An elegant Chateau de la Couronne wedding with Shobha and Ciaran

A bride and groom pose together in wedding attire outside a large stone chateau with tall peaked roofs on a sunny day. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
Outdoor dining tables set for an event are arranged in front of a rustic stone building with pitched roofs and greenery. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.

Set in the Charente region of France, Shobha and Ciaran’s Chateau de la Couronne wedding took place on a warm August day. From the very beginning, the day was full of energy! Shobha and Ciaran were so excited to get married and celebrate with all of their loved ones. That feeling carried through every part of the day, from the ceremony right through to the dance floor.

It was such a joy to be there and capture a wedding that felt relaxed, joyful, and completely centred around connection and fun.

A large stone chateau with multiple pointed turrets, surrounded by greenery, a gravel courtyard, and a central fountain under a partly cloudy sky.
A white wedding dress displayed on a mannequin stands in front of a window with sheer curtains, beside a wooden wardrobe and a chandelier above.
A pair of embellished heeled sandals placed on a tiled floor with sunlight casting a grid shadow across the scene. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.

The Couple’s Vision for Their CHateau Wedding

Shobha and Ciaran planned a black-tie wedding that still felt relaxed and laid-back. The overall look was clean and elegant, with a simple colour palette of black, white, and green that suited the chateau beautifully.

Florals were kept minimal and refined, with white and green arrangements used throughout the day. The bridesmaids wore black satin dresses and carried a simple trio of long-stem white roses, which tied everything together perfectly. Shobha’s dress was a real highlight, with statement sleeves that felt modern and timeless. She later changed into a short party dress for the evening, ready for the celebration to continue.

When it came to their photographs, what mattered most was that their love for each other felt obvious, and that everyone having fun was front and centre. They wanted images that would take them straight back to how the day felt, and it was beautiful to capture that for them.

A man in formal attire adjusts his cufflink while wearing an unfastened bow tie in a softly lit room.
Two men in dress shirts and suspenders smile as they adjust each others collars in a well-lit room with curtains and a window in the background. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A man in formal attire stands in front of a large ornate mirror, adjusting his bow tie, with a chandelier reflecting in the background.
A man in a black tuxedo stands smiling in an elegant room with a chandelier, ornate mirror, floral arrangement, and antique furniture. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride stands in a room as two women help adjust her wedding dress. One woman kneels at the train while the other stands behind her, with a large mirror and window in the background.
A bride in a white dress bends down to fasten her shoe in a bright, elegant room with a large wooden wardrobe and a chandelier. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride in an off-the-shoulder white gown holds a bouquet of white flowers and stands near a window, smiling, in a softly lit room with classic decor. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A man in a light-colored suit stands facing a woman in a wedding dress indoors, with a chandelier visible above.
A bride in a white dress and veil hugs an older man in a beige suit in a bedroom with elegant furniture. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
Three adults dressed formally stand indoors, smiling and laughing. One man wears a tan suit, and two women wear elegant dresses; one has a large pink hat. A large plant decorates the background.

Wedding Ceremony at Chateau de la Couronne

The ceremony took place outside in the gardens. Itwas led by Shobha’s stepdad, which gave the whole ceremony a personal and relaxed feel from the very beginning. Live piano music, performed by a loved one, played as Shobha made her entrance, was so beautiful. The ceremony itself was full of laughter, emotion, and connection as it unfolded.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered at the chateau doors for confetti. Shobha and Ciaran chose white paper disc confetti, which stayed in the air beautifully and created such a full, striking moment as they walked back through together. It was one of those scenes that felt effortless and joyful, and a perfect way to move from the ceremony into the celebrations that followed!

Outdoor wedding ceremony with guests seated on either side of an aisle, some holding white parasols, near a fountain and surrounded by tall trees. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
Two men in tuxedos stand outdoors with heads bowed, appearing solemn or reflective, during a formal event with people seated in the background.
A bride holding a bouquet walks down an outdoor aisle with a woman in a teal dress and pink hat, as guests look on at a wedding ceremony. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom kiss outdoors during their wedding ceremony, holding hands while guests watch in the background. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom stand outdoors facing each other; the groom holds a microphone, reciting vows. Two large floral arrangements are behind them.
A bride and groom hold hands during a wedding ceremony, with the bride in a white dress and the groom in a dark suit. The image is in black and white.
A bride and groom kiss at an outdoor wedding ceremony under a blue sky, surrounded by guests and floral arrangements. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand outdoors, smiling, as guests seated on wooden chairs clap and celebrate under a sunny sky. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand outdoors; the bride wears a long white gown and veil, and holds a bouquet. The scene is in black and white. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand outside a stone building as guests throw white flower petals and celebrate their wedding. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand outside a building as guests throw flower petals in celebration, with people smiling and dressed formally. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom kiss as the groom dips the bride, surrounded by guests throwing flower petals outside a stone building during a wedding celebration. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.

