Candlelit Barn Romance at Chateau Rigaud in Bordeaux Wine Country

Camilla and Tim's vineyard wedding at Chateau Rigaud near Bordeaux, featuring a candlelit barn reception, lace gown, and ceremony beneath ancient trees. Planned by Awardweddings.

By Anne-Sophie Boubals | Published 2 January 2020 | Last reviewed 3 April 2026

Candlelit Barn Romance at Chateau Rigaud in Bordeaux Wine Country

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A Château Wedding Near Bordeaux, Told in Four Settings

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Camilla and Tim found their perfect venue after countless UK viewings fell short, landing at Chateau Rigaud amid the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux wine country. Planned by Clementine of Awardweddings, a trusted wedding planner in Bordeaux, the weekend celebration balanced rustic stone charm with candlelit elegance.

Photography

Mark Ward, Awardweddings

Venue

Château Rigaud

Region

Bordeaux, France

Couple

Camilla & Tim

Getting Ready

A bridal portrait taken indoors, with the bride positioned in front of a large window that creates strong backlighting and a warm, overexposed glow. The bride wears a fitted ivory strapless lace gown with an allover floral lace pattern and a sweetheart neckline, paired with a long cathedral-length veil edged with appliqué lace detailing. Her blonde hair is styled in loose curls falling over one shoulder. She is looking downward, and the composition is a close-up portrait cropped at the waist, emphasizing the texture of the lace dress and veil.

A bride is getting ready indoors, seated on a light grey sofa and fastening her strappy gold heeled sandals. She is wearing a white lace wedding dress with thin straps, and her blonde hair is styled down. The room has rustic, aged stone walls with large multi-pane windows letting in warm natural light, and a dark wood floor partially covered by a patterned rug. Dusty rose velvet cushions accent the sofa, a table lamp with a warm glow is visible in the background, and a dark wood coffee table with glassware sits to the right of the frame. The overall styling combines rustic architecture with soft, muted tones. This is a medium portrait shot with a shallow depth of field.

A close-up bridal portrait of a single bride looking downward, shot indoors with warm, directional natural light coming from a window behind her. She wears an ivory strapless lace wedding gown with a detailed floral lace bodice and a long, plain-edged cathedral or elbow-length ivory veil draped over her shoulders. Her blonde hair is styled in soft, loose curls worn to one side. The portrait is tightly framed from approximately the waist up, with a dark background contrasting against the warm window light to create strong shadow and highlight contrast on her face and dress.

A groom getting ready indoors, fastening his cufflinks on a white dress shirt with dark suspenders visible over his shoulders. He is photographed alone in a dimly lit room with dark walls and warm ambient lighting from a wall sconce visible in the background. The shot is a close-up portrait framing him from roughly the waist up, with moody, low-key lighting creating strong contrast between his white shirt and the dark surroundings. A folded white cloth, likely a pocket square or handkerchief, is partially visible in the lower right corner of the frame.

A getting-ready moment captured indoors, showing two men in black tuxedos with white dress shirts near a tall window with bright backlight streaming through. One man, facing the camera, wears a black bow tie and a green boutonniere, and is adjusting or pinning something on the lapel of the other man, whose back is to the camera. Dark navy curtains frame the window, creating strong contrast between the bright backlit window and the dark interior. The composition is a medium portrait shot with dramatic chiaroscuro lighting giving the scene a moody, high-contrast feel.

The bride prepared in a softly lit room at the chateau, her fitted ivory strapless lace gown catching warm window light. Loose blonde curls fell over one shoulder as she adjusted her cathedral-length veil edged with applique lace. Nearby, the groom and his groomsmen dressed in black tuxedos with bow ties, sharing a quiet moment in the moody, sconce-lit dressing room.

Ceremony

A couple portrait taken outdoors among a grove of trees, with what appears to be vineyard rows visible in the background. The bride and groom are kissing, framed by several tree trunks that create a natural arch around them. The groom wears a black tuxedo with a black bow tie, while the bride wears a fitted ivory lace gown with a low open back and a long cathedral-length veil that trails onto the grass. The composition is a full-length portrait shot with the couple centered between the trees, shot from a slight distance to incorporate the surrounding landscape.

