For destination planner, Sherry of Aleia Weddings, every wedding design begins with the venue. “Château Fengari had everything I was looking for,” she says. “Most importantly, it was a grand-looking venue that still felt like a home away from home.” Dating back to 1880, the château’s serene pond, manicured gardens, and soft stone tones became the foundation for the shoot’s aesthetic. “It really captured the feeling that I wanted the styled shoot to embody: European elegance centred in love.”

From the start, Aleia wanted the shoot to feel like a real celebration, not a staged editorial. “I love destination weddings because they are usually very intimate gatherings,” she shares. “Only guests who really want to be there make the effort to attend, so the feeling that surrounds the wedding day is very sincere and authentic.” That intention guided the design: luxurious touches balanced with ease, as if loved ones had traveled together to a private French estate to celebrate something deeply meaningful.

Design Rooted in the Land

Aleia’s creative philosophy is simple: interpret the surroundings rather than overpower them. “I take a lot of inspiration from local architecture and culture and really try to incorporate as much of the region’s specialty in all the little details.” At Château Fengari, this translated into a palette of cream, coral, and peach chosen to echo the honeyed stone exterior and lush grounds. “The design was centered around a sophisticated, sun-kissed palette,” she explains, soft enough to feel at home, yet elevated enough to honor the majesty of the setting.

Maison Boudreaux Floral Design carried that idea into asymmetrical, garden-inspired arrangements and a romantic bridal bouquet. Instead of maximalist installations, tactile luxury took center stage: heavy linens, silver flatware, crystal candleholders, and letterpress paper goods. “The luxury in this shoot was in the details,” Aleia says the kind of beauty that reveals itself slowly.

Local touches were woven in where they mattered most. The dinner table leaned into French etiquette, including traditional silverware placement. “We carefully set the silverware face down to proudly display the silver hallmark stamps,” Aleia notes. And in lieu of generic favors, guests would leave with Canelés, Bordeaux’s iconic rum-vanilla pastries caramelized to perfection.

The Lens That Captured It

Photographer Véronique Chesnel approached the château not as a backdrop, but as a character. “Château Fengari dates back to 1880 and carries a natural sense of history and grace,” she explains. “I wanted to honor that atmosphere while also bringing forward the authentic connection between the couple who are truly in love.”

For Véronique, natural light was non-negotiable. “Using natural light was essential to me not only to enhance the ambiance of the day, but also to retain the genuine softness and warmth that were present during the shoot.” In the château’s shadowed interiors, she leaned into mood rather than forcing brightness, capturing painterly frames reminiscent of 19th-century works.

Her guidance to the models balanced cinematic elegance and lived-in affection. “I encouraged natural, deeply felt interactions and moments of real complicity, while also introducing posed, fashion-led frames.” Even posed portraits feel emotionally anchored, not editorial for editorial’s sake.

A Bride in Two Acts

The bridal styling reflected the day’s dual identity: refined, yet relaxed. The bride began in an OUMA gown echoing the château’s romantic architecture, before slipping into a sleek reception look that embodied modern French minimalism. Bella Belle shoes and So Hélo jewelry added delicate sophistication, elevated by Christel Bize’s timeless hair and makeup.

Final Advice for Couples

Aleia’s guidance for destination couples is refreshingly grounded. “The venue is the foundation of your wedding day,” she says. Instead of chasing trends or trying to recreate someone else’s aesthetic, she encourages couples to start with their emotional priorities. “Have an honest understanding of what your priorities are, and the feeling you want to remember from your destination wedding.” Build from there, and every design decision naturally falls into place.

Vendors: Planning & Design: Aleia Weddings; Photography: Véronique Chesnel Photography; Floral Designer: Maison Boudreaux Floral Design; Venue: Chateau Fengari; Bridal Gown: OUMA; Bridal Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes; Jewellery: So Hélo; Cake: Cakes by Betty; Stationery: The Ayla View; Hair and Make Up: Christel Bize Maquillage; Content Creator: Behind The Paris Wedd; Candles: Yummi Candles; Rentals: Options Bordeaux