A floral-filled Chateau de la Bourlie wedding with Samantha and Ben

A bride and groom walk down an outdoor aisle, holding hands and smiling, as guests throw confetti. The aisle is decorated with flowers and surrounded by seated guests. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Outdoor courtyard set with round tables covered in pink tablecloths, surrounded by elegant chairs, floral centerpieces, and a stone building with a turret in the background. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.

Set in the South of France, Samantha and Ben’s Chateau de la Bourlie wedding was nothing short of epic. Full of love, style, heart, and seriously good energy, this was a day that felt big, joyful, and completely unforgettable from start to finish.

The atmosphere was warm and celebratory, with guests travelling in from all over to be part of it. Samantha looked absolutely flawless in her Vivienne Westwood dress qnd Ben kept it classic in black tie. The whole day had a sense of excitement that never dipped.

It was such a pleasure to be there capturing it all – a truly phenomenal day in the Dordogne!

Stone chateau with conical towers, sloped roofs, and a red arched wooden gate, surrounded by greenery and a gravel path.
A white wedding banner with black text reading “Welcome to the wedding of Samantha & Ben” is draped on a large tree trunk in an outdoor setting.
Aerial view of a historic stone estate with red roofs and towers, surrounded by trees and rolling green hills under a cloudy sky. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Outdoor wedding ceremony setup with rows of chairs facing a floral arrangement, next to a stone building and greenery in the background. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Outdoor wedding ceremony setup with rows of chairs facing a floral arch, surrounded by large trees and decorated with pastel flower arrangements along the aisle.
Rows of light wooden chairs with cream cushions are arranged outdoors on gravel, next to a large floral arrangement with pastel-colored flowers. A stone building with shuttered windows is in the background. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.

the couple’s vision for their chateau wedding

From the outset, Samantha and Ben were clear on what mattered most. They wanted their guests to have the best time, to be surrounded by beautiful styling, and for the whole day to feel fun, relaxed, and full of energy. A great atmosphere and a killer party were high on the list.

The styling reflected this perfectly. Pastel tones ran throughout the day, with soft florals in shades of pink, purple, and peach creating a romantic yet modern feel. From the ceremony flowers to the courtyard dinner setup, every detail felt thoughtful without ever tipping into overdone.

Their choice of Chateau de la Bourlie made complete sense. It has incredibly beautiful sweeping views over the Dordogne valley, generous outdoor spaces, and a relaxed French countryside feel. It offered the perfect backdrop for the kind of celebration they envisioned.

A man stands in front of a mirror adjusting his black bow tie, reflected in an ornate gold-framed mirror next to a vase of dried flowers.
A man in a suit helps another man adjust his bow tie in a doorway, both wearing formal attire in a softly lit room. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A man in a black tuxedo with a bow tie and boutonnière stands in a rustic room with framed art, tiled floor, and dried plants, smiling at the camera. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A man in a black tuxedo with a boutonniere stands indoors by a glass door, looking outside with one hand in his pocket.
A bride in a white gown stands as two women, one in a purple dress and hat, adjust her dress in a room with stone walls and wooden floors.
A woman in a long, flowing gown holds a bouquet of flowers and walks indoors along a stone wall, with a window and ornate lamp visible. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A woman in a white dress holds a bouquet of pastel-colored flowers, including white peonies, pink roses, and purple delphiniums. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride in a long, flowing gown and veil descends a stone staircase while holding a bouquet of flowers. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A wedding party stands outside a stone building, smiling at the bride, who holds a bouquet in the foreground. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.

The ceremony at chateau de la bourlie

The symbolic ceremony took place at the back of the chateau, overlooking the Dordogne valley, and the setting was truly epic. Gorgeous elegant pastel florals framed the space beautifully, with a huge floral arch taking centre stage – the perfect setting for Samantha and Ben’s wedding ceremony.

Led by a local celebrant, the ceremony was emotional, entertaining, and full of love. There was laughter, there were tears, and guests were completely wrapped up in the moment. With the light, the setting, and the atmosphere all working together, it felt incredibly special to witness.