An outdoor wedding ceremony processional taking place in the courtyard of a ivy-covered stone chateau, with the bride walking down the aisle escorted by an older gentleman in a black tuxedo. The bride wears a fitted lace wedding dress and carries a white and greenery bouquet. Guests are seated and standing on either side of the white folding chair-lined aisle, dressed in colorful attire including a mustard yellow dress, a lilac ruffled dress, and a mint green pantsuit. The wide shot captures approximately 15-20 visible guests framing the processional, with the chateau's stone facade covered in climbing ivy serving as the backdrop.

Wide exterior shot of a French stone manor or chateau, likely taken before or between wedding events, with no people currently visible in the main frame. The building features ivy-covered limestone walls, tall shuttered windows, and a terracotta-tiled roof typical of southern French architecture. A row of white folding chairs is set up along the facade, suggesting an outdoor ceremony or cocktail area is being prepared on the gravel courtyard. Potential venue feature image.

An outdoor wedding ceremony scene focused on a white metal folding bistro chair in the foreground, decorated with a floral arrangement of white ranunculus, small white blooms, and abundant green eucalyptus foliage tied to the chair back as an aisle marker. Several guests are seated in matching white bistro chairs in the background, dressed in casual summer attire including mint green trousers, a mustard yellow dress, and blue heeled shoes, suggesting a relaxed garden ceremony aesthetic. The decor palette is white and green with a garden-party style. Close-up portrait composition with a shallow depth of field that keeps the floral arrangement sharp while blurring the guests behind.

An outdoor wedding ceremony taking place beneath a large chestnut tree in a formal garden setting, with neatly trimmed hedgerows visible in the background. The bride wears a fitted ivory lace gown with spaghetti straps and a long cathedral-length veil, standing across from the groom who is dressed in a black tuxedo with a black bow tie; a female officiant in a dark dress performs a ribbon or handfasting ritual, with a white satin ribbon wrapped around the couple's joined hands. Small crystal chandeliers hang from the tree branches above the ceremony area, adding a decorative touch to the natural setting. Guests seated on white folding chairs on either side of the aisle look on, with women in mustard yellow and other colorful dresses visible; the shot is a medium-wide portrait taken from behind the seated guests, capturing the full ceremony scene.

The ceremony took place beneath the spreading branches of an old tree on the estate, led by English celebrant Sandie Smith. Guests gathered as sunlight filtered through leaves, casting a soft glow on the vows. The processional wound through the ivy-covered stone courtyard, with the bride's lace gown and long veil trailing along the aisle as confetti floated in the warm air.

Bridal Portraits

A bride sits alone on a wooden tree swing hanging from a large mature tree in the grounds of what appears to be a French country estate or chateau, visible in the background. The swing's ropes are wrapped with trailing greenery foliage, creating a decorative boho styling detail. The bride wears a fitted, long-trained white gown with a low back, and her hair is loosely down. The shot is a full-length outdoor portrait taken from a medium distance, capturing the bride looking downward with her dress and train pooling on the lawn around her.

A couple portrait taken outdoors, showing the bride and groom kissing while holding hands in front of a large tree trunk. The bride wears a fitted white lace gown with thin spaghetti straps and an open back detail, with long loose hair and a simple white veil. The groom is dressed in a black tuxedo with a black bow tie and a small greenery boutonniere on his lapel. The shot is a medium portrait framed from the waist up, with a softly blurred green outdoor background.

A couple portrait taken outdoors with a flowering shrub as the backdrop. The groom, wearing a navy suit with a black bow tie, kisses the bride on the cheek while she smiles broadly at the camera. The bride wears a fitted lace white gown with a long cathedral-length veil and holds a loose, garden-style bouquet of white garden roses, white wax flower, and eucalyptus with trailing greenery. The overall decor palette is white and green, consistent with a classic modern styling theme. Close-up portrait composition with shallow depth of field.

