Blue Shutters & Olive Groves: A Wedding at Château Canet

Photographed by Sharon Cudworth

There’s something about a sun-washed château in the South of France that invites you to slow down and do it all again — without the timeline, without the rush. For Ellen and Ethan, an English couple who chose Château Canet for its setting and versatility, this wedding felt like a second exhale. “They chose to get married at Chateau Canet due to its beautiful setting, the options of using the vineyard, having an outdoor ceremony, alfresco dining, dancing under the stars,” shares photographer Sharon Cudworth. And in these images, you can see exactly why.

The façade sets the tone immediately: pale stone walls, blue shutters, a wrought-iron balcony and gravel paths cutting through clipped lawns. The ceremony unfolds outdoors, with white chairs lined neatly on the grass and woven baskets filled with hydrangeas marking the aisle. Guests in soft pastels sit beneath a cloud-dotted sky, olive trees framing the scene. It’s the kind of outdoor ceremony many couples picture when they think of getting married in France — especially in this part of the country, where vineyards and olive groves sit side by side.

Ellen’s look feels modern against the Provençal backdrop. A clean-lined gown with a long, airy veil moves easily as she walks down the stone staircase, bouquet of white hydrangeas and trailing amaranthus in hand. Later, the veil catches the light beneath the olive trees, creating portraits that feel relaxed rather than overly composed. Ethan balances classic and contemporary in a white tuxedo jacket and black bow tie, joined by groomsmen in sharp black suits as they stride across the lawn in front of the château. There’s polish here, but also ease — sunglasses at cocktail hour, champagne poured high into a coupe tower, a quick kiss before heading back to guests.

The grounds at Château Canet offer layers of atmosphere. In one moment, the couple is tucked beneath olive branches, the dusty earth and filtered sunlight softening everything. In another, they wander through the vineyards, where long rows of vines stretch toward the horizon. Sharon captures both settings with restraint, letting the landscape speak without overpowering the couple. For those planning a wedding in France, venues like this — where vineyards, gardens and courtyard terraces coexist — make it possible to shift locations throughout the day without ever leaving the estate.

Back on the lawn, the ceremony culminates in a confetti exit, white petals suspended mid-air. The first kiss is met with cheers, pastel dresses and summer suits glowing in the midday light. It’s celebratory but never chaotic; even the smaller details — a lace garter, an embroidered handkerchief, a silk envelope — echo the overall palette of cream, ivory and pale blue.

As evening approaches, the energy shifts toward alfresco dining and the promise of dancing under the stars — one of the reasons the couple chose Château Canet in the first place. The gravel courtyard, olive trees and terrace seating create a setting that transitions easily from ceremony to celebration. For couples exploring wedding venues in France, this estate offers that rare mix of vineyard views, outdoor ceremony space and space for late-night dancing, all within one address. Through Sharon Cudworth’s lens, Ellen and Ethan’s wedding feels like a reminder that sometimes, revisiting the day in a place this beautiful is just as meaningful as the first time.