Planning & Design
French Chateau Wedding near Paris
Danae & Ian | 19.04.2023
Chateau de Vallery - Bourgogne
Planning, Design & Production by Bonjour Weddings
Photography by Greg Finck
Videography by Zen Film Works
“ A regency-inspired, Bridgertonesque luxury wedding at the beautiful Château de Vallery, near Paris. Picture lush florals, fire performers, an aerialist, a string quartet and a live-painter. Scroll down to unravel the magic of this intimate three-day celebration. ”
Explore this wedding's events below - including the wedding video
A Château Wedding Weekend Brought to Life Through Expert Planning
Danae and Ian’s wedding at the enchanting Château de Vallery was a celebration of love, beauty, and unforgettable moments, spread over an incredible three-day experience. Every detail of the weekend was thoughtfully planned, designed, and executed by our team, from sourcing a unique selection of 30+ vendors to coordinating the logistics that turned a dream into reality.
As a stylish and dynamic couple from San Francisco, they brought their love for travel, fine dining, and upscale experiences to their dream wedding at Château de Vallery. Both working in tech, they share a passion for adventure, exploring new cultures, and embracing all things trendy and unique. France has always held a special place in their hearts—not only as the perfect setting for their celebration but also as a destination they hope to call home someday, with Paris as their ultimate dream city.
When they contacted us in March 2022, they had no clear vision for their wedding in France. They knew they wanted something extraordinary and meaningful but were happy to trust us to guide them through the process. Drawing inspiration from their personalities—playful, adventurous, and romantic—we crafted a bespoke multi-day celebration that blended the grandeur of a French château with personal, creative touches. The result? A wedding weekend filled with elegance, joy, and unforgettable moments.
Day one
A Warm Welcome to the Château
The festivities began with a welcome event that set the tone for the weekend. Guests arrived at the château to find personalized welcome baskets filled with carefully curated items: elegant wine glasses, a bottle of Amour rosé wine, artisanal snacks, and cozy blankets for their stay. Each basket was sourced and assembled by our team, reflecting the couple’s appreciation for thoughtful, practical gifts.
The evening started with an intimate wine-tasting experience in the château’s atmospheric wine cellar, complete with charcuterie boards and a selection of fine cheeses, showcasing the best of the Burgundy region. This relaxed gathering offered guests a chance to mingle and enjoy the château’s historic charm.
Dinner was held under the twinkling fairy lights we strung above the pool, creating a dreamy ambiance in the Oriental Pavilion’s courtyard. The meal, a traditional Moroccan couscous feast, was served in true Moroccan style, with a grand presentation of dishes that captivated the guests. The night concluded with an impromptu karaoke session back in the Oriental Pavilion, thanks to the microphones Danae and Ian had picked up during their week in Paris. This unplanned moment of fun added a personal touch and set the stage for the joy and spontaneity that would follow.
Day two
A Day of Elegance and Celebration
The morning of the wedding day was calm yet filled with excitement. Danae got ready in the upstairs suite of the Oriental Pavilion, its large windows framing breathtaking views of the château grounds. Surrounded by her beauty team and her closest friends and family, the atmosphere in Danae’s suite was electric. Laughter echoed through the room, and the energy was absolutely contagious. These ladies were so full of joy that they couldn’t resist breaking into dance, creating a lively and heartwarming moment before heading off to the ceremony! Meanwhile, Ian prepared in the Dovecot, a charming and secluded spot on the property with his groomsmen.
While the couple prepared, guests were invited to enjoy a relaxed morning on the lawns. We arranged for lawn games and oversized wooden puzzles, such as giant Jenga and Mikado, to keep everyone entertained. Refined picnic baskets filled with fresh pastries, cheese, fruit, and local specialties were provided, allowing guests to savor a leisurely meal outdoors while basking in the warm spring sunshine. Many guests used the blankets from their welcome baskets to lounge on the grass, creating a picturesque, carefree atmosphere.
The ceremony took place in the château’s rose garden, a setting straight out of a fairytale. Lush, colorful floral arrangements framed the aisle and altar, and the melodic notes of a string quartet filled the air. To add a unique and personal touch, we brought in a live painter who captured the magic of the ceremony on canvas—a beautiful keepsake for Danae and Ian.