A close-up couples portrait taken outdoors, showing the bride and groom facing each other with foreheads nearly touching, both laughing. The bride wears a white lace appliqué gown with thin spaghetti straps and a veil, with long blonde hair worn down. The groom wears a dark navy or black suit with a white shirt and a small greenery boutonnière. The image is bathed in warm golden-hour light filtered through leafy branches in the foreground, creating dappled shadows across the couple. The composition is a tight portrait shot with foliage framing the subjects on all sides.

Camilla stood framed by the chateau's stone facade and cascading ivy, her cathedral-length veil trailing across the gravel courtyard. The fitted lace gown with its low open back caught the afternoon light as she posed between the estate's manicured hedges and mature trees. Each portrait captured the vineyard landscape stretching beyond the chateau walls.

Reception

Guests raise champagne and wine glasses in a toast during an indoor wedding reception dinner. The setting is warmly lit with soft candlelight and warm-toned string lights or tea lights creating a bokeh-heavy background. A garland of dark greenery is suspended along the back wall, adding a decorative element to the space. The image is a mid-range shot with shallow depth of field, keeping the raised glasses in focus while guests' faces remain softly blurred; approximately 8–10 guests are partially visible around what appears to be a seated dinner table.

A confetti exit shot taken outdoors at what appears to be a chateau or manor, with an ivy-covered stone archway doorway as the backdrop. The couple walks hand-in-hand through a shower of white and pale pink confetti thrown by guests lining either side; the groom wears a classic black tuxedo with a black bow tie, and the bride wears a fitted ivory lace spaghetti-strap gown and carries a white and green bouquet featuring what appear to be white roses and eucalyptus. At least two bridesmaids are visible on the right in floor-length blush pink dresses, one holding a matching white and eucalyptus bouquet. The image is a medium portrait-style shot with a gravel courtyard underfoot and guests partially visible on both sides of the frame.

The bride and groom share their first dance in the center of a rustic indoor barn venue with exposed wooden beam ceiling draped in fairy lights and warm ambient wall lighting. The bride wears a fitted white lace gown with thin straps, and the groom is in a dark suit; the two are embracing closely with foreheads touching. Approximately 20–25 guests form a circle around the couple, watching and some holding drinks or phones to capture the moment; visible guest attire includes a blush floor-length bridesmaid dress and a floral green dress. The setting has a rustic aesthetic with whitewashed stone walls, wooden rafters, and the fairy light canopy creating warm, low-level lighting throughout the wide-shot, candid reception scene.

A reception dinner setup inside a rustic barn or stone outbuilding with exposed wooden beam ceiling and raw stone walls. Multiple long banquet tables are dressed with white linen and styled with a greenery runner featuring trailing eucalyptus or similar foliage, white pillar candles on varying-height candlestick holders, and full glassware and silverware place settings. Overhead, rectangular hoops wrapped in greenery and fitted with tealight candles hang from the ceiling as chandeliers, and a continuous row of tealights lines a ledge along the back wall, creating warm candlelit ambient lighting throughout the space. The overall styling is rustic-organic, with an all-greenery and white candle palette and no floral color. Wide interior shot taken from one end of the room looking down the length of the tables.

Dinner was served inside the chateau's barn, transformed by hundreds of flickering candles and natural foliage softening the stone walls. White florals and lush greenery cascaded across rustic tables, while crystal glassware caught the warm amber glow. The evening flowed from laughter-filled speeches to a lively dance floor, with music and conversation carrying late into the night.

Design and Details

Close-up detail shot of a wooden welcome sign displayed on an easel, hand-lettered in white calligraphy script reading 'Welcome to the Wedding of Camilla + Timothy, 27-04-19, Chateau Rigaud.' The sign is decorated with a trailing garland of eucalyptus and small white flowers draped across the top and down one side. The styling is rustic with a natural, organic aesthetic, combining the raw wood panel with lush greenery. The sign is positioned against a dark wooden backdrop.

Close-up detail shot of a champagne bottle chilling in an ornate silver ice bucket with decorative embossed edging, placed on a dark wood surface. A white linen napkin is draped over the side of the bucket. The bottle has a gold foil top and a dark label. The background is softly blurred, showing what appears to be upholstered furniture and scattered items in warm, muted tones. The styling leans classic with the antique-finish silverware and white linen.

