Christian and Leonnie – Château du Raysse, Dordogne

21.06.2025

Christian and Léonnie’s wedding at Château du Raysse was my first in France, and it made the move feel instantly worthwhile. They’re the sort of couple who bring out the best in everyone around them — warm, relaxed and completely themselves — and that carried through the whole day. The château, perched above the Dordogne valley, gave the celebration a beautiful backdrop without ever stealing the focus from the people who made it what it was.

Read more about this wedding on my blog.

Exterior of Château du Raysse in summer light, with stone tower and palm tree giving context to the wedding setting in the Dordogne.
Outdoor ceremony space at Château du Raysse, set among tall cypress trees and stone walls in bright summer light.
Groom adjusting his tie while getting ready at Château du Raysse before the ceremony.
Groom getting ready at Château du Raysse, adjusting his shirt while a friend helps in soft indoor light.
Groom adjusting a guest’s cufflinks indoors at Château du Raysse before the ceremony.
Groom and groomsmen posing together indoors at Château du Raysse before the ceremony.
Floral boutonnieres laid out on a wooden table, photographed as part of the wedding details at Château du Raysse.
Groom standing with his groomsmen in front of the stone façade of Château du Raysse, photographed before the ceremony.
Groom and groomsmen walking through the gates of Château du Raysse in summer light, heading toward the ceremony.
Children greeting wedding guests in a shaded courtyard at Château du Raysse, capturing a candid family moment during the celebration.
Group of male guests walking toward the ceremony area at Château du Raysse, dressed in summer suits on a warm Dordogne afternoon.
Wedding guests walking together across the courtyard at Château du Raysse, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere before the ceremony.
Parents of the Groom laughing and cooling themselves with a fan during the wedding at Château du Raysse in the Dordogne.
Bridesmaids in champagne-coloured dresses walking through the gardens at Château du Raysse, carrying flowers on their way to the ceremony.
Bridal party walking in procession toward the ceremony space at Château du Raysse under bright summer sun.
Bride and father standing together on a balcony at Château du Raysse, sharing a quiet moment before the ceremony
Bride walking toward the ceremony at Château du Raysse with a family member, holding her bouquet in bright afternoon light.
Bride walking up the aisle at Château du Raysse with her father, guests turning to watch the start of the outdoor ceremony.
Couple standing together at the start of their outdoor ceremony at Château du Raysse, with the groom smiling as the bride arrives.
Groom smiling during the ceremony at Château du Raysse, captured from the guests’ perspective.
Bride and groom exchanging vows in the courtyard at Château du Raysse, standing in soft summer light with guests watching.
Bride reading her vows to the groom under a parasol, surrounded by guests during the outdoor ceremony at Château du Raysse.
Couple holding hands as they exchange vows at Château du Raysse, with guests seated behind them in the courtyard.
Guests seated during the ceremony at Château du Raysse, reacting warmly and enjoying the bright summer weather.
Groom holding the bride’s hand during their vows at Château du Raysse, with stone walls and greenery in the background.
Bride wiping a tear during the ceremony at Château du Raysse, reacting emotionally as the vows are read.
Close-up of the couple holding hands during the ceremony at Château du Raysse, showing quiet emotion in a detailed moment.
Couple holding hands as they exchange vows during the outdoor ceremony at Château du Raysse, with soft summer light across the scene.
Bride and groom sharing their first kiss during the ceremony at Château du Raysse, surrounded by natural stone and greenery.
Two guests laughing at the end of the wedding ceremony at Château du Raysse in the Dordogne.
Bride and groom walking out together after the ceremony at Château du Raysse, smiling as guests cheer behind them.
Bride hugging a guest during the reception at Château du Raysse, smiling warmly in the garden.
Group of guests reacting and laughing over something on a phone during the afternoon reception at Château du Raysse.
Guests posing together with drinks during the reception at Château du Raysse, dressed in light summer outfits.
Close-up of the couple holding hands during the ceremony at Château du Raysse, showing the bride’s flowing sleeve detail.
Bride adjusting her dress with the help of a guest during the reception at Château du Raysse, holding a drink in hand.
Close-up of a guest’s polka-dot dress and the bride’s sleeve as they stand together during the wedding at Château du Raysse.
Bride and groom sharing a close moment during the reception at Château du Raysse, smiling together in the garden.
Guest laughing warmly as he greets another during the wedding reception at Château du Raysse.
Guests chatting and sharing drinks during the outdoor reception at Château du Raysse in the Dordogne.
Bride smiling and leaning into a hug with a guest during the reception at Château du Raysse.
