The image is shot at a medium distance with soft, low contrast tones suggesting dusk or golden hour light, with dark tree lines forming the background.

A groom's getting-ready detail shot taken indoors in what appears to be a well-furnished room within a historic property. A white dinner jacket or suit blazer hangs from a dark wood open bookshelf unit, which is decorated with an assortment of small figurines, decorative objects, and bottles on its shelves. In the foreground, a tufted brown leather Chesterfield armchair is partially visible, and a dark wood sideboard to the right holds several empty wine glasses and a table lamp with a white shade. The composition is a wide shot capturing the full room vignette, shot with a slightly moody, low-contrast edit.

A getting-ready moment captured indoors, showing the bride seated on a cream upholstered chair or small sofa while a bridesmaid or friend helps adjust her hair from behind. The bride wears a white lace wedding dress with a deep V-neckline and floral appliqué detailing, paired with a teardrop dark gemstone pendant necklace. Her wavy blonde hair is worn half-up, half-down. The person assisting her wears a taupe or pale grey satin dress and a boho-style floral crown made of dark greenery, small white blooms, and muted purple flowers. The bride is smiling and laughing during the moment. A framed colorful artwork and a wooden lamp are visible in the background, suggesting a room in a house or villa. The styling leans toward a relaxed boho aesthetic. Medium close-up portrait shot.

The wedding morning unfolded with relaxed energy across the chateau's grounds. A black-and-white portrait captured the couple embracing on the open lawn, while nearby the bride's ivory lace train was laid across the grass for a close-up detail shot. The preparations balanced intimate quiet with the anticipation of the day ahead.

Ceremony

The bride and groom share their first kiss during an outdoor ceremony beneath a metal arch decorated with lavender and dusty mauve roses, white blooms, and trailing greenery. The bride wears a fitted lace white gown with a cathedral-length veil, while the groom is dressed in a white blazer with dark trousers. An officiant in a dark teal suit stands behind them holding ceremony notes, and a seated guest in a silver embroidered outfit is partially visible in the foreground. The setting is a shaded garden area with large leafy trees, and small floral arrangements in the same lavender and mauve palette are placed at the base of the arch. The shot is a medium full-length portrait taken from a slight distance, capturing the full arch and the couple's embrace.

An outdoor wedding ceremony in the grounds of a French chateau, with the groom walking down the aisle toward the altar. The groom wears a white blazer, black trousers, a black bow tie, and sunglasses, with a floral boutonniere. Approximately 40-50 guests are seated on white folding chairs arranged in two rows on either side of a grass aisle, with small greenery arrangements decorating the chair ends. The chateau building with a grey slate roof is visible in the background through the trees. Wide shot taken from behind the guests looking toward the approaching groom, with bright midday sunlight.

The bride was walked down the aisle during an outdoor ceremony on the chateau lawn, escorted by a man in a black tuxedo. Guests filled rows of chairs facing an arch of greenery and white blooms. The couple exchanged vows beneath the open sky, with the chateau's elegant facade rising behind the assembled gathering.

Bridal Portraits

A couple portrait taken outdoors along a tree-lined driveway or allée, with tall trees forming a natural canopy overhead. The bride wears a white fitted gown with a train and the groom is dressed in a black tuxedo with a white shirt and bow tie; they stand holding hands facing the camera. The shot is a wide portrait with the couple positioned centrally at mid-distance, emphasizing the symmetrical row of trees stretching into the background. The overall styling is classic and the setting suggests a French chateau or country estate entrance.

An outdoor couple portrait showing the bride and groom with foreheads touching and smiling at each other in a garden setting. The groom wears a white dress shirt with black bow tie and dark trousers, while the bride wears a fitted lace white gown with spaghetti straps and a long cathedral-length veil. The bride holds a loose, garden-style bouquet of lavender roses, purple anemones, blush blooms, and mixed greenery. Above them, a floral arrangement on a branch or arch features lavender roses, white blooms, and greenery in the same soft purple and white palette. The shot is a medium portrait composition with soft natural daylight filtering through the trees behind them.

A bridal portrait taken outdoors at golden hour, with warm sunset light glowing behind the bride. The bride wears a sleeveless white lace gown with a V-neckline and spaghetti straps, and holds a loose, garden-style bouquet featuring lavender, light blue hydrangea, purple blooms, and abundant greenery. Her blonde hair is worn down in soft waves. The shot is a close-up portrait with a shallow depth of field, keeping the background softly blurred.

A bride descends a grand curved stone staircase inside a chateau or manor house, photographed from directly above in a dramatic overhead portrait composition. She wears a fitted ivory lace gown with thin straps and a cathedral-length veil, and carries a loose, organic bouquet featuring white blooms and trailing greenery with eucalyptus-style foliage. The interior features dark ornate wallpaper with a floral damask pattern, a carved white plaster ceiling detail, and a polished dark wood banister with turned spindles. The overhead angle highlights the sweeping spiral geometry of the staircase against the worn stone steps. Potential venue feature image.