Two men in black tuxedos stand by a floral arrangement outdoors, smiling, with greenery and a chair in the background. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Two men in tuxedos stand outdoors in front of a table and trees, with one in the foreground and one smiling in the background. The setting appears formal and is in black and white.
A bride in a white dress walks down an outdoor aisle with a man in a tuxedo, surrounded by seated guests and floral arrangements. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride and groom stand facing each other, holding hands and smiling during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with guests seated in the background. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
An outdoor wedding ceremony with guests seated on either side of a flower-lined aisle, facing a couple and officiant under a floral arch in front of large trees. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride and groom stand holding hands outdoors in front of a floral arch, dressed in wedding attire, surrounded by trees. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride and groom hold hands during a wedding ceremony. The image is in black and white, focusing on the bride’s dress and veil lace detail. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Guests dressed formally are seated outdoors at a wedding ceremony, smiling and facing forward. Trees and greenery are visible in the background. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Wedding guests seated outdoors; a young boy in a suit holds a paper fan, surrounded by adults in formal attire with floral arrangements in the foreground.
Guests seated outdoors at a wedding ceremony beside a historic stone building with large windows and a sloped roof. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride and groom stand facing each other, holding hands and smiling during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with flowers and greenery in the background. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride and groom kiss at an outdoor wedding ceremony, standing under a floral arch with guests seated on both sides of the aisle. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride and groom walk down an outdoor aisle, holding hands and smiling, as guests throw confetti. The aisle is decorated with flowers and surrounded by seated guests. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
An older man in a tuxedo and an older woman in a bright magenta dress walk arm-in-arm outdoors, smiling, with wedding guests seated behind them. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride and groom walk outside a stone building, followed by wedding guests dressed in formal attire.

Drinks Reception at Chateau de la Bourlie

After the ceremony, guests moved into the chateau gardens for a relaxed drinks reception. Canapés and champagne were enjoyed while everyone mingled, chatted, and took in the beautiful landscape.

A brass band played throughout the reception, instantly lifting the energy and keeping things moving. Family photographs took place during this time, followed by a few relaxed couple portraits before everyone was led through to dinner.

Despite a huge thunderstorm the night before knocking out power across the area, the day came together seamlessly. Thanks to the planner and the wider team, everything ran beautifully, and you’d never have known the challenges behind the scenes.

Aerial view of a gathering on the lawn of a large country estate surrounded by trees and gardens, with several buildings and a cloudy sky overhead. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Three guests and a bride converse outdoors; two women smile, one in red and one in taupe, a man in a tuxedo holds an envelope, and trees are visible in the background.
Two women, one in a blue dress and one in a red dress with sunglasses, laugh together outdoors with two other people partially visible in the foreground.
A bride in a veil kisses a woman in a green dress on the cheek at an outdoor event, with other guests mingling in the background.
Four musicians perform outdoors; one plays trombone, one plays drums, one plays saxophone, and one plays trumpet. They are standing on grass near large green bushes and trees.
A person wearing a pink plaid suit and glasses stands outdoors, holding a trombone and smiling with mouth open. There are green bushes and a table with food in the background.
A bride in a long white dress and veil walks hand in hand with a man in a suit on a grassy lawn, with several people gathered and talking in the background.
People in formal attire gather outdoors for a social event with tents, tables, and musicians; children play on the grass in the foreground. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A man in a black tuxedo and a woman in a light yellow dress walk on grass at an outdoor event, holding drinks, with people socializing at cocktail tables in the background.
Four men in suits, one holding a bottle and wearing sunglasses, stand talking and smiling outdoors in a garden setting.
A bride in a veil and sunglasses laughs with a man in a suit while holding a drink at an outdoor gathering, with guests in the background.
Four people, including a bride and groom in wedding attire, stand together outdoors in front of a historic stone building and trees, posing for a formal photo.
A bride and groom stand with two adults in formal attire on a lawn in front of a historic building with a tower. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride in a white dress walks outdoors with five bridesmaids in matching light lavender dresses, holding flowers and white parasols, along a gravel path bordered by grass and stone walls. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride in a long veil walks with five bridesmaids in matching light dresses, each holding a white parasol, near a stone building with a round tower. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride in a white gown and veil holds a bouquet, standing beside a groom in a black tuxedo on grass, with a stone building and trees in the background. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride in a white dress and groom in a black tuxedo stand together outside a stone building with shuttered windows, smiling at each other. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Bride in a white dress holding a bouquet of flowers stands next to groom in a black tuxedo with a boutonniere; they are holding hands and standing outdoors. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride in a white dress and veil holds a bouquet while walking outdoors with a groom in a black tuxedo beside a rustic building.
A bride and groom holding hands and walking outside a stone building with a tower, both dressed in formal wedding attire.
A bride and groom stand outdoors in front of a stone building with a tower. The bride wears a white gown and veil, and the groom is in a black tuxedo. Both are smiling.

Dinner and Dancing at Chateau de la bourlie

Dinner was served in the courtyard, and the setup was absolutely stunning. Pink tablecloths, elegant chairs, modern florals, and beautifully designed stationery created a tablescape that felt romantic, refined, and full of personality.

As guests were led into dinner by the brass band, the atmosphere really kicked up a notch. Speeches followed, before everyone sat down to eat, with laughter and conversation filling the courtyard.

As the evening went on and the first drops of rain arrived, the band played on. Guests danced between courses, climbed onto chairs, and made the most of every moment! It was one of those scenes you don’t forget.