Guest addressing the crowd with a microphone during the afternoon reception at Château du Raysse, with others gathered in the garden.
Two guests sharing a cheerful moment together, one kissing the other on the cheek during the wedding at Château du Raysse.
Table décor at Château du Raysse featuring simple floral arrangements and the wedding menu set for an outdoor summer meal.
Long outdoor dining tables set for the wedding meal at Château du Raysse, arranged under parasols in the garden.
Wedding guests waving napkins and celebrating at the outdoor reception at Château du Raysse, creating a lively atmosphere.
Bride walking through the courtyard at Château du Raysse while guests cheer and raise glasses during the wedding reception.
Guests celebrating during the wedding meal at Château du Raysse, waving napkins and cheering in the courtyard.
Bride seated at the wedding table beneath dappled shade at Château du Raysse, surrounded by floral arrangements and guests.
Groom delivering a speech at the outdoor wedding meal at Château du Raysse, with tables arranged along the stone wall.
Groom's father reacting to speeches during the outdoor wedding reception at Château du Raysse.
Groom leaning in to embrace the bride during the wedding meal at Château du Raysse, surrounded by friends and family.
Guest giving a speech at the long outdoor tables during the wedding at Château du Raysse, with people listening and raising glasses.
Guests cheering and raising their drinks during the wedding meal at Château du Raysse in the Dordogne.
Bride chatting with guests at the dinner table during the reception at Château du Raysse, surrounded by summer florals.
Groom shaking hand of the Bride's father during the wedding reception at Château du Raysse, with tables set under the trees.
Children performing a song from Lion King in the shade at Château du Raysse.
Guest wiping away a tear while watching the speeches during the outdoor wedding meal at Château du Raysse.
Bride hugging a flower girl during the reception at Château du Raysse, a warm moment in the shaded courtyard.
Guests greeting the bride at the wedding meal at Château du Raysse, sharing a warm moment by the head table.
Best man delivering an animated speech in the courtyard at Château du Raysse during the wedding reception.
Bride laughing with guests during the wedding meal at Château du Raysse, surrounded by simple floral arrangements.
Guests raising their glasses and cheering during the outdoor wedding reception at Château du Raysse.
Groom and best man sharing a tight hug during the wedding at Château du Raysse.
Bride holding a drink and laughing as she speaks to guests during the wedding celebrations at Château du Raysse.
Guests chatting and enjoying drinks at the long outdoor tables during the reception at Château du Raysse.
Groom and two guests posing together during the wedding reception at Château du Raysse, smiling in the late-afternoon light.
Bride and groom walking together through the gardens at Château du Raysse during golden hour, sharing a relaxed moment.
Bride & Groom embracing on a garden path at Château du Raysse as evening light falls across the trees.
Bride and groom standing closely together on a shaded path at Château du Raysse, captured in soft evening light.
Portrait of the bride in her wedding dress at Château du Raysse, photographed in warm sunset light.
Bride and groom walking hand-in-hand through the gardens at Château du Raysse, smiling as they talk.
Groom dipping the bride during golden hour portraits at Château du Raysse, both laughing together.
Bride & Groom embracing beneath tall cypress trees at Château du Raysse during their evening portrait session.
Bride laughing with the groom during their golden hour portraits at Château du Raysse.
Bride and groom sharing their first dance outdoors at Château du Raysse, photographed in black and white.
Groom lifting the bride during the evening celebrations at Château du Raysse, surrounded by cheering guests.
Couple sharing a kiss on the dance floor at Château du Raysse during the evening party, surrounded by soft string lights.
Guests dancing and enjoying the evening party inside the barn at Château du Raysse, lit by warm overhead lights.
Two guests laughing together on the dance floor during the late-night celebrations at Château du Raysse.
Guests dancing with a live saxophonist during the evening party at Château du Raysse, captured with lively movement and warm light.
Guests celebrating on the dance floor late into the night at Château du Raysse, arms raised and enjoying the music.

Contact me.

Gavin Chapman · Wedding Photographer in France

I’m based in Bordeaux and photograph weddings across the Dordogne, Charente, Lot-et-Garonne and throughout France.

I work mainly with English-speaking couples from the UK, US, Australia, Ireland and beyond — people who want beautifulful photographs of themselves and the people who matter most, on the day that matters most.

Available across France and Europe.

I’d love to hear what you’re planning.

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Ellie & Chris at Château du Raysse, Dordogne
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