A Timeless Celebration at Château de Jalesnes in the Loire Valley

Photographed by Sebastien Bicard

Twenty years after first meeting, Elizabeth and Telemaco’s story came full circle. Having reconnected six years ago and built a life together in San Francisco and Napa, they decided to gather their closest friends and family for a celebration that felt both timeless and unforgettable. Their shared love of travel led them to France — and the romantic Renaissance setting of Château de Jalesnes offered the perfect mix of grandeur and intimacy for a destination wedding in the Loire Valley.

The festivities unfolded over three days, each filled with laughter, connection, and unexpected magic. It began with an intimate Chinese tea ceremony — a quiet nod to heritage and family — followed by a lively wine-blending experience in the château’s candlelit caves. Guests learned about French terroir, competed to create their own blends, and ended the night gathered around a rustic hog roast cooked over vine wood — a weekend opener that beautifully blended refinement with warmth.

On the wedding day, the château’s terrace became the heart of the celebration. “The ceremony was framed by the château’s grand façade, with a harpist playing everything from classical melodies to Dr Dre,” shared Katy from the château’s team. As guests sipped Crémant de Loire under the summer sun, a sudden downpour became part of the story. The château team transformed the reception indoors in minutes, turning the moment into one of joy and spontaneity — speeches flowed, a violinist performed impromptu, and dinner continued beneath a canopy of fairy lights in the grand banquet hall.

When the skies cleared, fireworks illuminated the castle grounds as a towering croquembouche was presented — a finale as dramatic as it was celebratory. “It felt magical,” Katy recalled. “Magical,” was how the couple and guests described it. The night ended with dancing in the candle-lit chapel, the couple glowing in the afterglow of it all.

The weekend drew to a close with a relaxed pool party — complete with a Belgian burger van, an ice-cream tricycle, and easy laughter that stretched into the afternoon. Like many destination weddings, this celebration unfolded over several days, allowing guests to truly experience the rhythm and romance of the setting. It was a fitting finale to a celebration that reflected not just Elizabeth and Telemaco’s love story, but also the beauty of gathering loved ones in one of France’s most captivating wedding venues.