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Pink Florals and Candlelight at Chateau de Villette, Ile-de-France

Miya and Louie's wedding at Chateau de Villette near Paris, with pink florals in the blue salon, candlelit limestone dining, and garden portraits. Photos by…

By Elena Moretti | Published 13 December 2023

Miya and Louie welcomed guests to Chateau de Villette, a historic estate with chapel and reception rooms near Paris, just 35 minutes northwest of the city. Inside one of France's most remarkable chateaux, high ceilings and rich wall tones framed a ceremony that felt intimate within its grandeur. Photographer Alexandr Purcel captured every unfolding scene in Ile-de-France.

Photography
Alexandr Purcel
Venue
Chateau de Villette, Nievre
Region
Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, France
Couple
Miya & Louie

Getting Ready

A bride is lying on a large canopied bed during a getting-ready or portrait session inside a chateau bedroom. She is wearing a white sequined or beaded strapless gown and a delicate pearl or diamond bracelet, with long dark hair worn loose. The room features an ornate teal and ivory silk canopy draped above the bed, blue-and-white toile upholstered headboard, dark wood antique bedside furniture with gilded detailing, and a gold-framed oil portrait painting hanging from the canopy. The walls are covered in blue floral wallpaper, and a small oval portrait and a miniature lamp are visible on the nightstand. The composition is a medium portrait shot taken from the foot of the bed, with the bride resting her chin on her hands and looking directly at the camera. The overall decor style is French classical or 18th-century aristocratic.
A bridal getting-ready detail shot taken in an ornate chateau bedroom, with no people present. The white strapless wedding dress with a full tulle skirt hangs from a wooden hanger on the door of a sage green armoire at the right of the frame, with a pair of white satin heels placed on the floor beneath it. The room features deep crimson walls, a grand canopied bed with a burgundy velvet and gold-trimmed headboard and matching draped corona, two gilt-framed oil portrait paintings, a gilded Rococo-style bedside table with a warm amber lamp, an antique walnut chest of drawers, a sage green Louis XV-style armchair with tapestry upholstery, and a Persian rug on the parquet floor. The overall decor style is classic French aristocratic with rich, warm tones. Wide-angle interior shot capturing the full room composition.
A bridal portrait of a single bride photographed against a very dark, almost black background, creating strong chiaroscuro lighting that highlights her face and gown. She wears a strapless white ball gown with a heavily embellished sequined and beaded corset bodice featuring a structured peplum with a large bow detail at the waist, over a full tulle skirt. Her head is covered with a heavily beaded and sequined juliet-style cap veil that drapes down over her dark hair. She looks downward with her hands raised toward her shoulders, one hand appearing to hold a small perfume bottle. Her nails are painted in a soft lavender shade and she wears a delicate bracelet. The overall styling is modern and highly embellished with a structured, architectural aesthetic. Close-up portrait shot from approximately the waist up.

The bride lay on a large canopied bed in the chateau bedroom, her white sequined strapless gown and delicate pearl headpiece catching the filtered light through tall windows. Preparations unfolded amid ornate furnishings and silk drapery, the room's historic character adding depth to every getting-ready moment.


