A Riviera Celebration at Chateau de la Messardiere, Saint-Tropez

Jodie and Tariq's wedding at Chateau de la Messardiere in Saint-Tropez, with a Galia Lahav gown, bay-view ceremony, and Mediterranean gardens. Photos by Christophe Serrano.

By Elena Moretti | Published 9 July 2018

A Riviera Celebration at Chateau de la Messardiere, Saint-Tropez

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Jodie and Tariq returned to the South of France where their story began, exchanging vows at Chateau de la Messardiere overlooking the bay of Saint-Tropez. Christophe Serrano captured the celebration with his hybrid film-and-digital approach, blending textures of light and shadow across the 19th-century chateau's ten hectares of landscaped gardens.

Photography

Venue

Chateau de la Messardiere

Region

French Riviera, France

Couple

Jodie & Tariq

Getting Ready

A couples portrait taken outdoors on a gravel path surrounded by garden greenery in bright natural daylight. The groom stands behind the bride with his arms wrapped around her waist, both smiling broadly at the camera. He wears a cobalt blue suit with a white dress shirt, and she wears a fitted ivory lace gown with spaghetti straps, a sweetheart neckline, and chandelier earrings with her hair loosely styled. The shot is a medium portrait framed from roughly the knees up, with the background softly blurred.

A bridal portrait of a smiling bride leaning against a white wall or door frame in a bright, naturally lit indoor setting, likely during a getting-ready moment. She wears a fitted ivory lace gown with a sweetheart neckline and thin beaded straps, paired with a delicate diamond tennis bracelet, a ring, and drop earrings. Her dark brunette hair is styled in loose waves swept to one side, and she has her arms crossed lightly in front of her. The composition is a close-up portrait shot with soft, bright backlighting from a nearby window creating a light, airy feel.

A black-and-white group portrait of seven bridesmaids standing in a loose row indoors, laughing and socializing while holding champagne flutes. The image has bright, high-key tones with soft contrast, suggesting a well-lit interior room, likely during a getting-ready moment. All bridesmaids wear matching floor-length satin slip-style dresses with draped shoulder details, consistent in a light tone that reads as champagne or blush based on the fabric sheen visible in the monochrome image. The mood is candid and lively, captured as a medium wide shot from a slight angle.

Jodie prepared in a bright room with large windows, captured in a black-and-white portrait from behind that emphasized the delicate lines of her gown. The bride's couture lace gown by Galia Lahav, with its flowing silhouette, was laid out alongside accessories in the chateau's elegant interior. Warm natural light fell across the preparation space, lending a sense of quiet composure.

Ceremony

A black-and-white image of a bride walking down the aisle accompanied by an older man, likely her father, during an outdoor ceremony. The bride is wearing a lace gown and carrying a round bouquet, and she is smiling as she approaches. The ceremony is set in what appears to be a courtyard or terrace with arched architectural features visible in the background, with white chairs lining the aisle and approximately 20–30 seated and standing guests visible on both sides, several of whom are photographing the procession. The shot is taken from behind the groom in the foreground, creating a point-of-view perspective with shallow depth of field that places the approaching bride in sharp focus against the softly blurred crowd.

The outdoor ceremony took place on a wide terrace with white chairs arranged on both sides, approximately eighty guests watching as the couple stood before a panoramic view of the glistening bay. Sunshine poured over the terraces as palms and Provencal air framed the vows. The decor remained simple and refined, allowing the chateau's architecture and coastal landscape to carry the scene.

Bridal Portraits

A bridal portrait of a bride leaning against a white interior wall in a bright, airy room with large windows allowing soft natural light to fill the space. She wears a fitted, figure-hugging ivory lace gown with a sweetheart neckline, thin spaghetti straps with crystal detailing, and a floor-length train. Her dark wavy hair is worn down, and she stands with arms crossed and a relaxed smile. In the background, a gold-framed French-style chair with a cream upholstered seat is partially visible. The overall styling is classic and refined, with a soft, bright tonal palette throughout. Full-length portrait shot.

A black-and-white portrait of a bride and an older man, likely her father, sharing a candid laugh together indoors against a bright white wall near a wooden door. The bride is wearing a fitted lace wedding dress with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline, and is holding a champagne flute in one hand. The man is dressed in a dark suit with a light-colored tie and a patterned pocket square, and is holding a pair of sunglasses in his hand. The image is shot in a mid-length portrait style with high contrast and bright, airy tones.

A couple portrait taken outdoors on a gravel path surrounded by Mediterranean garden landscaping, with tall umbrella pine trees visible in the background. The groom wears a cornflower blue suit with a light blue tie and a small blue floral boutonniere, while the bride wears a fitted ivory lace gown with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline, accessorized with a delicate hair piece and bracelet. The two stand close together with foreheads nearly touching, smiling at each other in a candid, relaxed pose. The image is a medium-length portrait shot with warm natural afternoon light and a soft, film-style finish.

