Dried White Flowers and a Staircase Ceremony at Château du Prieuré

The gown, by Vanessa Lauriola, was long and white. A deep V-neckline and elbow-length sleeves shaped the top, and a broad band marked the waist. With it went a white bouquet of ranunculus and other blooms, long white strands trailing below.

The suit, from Faubourg Saint Sulpice, was white to match, and the black bow tie and black shoes worn with it were the darkest pieces in either look.

The reception table was laid in front of the niche and its classical statue, between two wall sconces. A white cloth fell almost to the ground, and pillar candles of different heights stood along it beside three domed lamps and clear glasses. The flowers were sparer here than on the steps, single white stems in small clear vases between the candles. On a white plate lay a printed menu, part of the stationery by 5 Janvier.

Elixir Traiteur's canapés were set out on picks on a small tray, and layered bites topped with orange were raised on a white plinth. The cake, by Maison Maylee, stood on a white table in front of white drapes: low and white, its sides covered in ruffles.

The ceremony was arranged on the château's curved staircase, with white chairs on the lawn below and tall white sculptural installations on either side of the steps. The arch there was a change made on the day: everything was moved, and the arch was redesigned around the staircase.

The brief for the flowers, by Fragments de Jardins, was no green and no visible stems. Fresh ranunculus were mixed with naturally white dried flowers. On the steps, white clusters spilled down with fan-shaped palm leaves and long trailing strands among the blooms.

The ceremony itself was short. With Marie-Alissandre Delafontaine as officiant, it was kept to a few chosen words about Cindy and Chris's relationship, followed by an exchange of rings.

Château du Prieuré d'Évecquemont is a neoclassical Louis XVI folie in the village of Évecquemont, in the Vexin français, less than 40 km from central Paris. It stands in 1.5 hectares of enclosed parkland with century-old trees, and its columned peristyle is suited to ceremonies and welcome drinks.

The house is hired exclusively for weddings of up to 70 guests, with 12 rooms and suites on site. It appears among our château wedding venues near Paris, and our guide to wedding venues in Île-de-France covers the wider region.