Ceremony

An indoor ceremony or cocktail space set up inside a classic French chateau salon, photographed as a wide interior shot through open mirrored double doors. The octagonal room features sage green painted paneling, tall multi-pane French doors with crimson red draped balloon-style curtains, and a large crystal chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling. The stone-tiled floor is lined on both sides with cream-upholstered Louis XVI-style sofas and settees. Elaborate floor-level floral installations run along the perimeter and down the center aisle, composed of clustered arrangements in coral, hot pink, peach, lavender blue, and soft orange — including what appear to be dahlias, delphiniums, poppies, and alliums set among beds of moss, with small warm-toned uplights illuminating the blooms from below. No people are present; the space is empty and styled for an event. Potential venue feature image.
The bride and groom share their first kiss during an indoor wedding ceremony inside what appears to be a French chateau salon. The groom wears a black tuxedo with a bow tie, and the bride wears a white strapless ball gown with a voluminous tulle skirt, a beaded off-shoulder detail, and a lace-edged veil with an ornate beaded headpiece. The room features tall French windows with dramatic red silk swag drapery and a crystal chandelier overhead, with stone tile flooring. Lining the aisle on both sides are lush ground-level floral arrangements in a warm, jewel-toned palette of coral, orange, pink, peach, and lavender blooms including ranunculus, dahlias, and garden roses, warmly lit from below. Approximately 20–30 guests in formal attire — including black tuxedos and colorful gowns in red, pink, and gold — stand watching on either side. The shot is a full-length portrait taken from a low angle, capturing the full sweep of the bride's dress and train.
An indoor wedding ceremony taking place in a classical French chateau room with sage-green paneled walls, ornate crown molding, and a crystal chandelier overhead. The couple stands facing each other holding hands before an officiant dressed in a black tuxedo holding a microphone, all positioned in front of a tall multi-pane window dressed with a draped red silk balloon valance. The bride wears a white ballgown with a cathedral-length veil featuring lace detailing at the crown, while the groom wears a black tuxedo. The ceremony altar area is framed by two large ground-level floral installations: one on the right composed densely of hot pink and magenta dahlias, blush pompons, peach ranunculus, and white blooms, and one on the left featuring loose arrangements of lavender-blue delphinium, peach, and coral wildflower-style stems with moss, creating a bold asymmetrical color contrast. Wide-shot portrait composition capturing all three figures and the full ceremonial setting.
An indoor ceremony or cocktail space set up inside what appears to be a French chateau salon, featuring sage-green paneled walls, three large floor-to-ceiling French windows with bold crimson red draped curtains, and a crystal chandelier overhead. The stone-tiled floor is lined on both sides with cream-upholstered Louis XVI-style sofas and armchairs, arranged to create a central aisle. Elaborate floral installations are scattered across the floor in moss-covered clusters, featuring hot pink dahlias, light blue delphinium, soft pink and peach globe amaranth (gomphrena), orange ranunculus, and white blooms, creating a garden-floor effect that extends toward the central doorway. The overall decor style is maximalist and garden-inspired, with a rich contrast between the crimson drapery and the abundant pastel-to-vivid floral palette. Wide symmetrical shot from the entrance of the room. Potential venue feature image.

Miya and Louie shared their first kiss in the blue salon, surrounded by sculpted moldings and tall windows that filled the room with soft natural light. Pale upholstered chairs lined the aisle while pink florals from the palest blush to saturated fuchsia rose in sculptural groupings at every corner. Clear glass vases caught the daylight and mirrored the salon's ornate ceiling details.


