A vibrant wedding at Château de Malliac
Charlotte and Ben’s wedding at Château de Malliac is one of those days that feels like a dream. As a wedding photographer in the South West of France, I am lucky to witness many beautiful celebrations, but some weddings leave a very lasting impression.
The lovely couple drove all the way from the UK to get married in France, in the Gers countryside. They wished they could create a wedding that felt both intimate and joyful, elegant yet deeply relaxed. They were looking for a place with character, history, and authenticity. A venue that would feel as welcoming as grandiose. That’s how they fell in love with Château de Malliac.
Still owned by the same family for several generations, Château de Malliac is a true family home. You can feel it as soon as you arrive. The atmosphere is warm, genuine, and full of stories.
Getting Ready at Château de MaLliac
This wedding day began smoothly inside the Château de Malliac, with Charlotte and Ben getting ready in two separate rooms.
Charlotte prepared in the Bridal Suite at the very top of the Château. A real princess’s bedroom, bathed in soft natural light for a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Surrounded by her closest friends and her mom, she enjoyed precious moments before the ceremony. That day, the girls shared love letters, laughter, and dance moves to Taylor Swift, drinking Champagne. How lovely!
No need to say: our bride was absolutely stunning! Some women seem made to be Brides, most effortlessly and naturally. Charlotte is definitely one of them. Thanks to her talented makeup and hair artist friend Bryony Campbell, Charlotte was glammed to perfection with subtle, natural, and warm tones.
MEANWHILE IN THE COZY LOUNGE
Ben got ready downstairs, on the cozy ground floor of Château de Malliac, with his groomsmen and Charlotte’s father. The atmosphere there was very relaxed, full of jokes and warmth.
From a storytelling point of view, these separate preparations inside Château de Malliac allowed for two parallel stories slowly moving toward the same moment.
An Intense Outdoor Ceremony
The symbolic ceremony took place in front of the majestic main doors of Château de Malliac. Initially planned to last around thirty minutes, it had to be shortened to fifteen minutes due to the extreme French summer heat (41° C). Even so, the emotion remained intact.
Charlotte’s entrance was unforgettable: she appeared from afar. As she approached Ben with her father by her side, all could feel the emotion in the air. It was an intense and beautifully moving moment.
EXCEPTIONAL SUMMER LIGHT
Thanks to the warm weather, we were treated to an extraordinary light that day. This made the couple’s photo session truly magical. We took advantage of the Château de Malliac‘s terrace, as well as the vineyards at the end of the property.
Away from their guests, Charlotte and Ben finally had a moment just for themselves. This couple session was a time of release, a moment to breathe, laugh, and reconnect after months of planning. Hidden from view, they could truly enjoy what they had imagined together.
THE PERFECT WEDDING TEAM
Charlotte and Ben chose Marry Me in France for their wedding. A wedding planning team specialised in accompanying English couples who want to get married in France. This choice allowed them to fully relax and enjoy their wedding day at Château de Malliac. They trusted their team completely, and it showed. There was no stress, no rushing. Only presence and joy! As a wedding photographer in South West France, I see how important this trust is. When couples feel supported, they are able to live their day fully, and that authenticity always translates beautifully in photographs.
A VIBRANT COLOR PALETTE
The decoration of the wedding was vibrant, joyful, and carefully coordinated from start to finish. Colourful flowers were everywhere, bringing life and energy to each space at Château de Malliac. From the ceremony area to the reception tables, the design felt consistent, elegant, and intentional. The overall aesthetic could remind as a modern Bridgerton-inspired elegance! There was a clear desire to offer guests an immersive experience, one that felt disconnected from everyday life and rooted in shared joy. As a wedding photographer in the South West of France, this atmosphere was a pleasure to document.
The reception took place in the inner courtyard of Château de Malliac, where round tables were arranged to encourage conversation and connection. This layout created a very convivial atmosphere, allowing guests to feel close to one another and fully involved in the celebration.
A JOYFUL RECEPTION
The inner courtyard of Château de Malliac deserves special mention here. As you can see, it is a truly stunning space, with ivy climbing along the stone walls and lush greenery that is so refreshing. This highly vegetated setting brought so much life to the environment. Combined with the colourful floral design chosen by Charlotte and Ben, the result was striking! A perfect balance between natural textures, historic French stone and vibrant romantic décor.
Having both the ceremony and the reception outdoors in this courtyard made the day feel enjoyable and convivial. Guests could move freely, enjoy the surroundings, and fully immerse themselves in the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere.
Instead of a traditional, quiet entrance, the couple chose something far more playful and immersive. The moment ABBA’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) kicked in, the bride and groom made their entrance. Guests quickly joined in with the personalised tambourine favors laid out at each seat, and soon the courtyard of Château de Malliac was filled with rhythm, laughter, and dance moves. The couple’s entrance became a shared experience, full of energy and spontaneity! It perfectly set the tone for the rest of their very festive evening.
A Wedding That Perfectly Reflected Them
Charlotte and Ben approached their wedding with generosity, intention, and a genuine desire to create a meaningful experience for their guests. Leaned on their vendors and allowed themselves to truly enjoy the day.
As a wedding photographer in the South West of France, these are the weddings that inspire me the most: celebrations where beauty meets authenticity, and where « enjoying the moment » is at the heart of everything. Château de Malliac was the perfect setting for this intimate English wedding in France, and it was the people, the love, and the shared moments that truly made it unforgettable.
If your heart is set on a wedding in the South-West of France and you’re searching for someone to document it, I’d love to connect and learn about your story.
WEDDING VENDORS
Venue: Château de Malliac ⎹ Wedding planner: Marry me in France and Perfect Little Wedding⎹ Photographer: Jade Sequeval ⎹ Caterer: Lovage and Pumpernickel ⎹ Makeup and Hair : Bryony Campbell ⎹ Celebrant: Celebrants in France ⎹ Styling: Our Fabulous Things ⎹ DJ: Bastien Chassaing with Exclusivity Events