A Rain-Soaked Celebration in France
Tucked into the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux, Château Rigaud offers a setting that doesn’t try too hard – ivy-covered stone, gravel paths, and an atmosphere that’s both elegant and grounded. For L & S, it was the perfect place to host an understated, beautifully curated celebration that felt like an extension of themselves: quietly confident, warm, and effortlessly stylish.
Unlike the usual garden ceremony spot under the château’s grand tree, the couple chose to marry in the courtyard, framed by climbing vines and aged stone walls. Rows of wooden chairs with long white ribbons lined the gravel – minimal but meaningful details that let the setting speak for itself. The sky was soft and grey, and as light rain began to fall, umbrellas opened and guests leaned in. It felt cinematic, not staged. The kind of moment that feels more beautiful because it wasn’t planned.
There was an intimacy to every part of the day. The bride wore a halter gown with a fluid silhouette and barely-there accessories, her hair pulled back in a clean, elegant knot. The groom mirrored her simplicity in a tailored black suit and cream tie, the palette tonal and refined. They looked like themselves – not overly styled, just considered.
Inside, dinner was served by the château’s in-house catering team (well-loved for a reason), under candlelit beams and hanging foliage. Long tables were dressed with white linen, glassware, and single white roses in small vases – a quiet luxury that suited the space. Every detail felt thoughtful, but not overly polished.
As night fell, the atmosphere shifted. The bride changed into a silver fringed dress for the dance floor, which came alive under strings of warm fairy lights and a disco ball. Guests grabbed microphones and let loose. The cake was cut, champagne flowed, and the evening gave way to joy in its most unfiltered form.
Photographer Cleya Asulon captured the spirit of the day with a rhythm that moved between candid moments and moody portraits. Her use of shadow, black and white, and soft focus gave the gallery a sense of story – more like stills from a film than a wedding album.
There was nothing loud about this wedding. No spectacle, no performance. Just two people, surrounded by people they love, in a place that felt real.