Bridal Portraits

A solo bridal portrait taken indoors in what appears to be a French chateau, with the bride standing on stone steps and glancing back over her shoulder toward the camera. She wears a white strapless ball gown with a structured peplum bodice featuring textured or embroidered detailing, a full tulle skirt with a long train, and a lace or beaded juliet cap with a long veil trailing down her back. The setting is lit with warm amber uplighting, a gold ornate candelabra wall sconce with lit candles, and a hanging brass lantern with candle-style bulbs. A large antique tapestry with figurative scenes in earthy tones hangs on the wall to the left. The overall styling aesthetic is classic and formal with baroque-inspired decor. Full-length portrait shot with strong directional lighting creating dramatic shadows.
A bride poses indoors in what appears to be a French chateau ballroom or grand salon, standing near a large multi-pane window draped with a deep red silk swag valance. She wears a strapless white tulle ballgown with a voluminous cathedral-length train, paired with a lace-edged bridal bonnet-style headpiece and a sheer veil. She is turned away from the camera, glancing back over her shoulder. Flanking her on both sides are large floor-level floral installations arranged on beds of moss: the left cluster features periwinkle blue delphiniums, coral and peach ranunculus, and orange blooms, while the right cluster is composed of deep crimson and hot pink peonies, carnations, and white anemones, lit with warm accent lighting embedded in the arrangements. The room features pale grey-green painted paneling. Through the window, a formal French garden with manicured hedgerows is visible in the background. Full-length portrait shot.
A bridal portrait taken outdoors on a gravel terrace of a formal French chateau garden, with a bride posing from behind and glancing back over her shoulder toward the camera. She wears a white strapless ball gown with a structured corseted bodice featuring subtle embellishment, a voluminous layered skirt, and an extended cathedral-length train spread across the gravel. Her long dark hair falls loosely down her back. The formal garden behind her features manicured conical topiary hedges, a stone balustrade, a classical urn sculpture, a reflecting pool or ornamental lake, and a manicured lawn, consistent with a classic French chateau estate. The composition is a full-length portrait shot from a low-to-mid angle, emphasizing the sweep of the train in the foreground. Potential venue feature image.
A bride stands alone in a portrait shot inside what appears to be a French chateau salon or reception room, lit by warm ambient lighting and a crystal chandelier overhead. She wears a strapless white ballgown with a sequined peplum bodice and a full tulle skirt with a train, paired with a beaded or sequined headband-style bridal cap and a sheer veil. The room is decorated with abundant low garden-style floral arrangements in vibrant mixed colors including hot pink, coral, blue, orange, and burgundy flowers placed directly on the floor around the perimeter, alongside candles and uplighting. The paneled walls are painted in a muted sage green with ornate classical molding, and period-style upholstered seating is visible in the background.

Miya posed on the gravel terrace of the formal French gardens, glancing back over her shoulder toward Alexandr Purcel's lens. Her white strapless gown with sequined bodice caught the late afternoon light against the chateau's symmetrical limestone facade. The long veil trailed across clipped box topiaries and gravel parterres, creating clean compositional lines that echoed the estate's classical proportions.


Couple Portraits

A couple portrait taken from an elevated angle, showing a bride and groom walking hand-in-hand along a grand gravel allée in a formal French-style garden. The groom wears a black suit and the bride wears a white full-length gown with a flowing train, carrying a bouquet with pink and colorful blooms. The garden features precisely clipped conical topiary trees lining the central path, symmetrical parterres with curved boxwood hedging, and a stone staircase with a decorative fountain or ornamental feature at the far end. The wide-angle, near-aerial composition emphasizes the strong linear perspective of the garden's formal design, with the couple positioned small in the frame at the foreground. Potential venue feature image.
A black-and-white close-up portrait of a bride and groom sharing their first dance inside what appears to be a grand ballroom with ornate molded wall paneling visible in the background. The couple faces each other in an embrace, with the bride's arms draped around the groom's neck and his hands at her waist; a strong point-light source positioned directly between their faces creates a dramatic starburst lens flare effect. The bride wears a heavily beaded or embroidered strapless gown with a matching beaded capelet or hood over her head, along with a long veil; the groom is dressed in a dark suit. The image is rendered in deep blacks and bright highlights with high contrast, giving the silhouetted figures a dramatic quality. At least one blurred guest is visible in the background to the right.
Black-and-white portrait of a bride and groom sharing a kiss inside a formal chateau salon, shot through a doorway or architectural frame that creates a natural vignette around the edges. The groom wears a dark tuxedo with bow tie, and the bride wears a full ballgown with a long train and what appears to be a floral hair accessory. They are positioned in front of tall French double doors with grid-pane glazing and draped swag curtains, with natural light backlighting the couple. A large crystal chandelier with candle-style arms hangs prominently above, and the room features classic wood-paneled boiserie walls and a tiled floor. Large loose floral arrangements — appearing to include globe thistles, dahlias, and airy wildflower-style blooms — are placed in clusters on the floor flanking the couple on both sides, with warm spotlighting highlighting the florals against the darker room. The composition is a medium-wide portrait framed through an architectural opening, with high contrast tones emphasizing the backlit window and the bright gown against the darker surroundings. Potential venue feature image.
A couple portrait taken outdoors in front of a large classical French chateau with pale yellow stone facade visible in the blurred background. The groom wears a black tuxedo with a black bow tie and white dress shirt, while the bride, dressed in a white gown with visible beaded or lace detailing at the shoulder, rests her head against his back and places her hand on his shoulder, displaying a diamond engagement ring and wedding band with white-tipped manicured nails. The groom looks off to one side while the bride faces the camera directly. The styling is classic and formal, with a black-and-white color palette for the couple's attire. The shot is a close-up portrait with shallow depth of field, keeping the architectural background softly out of focus.