Ollie and his bride touched foreheads and smiled at each other in a soft outdoor portrait, the Dordogne light lending warmth to every frame. The portraits ranged from the chateau's gravel forecourt to the rolling countryside beyond, each one capturing the couple's natural connection and the estate's sweeping architecture.

Couple Portraits

A couple portrait taken outdoors at golden hour in an open field, with the bride and groom facing each other in an intimate pose. The groom wears dark trousers and a white dress shirt with no jacket, while the bride wears a fitted lace wedding dress with a train spread behind her. She holds a loose, organic bouquet featuring deep greenery and what appear to be white and mauve blooms. The warm backlit sunset creates a golden glow around both figures, with a tree line visible in the background. The composition is a medium wide shot with a boho-rustic aesthetic.

Bride in lace gown with open back and groom holding greenery bouquet at golden hour in grassy field

A wide-angle exterior shot of a French chateau with classic 19th-century architecture, featuring a steeply pitched mansard roof, ornate stone facade, and symmetrical window arrangements. Two small figures, appearing to be a couple in wedding attire, stand on the central pathway leading up to the chateau's entrance, providing scale against the grand building. The grounds feature a manicured lawn with a straight gravel or paved approach path flanked by mature trees. Potential venue feature image.

Black-and-white couple portrait taken outdoors at dusk, with dark tree silhouettes in the background creating deep contrast against a lighter sky. The bride wears a fitted lace gown with spaghetti straps and has loose wavy hair, while the groom wears a dress shirt and dark trousers with a full beard; he holds a bouquet of mixed flowers at his side. The couple embraces closely, with the bride turning slightly to look toward the camera and the groom looking slightly away. The image uses moody low-light tones with soft highlights on the subjects and rich dark shadows throughout the background.

A wide-angle exterior shot revealed the chateau's 19th-century facade with its stone staircase and formal gardens as the couple explored the grounds together. The portraits shifted between architectural grandeur and quiet countryside pathways, giving each frame a different scale and mood.

Bridal Party

A group portrait of a bride and four bridesmaids posing together indoors in what appears to be a chateau salon or sitting room, with white paneled walls, framed artwork, and a sofa with cushions visible in the background. The bride wears a white lace gown with a V-neckline and holds a loose bouquet of white, blush, and soft blue flowers with greenery. The bridesmaids wear mismatched floor-length dresses in muted mauve and taupe tones, and three of the four wear floral crowns with small white and green blooms in their hair. The overall styling leans bohemian with the mix-and-match dress palette, flower crowns, and loosely arranged bouquet.

A large group wedding portrait taken outdoors on the gravel forecourt of a French chateau, with the ornate stone facade and grand entrance staircase serving as the backdrop. The groom, dressed in a dark suit, dips the bride in a dramatic kiss at the front of the image while approximately 80-100 cheering guests fan out behind them on the steps and courtyard, many with arms raised. The bride wears a white ball gown and carries a bouquet with white blooms and greenery, while bridesmaids on the left are dressed in blush/taupe floor-length gowns and groomsmen on the right wear dark suits with bow ties. The wide-angle shot captures the full energy of the crowd celebration in what appears to be warm afternoon sunlight. Potential venue feature image.

A bridesmaid in a taupe/mocha draped dress and a flower girl in a white dress walk together down the front path of a French chateau, moving toward the camera. Both wear floral crowns made of greenery and small white blooms, and the bridesmaid carries a loosely arranged bouquet in neutral and white tones. In the background, two additional bridesmaids in matching taupe dresses stand near the chateau's grand entrance steps. The wedding style is boho with a natural, earthy palette. The chateau is a classic French mansion with pale stone facade, ornate mansard roof with dark slate tiles, and symmetrical windows. Wide shot taken from ground level on the main driveway. Potential venue feature image.

A large group portrait on the gravel forecourt captured the full wedding party before the chateau's stone facade. The bridesmaids and groomsmen stood in formation alongside the couple, the estate's grand proportions providing a suitably cinematic backdrop for the assembled group.

Reception

A bridal party portrait taken outdoors along a tree-lined pathway, with the bride surrounded by four bridesmaids. The bride wears a fitted white lace gown with a train, while all four bridesmaids wear floor-length dusty mauve/lilac chiffon dresses in varying neckline styles. Each bridesmaid wears a floral crown featuring small white flowers and greenery. The group is posed with their backs partially turned to the camera, with the bride and two bridesmaids looking back over their shoulders toward the lens. The styling has a relaxed boho aesthetic. Wide portrait shot with soft natural light filtering through the tree canopy overhead.