Drinks Reception and Portraits at Chateau de la Couronne

After the ceremony, guests gathered for the drinks reception at the back of the chateau. It was the time of the day full of fun conversation, good food, and flowing drinks. Live music played throughout, with both piano and classic accordion creating a wonderful atmosphere and a distinctly French feel.

Family and wedding party portraits took place here, in a beautifully shady spot. A grand chateau door and trailing rosebushes made the perfect backdrop. Towards the end of the drinks reception, we captured a few relaxed portraits of Shobha and Ciaran together, which was the perfect way to close this part of the day.

A group of people, many dressed formally, gather outside a large, stone mansion with turrets and ivy-covered walls on a sunny day. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride wearing a veil hugs a woman in a sunhat and sunglasses at an outdoor wedding, with other guests and flowers visible in the background.
A bride holding a white bouquet talks with guests, including a man in sunglasses, at an outdoor wedding reception.
A group of people in formal attire gather and converse outside a stone château with turrets on a sunny day. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A white metal table with papers and a gift bag stands on gravel next to a vintage street lamp, with dense green bushes in the background.
A bride and another person clink champagne glasses at a celebration, with guests in formal attire blurred in the background. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
Four people pose in front of a stone building with roses. Two men wear black tuxedos, while two women wear dresses; one is in a white bridal gown holding a bouquet.
Four people pose in front of a stone building with climbing roses; the bride and groom stand in the middle, flanked by two adults dressed formally.
A bride and groom stand with their wedding party dressed in black attire, posing for a formal group photo outside an ivy-covered stone building. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
Seven men dressed in tuxedos stand and walk together outside a stone building covered in ivy, posing for a formal group photo. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride in a white gown walks with bridesmaids in black dresses and white parasols along a tree-lined path on a sunny day. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom in formal attire walk hand in hand outside a historic stone chateau with turrets on a sunny day. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride in a white gown and a groom in a black suit stand together outdoors on a gravel path, surrounded by greenery and trees. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride in a white dress and veil smiles, leaning on a groom in a black suit, standing outdoors with trees and bushes in the background. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom pose together in wedding attire outside a large stone chateau with tall peaked roofs on a sunny day.
A couple dressed in formal attire holds hands, showing wedding rings. The image is in black and white and their faces are partially out of frame. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.

Dinner at Chateau de la Couronne

Dinner was served in the courtyard, with two long tables bringing everyone together as the light softened. At each place setting, guests found a personal poem written by Shobha and Ciaran. Each one was different, and reactions were incredible to witness as people read them. There was laughter, surprise, and plenty of smiles as guests shared them with one another.

Speeches followed dinner and flowed naturally, keeping the atmosphere upbeat and connected. Soon after, everyone gathered for the champagne tower, which brought a huge lift in energy and set the tone for the rest of the night.

As the light continued to fade, we stepped away briefly for a few couple portraits in the courtyard. The softer evening light was perfect, and it was a calm moment together before the celebrations moved inside.