The couple walked together along the formal gravel garden path, his black tuxedo and bow tie a sharp contrast to her flowing white gown. Portraits moved through the estate's grand interiors and out to the sculptured grounds. A group portrait of the groomsmen on the ornate interior staircase added energy and scale to the series.


Cocktail Hour

A full-length portrait of the groom standing indoors in what appears to be a formal salon or reception room of a French chateau. He is dressed in a black tuxedo with a white dress shirt, black bow tie, and black patent leather shoes, and is adjusting his jacket while looking directly at the camera. The room features a red damask Louis XV-style canapé sofa with gold gilt frame, dark walls hung with ornate oval-framed portrait paintings, deep red curtains, parquet herringbone flooring, a patterned area rug, and a lit table lamp in the background. The overall decor palette is deep red, black, and gold, consistent with a classic French chateau interior.
Close-up detail shot of a guest or bridesmaid during what appears to be a cocktail hour or reception, seated on a linen-upholstered chair. The subject is wearing a vivid orange satin dress and holds a stemmed gin balloon glass containing a clear cocktail garnished with a lime slice and fresh mint. A delicate gold chain bracelet is visible on her wrist. Surrounding the chair are loose florals including hot pink peonies or stock flowers and soft blue delphinium, with pink roses visible in soft focus in the background, suggesting a colorful, garden-inspired floral palette.
A wide shot of an indoor cocktail hour or reception lounge space inside a French chateau-style ballroom, photographed through open glass-paned doors. The room features sage green wood-paneled walls, tall multi-pane French windows dressed with crimson red draped silk swag curtains, and a large crystal chandelier with candle-style lights hanging from a white ceiling with crown molding. The floor is laid in large stone tiles in a diagonal pattern. Several cream-upholstered Louis XVI-style curved sofas and armchairs are arranged symmetrically around the perimeter of the room. The dominant decorative feature is a series of dramatic garden-style floral installations placed directly on the floor throughout the space — large, low, moss-based arrangements bursting with pink dahlias, coral and peach ranunculus, blue delphiniums, pink foxglove, and assorted wildflower-style blooms. Small warm accent lights are placed within the floral clusters, illuminating them from below with an amber glow. The overall decor style is maximalist and romantic, combining classical French interior architecture with loose, organic floral design. No people are present in the image. Potential venue feature image.

Guests gathered on the terrace during cocktail hour, the chateau's classical facade providing a grand backdrop. A bridesmaid in a vivid orange satin dress held a champagne coupe on a linen-upholstered chair, while small groups mingled across the stone terrace. The warm afternoon light softened every surface, from champagne flutes to the limestone balustrade.


