Irish wedding at Chateau de garde
Karolina & Christopher travelled from Ireland to celebrate their wedding at Chateau de Garde. Opting for a small gathering, surrounded by the Bordeaux vineyards, they embraced the Chateau de Garde estate’s quiet elegance and home-like atmosphere. For couples dreaming of a wedding at Chateau de Garde, their celebration offers a refined and heartfelt example.
The wedding took place at the end of August, under a softly overcast sky that created a gentle and uniform light throughout the day. As a Bordeaux wedding photographer, I love late-summer weddings for their mild temperatures, soft textures, and naturally flattering ambiance. The season bridges summer warmth and early autumn serenity, offering a palette and atmosphere that feels both graceful and timeless.
Chateau de Garde is increasingly sought after by international couples looking for a wedding venue in the Bordeaux vineyards. Its gardens, vineyards, and restored interiors create a refined yet welcoming setting for celebrations, particularly from late summer into early autumn. With six hectares of vines and a deep connection to Bordeaux’s winemaking culture, the Chateau de Garde also appeals to couples who value gastronomy and elegance.
Getting Ready at CHATEAU DE GARDE
The bride got ready in the Bridal Suite of Chateau de Garde with her bridesmaids. In the meantime, the groom got dressed with his mates in a room on the first floor. They even shared a beer to chill a bit before heading to the ceremony.
A heartfelt ceremony facing the Bordeaux vineyards
Karolina & Christopher chose a garden-inspired floral aesthetic for their late-August wedding at Chateau de Garde, embracing soft textures, organic movement, and a romantic “freshly gathered from the garden” feel. Their palette combined delicate whites, creams, and touches of pale blue. This timeless combination felt both elegant and effortless against the architectural tones of Chateau de Garde, where creamy stone and garden greens create a harmonious backdrop for photography.
Seasonality played a key role in their floral choices. Late summer offers an abundance of airy, poetic flowers, making this style particularly suitable for August weddings in Southwest France. Their arrangements featured dahlias, Queen Anne’s Lace, chamomile, cosmos, forget-me-nots, and lisianthus. All these flowers bloom or are readily available at that time of year. For couples planning a summer wedding, this approach offers inspiration that is romantic, garden-inspired, and naturally refined.
The ceremony took place beneath the Chateau de Garde’s gloriette. Guests were seated facing a sweeping view over the Bordeaux vineyards. This setting offered a moment of contemplation. An opportunity to take in the landscape that defines this part of Southwest France and just enjoy the moment with the lovely couple.
The ceremony was officiated by Aurélie Cousseau, who recounted the couple’s story with warmth and sincerity. One of the most symbolic moments was the Celtic handfasting ritual, reflecting their Irish heritage. The white, blue, and green ribbons matched their floral palette, offering a delicate and meaningful harmony.
AN INTIMATE MOMENT in the French Gardens
After the ceremony, the couple enjoyed a quiet stroll through the French-style gardens of Chateau de Garde while guests headed to the cocktail. A peaceful interlude to appreciate their journey and the commitment they had just made.
CAPTURING EVERY DETAILS
As a Bordeaux wedding photographer specializing in documentary storytelling since 2016, I believe that every detail matters. From manicured hands to bridal bouquets, from personalized embroidery to “something borrowed” and from tablescapes to floral accents… Everything that appears throughout a wedding day holds meaning. These details are part of a story. Yours. And capturing them ensures they will remain with you long after the day itself has passed.
A trusted wedding team
This floral design was created by Atelier Septembre, a floral designer who regularly works at Chateau de Garde. Her style is intentionally natural and romantic, with an emphasis on seasonality and elegance. Perfectly suited to garden-inspired weddings like Karolina & Christopher’s. For couples dreaming of refined yet organic florals, Atelier Septembre’s work is the best of choices.
Karolina & Christopher entrusted the planning and styling of their wedding to By Léa B., a wedding planner with several years of experience who has been working at Chateau de Garde for many seasons. Thoughtful, creative, and meticulous, Léa knows the Chateau de Garde like no other and guides couples with clarity and sensitivity. Whether it’s choosing the best spaces for each moment of the day or adapting design choices to the season, she offers tailored experiences for couples seeking poetry and elegance.
an Unforgettable experience for THEIR GUESTS
As the evening unfolded, guests enjoyed the relaxed rhythm that suits intimate destination weddings. Laughter, conversations, and shared moments filled the Chateau de Garde’s gardens. When night fell, fireworks illuminated the vineyard landscape, surprising the couple and their loved ones and closing the day on a note of wonder.
CELEBRATING LOVE AT CHATEAU de Garde
As a Bordeaux wedding photographer, I love documenting weddings here at Chateau de Garde. The light, the textures, and the landscapes offer an exceptional canvas for refined and timeless imagery. Based in Ireland, Karolina & Christopher chose to collaborate with trusted vendors so they could fully enjoy their celebration without the complexity of distance. By handing over the complete planning and coordination their wedding planner, they allowed themselves to be present, confident that every detail was handled with care. The result was a beautifully orchestrated day.
For those considering a destination wedding in the South-West of France, Chateau de Garde offers a rare blend of intimacy, charm, and that French « je ne sais quoi« … And if you’re seeking photography that reflects that softness and emotion, I’d love to learn about your plans.
WEDDING VENDORS
Venue: Chateau de Garde ⎹ Wedding planner: By Léa B. ⎹ Photographer: Jade Sequeval ⎹ Florist: Atelier Septembre ⎹ Celebrant: Aurélie Cousseau ⎹ Make-up Artist: Gang de Nanas ⎹ Caterer: Deval ⎹ Fireworks: Arts’i Concepts – Moulon