The couple walked hand-in-hand along a gravel path through lush Mediterranean garden landscaping, with tall umbrella pine trees rising behind them. Jodie's Galia Lahav gown caught the light as they moved through the chateau grounds. The portraits balanced editorial poise with genuine warmth, the Riviera coastline visible in the distant background.

Design and Details

An outdoor terrace scene with two cream-colored sun loungers positioned on terracotta tile flooring, with a small white side table between them holding glassware. A decorative wrought-iron armillary sphere sculpture is visible in the upper right corner, and an ornate scrolled metal railing borders the terrace. The wide-angle shot looks out over an expansive view of forested hills and a bay with sailboats visible in the distance. No people or wedding party are present in this image. Potential venue feature image.

Wide shot of a chateau-style venue building featuring pale peach rendered walls, two conical-roofed turrets with slate-grey caps, decorative crenellations, and ornate wrought-iron balconies. In the foreground, white market umbrellas and outdoor seating are visible, suggesting a terrace or cocktail area, along with a sculptural metal sundial or armillary sphere. No people are visible in the frame. Potential venue feature image.

Close-up detail shot of a bridal bouquet resting in a small clear glass vase on a light wood surface. The compact, rounded bouquet is composed of white roses and abundant baby's breath, with the stems wrapped together. Natural window light illuminates the arrangement from behind, creating a soft, bright background. The styling is classic and minimal, with an all-white floral palette.

A detail close-up shot of a pair of silver strappy heeled sandals placed on the seat of an ornate French Louis XV-style armchair with a distressed white and gold painted frame, carved wooden details, and a cream upholstered cushion. A decorative throw pillow with a red botanical leaf print leans against the chair's back. The chair sits on a worn hardwood floor near a bright window, lending soft natural light to the scene. The styling reflects a classic French vintage aesthetic.

The 19th-century chateau featured pale peach rendered walls with conical-roofed turrets capped in slate grey, creating a distinctive silhouette against the Mediterranean sky. Ornamental grasses and low plantings in the foreground added texture to the wide venue grounds. The property's blend of history, art, and coastal beauty provided a naturally cinematic backdrop.

Flat Lays

A getting-ready detail shot of a bridal gown hanging from a hanger in front of a large multi-pane window, backlit by natural light. The dress is a champagne and ivory spaghetti-strap slip-style gown with lace overlay detailing on the bodice and hem, featuring a slight train. On either side of the window sit two gold-framed French-style armchairs with light grey upholstery and white cushions printed with a red botanical motif. The wide shot composition frames the dress symmetrically between the two chairs, with a rooftop view and distant treeline visible through the window.

A close-up detail shot of a bride seated on a light-colored upholstered bench or sofa in an indoor setting with wood flooring. The image focuses on her ivory lace wedding dress, which features an intricate all-over paisley and scroll lace pattern with a flowing train pooling on the floor. Her hands rest in her lap, showing a delicate pearl or diamond bracelet and an engagement ring, with neatly manicured nails. She wears white strappy heeled sandals visible at the lower left of the frame.

A detail flat-lay shot showing wedding or event stationery and accessories arranged on a surface. Multiple white-framed cards or menus with pink handwritten-style calligraphy text are displayed alongside small cream-colored fabric favor pouches tied with ivory ribbon. In the foreground, a miniature white tulle flower girl dress hangs from a small hanger, featuring a fitted bodice with a full layered tulle skirt. A warm wood-toned frame holds one of the printed cards at center. The overall palette is ivory, cream, and soft blush, suggesting a classic or romantic styling theme.

Close-up detail shot of wedding stationery or keepsake frames laid out on a white satin-draped surface, likely during a getting-ready or preparation phase. Multiple white and gold-framed pieces are displayed, each appearing to contain handwritten or printed text with coral/rose-colored calligraphy headings — the closest frame is legible with the name 'Daisy' and decorative botanical motifs. Each frame has a small ivory ribbon or fabric bow attached as a decorative accent. The overall palette is ivory, white, and gold with coral script details, suggesting a classic and refined styling approach. The background shows gold drapery, indicating an indoor setting.

A ten-image collage captured the full scope of the Riviera celebration: the pale yellow chateau exterior with its blue sky backdrop, close-up bridal details, and ceremony wide shots overlooking the bay. Stationery, jewelry, and the Galia Lahav gown's intricate lacework were arranged in detailed flat lays. Eight bridesmaids in coordinated gowns posed together in the Mediterranean garden.