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Rustic Elegance and Fairy Lights at Chateau Puissentut, Occitanie

Lumi and Michael's rustic wedding at Chateau Puissentut in Occitanie featured fairy-lit courtyards, a hog roast, and a first dance beneath the stars.

By Anne-Sophie Boubals | Published 25 November 2016 | Last reviewed
Rustic Elegance and Fairy Lights at Chateau Puissentut, Occitanie
Chateau
Chateau Puissentut wedding venue

Chateau Puissentut

Occitanie · Gers

Up to 120 guests
From €3,750 4.9 (70)

Lumi and Michael, an Anglo-Romanian couple based in London, celebrated their union at Chateau Puissentut, a charming rustic wedding chateau near Toulouse. Surrounded by the gentle Gers countryside of Occitanie, their celebration paired rustic warmth with modern elegance across a weekend of music, laughter, and local flavour.

Photography
-
Venue
Chateau Puissentut, Gers
Region
Occitanie, France
Couple
Lumi & Michael

Getting Ready

Close-up portrait shot taken from behind of a woman, likely the bride or a bridesmaid, wearing a white lace dress with flutter sleeves and a tie-back detail. Her medium-length brown hair is styled in a half-up, half-down arrangement with a floral hair accessory featuring baby's breath and small ivory rose buds tucked into a twisted section at the back of her head. The styling reflects a boho aesthetic with natural, organic floral details. The background is softly blurred with hints of an outdoor ceremony setting and other guests visible.
A bride is shown getting ready indoors in what appears to be a rustic chateau or stone-walled room, standing on a terracotta and cream patterned rug. She wears a fitted, sleeveless, floor-length gown heavily embellished with silver beading and lace detailing throughout, paired with a sheer veil and white open-toe heels. Her hair is styled in an updo. Behind her, two women — one in a blush/nude dress and one in a silver-grey lace knee-length dress — look on admiringly, and a large ornate wooden mirror to the left reflects the bride's back. The composition is a full-length portrait shot taken indoors with warm natural light.
A close-up portrait of a bride sitting outdoors, leaning her head on her hand in a relaxed pose while holding a champagne flute. She is wearing a sleeveless, heavily sequined and beaded ivory wedding dress with a long white veil, her dark brown hair styled in an updo. The background is softly blurred and appears to be an outdoor field or garden setting, with what looks like a hay bale and a guest in the far background wearing a mauve/purple outfit. The image has a candid, unposed quality captured during what appears to be a cocktail hour or outdoor reception.

Inside a rustic stone room with terracotta tiles, Lumi stepped into her fitted, heavily beaded gown while loved ones looked on in admiration. A floral hair piece of baby's breath and ivory rosebuds completed her look, adding an organic softness to the embellished lace. With champagne in hand and her veil caught in the light, the bride's relaxed joy set the tone for everything that followed.

Cocktail Hour

Detail shots of an outdoor cocktail hour drinks station at a French wedding, shown in two panels. The top image features two large glass beverage dispensers on a white-clothed table — one containing cucumber-infused water labeled 'Gin Tonic' and one containing an orange juice or peach-colored drink labeled 'Harvey Wall Banger' — with small chalkboard tags and gold lids, surrounded by rows of empty glass tumblers. The bottom image shows a matching drinks table with multiple small personalized glass milk bottles labeled with what appears to be initials 'N + M' tied with black-and-white twine, alongside mason jar-style glasses and a bundle of yellow-and-white striped paper straws in a glass holder. The overall styling is rustic-casual with a yellow and white color palette.
A wedding cocktail hour taking place outdoors beneath a series of stone arches, likely part of a historic aqueduct or ruined arcade structure. Approximately 15 guests are mingling in small groups, with some seated on hay bales and others standing near white-clothed cocktail tables. A vintage-style yellow and white cart serves as a drinks or candy station, positioned next to a wooden wine barrel. On the right side, musicians are set up with instruments and a PA speaker, suggesting live music entertainment. The decor style is rustic and relaxed, incorporating natural materials like hay bales and barrels. The shot is a wide medium-distance image capturing the full scene.
Three male musicians perform live during what appears to be a wedding reception cocktail hour or outdoor entertainment set. They are positioned under a large stone arch, with two playing acoustic guitars and one standing playing an electric bass guitar at a microphone. The performers are dressed casually in jeans and light shirts. Black Yamaha speaker cabinets are placed on either side of the arch, and audio equipment including a mixing board is visible on a table behind the bassist. The setting is an outdoor stone structure, likely part of a French chateau or historic venue, with green trees visible through and behind the arch. Wide shot captures the full performance space and surrounding stonework.

Beneath the stone arches of the chateau, guests mingled over Gin Tonics and Harvey Wallbangers served from glass dispensers at a rustic drinks station. A jazz trio, Abarrejadis, performed live among the stonework while hay bales and a vintage yellow cart created a relaxed, festival-like atmosphere. Lisa Crossley's vintage ice-cream van added a playful surprise as laughter carried through the courtyards.

