Candlelit Spring Intimacy at a Private Villa in Bordeaux

Alyssa and Ben's intimate spring wedding at a private Bordeaux villa featured olive-tree vows, candlelit dining, and photography by Awardweddings.

By Elena Moretti | Published 27 April 2020

Candlelit Spring Intimacy at a Private Villa in Bordeaux

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Alyssa and Ben, both wine lovers, chose a private villa in Bordeaux for their intimate spring destination wedding. Planned and photographed by Clementine and Mark of Awardweddings, the celebration paired olive-tree vows with candlelit French dining in a setting that felt personal, warm, and effortlessly refined.

Photography

Awardweddings

Venue

Private Villa in Bordeaux

Region

Bordeaux, France

Couple

Ivy & James

Ceremony

A couple shares a close embrace at the altar during or just after an outdoor evening ceremony, set in a garden with mature trees and greenery. The aisle is lined with scattered blush and white rose petals alongside glass hurricane candle holders containing large white pillar candles, creating warm ambient lighting throughout the space. The bride wears a fitted white gown with a white fur or feather wrap over her shoulders and carries a small bouquet, while the groom is dressed in a dark suit; a black-framed arch draped with sheer ivory fabric is visible behind them. The composition is a depth-of-field shot taken from ground level, with the candles and rose petals sharp in the foreground and the couple softly blurred in the background, emphasizing the candlelit decor in a classic, romantic evening ceremony style.

Beneath a single olive tree in the villa's courtyard, Alyssa and Ben exchanged personal vows crafted with celebrant Michelle of Ruffled by Grace. Petals lined the aisle and flickering candles deepened the mood as guests stood close in the intimate garden setting. The ceremony wove together their different faith backgrounds with warmth and sincerity.

Bridal Portraits

A couple portrait taken outdoors on a cobblestone street in front of a large dark charcoal-grey double door with ornate ironwork and a fanlight above. The bride wears a fitted, lace or beaded white gown with a short train and has her blonde hair pinned up with a small decorative hair accessory; she holds a bouquet of autumnal flowers in terracotta, rust, peach, and dusty orange tones with greenery and eucalyptus. The groom wears a dark brown suit with a light blush-pink tie and has his arm around the bride's waist, smiling down at her. The setting has a classic Parisian or southern French urban character, with ivy climbing the warm sandstone wall beside the doorway. Medium portrait shot, slightly from behind the bride, capturing both figures at full length.

A couple portrait taken outdoors on a cobblestone street lined with classic French limestone buildings featuring shuttered windows and wrought-iron balconies. The bride wears a fitted, floor-length ivory lace gown and carries a loose bouquet featuring dusty pink and coral blooms with eucalyptus and mixed greenery. The groom is dressed in a charcoal grey suit with a pale pink tie. The two are walking hand-in-hand and smiling at each other. The shot is a medium-length portrait with a shallow depth of field, with the architecture softly blurred in the background, giving the urban street scene a warm, golden tone.

A bride and groom are walking together through a cobblestone city square or plaza, shot from behind in a wide environmental portrait. The setting is an urban French city center with classic Haussmann-style limestone buildings lining the street. The bride wears a white gown with a white fur or faux-fur wrap stole, and the groom is in a dark suit. Strong golden backlighting creates a warm sun flare effect across the scene. Several passersby are visible, including a man on a bicycle to the left, giving the image a candid, documentary feel. The composition is a wide shot that emphasizes the urban surroundings as much as the couple.

A bride and groom stand together on a sidewalk in front of a closed French antique and decoration shop called 'Antiquités Décoration Viviane Morier,' with shuttered storefronts and a weathered facade visible behind them. The groom wears a dark charcoal suit with a tie, and the bride wears a slim, ivory gown and holds a small bouquet with greenery and what appear to be neutral-toned blooms. The couple is positioned centrally in a wide environmental portrait shot that deliberately frames them against the peeling paint, rolled awnings, and aged urban streetscape of a French town. The styling is understated and the urban location gives the portrait a candid, editorial feel.

Against the warm stone and cobbled streets of Bordeaux, the couple paused for portraits that captured their quiet connection. Spring light softened each frame as they walked arm in arm through the city's historic lanes. The bride's gown caught the late afternoon glow, its clean lines complementing the aged architecture around them.