A Cocktail Hour Like No Other
Following the ceremony, the celebration continued with a two-hour cocktail hour in front of the château. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails, elegant canapés, and live cooking demonstrations that added a dynamic culinary element. Lounge areas we designed and arranged provided comfortable spaces for guests to relax while soaking in the romantic atmosphere.
One of the highlights of the cocktail hour was the aerialist performance, which we coordinated to perfection with the string quartet. Her breathtaking routine to an acoustic Skyfall left everyone mesmerized, as did her additional performances throughout the evening. Meanwhile, the live painter switched focus to create portraits of the guests, offering another layer of personalized entertainment.
An Enchanting Dinner in the Grande Gallery
Dinner in the Grande Gallery was the pièce de résistance of the weekend. Every detail of the space was designed to reflect the couple’s romantic vision. Two grand banquet tables were adorned with lush floral suspensions, countless candles, and toile de Jouy table linens that brought a touch of French refinement. Guests were treated to bespoke menus, each tied with a velvet bow, and La Durée dragées served as elegant favors. The intimate sweetheart table for Danae and Ian was a beautiful focal point, emphasizing their connection amidst the grandeur of the space.
After dinner, guests moved outside for a pyrotchnic performance and a dazzling fireworks display over the château grounds—a magical surprise that added to the night’s enchantment. The evening continued with the cutting of a stunning wedding cake and Danae and Ian’s first dance, which opened the floor for a lively night of celebration.
Day three
A Relaxed Farewell Brunch
The final day of Danae and Ian’s wedding weekend was anything but an afterthought. The farewell brunch was thoughtfully curated to ensure guests left with smiles and sweet memories of their time at Château de Vallery. Held by the pool, the brunch was a delightful blend of elegance and playfulness, offering a perfect conclusion to the multi-day celebration.
Adding a whimsical touch, a cotton candy machine delighted the guests with its fluffy, sugary treats. The culinary experience was equally as impressive as the previous days, featuring waffles made fresh to order and served alongside handpicked strawberries of unmatched flavor—carefully transported to ensure they never saw the inside of a refrigerator from the moment they were harvested to when they were served. These thoughtful details perfectly reflected the couple’s love for exceptional food and unique experiences.
To elevate the ambiance, we repurposed all the florals from the wedding day, creating a vibrant and enchanting setting for the brunch. The floral arrangements brought a sense of continuity and charm to the event, making the poolside space feel just as magical as the celebrations that came before it.
Guests lounged by the pool, reminiscing about the unforgettable weekend, enjoying the serene atmosphere, and sharing laughs over one last glass of champagne. It was the perfect balance of relaxation and celebration, offering a heartfelt and stylish farewell to an extraordinary wedding weekend.
The Expertise Behind the Magic
Danae and Ian entrusted us with every detail of their wedding, and our team delivered on every aspect. From the curated welcome baskets and custom monogram to sourcing the exquisite tableware and managing the logistics of 30 suppliers, no element was overlooked. Each experience, ambiance, and detail was thoughtfully designed to reflect their unique love story and create a seamless, joyful weekend for them and their guests.
Bringing this multi-day celebration to life required months of planning, countless hours of coordination, and the collaboration of exceptional vendors. It’s our passion to transform our clients’ dreams into reality, and Danae and Ian’s wedding was a testament to the magic that happens when trust, creativity, and expert planning come together.
Special thanks to
Venue - Château de Vallery
Photography - Greg Finck
Videography - Zen Film Works
Wedding Dress - Ese Azenabor
Pre and Post Wedding Dresses - Rime Arodaky
Groom's Attire - Dior & Louboutin
Florals - Botanique Bazar
Paper Goods - Emily Baird Design
Hair - Ciara Coiffure
Makeup - Beauty by Maeva
Catering - Domaine des Jardins
Cake - Synie's Paris
Couscous - L'Oasis Orientale Paris
Officiant - The Paris Officiant
Live Music - Ivana String Quartet
DJ - Selecktive
Live Painter - Aaron Jacob Jones
Content Creation - Goldy House
Aerialist - Cara Chapman
Fire Show - Supercho
Fireworks - Nuit Féérique
And thanks to the Bonjour Weddings team, Joëlle and Charlotte for working so hard on this wedding.
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