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French Wedding Style

A Floral-Filled Wedding Weekend at Chateau Rigaud, Bordeaux

Nicky and Stan's four-day wedding at Chateau Rigaud in Bordeaux with 72 guests, pastel florals, Romanesque church vows, and a Sassi Holford gown among vineyards.

By Elena Moretti | Published 27 April 2015
A Floral-Filled Wedding Weekend at Chateau Rigaud, Bordeaux

Nicky and Stan hosted seventy-two guests for a four-day celebration at Chateau Rigaud in Dordogne. Pastel florals, a vintage Citroen Traction Avant, and a Romanesque stone church anchored a wedding where rustic French charm met deeply personal detail across every terrace and courtyard.

Photography
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Venue
Château Rigaud
Region
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Couple
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Getting Ready

A getting-ready scene captured indoors, showing a bride being assisted by two bridesmaids as a white sash or ribbon is tied around her waist. The bride wears a strapless ball gown with a lace and floral appliqué bodice and a full tulle skirt, with her blonde hair styled in an updo. The two visible bridesmaids are dressed in floor-length blush pink gowns. The room features a rustic wooden mirror frame, a patterned area rug, and stone wall details visible in the background, suggesting a chateau or mas-style venue. The shot is a medium portrait taken from a doorway, with soft natural light illuminating the scene.
A bridal portrait of a single bride photographed outdoors against a softly blurred stone building backdrop. She wears a fitted ivory strapless gown with a draped or ruched bodice and a long plain-edge cathedral or elbow-length veil, and a solitaire ring is visible on her hand. Her dark auburn hair is styled in a loose half-up look with side-swept bangs, and she is glancing downward with a smile. The composition is a three-quarter-length portrait shot with a shallow depth of field, taken in natural daylight.
A bridal portrait taken outdoors in an open field with tall wild grass. The bride, a blonde woman with her hair loosely styled down, is turned slightly away from the camera and laughing over her shoulder. She wears a strapless ivory ballgown with a lace bodice, full tulle skirt, and a satin bow at the waist. She holds a compact bouquet of white peonies with dusty miller foliage, along with a large pink oversized balloon on a pink ribbon. The styling has a light, whimsical feel with a soft pastel palette. Medium portrait shot with a shallow depth of field, softly blurring the background.

Nicky prepared in the chateau's bright interior, her Sassi Holford gown combining timeless structure with romantic detail. The bridal party gathered in an open field of tall wild grass for relaxed, wind-swept portraits. Stan's classic attire paired effortlessly with the natural textures of the French countryside around them.

Ceremony

Wedding guests gather outside a Romanesque stone church following what appears to be a ceremony, with approximately 30–40 people mingling on the gravel forecourt. The church features characteristic rounded apse architecture, arched blind arcading, and a small bell tower, typical of medieval French religious buildings. The bride is visible in a full white ballgown and the guests are dressed in formal attire, including dark suits and colourful occasion dresses. The image is a wide exterior shot taken from a slight distance, capturing both the full scale of the church building and the crowd below. Potential venue feature image.
The bride and groom stand facing each other during what appears to be an indoor ceremony, both smiling. The setting features warm stone walls consistent with a French chapel or historic stone building. The groom wears a black morning coat with grey striped trousers, a silver waistcoat, pale blue tie, and a white and pale green boutonnière. The bride wears a strapless ivory ballgown with beaded or lace detailing on the bodice, paired with a two-tier elbow-length veil. The shot is a medium portrait framing both figures from approximately the knees up, with soft natural light illuminating the scene.
A wedding ceremony is taking place inside a Romanesque stone chapel with a barrel-vaulted nave and cream-colored limestone arches. Approximately 30–40 guests are seated in wooden pews on either side of a central aisle, facing the altar where the couple and officiant are standing. The altar area is backlit with warm natural light, and a small floral arrangement in warm tones is visible near the front. The wide-angle shot is taken from the rear of the nave, capturing the full length of the aisle and the architectural details including framed religious artwork on the side walls.
Close-up detail shots of wedding ceremony floral arrangements in a two-image composite. The left image shows a tall pedestal arrangement mounted on wooden copper-toned stands inside what appears to be a church or chapel, featuring pink hydrangeas, chartreuse carnations or viburnum, hot pink spray roses, white blooms, and cascading eucalyptus and trailing greenery in a lush, garden-style arrangement. The right image shows a compact arrangement in a small grey zinc or concrete pot placed on a stone ledge, containing white peonies, blush and hot pink roses, purple bell-shaped flowers, white veronica or freesia spikes, and eucalyptus foliage. Both arrangements share a pink, white, and green color palette with a romantic garden-style aesthetic.

