Olive Groves and a 1655 Chapel at Chateau de Grimaldi, Provence

Priscilla and Jonathan's wedding weekend at Chateau de Grimaldi near Aix-en-Provence featured a 1655 chapel, al fresco dining, and photos by Ian Holmes.

By Elena Moretti | Published 11 May 2020

Olive Groves and a 1655 Chapel at Chateau de Grimaldi, Provence

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Priscilla and Jonathan gathered family and friends for a destination wedding weekend at Chateau de Grimaldi, set among olive groves and sun-warmed gardens near Aix-en-Provence. Planned by Lucie Till Weddings and captured by Ian Holmes, the celebration moved from a 1655 chapel ceremony to al fresco dining beneath Provencal stars.

Photography

Ian Holmes

Venue

Chateau de Grimaldi

Region

Provence, France

Couple

Priscilla & Jonathan

Ceremony

Black-and-white wide shot of a bride and groom exiting a stone chapel after their ceremony, walking through a confetti or petal send-off tunnel formed by approximately 20-25 guests on either side. The bride is laughing and wearing a full-length ballgown with a flowing skirt, carrying a round bouquet, while the groom wears a dark tuxedo with a bow tie and boutonniere. The chapel entrance features a rounded Romanesque stone archway in the background, suggesting a historic French church or chateau chapel. The image has strong contrast with bright highlights and deep shadows, and captures a candid, joyful moment mid-stride.

The Saturday ceremony took place in Chateau de Grimaldi's chapel, built in 1655, where centuries of stories seemed to live within the stone walls. Soft light streamed through arched windows, illuminating flowers in natural tones arranged by Jonathan Vessiere. As vows were exchanged, the intimacy of the space held every guest close.

Bridal Portraits

A couple shares a kiss during outdoor wedding portraits on a gravel path lined with blooming lavender bushes. The bride wears a sleeveless, fitted white gown with a short train and has long, wavy dark hair worn down; the groom wears a black tuxedo with satin side-stripe trousers and a small white boutonniere on his lapel. The setting appears to be a Provençal garden or estate grounds, with olive trees and tall pines visible in the soft, bright background. The shot is a full-length portrait with a classic, light-toned film-style finish.

The bride and groom are navigating stone garden steps together in an outdoor portrait shot, with the groom helping guide the bride down carefully. The setting is a formal garden landscape featuring tall umbrella pine trees, olive trees, and flowering shrubs. The bride wears a white sleeveless ball gown with a full skirt and carries a white and green bouquet, while the groom is dressed in a black tuxedo with a bow tie. The composition is a wide environmental portrait with soft, even natural lighting and a classic, clean styling aesthetic.

A couple portrait taken outdoors on a gravel pathway lined with purple lavender on both sides. The bride wears a white A-line gown with a V-neckline and carries a round bouquet of white flowers with greenery, while the groom wears a black tuxedo with a bow tie and a small white boutonniere. The two are walking hand-in-hand along the path, looking at each other, with tall umbrella pines and silver-leafed shrubs visible in the background. The image is a medium full-length shot with soft, bright natural light giving it an airy, light-toned quality consistent with a film or film-inspired style.

Priscilla posed against the sun-warmed stone terraces and olive groves of Chateau de Grimaldi, the Provencal light lending each portrait a warm, golden quality. Her gown moved softly in the breeze as cicadas hummed in the background, the setting feeling both cinematic and deeply natural. Ian Holmes captured the bride with the quiet ease that defined the entire weekend.

Reception

A black-and-white image of a couple making their grand exit at night, walking through a tunnel of lit sparklers held by two rows of guests. The bride wears an off-the-shoulder ball gown and the groom is dressed in a classic black tuxedo with bow tie; both are smiling and walking hand in hand. Approximately 30–40 guests line the path on a gravel driveway in front of what appears to be a chateau or manor building visible in the background. The sparklers create bright, high-contrast light trails against the dark night sky, giving the image strong tonal contrast typical of nighttime B&W photography. Wide shot with the couple centered in the frame.

Friday's welcome dinner beneath the palace ruins set the tone with long tables under string lights and wine flowing into the warm evening. Saturday's reception unfolded in front of the main house, where guests dined al fresco beneath a canopy of light before dancing carried late into the night. Sunday's poolside brunch with pizza and conversation closed a weekend that felt effortlessly Provencal.

Flat Lays

Close-up flat lay detail shot of two dusty blue velvet ring boxes displayed side by side on a muted grey textile surface. The top box holds a solitaire engagement ring featuring an oval-cut diamond on a white gold band with pavé-set stones along the shoulders. The bottom box contains two rose gold wedding bands, one of which appears to have an open, cutout initial or monogram design. The soft blue velvet of the boxes provides a cohesive color palette tying both pieces together.

A collage of nine images from a French wedding at what appears to be a historic Provençal estate with partially ruined stone architecture. Top left shows a long outdoor reception table set with gray linen runners, tall floral centerpieces with white blooms, glassware, and natural wood cross-back chairs, arranged in a garden setting. Top center is a flat lay detail of escort cards rolled in kraft paper tied with twine, lined up in rows with small bud vases holding pink and white flowers. Top right is an aerial wide shot of the estate grounds showing a partially ruined stone chateau, manicured gardens, a pool area, and terracotta roofing — potential venue feature image. Middle left is a wide portrait of the bride and groom kissing on a lavender-lined path, the bride in a white gown with a long train and the groom in a black tuxedo. Center middle is a close-up portrait of the couple, the bride smiling with the groom leaning close, she wears a strapless white gown. Middle right is a flat lay detail of a place setting on a rustic wood table featuring a white plate with a printed menu card, silverware, glassware, and a low centerpiece of pink, white, and lavender blooms with a small potted lavender plant and amber votive candles. Bottom left is a nighttime wide shot of the wedding party and guests holding sparklers, rendered in a dark, high-contrast style. Bottom center is a wide outdoor shot of the ceremony setup on a lawn with white wooden chairs arranged in rows facing the stone ruins. Bottom right shows the bride and groom kissing at the altar during the ceremony, flanked by guests, with large antique oil paintings hanging on stone walls in the background.

Close-up detail shot of a wedding reception place setting on a bare wooden farm table. The setting includes a white charger plate with a printed menu card featuring a hand-drawn heart motif and a sprig of fresh rosemary clipped to it, flanked by silver flatware. A small linen drawstring favor bag with a kraft tag sits beside the plate. Centerpiece elements visible include a wood slice riser holding a glass vase with blush pink roses, pink carnations, and green foliage, a small concrete pot with dried blue lavender, a gold hammered metal tealight votive, a white pillar candle, and two empty wine glasses. The overall styling theme is rustic-Provençal with a palette of blush pink, blue-purple lavender, gold, and white accents.

Aerial shot of an outdoor wedding reception setup in a stone courtyard, likely at a French chateau or historic estate. Three long banquet tables are arranged in parallel rows, dressed with pale blue-grey linen runners and topped with white and pale green floral centerpieces spaced evenly along their length. Tan/cognac-colored rattan or wicker chairs line both sides of each table, accommodating a large number of guests. String lights are strung overhead across the courtyard, and potted trees and mature green foliage frame the space. The building facade visible at the top of the frame features pale turquoise-blue shuttered windows. Potential venue feature image.

Detail shots revealed the collaboration between Jonathan the groom and floral designer Jonathan Vessiere: rustic textures layered with modern polish against Provencal stone. Place cards, menus, and favour boxes rested on linen-covered surfaces alongside candle groupings and olive branches. Each vignette carried the authenticity and warmth that defined the weekend's visual language.