The couple shares their first dance in an indoor reception venue with exposed dark timber-frame beams and white fabric draping radiating from a central ceiling point, lit with blue ambient uplighting. The bride wears a short off-the-shoulder white dress with a high-low hemline and beige wedge sandals, while the groom is dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. Approximately 20-25 guests are seated and standing around the perimeter of the dance floor watching, dressed in smart-casual attire including a light blue blazer and a floral dress visible on the left. The image is a medium wide shot taken from a slightly low angle, with framed artwork visible on the back wall and a staff member in a black waistcoat standing in the background.

A bride and groom are dancing and spinning on the gravel forecourt of a large French chateau at golden hour, with warm sunset light flaring dramatically from behind the building's right tower. The bride wears a fitted, long white lace gown and holds a bouquet, while the groom is dressed in dark trousers and a white shirt. The chateau is a classic 19th-century French architecture style with pale stone facade, steep slate roofs, ornate dormers, and a corner turret. Wide shot capturing the full building exterior alongside the couple. Potential venue feature image.

An outdoor reception speech drew laughter and applause, with a woman in white addressing the crowd from a long banquet table. The evening unfolded beneath festoon lights strung across the terrace, where dinner and dancing kept guests celebrating against the warm Bordeaux night. Toasts and stories carried the celebration past midnight.

Flat Lays

An outdoor wedding reception setup arranged beneath a canopy of tall trees on a gravel surface, with no guests present. Multiple long rectangular tables and a few round tables are dressed in white linens and lined with white folding chairs. Each table features low centerpieces of greenery and what appear to be small blooms in muted tones, placed at regular intervals along the table runners. The overall decor palette is white and green, with a clean, minimal aesthetic. Wide shot capturing the full layout of the reception space. Potential venue feature image.

An outdoor wedding reception setup photographed in a wide portrait-style shot, showing multiple round tables dressed in white linen tablecloths arranged on a gravel surface beneath mature trees. White metal folding bistro chairs surround each table, and the nearest table features a centerpiece of blush pink, lavender, and purple blooms in a dark urn-style vase, with slate-colored charger plates and small orange accent pieces at each place setting. Globe string lights are strung between the trees overhead, and additional florals are visible on tables in the background, creating a cohesive soft, garden-party aesthetic with a white and muted pastel palette.

An outdoor ceremony setup photographed from the back of the aisle in a wide shot, showing rows of white folding chairs arranged on either side of a central aisle leading to a floral arch. The arch appears to be a circular or rounded metal structure adorned with white and soft lavender or mauve flowers and greenery, flanked by two smaller floral arrangements on stands at the entrance to the arch. The setting is a shaded garden or wooded clearing with large mature trees providing a natural canopy. The overall decor palette is soft white and muted purple-grey, consistent with a romantic garden-style ceremony aesthetic. No guests or wedding party are present, indicating this was taken before the ceremony began.

A six-image collage from a French chateau wedding styled in a romantic garden aesthetic with a dusty blue, lavender, and ivory color palette. Top left: a close-up detail shot of a mercury glass vase holding a loose wildflower arrangement of thistles, lavender, dusty blue scabiosa, and greenery on a white tablecloth with glassware visible. Top right: an upward-angled shot of a group of approximately four bridesmaids in champagne or ivory dresses standing on an ornate stone balcony of a classical French chateau with arched decorative stonework. Middle left: a wide exterior shot of the outdoor ceremony setup on the chateau grounds, with rows of white folding chairs arranged on a lawn beneath large mature trees, with the chateau visible in the background. Potential venue feature image. Middle right: a portrait of the groom standing at the altar during the outdoor ceremony; he wears a white dinner jacket with black trousers and a dark floral boutonniere, with a beard, looking toward the approaching bride. Bottom left: a flat-lay detail of printed wedding stationery including a round paddle-shaped fan menu printed with 'Beauty and the Baxter' and a multi-course menu, alongside a feather quill, wax seal, and a small dried hydrangea bloom on a dark green surface. Bottom right: a close-up detail shot of a floral arrangement featuring blush roses, white orchids, lavender wisteria, and lush greenery, photographed outdoors with soft natural light.

An aerial wide shot documented the outdoor cocktail hour with approximately 70 guests gathered on the terrace. The flat lay collection included the stationery suite, floral buttonholes, and table accessories, each piece styled against the estate's stone surfaces and linen textiles in a palette of ivory, green, and gold.

The Venue

The couple chose Chateau de la Valouze, a chateau in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Premium

Chateau

Chateau de la Valouze

Nouvelle-Aquitaine · Dordogne

An impressive and romantic chateau near Bordeaux set in 34 hectares of parkland with 2 lakes, bamboo forest, and ancient trees. Sleeps 96 guests with outstanding reception facilities for up to 200 guests.

Up to 150 guests

From €15,800 4.6 (78)

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