Guests gathered outside a Romanesque stone church for the ceremony, which carried all the warmth of a village celebration. The couple exchanged vows inside the ancient walls before emerging into sunlight and cheers. Seventy-two guests followed them through the courtyard as floral confetti filled the air.

Bridal Portraits

A couple portrait taken outdoors in an open meadow setting, with the bride and groom seated together on a weathered stone or concrete bench. The groom wears a dark navy suit with a light blue tie, and leans in toward the bride, who is dressed in a strapless white ballgown and holds a small bouquet of white flowers with greenery. Three oversized round balloons — one white and two in coral/blush pink — are tied with bright pink ribbon and held by the couple, floating above them. The styling is relaxed and playful with a soft pastel color palette. Medium-distance portrait shot with the couple centered in the frame against a backdrop of tall meadow grasses.
A couple portrait diptych taken outdoors in an open field with tall green grass. The bride wears a strapless white lace and tulle ballgown with a large white satin bow at the back, and carries a white and ivory bouquet. The groom wears a dark charcoal suit with a pale blue tie and a white boutonnière. In the left image, the couple leans foreheads together in a close romantic pose, captured as a mid-length shot. In the right image, the bride hugs the groom from behind and smiles directly at the camera in a closer portrait crop. The overall styling is classic and clean with a white and pale blue color palette.
A couple poses together in front of a vintage black Citroën Traction Avant with a French license plate (8513 TK 33), parked on a gravel driveway. The bride wears a strapless white ballgown with a full tulle skirt and holds a champagne flute, while the groom is dressed in a dark suit; they stand close together facing each other. The setting is an outdoor garden area with a tall trimmed hedge and trees in the background. The shot is a medium-wide portrait composition with soft, bright natural lighting.

Nicky and Stan posed in an open field of tall grass, her Sassi Holford gown catching the light as the Bordeaux countryside stretched behind them. The diptych portrait balanced romantic softness with the rustic energy of the setting, their connection visible in every frame.

Cocktail Hour

A split-image detail shot of outdoor cocktail hour drink stations at a garden wedding. On the left, a grey metal wheelbarrow is filled with ice and approximately 15 bottles of champagne with gold foil tops, styled as a rustic drinks display on a gravel surface. On the right, a large glass beverage dispenser with a silver spigot holds water with lemon slices and is elevated on a natural pine wood wine crate, adding a rustic, countryside styling touch. Both images are bright and airy with soft natural lighting.
A split-image composition featuring two detail shots from what appears to be an outdoor wedding reception. On the left, a white wrought-iron bistro table and two matching chairs are arranged on a gravel courtyard, with a small floral centerpiece of pink and cream blooms in a silver vessel placed on the table. On the right, a close-up shot shows freshly shucked oysters served on a decorative blue-and-white ceramic plate, suggesting a cocktail hour or appetizer course. The overall styling is classic French with a romantic, light-toned palette of whites and soft pinks.
A close-up shot of champagne being poured from a green bottle with a gold foil cap into a tall champagne flute during an outdoor cocktail hour. In the foreground, one hand holds the flute while another pours, with a gold watch and bracelet visible on the wrist of the person pouring. In the soft-focus background, a blonde bride in a white strapless gown is visible smiling, holding what appears to be a white bouquet, with at least one other guest in a dark suit partially visible beside her. The setting appears to be an outdoor garden or grounds area.

Outdoor cocktail stations featured infused water in glass bottles, displayed on white-clothed tables among garden greenery. Guests moved freely through the chateau's grounds as aperitifs were passed and the scent of lavender mixed with conversation. The relaxed pace allowed the four-day celebration to breathe between ceremony and dinner.

