Gatsby Glamour and Golden Light at Chateau de Varennes, Burgundy

Krystal and Rob's destination wedding at Chateau de Varennes in Burgundy blended Gatsby glamour with French countryside elegance, captured by Lauren Michelle Photography.

By Elena Moretti | Published 14 May 2016

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Chateau

Chateau de Varennes

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté · Saône-et-Loire

Up to 200 guests

From €19,500 4.8 (76)

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Chateau

Chateau de Varennes

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté · Saône-et-Loire

Up to 200 guests

From €19,500 4.8 (76)

Krystal and Rob brought guests from four continents to Chateau de Varennes, a renowned wedding estate in Burgundy for a celebration that blended old-world glamour with modern energy. Planned by Fete in France, their destination wedding unfolded in golden countryside light across the chateau's classical gardens and gilded ballroom in Burgundy.

Photography

Lauren Michelle Photography

Venue

Chateau de Varennes, Saône-et-Loire

Region

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

Couple

Krystal & Rob

Getting Ready

Bride in gold sequined gown adjusting earring in ornate gold-framed mirror in chateau interior

A bride is seated in a French-style armchair with a salmon-colored upholstered seat, fastening a strappy silver heeled sandal onto her foot. She is wearing a champagne and gold ball gown with a heavily sequined and beaded bodice and cap sleeves, and a layered tulle skirt with scattered gold embellishments. Her dark hair is styled in an updo, and she wears small drop earrings. The setting is an indoor room with white paneled walls, suggesting a classic interior. The composition is a mid-length portrait shot taken at a slight angle, with soft, even natural light creating a bright, airy feel.

A portrait shot of three women standing outdoors in a grassy field, photographed from behind with their arms around each other. The center figure wears a floor-length champagne gown with gold and ivory beaded embellishment cascading down the back and a low open back, likely the bride. The woman on the left wears an ivory lace gown with a keyhole or cutout back detail and cap sleeves. The woman on the right wears a blush pleated chiffon gown with a lace racerback and cutout detail, and holds a small white floral arrangement. All three have dark hair styled in upswept chic updos, with the center figure wearing a crystal hair accessory. The styling is classic with glamorous embellishment details, and the shot is taken at a medium distance focusing on the backs of the gowns.

A couple shares their first dance in an indoor ballroom reception venue. The bride wears a gold heavily beaded and sequined gown with a low open back and cap sleeves, her dark hair styled in an updo with a jeweled hair accessory; the groom wears a navy tuxedo with a black bow tie, white pocket square, and a small gold cross lapel pin. A large crystal chandelier glows warmly overhead, and a crowd of formally dressed guests watches in the background, with one guest visibly photographing the moment on a smartphone. The shot is a medium portrait taken from behind the bride, capturing both faces and the detailed back of her gown, with a classic formal styling theme.

Morning preparations began in the chateau's ornate suites, where Krystal slipped into a Noel Chu Couture gown with red-carpet detailing that caught every shift of light. Her bridal team gathered around French armchairs and gilded mirrors as final touches were made, the room filled with laughter and the soft rustle of tulle. A hanging gown against the chateau's pale interior set the scene for the day ahead.

Ceremony

The couple shares their first dance inside a tented or marquee reception venue, with the groom dipping and kissing the bride at the climax of the dance. The bride wears a gold and blush heavily embellished gown with a flowing skirt, while the groom is dressed in a navy blue suit. Gold and orange confetti is scattered across the white checkered dance floor, and pink uplighting illuminates the floor area. Guests, numbering approximately 40-50 visible, line the perimeter of the dance floor watching and applauding, dressed in formal black-tie attire including several women in floor-length gowns; one bridesmaid or guest wears a colorful printed full-length dress. The venue interior features crystal chandeliers and draped white ceiling fabric. A priest or officiant in white robes stands among the guests to the left. The shot is a wide-angle candid taken from a slightly elevated angle capturing the full dance floor scene.

An outdoor wedding ceremony taking place on a lawn, with the couple standing before an officiant under a white square arch decorated with cascading greenery and blush pink and white florals. The bride wears a champagne-gold embellished ball gown and carries a white bouquet, while the groom is dressed in a navy suit. The bridal party flanks either side of the aisle — bridesmaids in royal blue dresses and a sequined blush dress, groomsmen in black tuxedos — with white folding chairs lining the aisle, each decorated with clusters of white and blush pink flowers. White floral arrangements also mark the aisle entrance in the foreground. The ceremony styling follows a classic palette of white, blush, and greenery with a formal, polished aesthetic. Wide shot taken from behind the seated and standing guests, looking toward the altar.

An outdoor wedding ceremony setup on a grass lawn, photographed as a wide shot before guests arrive. Rows of white Napoléon chairs are arranged in a semicircular layout with a white fabric aisle runner leading to the altar area, which is positioned in front of a large mature tree. The altar features a tall decorative arch or stand adorned with greenery and what appear to be blush and ivory floral arrangements. Small floral arrangements in blush and cream tones are placed on select chairs along the aisle. The overall decor palette is white and soft blush with green accents, giving a classic garden party aesthetic. A wooden fence and open countryside are visible in the background. Potential venue feature image.