Close-up detail shot of a floral arrangement displayed in a clear glass mason jar, set against a dark grey background. The arrangement features ivory ranunculus as the focal bloom, surrounded by small white star-shaped flowers, delicate white spray blooms, and silver-dollar eucalyptus foliage. The rustic-style presentation in a mason jar suggests a relaxed, organic aesthetic with a white and green color palette. The moody, low-key lighting adds strong contrast between the pale blooms and the dark background.

The barn's exposed stone walls and candlelit atmosphere created an intimate contrast to the sunlit outdoor ceremony. White florals and trailing greenery framed the reception space while preserving the rustic character of the converted building. Mark Ward documented the interplay of warm flame light against cool stone throughout the evening.

Flat Lays

A getting-ready detail shot of a wedding dress hanging on a hanger in front of a multi-pane window with aged sage-green painted frames set into a rustic stone wall. The gown is a strapless, sweetheart-neckline silhouette with an overlay of ivory and taupe floral lace over what appears to be a champagne-toned underlining, giving it a muted, antique appearance. The lace hem has a slight train that pools at the base of the window sill, where a pair of white platform bridal shoes is also visible. Natural backlight from the window illuminates the lace pattern, and the overall image has a soft, slightly warm, faded tone consistent with a film-inspired edit.

A close-up flat lay of bridal accessories arranged on white fabric, likely the wedding dress or veil. The items include a pair of gold strappy heeled sandals with crystal embellishments, a white shell-shaped clutch bag with gold hardware, a small grey ring box containing wedding bands, a pair of crystal and cross drop earrings, and a lace-edged veil visible at the lower left. The overall accessory palette is gold and white with crystal detailing, consistent with a classic or formal wedding styling.

Close-up detail shot of a wedding reception place setting on a white linen tablecloth. The setting includes silver cutlery arranged with two forks on the left and a spoon and knife on the right, alongside multiple clear wine and water glasses. A natural burlap/linen napkin is folded at the center and topped with a small sprig of eucalyptus, a miniature gift or favor box, and a terracotta-colored luggage-style place card tag with handwritten calligraphy. The overall styling is minimal and rustic-natural, with a neutral palette of white, natural linen, and silver.

A collage of nine wedding photographs from what appears to be a French chateau wedding with a classic, romantic aesthetic. The images include: a hand-lettered welcome sign with greenery; a long reception table set with white linens, tall candlestick holders with lit candles, and glassware in a candlelit indoor hall; a detail flat-lay of gold strappy heeled sandals and a champagne-colored clutch on white fabric; a portrait of the bride in a long-sleeve lace fitted gown with a cathedral veil holding a white and greenery bouquet; an exterior wide shot of a French chateau with a gravel driveway and manicured grounds; a couple portrait taken from behind in a meadow with rolling hills, the bride in a flowing cathedral veil and the groom in a dark suit; a close-up portrait of the couple, the groom in a black tuxedo kissing the bride as she smiles, with a lush white and greenery bouquet; a ceremony exit shot of the couple being showered with confetti outside a stone archway with ivy, bridesmaids in blush floor-length gowns in the background; and a group portrait of four bridesmaids in blush floor-length gowns holding white bouquets, standing in an open meadow. The overall palette is white, blush, and greenery with candlelight accents. Potential venue feature image.

Close-up detail shot of a bridesmaid bouquet held during what appears to be an outdoor wedding ceremony. The bouquet features white ranunculus, white stock flowers, baby's breath, and eucalyptus foliage with silver-dollar eucalyptus leaves, wrapped with a white ribbon stem. A second similar bouquet is partially visible in the background. The bridesmaid holding the bouquet is wearing a blush pink dress. Seated guests are softly blurred in the background.

A wedding dress hung against a multi-pane window with aged sage-green frames set into rustic stone, backlight illuminating the ivory and taupe floral lace overlay. The stationery suite and detail arrangements reflected the estate's understated elegance. Crystal-embellished ivory T-strap sandals and carefully arranged accessories completed the refined yet relaxed bridal story.