A Colorful Wedding at Chateau de Bagnols

From Azur blue sky to lush green surroundings, the Beaujolais region has so much to offer. Vineyards are of course what first comes to mind when you think of this wonderful corner of France, but it’s also a great and romantic destination to get married. Photographer Sylvain Bouzat captured every moment of this beautiful day, creating imagery that rivals the beauty of the location. This French-Brazilian wedding occurred on July 9th, 2022 at the Château de Bagnols, a beautiful 5-star establishment on a beautiful sunny summer day.

Our story and the proposal

Maria Claudia is Brazilian and Lawrence is French. They met in Paris in January 2014 and spent 2 years apart while Maria finished her medical studies in Rio de Janeiro before she could come to live in Paris in 2016.

Our song, “Home is wherever I’m with you, ” reminds us that despite the distance that separated us, we did everything to be together. For the proposal in June 2020, Lawrence made a surprise video in which he filmed himself with a marriage proposal (in French or Portuguese) in all the places in Paris where they regularly go. The video goes back in time and we discover that Lawrence was secretly filming himself and proposing to Maria (sometimes even while she was right next to him) for several years during all their trips or important moments in their lives (moves, weddings of friends…).

Inspirations, decoration ideas, and DIY

The theme of our wedding was MARACUJA (passion fruit) and LAVENDER. These are two products that symbolize us and represent our 2 countries (one Brazilian and colourful, the other French and delicate). We also incorporate our initials (MC & L). So, the colours of our wedding were peach/pastel orange and lavender/lilac. These two complimentary colours created the most vibrant effect for our decoration.

The best memory of the day

We were so excited for this day to finally arrive. Everything had been carefully planned, and we couldn’t wait to share this moment with our friends and family. On the wedding day, the sky was a beautiful blue, and the sun was shining brightly. We held the secular ceremony near the large pool, surrounded by trees. We decorated the place with colourful flowers, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere.

We were both moved when we saw our friends and family gathered to celebrate our wedding. The speeches of our loved ones were touching and sincere. There were tears of joy and bursts of laughter. It was an unforgettable moment that we will cherish forever. And then, the long-awaited moment of the huge fireworks display came. We were so excited! We watched the fireworks light up the sky, surrounded by our loved ones. We were in our bubble, absorbing every magical moment.

After the fireworks, we danced under the stars, celebrating our love and union surrounded by our friends and family. It was a fantastic evening that we will never forget.

Can you tell us about the photographer who was with you on your wedding day? What were your emotions when you first saw your photos?

We really appreciated that in addition to taking beautiful, original, and very well-crafted photos, Sylvain knew how to put us at ease. He has a discreet and caring presence, not only with us but with all our guests. He knows how to adapt to every situation and every guest. He really managed to capture all the most important and emotional moments of the wedding, without us noticing. The final result is truly incredible, with sincere photos, on the fly, but also very high-end with a lot of emotion.

We would recommend him 100% without hesitation!

Can you give us a price range and/or what were the most important items in your total wedding budget?

We had 200 guests. The most important budget items were the rental of the castle and the caterer.

Where did you go for your honeymoon and what are your best memories?

We were very excited for our honeymoon in the Maldives. We had planned this trip for months and were eagerly anticipating experiencing the natural beauty of this paradise.

We were greeted with warm smiles and fragrant flowers as soon as we landed. Our tour guide took us directly to our room, which was located on a private beach with a stunning view of the ocean. The room was tastefully decorated, with dark wood furniture and soft white linens. We were in awe of the beauty of the place. The next morning, we woke up early for our first scuba dive. We saw colourful coral, tropical fish, and even manta rays. It was an incredible experience that we will never forget.

During our stay, we also enjoyed the many activities at the hotel, including relaxing massages and romantic dinners on the beach. We even took a boat to explore nearby islands and discover the local culture.

Our honeymoon in the Maldives was one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. We created memories that will last a lifetime and returned home happy and relaxed, ready to start our life together as newlyweds.