Long banquet tables with wooden chairs are set up in the courtyard of a rustic stone building under a partly cloudy sky. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A tall ornate mirror stands outdoors on gravel, framed by white floral arrangements, reflecting a decorative structure; a stone building and fountain are in the background. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
Long wooden tables with white table settings, glassware, and floral centerpieces are arranged outdoors in a courtyard with rustic stone buildings and candelabras. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
Long banquet tables set for an outdoor event are arranged in front of a historic stone chateau with multiple towers and tall windows under a partly cloudy sky. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A long wooden table set for an outdoor event with white plates, black napkins, wine glasses, white roses in vases, and white cloth runners.
Two people sit at an outdoor table set for a formal event, laughing and holding menus or cards, with white flowers and glasses on the table.
Two men in sunglasses sit at an outdoor table during a formal event, smiling and looking at a phone, with plates, glasses, and flowers on the table.
A bride and groom face cheering guests who wave napkins outside a rustic stone building during an outdoor wedding ceremony. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom stand close together outdoors, smiling and laughing, with the brides hands on the grooms face. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom in formal attire stand and smile with raised arms at an outdoor wedding reception, with a stone building in the background. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A group of people seated at long tables outdoors in front of a rustic stone building, dining together under a large tree on a sunny day. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
Aerial view of a large stone chateau with pointed roofs, surrounded by trees and greenery, located in a rural landscape. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A large group of people sit at long banquet tables outdoors in front of a building, viewed from above in black and white. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A woman in a green dress gives a speech with a microphone at an outdoor wedding reception while guests, including the bride and groom, laugh and listen around a table.
Two people dressed formally sit at an outdoor table, smiling and laughing among other guests during a daytime event. Candles, flowers, and glasses decorate the table. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A group of people are seated at long tables outdoors in front of a stone house, listening to a person speaking at the head of the table. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A group of people seated at long tables outdoors raise their glasses in a toast during an event at a rustic stone building.
A man in formal attire stands and reads from a paper, addressing seated guests at an outdoor event in front of a stone building. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A man wipes his eyes with his hands at an outdoor wedding reception while a man in a vest and bow tie reads from a piece of paper. Guests sit around a decorated table.
A woman in a white dress sits smiling at an outdoor table with wine glasses, while a man in a vest and bow tie speaks into a microphone behind her. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A man and a woman in formal attire embrace tightly outdoors; the woman wears a white dress, suggesting a wedding. The mans eyes are closed, and other people stand nearby. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom celebrate outside a stone building, enthusiastically opening champagne and spraying it next to a tower of empty glasses. Chateau de la Couronne wedding.
A bride and groom pour champagne into a tower of glasses outdoors in front of a stone building.
A bride and groom pour champagne into a tall pyramid of glasses outdoors as guests watch and take photos.
A bride and groom stand smiling and embracing outside a stone building with greenery climbing the walls.
A couple embraces closely, both smiling; the woman displays an engagement ring on her finger. The image is in black and white.
A couple in formal attire embrace and twirl outside a stone building with towers, surrounded by gardens.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand toward a large stone building with turrets, possibly a castle, in an outdoor setting.

The evening reception at Chateau de la Couronne

The evening continued inside the banqueting hall, where Shobha and Ciaran shared their first dance. ABBA, being one of Shobha’s favourite artists, played straight after the first dance and made several appearances throughout the night, keeping the floor full.

Shortly after, Shobha changed into a fun short party dress, ready for the night of partying ahead! As it was now dark, everyone stepped outside for a sparkler moment, which brought the whole group together before heading back inside for more dancing.

The party continued late into the night, with music, movement, and a packed dance floor from start to finish – truly a night to remember!

A bride and groom share their first dance in the center of a spacious, well-lit venue as guests stand around them watching.
A bride and groom dance together in a spacious, elegant room with chandeliers, watched by guests in formal attire.
A bride and groom share a kiss while dancing in a bright, elegant venue surrounded by guests, with string lights and a chandelier in the background.
A woman in a short white dress and a man in a black suit walk hand in hand down a hallway with chandeliers and large mirrors.
A couple dressed formally stands closely together in a hallway, gazing into each others eyes beneath a chandelier.
Aerial view of a stone château with lit windows and courtyard, hosting an evening event; surrounded by trees and greenery at dusk.
A couple walks hand-in-hand through a crowd holding sparklers at night, in front of a large stone building, both smiling and dressed in formal attire.
A couple shares a kiss during a dip as guests holding sparklers celebrate outside an elegant stone building in the evening.
A bride and groom walk through a crowd holding sparklers outside a large stone building at night.
A group of people dressed in formal attire dance and sing together in a warmly lit room with stone walls and a chandelier.
A woman in a dress joyfully sticks out her tongue at a man in a vest during a lively indoor party with people dancing in the background.
A group of people dance and laugh at an indoor party, with two women in the foreground enthusiastically moving and holding drinks.
Four women dressed in formal attire sing and laugh together at an indoor event, each holding a drink.
A couple embraces and smiles while dancing at an indoor event, surrounded by guests dressed in formal attire.

A wedding in the charente, captured narturally

Shobha and Ciaran’s wedding was full of energy, love, and so much joy from start to finish. Photographing days like this in a relaxed, unobtrusive way allows everything to unfold naturally, exactly as it should.

If you’re planning your own celebration in France and would like to talk about capturing it honestly and beautifully, please do get in touch!

VENDORS

Photographer: Frances Mary Sales
Venue: Chateau de la Couronne
Planner: Marry Me in France
Florals: Les Fleurs Coupees
HMUA: Anna Kotenji
Dress: The Wedding Shop Colchester
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Jewellery: Lily and Roo London
Suit: Oliver Brown London
Content Creator: Moaya Events
Music: Loose Covers Music
Catering: Events by Nicolas
Evening Dress: Baby Boo Fashion
Photobooth: Wild Stories Photobooth

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