Reception

A wedding reception dinner setup photographed from one end of a long single banquet table stretching toward the far wall of an indoor stone hall. The table is lined on both sides with white French Louis-style chairs and set with glassware, gold-toned place settings, and small pink floral accents at each place setting. A continuous row of lit taper candles runs the full length of the table's center. The room is lit with warm amber uplighting along the stone block walls and a large gold chandelier with exposed bulbs hanging overhead. At the far end, a classical marble-style figurative statue is displayed in a illuminated arched stone alcove, serving as a focal point down the table. The decor palette combines warm gold, white, and blush pink in a classic French chateau style. Wide shot taken from table level looking straight down the length of the room. Potential venue feature image.
A close-up detail shot of a wedding reception table set inside what appears to be a chateau or historic manor room, featuring tall grid-paned windows and ornate gilded wall paneling visible in the background. The table is dressed with a cream linen cloth and set with silver charger plates, crystal cut-glass stemware in multiple sizes, and silver flatware. Ivory taper candles in silver candelabras and individual silver candlestick holders are lit across the table, casting warm amber light that is complemented by orange uplighting on the walls. Small dusty pink flower blooms — likely carnations or dahlias — are placed on the silver charger plates as individual napkin or place decorations. The overall decor palette is ivory, silver, and blush pink with a classic, formal French style.
A reception dinner table setup photographed from one end looking down the full length of the table toward an arched stone niche housing a classical figurative sculpture, lit with warm amber uplighting. The long rectangular table is set for approximately 30 guests, lined on both sides with upholstered cream dining chairs. The table runner features densely packed ivory taper candles and small votive candles interspersed with scattered pink floral blooms, creating a continuous line of candlelight down the center. Gold charger plates and glassware are visible at each place setting. A large ornate gilt candelabra-style chandelier hangs in the foreground. The room features exposed limestone ashlar walls and a classic French chateau interior style. Wide shot taken from a low central angle emphasizing the table's length and the sculptural focal point at the far end. Potential venue feature image.
Close-up detail shot of a plated wedding reception dessert course, served on a white plate set on a gold ornate charger with an embossed rim. The dessert features a meringue or cream base topped with yellow-orange fruit slices, a red raspberry, microgreens, and thin tuile wafers, accompanied by a purple pansy edible flower and a small bite-sized garnish on the side. The table is dressed in an ivory linen with crystal glassware, silver candlestick holders with lit white taper candles, and scattered pink and orange floral blooms used as loose table decor. The overall table setting follows a classic, formal style with a warm candlelit palette.

Dinner unfolded in the limestone dining room of the Grand Chateau, where one long table brought everyone together beneath dozens of candle flames. Crystal and polished silver reflected the warm glow against cool stone walls. A plated dessert course of meringue with fresh berries and gold leaf arrived on white plates set on ornate gold chargers.


Design and Details

A detail shot of a catering or welcome table setup in an indoor venue with sage green paneled walls and stone tile flooring. In the foreground, a low floral arrangement sits directly on the floor, featuring pink, peach, and yellow dahlias, pink larkspur, and ranunculus set in a moss base. On top of the white paneled counter, a large arrangement of deep magenta hydrangeas spills dramatically over the edge, while a tiered stand holds croissants and pastries alongside trays of additional baked goods, fruit skewers, and bite-sized treats. A crate of orange and yellow marigolds is visible in the background. The overall floral palette spans hot pink, magenta, peach, orange, and soft pink, creating a bold, garden-style aesthetic.
A detail shot of a bridal bouquet placed on a wooden surface, likely a windowsill or bench, in a dimly lit interior room. The bouquet features pink dahlias, pale blue hydrangeas, and small pink and white button flowers, tied with a trailing pale blue ribbon. Strong geometric window light casts a grid-like shadow pattern across the wall and surface, illuminating the bouquet against the otherwise dark surroundings. The composition is a medium overhead angle, emphasizing the interplay between the delicate pastel floral arrangement and the dramatic natural light and shadow.
A detail shot of a bridal bouquet resting on the back of a gilded Louis XVI-style armchair upholstered in olive green velvet, set in a dark wood-paneled interior. The bouquet features periwinkle blue delphiniums, magenta and blush sweet peas, dusty pink carnations, and deep burgundy ranunculus, tied with a trailing blush silk ribbon that drapes over the chair seat. The moody, low-key lighting creates strong contrast between the dark background and the vibrant florals. The overall styling is classic and romantic with a jewel-toned floral palette.

A bridal bouquet of pink dahlias, pale blue hydrangeas, and small pink and white blooms rested on a wooden windowsill in the dimly lit interior. The ceremony design transformed the blue salon into a living installation of color, with florals framed by the room's architectural lines. A flat lay of the stationery suite on deep red damask fabric featured a hand-painted floral monogram wreath.


