A Romantic Wedding at Château de la Citardière, France
VICTORIA + STANISLAS
The wedding celebrations began on Friday with an intimate civil ceremony at Nantes City Hall.
I joined the couple for a short, one-hour reportage, capturing the first moments of their wedding weekend.
You can discover more about civil weddings in Nantes in my dedicated article.
The following morning, I met them again at Château de la Citardière, where the rest of their celebrations would take place. I started by photographing the beautiful château, the wedding details, and the preparations.
Both the bride and groom were surrounded by their closest friends and family.
Before leaving for the church, the bride shared a first look with her father. It was a particularly meaningful moment, as he would later walk her down the aisle.
The couple chose to see each other for the first time at the church. Their traditional religious ceremony was filled with emotion, from happy tears to laughter. Afterwards, a joyful and festive exit brought everyone together before we returned to the château. The newlyweds made their way back in a little yellow car!
A Wedding Reception at Château de la Citardière
The cocktail hour began as guests arrived at the château. We took this opportunity to capture family and group photographs before I returned to a more documentary approach. Then, we made the most of a break in the rain with a short, fifteen-minute couple session in the château grounds. Shortly afterwards, the newlyweds joined their guests for a few songs and some dancing in the barn. Heartfelt speeches followed before everyone headed into the reception room, just as the rain started pouring outside. The rainy weather brought a beautiful, moody feel to the entire day. You'll notice it throughout the gallery, alongside a few photographs captured on 35mm film for an extra touch of nostalgia. Curious to discover more about my approach to film? Explore it here →
Inside, the vaulted stone reception room was particularly beautiful. Long banquet tables complemented its architecture, creating a warm and intimate setting. The evening continued with speeches, entertainment, and dinner. Finally, the couple shared their first dance. The bride then changed into her second dress, surrounded by her friends, before returning to the dance floor to celebrate the rest of the night.
Planning your wedding in France?
THE WEDDING TEAM
Venue - Château de la Citardière
Florist: Atelier Les Herbes Hautes
Catering & Desserts: LB Events
Hair & Makeup: Eugénie Grand Homme
Wedding Dress: Atelier d'Astrid
Groom's Suit: Coup de Ciseaux, Nantes
Wedding Rings: Griffon Joaillerie, Nantes
DJ: Franck Diziak
Saxophonist: Antoine Joffrey
Looking for more wedding inspiration?
Discover more real celebrations and stories on the Journal,
or get in touch if you're planning your own wedding in Europe.