Reception

A wedding reception dinner table setup photographed in a wide shot inside a rustic stone-walled venue with exposed wooden beam ceilings and an iron staircase railing. The long dark wood farm table is set for approximately 14 guests, with white plates, folded white napkins, multiple wine glasses per setting, and scattered pillar and votive candles providing warm, low ambient lighting. The table runner features dark foliage, small dried or neutral-toned floral elements, and wine bottles placed along the center. Bentwood chairs line both sides of the table. In the background, a lounge area with a grey sofa and additional candles lining the staircase steps creates a moody, intimate atmosphere consistent with a rustic or industrial-chic styling theme.

A couple stands together at a cake table during an indoor wedding reception, reacting with laughter and delight as sparkler candles ignite on a round cake decorated with small fruits. The groom wears a charcoal grey suit with a blush tie and holds a glass of red wine, while the bride wears a fitted sleeveless ivory lace gown with a V-neckline. The setting is a rustic interior space with exposed wooden ceiling beams, warm amber-toned walls, and candlelight visible on shelves in the background. A champagne bottle and glasses are placed on the white-clothed table beside the cake. The portrait-style shot is taken at medium distance with warm, low ambient lighting giving the scene a golden tone.

Inside the villa's dining room, a long candlelit table glowed with floral garlands in rust, amber, and cream tones that echoed the season. Maison Dulou Traiteur served a refined French menu paired with regional Bordeaux wines, each course sparking easy conversation. The evening carried a warmth that matched the spring air drifting through open windows.

Flat Lays

A close-up detail shot of a cocktail hour food station set up indoors, featuring a wooden board with bite-sized rolled canapés garnished with black sesame seeds, alongside a dark glass bottle and additional appetizers on a second wooden board in the background. A clear glass vase holds a loose arrangement of coral and orange garden roses with eucalyptus foliage, placed on a warm-toned wooden surface. The room is dimly lit with warm amber lighting, creating a moody atmosphere, and two guests — a man in a dark suit and a woman — are visible but out of focus in the background near what appears to be a bar area. The overall decor palette is dark and warm, with a modern, intimate styling approach.

A detail shot of a wedding reception tablescape in a dimly lit indoor venue with rustic stone walls. The long wooden dining table is styled with a greenery and mixed floral runner featuring terracotta and rust-toned blooms, scattered pillar candles in varying heights, crystal glassware including wine glasses and champagne flutes, white ceramic plates with folded linen napkins, and wine bottles placed along the table. The dominant background feature is a large circular neon halo light mounted on a textured plaster wall, casting a warm amber glow across the entire scene. The overall styling theme is moody and modern-rustic, with the candlelight and neon circle creating a warm, low-light atmosphere throughout the frame.

Close-up detail shot of a pair of cream-colored Badgley Mischka pointed-toe heels displayed upright on a dark surface, photographed against a bright window background. The shoes feature gold metallic heel hardware and are accessorized with a delicate pearl strand bracelet draped inside one shoe and a small gold drop earring with a pearl accent resting against the other. The overall color palette is cream, gold, and ivory, suggesting a classic bridal styling aesthetic. The image is softly backlit with a shallow depth of field, giving the foreground shoe sharp focus while the background is gently blurred.

Close-up detail shot of a catering display at what appears to be a wedding cocktail hour or reception. A wooden tiered tray holds dozens of miniature savory or sweet cones in varied colors — dark chocolate, terracotta red, green, and natural — each filled with small toppings or fillings including creamy and colorful garnishes. Additional mini cones are arranged on a separate tray to the right, and a glass vessel holding thin wafer lollipops on skewers is visible in the background alongside a platter of other canapés. The display is set on a white-clothed table and lit with warm ambient lighting, suggesting an indoor evening reception setting. The warm golden tones of the wooden board and cone bases create a cohesive rustic-modern catering aesthetic.

Detail shots revealed the day's considered styling: cream draping pooling onto courtyard stone, flickering candles grouped in varying heights, and place settings dressed with seasonal foliage. Stationery and table numbers in warm neutral tones sat against wooden surfaces, while petals scattered along the ceremony aisle completed the intimate tableau.