A Magical Elopement at Château de Londigny

Published 23 October 2024

At a Glance

Chateau Nouvelle-Aquitaine Autumn (2024)

A Magical Elopement at Château de Londigny near Bordeaux

Location: Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, South of France

Set an hour and a half from Bordeaux, this intimate elopement wedding venue in South of France rested within serene countryside marked by blue skies, trimmed lawns, and still water. The boutique Stay & Spa Retreat wedding estate combined stone towers, sweeping gardens, and grand halls that lent both privacy and grandeur to intimate elopements. Couples crossed through tall doors into calm, sunlit rooms where preparations moved at an easy pace. Beyond, birdsong filled the courtyards as the gardens opened in full view, providing a quiet, natural setting for vows. Across the parkland, clear paths and soft afternoon light guided portraits that highlighted Chateau de Londigny’s architecture and the tranquil rhythm of the South of France.

Lace, Pastel Florals, and Garden Vows Framed by Light and Stone

The celebration unfolded in gentle tones that echoed the estate’s surroundings. Katy Lunsford, one of the top fine-art wedding photographers in France, documented a palette of lace, pastel florals, and greenery that blended with the château’s warm stone and manicured lawns. The bride’s gown trailed softly across tiled floors while the groom’s classic suit stood crisp against the garden’s texture. Floral designs shaped the aisle in loose arrangements that framed the couple without distraction. As vows concluded, a light breeze moved through the hedges and carried fragrance through the air. Portraits followed on gravel paths and by the tower, the estate’s curves and courtyards giving depth to each frame.

Owner Hospitality and Photography that Honored Place and Calm

The day followed a smooth, thoughtful rhythm: preparation indoors, ceremony in the gardens, and a terrace toast overlooking the parkland. The château’s owner added personal touches throughout ensuring service stayed discreet and the experience unrushed. Portraits moved between open doorways, staircases, and shaded lawns, where Katy Lunsford worked with natural light to highlight form, fabric, and quiet motion. Her photographs captured the interplay of lace, glass, and stone as the sun lowered over the gardens. By evening, candlelight glowed through the halls, and the couple closed their celebration with a walk back through the still park, surrounded by the hush of summer countryside.

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The Venue

Getting ready

The Ceremony

The Bride and Groom

The Reception

Getting Ready

Bride in a white robe adjusting her wedding dress during preparations
Bride getting ready before the wedding at a French chateau
Bride's ivory heeled shoes with silk bows and mauve-pink beaded tulle gloves during wedding preparations
Black-and-white overhead shot of bride in bathtub with champagne bottle wearing off-shoulder white wedding dress

Ceremony

Wedding ceremony moment at a French venue
Wedding ceremony on stone manor steps, bride in ivory lace gown, groom in grey suit, officiant in white, potted palms
Intimate wedding ceremony inside Chateau de Londigny with guests seated
Intimate wedding ceremony inside Chateau de Londigny with guests seated in rows

Cocktail Hour

Close-up of groom holding amber drink wearing grey linen suit and slate blue bow tie

Reception

White plate with rose-gold rim holding macarons and petit fours at wedding reception, brass candelabras behind
Couple toasting champagne at reception table with botanical plates, gold flatware, and candlelit staircase backdrop

Couple Portraits

Couple on a staircase inside a French chateau
Bride in ruffled-tier off-shoulder gown and groom in taupe linen suit posing on Gothic chapel steps after ceremony
Groom kisses bride's cheek on stone balcony of classical cream château, her white veil flowing behind them
Bride and groom portrait

Bridal Portraits

Bride in layered tulle wedding dress seated on white-linen bed in symmetrical bedroom with chandelier, black and white photo
Bride in fitted ivory crepe gown with deep V-back descending grand staircase with candles, stained-glass window above
Black and white bridal portrait at a French chateau
Black-and-white bridal portrait on a grand stone staircase with classical balusters and candles

Design and Details

Two-tiered white and gold wedding cake flanked by cascading ivory peony arrangements in a Gothic stone courtyard
Overhead flat lay of reception table with rose-gold rimmed plates, gold flatware, cream taper candles, blush centerpiece
Two-tier white buttercream wedding cake with fresh peach roses and eucalyptus on gilded console table
Overhead view of intimate round reception table with cream and peach rose centerpiece on geometric mosaic tile floor

Flat Lays

Flat lay of chateau-illustrated invite with sage wax seal, ivory shoes, pearl veil, gold ring dishes and stamps
Flat lay of embellished veil with floral appliques, ivory roses, pearl earrings, and gold-rimmed charger

Venue

Cream stone chateau with conical towers and slate roofs set in manicured grounds
French chateau with cream limestone, slate-roofed conical towers, and Gothic-Renaissance detailing
Historic stone chateau entrance with Gothic arched doorway, potted palms, and cylindrical tower
Château exterior with circular tower, conical slate roof, pale golden stone, and adjacent mansard wing with decorative chimneys

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The Venue

The couple chose Chateau de Londigny, a chateau in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

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