Black Gowns and Gothic Arches at Les Dominicains de Haute-Alsace, Grand Est

The ceremony unfolded at a grand Baroque-style church near Guebwiller, with Corinthian columns, a deep red carpet runner, and an ornate carved apse. Elif Mengene captured the full scene from the back of the nave: the couple at the altar, the organ filling the space, guests lining the pews on both sides. Outside, guests threw rice as Lea and Vincent walked through the crowd.

Lea wore an ivory structured gown with a voluminous satin cape that moved with real drama on the stone pathways outside the monastery. Elif Mengene shifted between looks: a strapless silhouette with an oversized wrap and a more fluid slip-style dress. Her bouquet by Darina Rieffel featured white anthurium blooms, trailing amaranthus, and dark green ivy.

Back at Les Dominicains, Elif Mengene used both the interior spaces and formal gardens. Inside, the couple stood beneath Gothic lancet windows where afternoon light poured through leaded glass, and beside stone archways with centuries-old frescoes. Outside, the rose garden offered something different entirely: red, pink, and white blooms with long paved pathways where Elif let them walk and talk.

Three bridesmaids in floor-length black gowns carried white paper parasols that struck a sharp contrast against manicured gardens and green lawns. The groom matched the mood in a black tuxedo with shawl lapels and French cuffs. Elif Mengene shot several group portraits in black and white, which suited the contrast perfectly.

The main hall held long banquet tables in a U-shaped layout dressed in white linen with clear glassware and brass candleholders, beneath soaring pointed arches and large-scale medieval frescoes. The couple made their entrance through a stone doorway, and their first dance took place beneath the vaulted ceiling. By the time speeches started, warm uplighting against aged stone had turned the room from monument to celebration.

Darina Rieffel placed green heirloom tomatoes around tall chrome candlestick holders and arranged green pears among the centrepieces alongside low bowls of anthurium, amaranthus, and mossy greenery. The effect was more still-life painting than typical wedding table. Flore and Zephyr rings and calligraphy name cards completed the composition, while dry-ice mist drifted across the frescoed hall.