An intimate countryside French chateau wedding with Morgan & Cody

A bride and groom hold hands while walking in front of a large, elegant stone building with multiple windows and a circular driveway. The bride wears a white dress; the groom is in a black suit. Paris Chateau Wedding. Small French Chateau Wedding.
Elegant dining room with a long wooden table set for a meal. Wine bottles, glasses, and floral arrangements adorn the table. A chandelier hangs above, and a portrait is on the wall. Natural light streams in. Paris chateau wedding. Small French Chateau Wedding.

Morgan and Cody’s small French chateau wedding took place just outside Paris, at Chateau de Bouthonvilliers, surrounded by the French countryside. With around 20 of their closest family and friends travelling from the States, the day felt intimate, thoughtful and full of meaning.

From the start, everything about this celebration felt intentional. Keeping the guest list small meant Morgan and Cody could slow things down, stay present, and truly enjoy being together with the people who matter most. Photographing a small wedding at a French chateau like this is always special. There’s a closeness and ease to days like these that feels incredibly grounding to document.

Large, historic mansion with gray roof and beige facade, surrounded by lush green lawns and tall trees on an overcast day. Paris chateau wedding.
Geese walking on a wet path in front of a large, elegant building surrounded by trees.
A black and white image of a large, two-story stone house with dormer windows and shutters. A large tree stands beside the building on a gravel surface. Small French Chateau Wedding
Outdoor wedding aisle setup with wooden chairs, floral arrangements, and a brick archway leading to a garden path. Small French Chateau Wedding.

the couples vision for their Small French chateau wedding

Morgan and Cody envisioned a wedding that felt elegant yet relaxed, blending black-tie details with soft, natural garden styling. The overall feel was elevated but never formal, with every detail chosen thoughtfully.

White and green florals set a calm, classic tone, with a floral arch created for the ceremony. Morgan also wanted subtle touches of classic French chateau blue throughout the day. She hand-embroidered each guest’s name onto their napkin for dinner, and added blue ribbon to their printed vows, along with blue blankets for guests during the ceremony.

Keeping the wedding small allowed them to focus on the details that mattered most to them, while creating a warm, personal experience for everyone there.

A man in a white shirt and black pants sits on an elegant bench tying his shoe in a well-lit room with wooden floors and a large window. A portrait painting hangs on the wall above him.
Person in a white shirt tying black dress shoes while kneeling on a wooden floor. Monochrome image. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A man helps another man adjust his bow tie in a well-lit room with large windows and framed artwork. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A man in a tuxedo stands indoors near a window, adjusting his jacket. There is framed artwork on the wall and a lamp on a nearby table.
A man in a suit stands at an open door of a stone building with white shutters. Small French Chateau Wedding.
Hands buttoning up the intricate lace back of a wedding dress.
A person fastening buttons on delicate lace-trimmed sleeves of a white dress.
A bride applies perfume on her wrist near a window in a softly lit room. She is wearing a gown with lace sleeves, and her hair is styled in an elegant updo.
Bride in a white dress with lace sleeves holds a bouquet of white and green flowers, standing on a wooden staircase, smiling with eyes closed. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A man in a suit hugs a woman in a wedding dress, holding a bouquet. The scene is in a room with patterned wallpaper. Small French Chateau Wedding.

Wedding Ceremony at Chateau de Bouthonvilliers


Before the ceremony, Morgan and Cody shared a first touch and read their vows privately to one another. It gave them a quiet moment together before everything began, and was so beautifully emotional.

The ceremony took place in a sheltered archway on the chateau grounds. With rain earlier in the day, this plan B meant they could still be outdoors, which was really important to them. Cody’s grandfather led the ceremony, making it incredibly personal and intimate. The tone was relaxed, informal, and family-centred, with everyone close and fully present. As soon as they were pronounced married and exited the ceremony, the sun came out!