The outdoor ceremony unfolded on a manicured lawn framed by the chateau's symmetrical facade and Napoleon chairs lining the aisle. Pierre-Henri of Gracefully led a deeply personal service that reflected the couple's cultures, beliefs, and bond. As guests tossed petals and the newlyweds walked back through rows of cheering friends, the processional carried an energy that lingered well into the evening.

Bridal Portraits

A couple kisses while jointly holding a white calligraphy sign reading 'Merci!' in an outdoor garden setting. The groom wears a navy blue tuxedo with black lapels, a white dress shirt, and a black bow tie, while the bride wears a champagne and gold heavily sequined ball gown with a deep V-neckline and cap sleeves. They are standing in front of a white pergola or arbor structure decorated with lush greenery and clusters of blush pink roses. The portrait is a medium full-length shot with soft natural light and a blurred green background.

A bridal portrait of a single woman wearing a gold sequined and beaded cap-sleeve wedding dress with a full skirt, photographed indoors against a soft white curtained background. She holds a round bouquet of blush pink peonies, white roses, and soft green foliage wrapped in white ribbon, and looks down at the flowers. Her dark hair is styled in a low chignon, and she wears drop earrings with natural makeup. The composition is a medium close-up portrait with a shallow depth of field and soft, diffused natural lighting, giving the image a bright, airy feel.

A bridal portrait taken outdoors on a lawn, with the bride standing in front of white lattice trellis structures decorated with cascading green ivy and blush pink roses. The bride wears a champagne/blush gown with a heavily embellished beaded and sequined bodice featuring rose gold and gold detailing, cap sleeves, and a flowing tulle skirt with a train. She holds a round bouquet of white peonies and soft blush roses with greenery. Her dark hair is pulled back into an updo. The styling theme is romantic garden with a soft blush and gold color palette. Medium portrait shot, full-length, with the decorative trellis framing the subject on both sides.

A couple portrait taken indoors beside an ornate marble fireplace mantel, with a classical stone bust sculpture visible to the left and a large mirror behind them reflecting two additional figures in the background. The groom wears a navy blue suit with black tuxedo-stripe trousers and a black bow tie, while the bride wears a gold heavily-embellished cap-sleeve ball gown with sequin and beaded detailing throughout the skirt and bodice. The bride holds a bouquet of white peonies and soft blush garden roses with white ribbon wrap, and wears a diamond bracelet and drop earrings with her hair in a low chignon. The groom leans in to kiss her temple as she looks downward. The styling is classic and formal with a gold and navy palette. Medium portrait-length shot.

Krystal carried herself with quiet confidence across the chateau's lawns, her Noel Chu Couture gown gleaming against the pale stone facade. Portraits captured the couple beside an ornate marble fireplace and in the sunlit gardens, where they held a hand-lettered 'Merci' sign. The interplay of gold sequins and green foliage gave each frame a cinematic quality.

Reception

Close-up detail shot of a four-tiered wedding cake covered in pale pink fondant and decorated with rows of French macarons in pastel shades of pink, mint green, peach, and ivory. The top tier features gold ornate baroque-style corner decorations and a gold script monogram, while gold decorative accents are also placed between the macaron rows on the lower tiers. The cake is displayed on a gold pedestal cake stand. The background is softly blurred with warm golden and pale purple tones consistent with a reception venue interior.

A wide shot of a wedding reception ballroom setup with no guests present. The indoor venue features white walls, white ceiling draping, and a large crystal chandelier as the central overhead light fixture. Round tables are dressed in gold sequin floor-length tablecloths and surrounded by clear acrylic ghost chairs. Tall trumpet-vase centerpieces hold arrangements of white hydrangeas, blush roses, trailing purple wisteria, and hot pink feathers. Additional crystal candleholders and clear glassware are placed on each table setting. Multiple similarly styled tables are visible in the background, creating a consistent gold, white, and pink decor palette throughout the room. The overall styling is formal and classic with a maximalist approach to floral height and table linens.

A close-up detail diptych from a wedding reception dinner service. The left panel shows a plated appetizer course — a small molded dish garnished with a green herb leaf and a thin crisp, served on a white plate atop a gold sequin charger, with wine glasses containing red wine and multiple crystal glasses visible along the table runner in soft candlelight. The right panel shows a row of champagne flutes filled with sparkling wine, each garnished with a fresh lemon slice on the rim, lined up on a white linen-covered surface. The overall decor palette is warm gold and white, with a classic, formal reception styling.

Inside the ballroom, gold sequin linens shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers while ghost chairs added a contemporary edge to the Gatsby-inspired tablescape. A four-tiered pale pink fondant cake stood as the centrepiece, flanked by feathered florals and candlelight. As fireworks erupted above the chateau and the couple took to the dance floor, the reception shifted from refined dinner to full celebration.