Reception

Indoor wedding reception setup inside a rustic barn venue with exposed wooden beam ceiling and whitewashed walls. Multiple round tables are dressed in white linen tablecloths with natural burlap or linen table runners, set with crystal glassware, silver cutlery, and small centerpieces featuring blush and hot pink roses with greenery in bud vases and pillar candles. White folding bistro-style chairs surround each table, and scattered pink flower petals decorate the place settings. Hanging floral chandeliers made from circular frames adorned with trailing greenery, cream and pink roses, and small candles are suspended from the ceiling beams, while a long ledge along the back wall is lined with rows of tea light candles creating a warm ambient glow. Wide shot capturing the full reception room with approximately six to eight tables visible. The overall decor palette is white, blush, and soft pink with natural greenery accents in a rustic-romantic style. Potential venue feature image.
The bride and groom share their first dance at an indoor reception inside a rustic barn or agricultural outbuilding with exposed wooden beam ceilings. The ceiling is draped with warm white fairy lights, and two hanging chandeliers wrapped in greenery and white flowers serve as the central lighting fixtures. Approximately 30 guests surround the couple on the dance floor, many holding champagne glasses and wine glasses, with bridesmaids visible in coral/peach and pink dresses. The bride wears a strapless white ball gown and the groom is in a dark suit. The wide-angle shot captures the full room, the warm amber lighting from the fairy lights and chandeliers creating a cozy atmosphere in the rustic venue with stone or plaster walls.
Close-up detail shots of wedding reception table decor presented as a diptych. On the left, a kraft paper table name card reading 'Cartier Polo' is held in a wire heart-shaped card holder, positioned among cream garden roses with soft bokeh lighting in the background. On the right, a silver/pewter pitcher holds pink hyacinths and white tulips as a centerpiece, accompanied by a tall glass pillar candle holder with a white candle, a small glass tealight holder, and additional silver bud vases, all arranged on a mirrored tray with a taupe table runner. The overall decor palette combines blush pink, cream, and silver metallic tones in a romantic classic style.
The bride and groom are cutting their wedding cake during an outdoor evening reception, with gold and cream paper confetti or ribbon streamers bursting around them mid-explosion. The bride wears a strapless ivory ballgown and the groom wears a charcoal grey suit with a satin lapel. The wedding cake is a small two-tiered red-hued cake decorated with berries and greenery, displayed on top of a rustic wooden wine barrel. Both the bride and groom are laughing and reacting with surprise to the confetti cannon. The setting appears to be an outdoor vineyard or winery venue, given the wine barrel display. The shot is a medium portrait taken at night with artificial lighting illuminating the couple and confetti against a dark background.

The reception hall was dressed with kraft paper heart-shaped name cards, wildflower arrangements, and soft candlelight against the stone walls. Dinner transitioned into speeches and dancing as the celebration expanded across the terrace. The evening's energy built steadily, carrying through to a late-night send-off beneath the vineyard stars.

Design and Details

A vintage black Citroën Traction Avant, a classic French automobile, is parked on a gravel driveway as a wedding car. The vehicle features chrome headlights, a chrome front grille with the Citroën chevron emblem, and a French license plate reading 8513 TK 33, indicating the Gironde department. No people are visible in the frame. The shot is a straight-on wide portrait of the car, captured in a light, film-style aesthetic with soft exposure.
Close-up detail shot of a bridal bouquet resting on a dark metal radiator in front of a window with natural backlight. The loosely arranged, garden-style bouquet includes a cream ranunculus as the focal flower, pink and magenta sweet peas, magenta clematis blooms, small white hyacinth-like clusters, dusty miller foliage, and green leaves. The stems are wrapped with natural twine in a rustic style. The overall color palette is pink, magenta, cream, and soft grey-green, consistent with a romantic, wildflower-inspired aesthetic.
A split close-up detail shot showing two styled vignettes from what appears to be an outdoor or semi-outdoor wedding with a rustic, garden-inspired theme. On the left, a vintage silver teapot holds a loose arrangement of white astilbe, pink roses, and greenery, placed on a dark wood surface alongside a printed wedding program featuring a tree illustration and the names Stan and Nicky. On the right, two terracotta pots — one containing fresh green herbs and one filled with deep purple oxalis flowers — are displayed on a weathered wood log slice used as a natural riser. The overall decor palette combines silver, blush pink, deep purple, and natural wood tones, suggesting a romantic rustic styling approach.
Close-up detail shot of a three-tier naked chocolate wedding cake displayed on a white ceramic cake stand with a white doily, set on a rustic wooden surface. Each tier is wrapped with wide hot pink satin ribbon and decorated between layers with fresh berries including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, red currants, and white currants. The top tier is finished with a generous cluster of mixed berries, red currants, white currants, and a sprig of fresh rosemary. A small arrangement of cream-colored flowers and lavender is tucked beside the base tier. The overall styling is rustic with a bold berry and hot pink color palette.

A vintage black Citroen Traction Avant on the gravel driveway anchored the design's French countryside character. Floral arrangements carried pastel tones through every space, from the ceremony arch to the reception tables, while the natural textures of stone, wood, and wildflower complemented the estate's vineyard setting.