Venue

Wide exterior shot of a French classical chateau viewed from the end of a formal gravel approach path lined with symmetrically arranged clipped box ball topiaries set into gravel and lawn parterres. The main building is a two-story pale limestone structure with a slate mansard roof, multiple tall windows, a central pediment, and a small cupola. Curved colonnaded wings extend on either side, connecting to flanking outbuildings, with potted standard topiary trees lining the forecourt walls. No people are visible; this appears to be an establishing shot of the venue grounds and architecture. Potential venue feature image.
Aerial wide shot of a French classical chateau with a pale yellow stone facade and dark mansard roof, surrounded by formally designed grounds in the French formal garden style. The front grounds feature two large symmetrical parterre gardens with ornate scrollwork hedging patterns, clipped conical topiary, and central fountain features, all bordered by gravel pathways. Behind the chateau, a long central allée flanked by trimmed hedgerows and additional formal garden sections extends toward open countryside, with outbuildings and a moat or river visible on either side of the property. No people or wedding-specific decor are visible in this image. Potential venue feature image.
Wide shot of the exterior facade of a French country manor or château, with no wedding party or guests visible. The two-storey stone building is heavily covered in climbing ivy, with rows of white-framed multi-pane windows across both floors. In the foreground, a formal French parterre garden features precisely clipped low box hedges arranged in geometric patterns, standard lollipop-shaped topiary trees lining a central gravel path, and a white classical figurative statue on a stone pedestal positioned in the middle ground directly in front of the building's entrance. The overall palette is grey stone, white trim, and deep green topiary. Potential venue feature image.

Chateau de Villette's classical facade appeared at the end of a formal gravel approach lined with symmetrically clipped box topiaries set into gravel and lawn parterres. The estate's grand proportions, tall windows, and sculpted roofline spoke to centuries of French architectural heritage. Inside, the blue salon's rich wall tones and ornate moldings created an interior of quiet spectacle.


More from the Day

A groomsmen portrait taken indoors in what appears to be a formal salon of a French chateau, featuring nine men in black tuxedos with white dress shirts and black bow ties. Three men are seated on a gold-framed red damask settee, while six stand behind and to the sides, arranged in a structured group pose. The room features dark walls, floor-length deep red velvet drapes, gold-framed oil paintings including a large landscape and an oval portrait, parquet wood flooring, and a patterned area rug, all contributing to a classic, formal interior setting. The lighting is moody and directional, with natural light entering from tall multi-pane windows on the right. This is a medium wide-angle portrait shot.
A black-and-white group portrait of a groom and approximately eleven groomsmen posed on a grand interior staircase. The groom stands at the foreground on the lower steps, resting one hand on the ornate wrought-iron banister, while the groomsmen are arranged behind and above him on the staircase. All men are dressed in black tuxedos with bow ties and white dress shirts, styled in a classic formal look. A large framed landscape painting hangs on the wall behind the group, and a glass-paneled pendant lantern is visible at the top of the frame. The high-contrast black-and-white tones emphasize the ironwork details of the banister and the architectural molding of the interior. This is a wide portrait shot taken from a low angle looking up the staircase.
A flat lay detail shot of a wedding stationery suite arranged on a deep red damask-patterned fabric surface. The suite includes a white envelope with a hand-painted floral monogram wreath on its flap, and a 'Save the Weekend' card written in black calligraphy script, bordered with watercolor illustrations of pink and yellow flowers, green leaves, and small butterflies, announcing the marriage of Miya and Louie in Paris, France on 08.05.23. The stationery is styled with scattered loose pink rose petals, small green hydrangea ball blooms, and deep red tassel or fringe decorative elements in the corners, creating a garden-inspired, romantic aesthetic with a rich, jewel-toned color palette.
Aesthetic
Refined, Historic
Guest Count
-
Budget Range
-
Bride's Dress
Kim Kassas Couture gown

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