Flat Lays

Close-up detail shot of wedding canapés or amuse-bouche arranged in a row along a dark slate serving board. The display includes white ceramic tasting spoons holding small bites topped with a cream or mousse garnish, alongside small glass shot cups containing layered ingredients with a white cream topping and clear cocktail picks. The food styling has a modern, refined catering aesthetic. The background is softly blurred in a muted teal-grey tone, keeping full focus on the food presentation in the foreground.

A side-by-side detail shot of outdoor ceremony aisle decor featuring white Napoleon chairs arranged in rows on a white aisle runner. The left image shows a small glass mason jar vase hanging from a chair back, containing blush pink roses and trailing greenery. The right image is a close-up of a hand-tied bouquet attached to an aisle chair, composed of white peonies, blush pink roses, cream spray roses, green viburnum snowball clusters, and dusty mauve scabiosa blooms, wrapped with twine at the stems. The overall decor palette is white, blush pink, and soft green, consistent with a classic romantic outdoor ceremony styling.

A detail shot of a bridal gown hanging on a white and gold garment rack in front of a bright window in an indoor getting-ready space. The dress is a champagne/blush tulle ball gown heavily embellished with gold and silver sequin and beaded detailing across the bodice and cascading down the skirt, with a matching heavily embellished cape or sleeves draped over the hanger. The floor beneath is herringbone parquet wood and a patterned white damask curtain is visible to the left. The image is well-lit with natural backlight, creating a bright, airy atmosphere around the dress.

A two-panel detail flat lay composition showing bridal accessories during the getting-ready phase. The left panel features a pair of Jimmy Choo strappy heeled sandals in silver and ivory crystal embellishment, resting against soft ivory tulle fabric. The right panel shows a heavily beaded and sequined wedding dress hanging on a wooden hanger, featuring gold, silver, and champagne-toned embellishments densely covering the bodice and skirt with a sheer overlay, suggesting a glamorous, ornate style. Both images are shot in soft natural light with a warm, airy tone.

Stationery details and calligraphy pieces anchored the visual story, displayed alongside cocktail-hour signage and crystal-stemmed glassware. A bridal accessory flat lay revealed jewellery and delicate earrings against soft fabric. The champagne tower, poured together by Krystal and Rob from rows of coupe glasses, became one of the weekend's most celebrated moments.

More from the Day

A two-image composite showing the groom and groomsmen gathered outdoors at a French chateau wedding. On the left, five men dressed in dark navy and black tuxedos with black bow ties converse in a loose group on the lawn in front of a classic French chateau building with mansard roof detailing. On the right, six men in matching dark tuxedos and black bow ties stand together in a relaxed group portrait on the chateau grounds, with manicured lawns and trees visible behind them. Both images are wide/medium shots capturing the full group in a candid, natural style with a classic formal aesthetic.

A bridal party portrait taken indoors in a classically decorated white and gold room, featuring a bride and four bridesmaids standing in front of a large gold-framed mirror. The bride wears a gold heavily embellished bodice gown with a champagne tulle skirt and holds a bouquet of white peonies and blush roses. The four bridesmaids wear mismatched floor-length gowns in a coordinated neutral palette — one silver-grey beaded gown, one champagne art-deco beaded gown, one ivory lace cap-sleeve gown, and one blush draped spaghetti-strap gown — each holding bouquets of white peonies and blush roses with greenery. The styling theme is classic with art-deco influences, and the room features ornate white paneling and a patterned blue and white rug. The image is a mid-length group portrait with soft, bright natural lighting.

Wide exterior shot of a French chateau viewed from the grounds, with a gravel pathway leading directly to the main entrance. The building is a classic French manor house with light stone facade, symmetrical shuttered windows, a mansard roof with dormer windows, and a decorative wrought-iron balcony above the front door. The formal grounds feature manicured spherical topiary bushes lining the pathway and a lawn bordered by mature trees. No people are visible in the frame. Potential venue feature image.

A detail shot from a French wedding reception showing two glass beverage dispensers with spigots on a white cake stand, placed on a gold sequin tablecloth, alongside a printed menu sign on a wooden easel. The menu reads 'Le Menu' for Rob and Krystal, dated 10 mai 2015, and lists courses including entrée, plat, fromage, dessert buffet, macaron wedding cake, and wines. The menu typography is styled in an Art Deco-inspired font. The setting appears to be an outdoor reception, likely a cocktail hour or dining area.

Aesthetic

Destination

Guest Count

Budget Range

Bride's Dress

The Wedding Team

Venue

Château de Varennes

FWS

Wedding Planning

Fête in France

Photography

Lauren Michelle Photography

Celebrant

Gracefully (Pierre-Henri)

Bridal Fashion

Noel Chu Couture

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The Venue

The couple chose Chateau de Varennes, a chateau in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

Chateau

Chateau de Varennes

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté · Saône-et-Loire

A luxury 18th-century chateau in South Burgundy with family ownership for 400+ years, offering exclusive use for weddings of up to 200 guests with 60 sleeping on-site, featuring an Orangery, on-site chapel, heated pool, and Michelin-star catering.

Up to 200 guests

From €19,500 4.8 (76)