Later, the celebrations moved into the barn, where the night properly took off. The band handed over to a DJ, and the dance floor stayed full as the party continued late into the night!

Round tables with pink tablecloths and floral centerpieces are arranged in the courtyard of a historic stone building with ivy-covered walls and pointed rooftops. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Outdoor dining tables with pink tablecloths and elegant chairs are set in front of an old stone building with ivy and shuttered windows, under string lights. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Elegant outdoor table setting with pink tablecloth, crystal glassware, white plates, beige napkins, gold cutlery, and a floral centerpiece with a Table ten sign. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Outdoor courtyard set with round tables covered in pink tablecloths, surrounded by elegant chairs, floral centerpieces, and a stone building with a turret in the background. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
Four musicians play brass and percussion instruments while walking on a gravel path through an open stone gate in an outdoor setting.
A man in a patterned suit plays the trombone while walking, followed by another man in a blue suit playing a snare drum, outdoors near a stone building.
Bride and groom walk hand in hand outdoors as guests wave napkins and two musicians play drums and trombone in a courtyard with stone buildings. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride and groom enter an outdoor wedding reception as guests stand, clap, and cheer; tables are set in a courtyard surrounded by historic stone buildings. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A bride holding a bouquet and a groom in a tuxedo smile and laugh outdoors near a stone wall with climbing vines.
Guests seated at tables in a courtyard of a historic stone building during an outdoor formal event or wedding reception. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A man in a vest speaks into a microphone at an outdoor event, while guests, including a woman in a veil, sit at a table in front of a stone building.
A group of people in formal attire raise glasses for a toast at an outdoor event in a courtyard with rustic stone buildings.
A woman in a white dress laughs with her hand on her chest, seated among formally dressed guests at an outdoor event.
Guests in formal attire sit at outdoor tables during a wedding reception, smiling and laughing while listening to a speech.
Outdoor wedding reception with guests seated at round and rectangular tables covered in pink tablecloths, set in a courtyard surrounded by rustic buildings. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A man stands on a table holding a microphone and trumpet, celebrating at an outdoor event with guests seated around him in front of a historic stone building.
A wedding party stands and raises their arms in celebration behind a decorated table outdoors, while a photographer captures the moment. Guests and string lights are visible.
A man in formal attire stands indoors, holding a tambourine and clapping, with a table and blurred flowers in the foreground.
A bride, groom, and guests stand and celebrate on tables decorated with pink flowers at an outdoor wedding reception beside an old stone building. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A singer performs energetically on a table at an outdoor wedding reception as guests cheer and celebrate around him.
Three people dressed formally celebrate outdoors; two women in white dresses raise their hands together while a man in a suit stands beside them. A stone building with ivy is in the background.
Three people in formal attire, including a bride and groom, raise glasses in a toast at a decorated outdoor wedding reception table.
A neon sign reading The Collins Club is mounted on a stone wall under a wooden window, with hanging greenery and reflective orbs above.
A bride and groom dance together in front of a crowd of guests inside a rustic venue with exposed beams and stone walls. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A couple embraces and dances in the center of a room while a group of people stands around them, watching and celebrating.
A group of people celebrate at a party, with a woman in a white dress holding a drink and raising her arm while others around her smile, laugh, and dance.
A woman in a white dress with two men in a room with a wood beam. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A group of people in formal attire laugh, cheer, and raise their hands while celebrating at an indoor event.
Two women embrace and smile on a crowded dance floor at a lively party; guests in formal attire dance and celebrate in the background.
A group of people dressed in formal attire dance and socialize at an indoor event; a man and woman in the foreground are smiling and enjoying themselves.
A man in a tuxedo dips a woman in a white dress while holding drinks, surrounded by people in formal attire at a party.
A bride and groom kiss while holding drinks at their wedding reception, surrounded by guests dressed in formal attire. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A crowd of people, including a bride and groom, dance and celebrate together indoors under exposed wooden beams. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.
A stone building with a pointed roof at night. Chateau de la Bourlie wedding.

A wedding in the dordogne, captured naturally

Samantha and Ben created a wedding that felt joyful, stylish, and full of heart. Every detail was considered, yet the focus always stayed on people, atmosphere, and having the best possible time together. Photographing days like this, with so much energy and genuine connection, is exactly why I love what I do.

If you’re planning your own celebration in France and would like to talk about capturing it all in a natural, relaxed way, please do get in touch!

VENDORS

Photographer: Frances Mary Sales
Venue: Chateau de la Bourlie
Planner: Lea Jane Events
Dress: Vivienne Westwood
Shoes: Amina Muaddi
Hairstylist: By Abbey
MUA: Corina Makeup Art
Florist: The Painted Bouquet
Celebrant: Bride Buddy Celebrant
Videographer: Marina Panina Films
Caterers: Le Nectar Traiteur
Hire: Our Fabulous Things
Band: Loud Noises Brass

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