Reception

A long-exposure evening shot of five women in floor-length light-colored gowns standing outdoors and writing the word 'LOVE' (with an additional swirl) in the air using sparklers, creating glowing light trails against the dusk sky. The setting appears to be a rustic stone venue with warm string lights visible in the background. The women are likely bridesmaids or members of the bridal party, all dressed in matching or coordinating flowing dresses. The composition is a wide portrait shot with the sparkler light trails as the focal point.
Bride and groom cutting croquembouche at outdoor reception table with white candles and florals
A wide-angle detail shot of an outdoor wedding reception table set on a gravel surface, likely a courtyard or garden terrace. The long wooden farm-style table is dressed with a white linen runner and set with white plates, folded white napkins garnished with small sprigs of lavender, and clear crystal champagne flutes and wine glasses. Centerpieces include low glass vases with white roses and baby's breath, alongside tall white pillar candles and slender taper candles in brass and glass holders. The overall decor palette is white and green with rustic-classic styling. Black folding chairs are partially visible along the sides of the table.
Close-up detail shot of a rustic wooden reception table decorated in a vintage style. In the foreground, a straw boater hat with a navy ribbon band rests against a cut-crystal vase holding baby's breath, alongside a small glass votive candle holder. Further along the long table, additional arrangements of white flowers and baby's breath are flanked by pillar candles and brass candlesticks, creating a warm, candlelit atmosphere. The setting appears to be an indoor courtyard or stone-walled room, with a lit doorway visible in the blurred background, reinforcing a rustic, vintage-inspired decor palette of natural textures, warm amber candlelight, and white blooms.
The bride and groom are cutting into a traditional French croquembouche or profiterole tower wedding cake at an outdoor reception, with the cake decorated with a wooden sign reading 'pain' and 'mirage' (or similar lettering). The bride wears a white lace or embroidered gown with a veil, while the groom wears a white dress shirt with a burgundy tie and dark trousers. The reception table is styled with white pillar candles in gold candlesticks, small glass bud vases with greenery and small white blooms, wine bottles, and a champagne ice bucket, set on a wooden farm table. A female guest is visible laughing in the background, and the setting is an outdoor garden terrace with lush green foliage behind. This is a medium-wide shot capturing the cake-cutting moment with guests seated in the foreground.
An outdoor wedding reception table is set for a long guest dinner alongside a historic French manor or farmhouse with exposed timber framing, stone arches, and a covered gallery overhead strung with small bunting or fairy lights. The long wooden farm table is dressed with a white linen runner and set with white ceramic plates, multiple wine and champagne glasses, and silver cutlery. Centerpieces consist of clusters of small glass bud vases and cylinder vases holding white ranunculus, Queen Anne's lace, and wild greenery, interspersed with ivory pillar candles of varying heights. The overall decor palette is white and natural wood, giving a rustic yet clean aesthetic. A single guest in a dark dress is partially visible at the far right edge. The shot is a wide portrait-format image taken from the near end of the table looking down its full length toward the archway and garden beyond. Potential venue feature image.

Long wooden farm tables dressed with white linen runners, lavender-tied napkins, and low arrangements of white roses and baby's breath filled the stone courtyard. Candles flickered in brass holders as Auberge La Baquere served a local hog roast with fresh salads, followed by a traditional piece montee glowing with sparklers. The couple's first dance unfolded beneath fairy lights strung between the half-timbered buildings, and the night closed with bridesmaids spelling LOVE in sparklers against the dusk sky.

Flat Lays

An evening outdoor reception dinner table set up in what appears to be a rustic courtyard or covered terrace, with stone archways visible in the background. The long wooden farm-style table is styled with a linen runner, pillar candles and votive candles in glass holders, and small bud vases containing loosely arranged white and green wildflower-style blooms. Overhead string bistro lights add warm ambient lighting across the space, and folding chairs are visible along the sides of the table. The overall decor palette is warm and rustic, with an intimate, candlelit atmosphere.
An outdoor evening wedding reception set in a courtyard or garden area adjacent to a stone building, photographed as a wide shot. Multiple long wooden trestle tables with folding chairs are arranged on a gravel surface, dressed with white floral centerpieces, candles, and glassware in a relaxed, rustic style. Strings of warm Edison/fairy lights are strung overhead in a canopy pattern, providing the primary lighting along with candles on the tables. Lush potted plants and climbing greenery border the space. No guests are visible, suggesting the photo was taken before guest arrival. Potential venue feature image.
A portrait of a bride posing with four bridesmaids outdoors in front of a pale yellow stone building. The bride wears a white lace dress with a sheer veil and holds a bouquet of white roses and white baby's breath. The four bridesmaids are dressed in coordinating blush and ivory lace cap-sleeve dresses. The group is arranged in a close cluster facing the camera, with the bride at center. The shot is a mid-range portrait with a shallow depth of field, slightly blurring the building and garden greenery in the background.
An outdoor wedding reception dinner is taking place in a gravel courtyard of a rustic French stone farmhouse or mas, with timber-framed building elements and ivy-covered walls visible in the background. Approximately 30–40 guests are seated along several long wooden tables arranged in a loose U-shape, with white chairs and folding black chairs mixed throughout. The tables are set with white plates, glassware, and low centerpieces of greenery and white flowers, with string lights strung overhead between the buildings. The scene is captured in a wide-angle overhead shot, conveying the full scale of the outdoor dining setup in an informal, relaxed rustic style. Potential venue feature image.
A collage of nine images from a French château wedding with a rustic, romantic style throughout. Top row: a warm-toned detail shot of a small glass bud vase with white flowers on a wooden surface; a group portrait of a bride in a lace cap-sleeve gown with a cathedral veil holding a white hydrangea and greenery bouquet, flanked by three bridesmaids in ivory lace cap-sleeve dresses; and an outdoor long reception table set with white linens, glassware, and low white floral centerpieces in a château courtyard archway. Middle row: a wide outdoor portrait of the couple in dappled shade, bride in a flowing gown; a candid shot of guests gathered around a table during what appears to be a cake or food cutting moment outdoors near a teal-painted door; and an evening exterior shot of a courtyard reception area with string lights draped overhead, long wooden tables, and warm ambient lighting. Bottom row: a nighttime first dance in a warmly lit château courtyard decorated with fairy lights and hydrangea borders, the couple embracing; a portrait of the seated bride in her lace gown and veil, smiling downward; and a flat-lay detail of glass mason jar drinks, paper straws, and small bottles on a white tablecloth. The overall palette is ivory, white, and warm amber with a rustic French château setting.

