Nikki & Will: Château La Durantie Wedding
Château La Durantie is a wedding venue in the south-west of France, built in 1840 and carefully restored to highlight its elegant French charm. Inside, the château feels warm and refined, with light-filled rooms and thoughtful details that create a beautiful setting for a wedding day. Outside, the grounds are truly unique: the formal gardens, the long cypress alley leading to a romantic pavilion, and the quiet corners hidden among the trees all offer perfect spaces for a ceremony or intimate portraits. At the back of the estate, a lavender-lined path opens to a sweeping view of the château itself—one of the most iconic spots I love capturing as a Château La Durantie wedding photographer.
getting ready at Chateau la Durantie
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The bride got ready in the château’s beautiful bridal suite, a soft sage-coloured room that creates an elegant backdrop for timeless portraits. She spent the morning with her bridesmaids, sharing champagne and laughter as the excitement slowly built. Later, her mother helped her into her dress, and we took advantage of the room’s charming details—the tall doors, the gentle light from the window, the refined décor—to capture a series of intimate, graceful images.
Meanwhile, the groom prepared in a separate room: a more masculine salon filled with character, surrounded by antique portrait paintings and leather sofas. With all his groomsmen around him, the atmosphere was relaxed and joyful, perfectly matching the warm, historic feel of the château.
A beautiful ceremony in the gardens
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The ceremony took place in the château’s gardens, right at the center of the cypress alley, a naturally graphic setting that almost feels like a touch of Provence in the Dordogne. The floral design framed the space beautifully, with two half-arches made of soft greenery and pastel blooms in shades of white, blush, and pale yellow. It created a gentle, romantic atmosphere as the couple exchanged their vows.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds made their exit in front of the château, walking through a joyful shower of petals, a moment full of movement, colour, and emotion, and one of those scenes that makes a Château La Durantie wedding truly unforgettable.
cocktail hour & portraits
in front of the Château
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After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a relaxed cocktail behind the château, sipping champagne and tasting petits fours in the shade. This was the perfect moment to capture family photos, bridal party portraits, and a few intimate images of the couple. Château La Durantie offers an incredible variety of photo locations: the iconic cypress alley, the lavender path with its breathtaking view of the château, and the elegant front façade framed by neat boxwood bushes.
Even the interiors are stunning, with a grand white-and-gold staircase and cozy salons full of charm. No matter the weather, the château always provides beautiful backdrops for photographs, making every moment easy to capture in a natural and timeless way.
Al fresco dinner under the stars
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The dinner took place outdoors in the château’s garden, where guests could enjoy the warm and gentle Dordogne climate. The U-shaped tables were set under strings of lights, creating a soft, romantic glow as the sun went down.
Everyone enjoyed elegant dishes and heartfelt speeches before the couple cut their traditional pièce montée, a tower of choux that added the perfect French touch to the evening. A live rock band played throughout the night, bringing energy and fun for both the kids and the adults, and setting the tone for a lively celebration under the stars.
Wedding team
Photographer : Clémence Aresu for Nancy Twickler | Venue : Château la Durantie | Planning and styling : Best Events Company | Hair and Makeup : Alexia Bigaud Morin | Flowers : Le Coeur Sauvage | Dress : Suzanne Neville | Stationery : Millie Stone & Bloom invitations | Video : Innar Hunt films | DJ : British DJ in France | Saxo : Phil the sax player | Live band : Bright lights | Caterer : Escapade des sens
Let’s plan your own wedding at la durantie