Bride and groom stand back-to-back, holding hands with eyes closed. Bride wears a white dress with lace sleeves, groom in a suit. They are indoors, separated by a wall. Paris chateau wedding. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A bride and groom stand back-to-back, holding hands around a doorframe. The bride holds a letter and wipes a tear, while the groom smiles. The room is elegantly decorated. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A bride reads a letter, smiling, while standing against a wall. A man in a suit stands on the other side, facing away.
Exterior of a historic brick building with an archway and blue doors, framed by green trees. A cobblestone path leads to the entrance.
A man in a tuxedo stands in front of a floral archway, smiling with hands adjusting his jacket. Brick wall and blue door are in the background.
A bride and a man walk down an aisle together, smiling. The bride holds a large bouquet, and people are seated on either side, watching. The scene is outdoors with brick walls and greenery.
Bride and groom hold hands during an outdoor wedding ceremony under an arch of greenery and flowers, with guests seated on either side.
A bride and groom hold hands during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with an officiant reading from a book, under an arch adorned with white roses and greenery. Small French Chateau Wedding.
Bride and groom kissing at an outdoor wedding ceremony under an archway, surrounded by seated guests. Small French Chateau Wedding.
Bride and groom smiling and holding hands while walking down the aisle outdoors, surrounded by applauding guests and floral arrangements.
A newlywed couple shares a kiss outdoors surrounded by guests. The groom is dipping the bride, who holds a bouquet. The setting is decorated with flowers. Small French Chateau Wedding.
Bride in white dress hugging a woman with glasses, holding a bouquet, while two men in suits embrace nearby, outside a brick building.
A man in a suit embraces another person warmly at an outdoor event, surrounded by others dressed formally.
A couple kisses in front of gathered guests, surrounded by falling confetti, with a building and shutters in the background. Small French Chateau Wedding.
Five people dressed formally stand in front of a large, historic building with green shutters and a brick façade. A bridal bouquet is held by the woman in a white gown.
A bride and groom embrace and smile at each other in front of a building with white shutters. The bride wears a lace dress, and the groom is in a black suit. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A bride in a white gown and a groom in a black suit kiss in a garden. The bride holds a bouquet. Trees and foliage surround them, and a small building is in the background. Small French Chateau Wedding.

the couples vision for their Small French chateau wedding


Dinner was held inside the chateau’s dining room, with one large table bringing everyone together. With such a small group, the setup felt cosy and connected, with conversations flowing easily around the table. Speeches from family and friends were shared throughout the meal, adding so much warmth to the evening.

As the night went on, the celebration moved into the living room for dancing. It felt relaxed and joyful, with no pressure or schedule, just everyone enjoying the moment together!

Elegant dining room with a long wooden table set for a meal. Wine bottles, glasses, and floral arrangements adorn the table. A chandelier hangs above, and a portrait is on the wall. Natural light streams in. Small French Chateau Wedding.
Elegantly set dining table with a floral centerpiece, a blue patterned jug, wine bottles, glassware, and plates featuring menus and macarons, under a tall candelabra in a classic room.
A person in a tuxedo speaks at a formal dining table. Portraits hang on the walls, and a chandelier is visible.
A bride and groom sit laughing at a formal table with guests. The room has elegant decor, including a mantelpiece with plates and candlesticks. Black and white image. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A group of people seated at a long dining table raise glasses in a toast. The room is elegantly decorated with wall murals and a chandelier, and natural light comes through a large window. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A large, historic mansion with multiple chimneys and dormer windows, surrounded by well-maintained lawns and mature trees on a sunny day. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A bride and groom hold hands while walking in front of a large, elegant stone building with multiple windows and a circular driveway. The bride wears a white dress; the groom is in a black suit.
A bride and groom walk arm in arm, smiling at each other, in front of an elegant building with shuttered windows. Small French Chateau Wedding.
Bride and groom face each other, holding a large bouquet of white flowers and greenery. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A bride and groom share a first dance in a warmly lit room with a fireplace and elegant decor. A smiling guest watches in the background. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A couple dances in a cozy room with a lit fireplace. The man lifts the woman, who smiles down at him. Two women stand in the background, one applauding. The setting is elegantly decorated. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A man in a tuxedo dances at an indoor event while four people, three women and one man, joyfully watch and join in. The room is warmly lit.
A group of people in a warmly lit room, smiling and gesturing with their hands, dressed in semi-formal attire.
A bride and groom share a kiss in a dimly lit room with floral curtains, framed pictures, and a glowing lamp nearby. Small French Chateau Wedding.
A large two-story building with illuminated windows stands at night, surrounded by trees and a circular garden bed in the foreground. Small French Chateau Wedding.

A Small French Chateau Wedding, Captured Naturally

Morgan and Cody’s wedding was a beautiful reminder of how meaningful a small French chateau wedding can be. Intimate, personal, and completely focused on what truly matters.

I take a calm, unobtrusive approach, allowing days like this to unfold naturally while quietly capturing the moments as they happen. If you’re planning a small wedding in France and are drawn to the idea of a relaxed celebration at a French chateau, I’d love to hear from you!

kind words from the couple

“If you’re thinking about booking Frances to capture your day, don’t think another second. You will not regret having Frances as your photographer. Frances went above and beyond when it came to my now husband and I’s wedding day.

Not only that, but she captured every detail of our day perfectly. We now have stunning portraits where she helped pose us as well as candid shots that capture the ambiance of our day exceptionally. It felt so natural and fun, like we were taking photos with a long time friend. In addition to that, she captured the most special moments flawlessly. The raw emotion of love and joy you can see in the photos cannot be recreated.

I’m not sure how I can work with Frances in the future, but I will find a way because that’s just how much we loved having her as apart of our day. Even guests at our wedding mentioned just how fabulous she is at what she does. Thank you Frances for everything!”

VENDORS

Photographer: Frances Mary Sales
Venue: Chateau de Bouthonvilliers
Florist: The Painted Bouquet
Dress: Cleo Bridal

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