Personalised glass milk bottles marked with L + M initials, yellow striped paper straws, and mason jar drinks gave the couple's styling a charming DIY edge. The courtyard reception, captured in wide overhead shots, revealed the full scale of the rustic setup: multiple trestle tables arranged on gravel beneath Edison light canopies, framed by ivy-covered walls and potted plants.

More from the Day

A couple shares a kiss during outdoor wedding portraits on a shaded path beneath overhanging tree branches. The groom wears a navy blue suit with brown leather shoes and a burgundy tie, while the bride wears a lace wedding gown with a long cathedral-length veil that trails behind her on the ground. The two are holding hands as they kiss, framed naturally by the tree canopy above. The shot is a full-length portrait taken in bright midday light with dappled shade.
A wide-angle nighttime exterior shot of a rustic stone farmhouse or barn venue illuminated by warm amber interior lighting and string lights draped across the facade and surrounding trees. The venue features multiple interconnected stone buildings with lit windows, a white picket fence, and what appears to be an outdoor terrace or covered area strung with festoon lights. Small ground-level lights line a pathway in the foreground, creating a warm glow against the deep blue twilight sky. No people are visible in the frame. Potential venue feature image.
Close-up detail shot of a drinks station at an outdoor wedding, set on a white linen-covered table in bright sunlight. Several upside-down clear glass tumblers are arranged in the foreground, alongside small vintage-style glass milk bottles tied with black-and-white baker's twine. In the background, a glass jar holds an assortment of yellow and white striped paper straws, and a small mason jar filled with an amber-orange drink is labeled with a handwritten tag reading 'L + M,' indicating the couple's initials. The styling is casual and rustic, consistent with a DIY or bohemian aesthetic.
A close-up detail shot of a single place setting on a natural wood dining table. A white ceramic plate holds a neatly folded white linen napkin tied with a small sprig of lavender and an olive leaf as a napkin accent. Silver flatware — a fork, knife, and spoon — is arranged around the plate, and two clear wine glasses are positioned to the right. A white hemstitch table runner is partially visible at the top of the frame. The overall decor palette is white and natural wood with a Provençal-inspired rustic styling.
A wedding ceremony is taking place inside a small, intimate French chapel with warm ochre-toned plaster walls, dark wooden ceiling beams, and arched alcoves housing religious statues. The bride, dressed in a white or ivory gown, and the groom stand at the altar before an officiant, with the white marble altar decorated with green floral arrangements and candles. Approximately 15–20 guests stand in the wooden pews facing the altar, dressed in casual summer attire including a coral pink dress, a yellow sundress, and light-colored shirts. White pillar candles line the stone floor along the aisle, and a chandelier hangs above the nave, with stained glass windows in green and red providing color accents at the front of the chapel. This is a wide shot taken from the back of the chapel.
A diptych of two ceremony images taken inside a chapel or church. On the left, the bride and groom stand together at the altar with their backs to the camera, holding hands; the bride wears a heavily embellished, beaded ivory gown with a long veil, and the groom wears a navy suit. On the right, a close-up detail shot shows a row of pillar candles in clear glass hurricane holders lining the stone-floored church aisle, with wooden pews and the bridal party softly out of focus in the background. The warm candlelight and stone interior suggest a classic, candlelit ceremony style.
Aesthetic
Rustic
Guest Count
-
Budget Range
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Bride's Dress
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The Venue

The couple chose Chateau Puissentut, a chateau in Occitanie.

Chateau
Chateau Puissentut wedding venue

Chateau Puissentut

Occitanie · Gers

A picturesque chateau nestled in rolling hills of the Gers region in Southwest France, featuring a distinctive 17th-century pigeonnier ceremony space and accommodating up to 120 guests with 27 sleeping on-site.

Up to 120 guests
From €3,750 4.9 (70)
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