Flat Lays

Close-up detail shot of a wedding decor vignette styled in a vintage literary theme. A small round clear glass bud vase holds a loose arrangement of blush pink ranunculus, coral tulips, dusty miller, and delicate white astilbe, placed atop two stacked antique leather-bound books with gold embossed spines in warm brown tones. Three additional aged hardcover books with tan and gold spines stand upright beside them, all arranged on a dark walnut wooden side table with a visible ring drawer pull. The overall palette is blush, coral, and soft green with warm brown vintage accents, consistent with a romantic, book-lover or garden-inspired wedding styling.
A two-panel detail shot of an indoor barn reception space decorated in a romantic rustic style with a soft pink and white palette. The left panel shows a close-up of a tablescape featuring white pillar candles on glass candleholders, small glass vases with blush hydrangeas and pink roses, tea lights, and a wire heart-shaped table number holder displaying a handwritten card. The right panel shows a white hoop chandelier suspended from a wooden-beamed ceiling, decorated with trailing green ivy, blush pink roses, and white flowers, with warm candlelight glowing in the softly blurred reception tables below. The overall decor palette combines blush pink, white, and greenery with warm ambient lighting throughout the barn space.
A close-up detail shot of a vintage brown leather suitcase, open and filled with tightly rolled pashmina or shawl wraps in a wide variety of colors including hot pink, magenta, teal, purple, orange, peach, mint, lavender, yellow, cream, brown, and dark plum. The suitcase is lined with a cream and gold patterned fabric and sits on a white cushioned wooden bench outdoors. A lime green folded blanket is visible to the left of the suitcase. This appears to be a guest comfort station setup offering wraps for an outdoor wedding reception or ceremony. The composition is a medium close-up shot at a slight angle.
A close-up detail shot of a cocktail hour food presentation featuring rows of small shot glasses filled with three varieties of verrines — orange-red gazpacho, pale yellow or clear consommé garnished with blue borage flowers, and green vegetable-based soups — arranged in a rustic wooden wine crate stamped with 'GOULEE' branding. The crate is lined with green moss and small white wildflowers, creating a natural, garden-style presentation. The styling is rustic-organic, consistent with a French countryside wedding aesthetic.

Kraft paper heart-shaped name cards with scripted calligraphy sat atop each place setting, alongside vintage-inspired glassware and soft linen napkins. The stationery suite, floral buttonholes, and small gift boxes were arranged on aged wooden surfaces, each detail reflecting the celebration's handmade, personal aesthetic.

Venue

Wide shot of a long straight driveway lined with tall cypress trees leading toward a property partially visible in the background, flanked on both sides by rows of grapevines indicating a vineyard estate. No people are present in the frame. The shot is taken from ground level along the central axis of the driveway, emphasizing the symmetrical avenue of cypress trees receding into the distance. Potential venue feature image.
Wide landscape shot of a French vineyard estate, showing rows of vines in the foreground leading up to a stone chateau or winery building set on a gentle hill in the background. No people are visible in the image. The shot is taken from a low vantage point across the vineyard, emphasizing the scale of the property and its rural wine-country setting. Potential venue feature image.
Guests arrive at a Romanesque stone chapel set on an elevated hilltop site, with a sweeping view of a rural French valley stretching into the distance below. The wide exterior shot captures approximately four to five guests in formal attire, including one figure in a yellow outfit, walking toward the arched portico entrance of the chapel. The architecture features thick limestone masonry, a tiled roof portico, and arched windows typical of medieval French religious buildings. Potential venue feature image.

Chateau Rigaud's vineyard landscape opened to rows of vines leading up to the stone facade of the estate. The property's courtyards, terraces, and church provided distinct settings for each part of the four-day celebration, from the welcome dinner to the post-wedding brunch among the vines.

More from the Day

Close-up portrait of a bridesmaid holding a loosely arranged bouquet, with a second bridesmaid partially visible at the left edge of the frame. Both women wear strapless blush pink floor-length gowns. The bouquet features a white garden rose as the focal flower, accompanied by a blush peony, magenta sweet peas, deep purple clematis, white astilbe, green hypericum berries, lamb's ear, and eucalyptus foliage, creating a wild, garden-style arrangement. The styling is romantic and loosely structured with a soft pink and magenta color palette against the blush gowns.
Aesthetic
Rustic, Floral Romance
Guest Count
72 guests
Budget Range
-
Bride's Dress
Sassi Holford gown with timeless structure and soft romantic detail

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