Ellie & Chris – Château du Raysse, Dordogne

16.08.2025

Ellie and Chris’s wedding at Château du Raysse had a really open, welcoming feel to it. From the moment I arrived, everyone seemed to fall into their own rhythm — catching up, sharing stories, drifting through the gardens and settling into what felt like a long overdue celebration. Their ceremony was full of emotion, but in a grounded, honest way rather than anything performative. By the time evening rolled around, the whole place felt completely theirs. We slipped away for a few portraits as the light softened, and they fell into the moment so naturally that it felt more like watching two people enjoy a quiet breather than a planned part of the day. A lovely wedding, shaped as much by the people as the setting.

Read more about this wedding on my blog.

Exterior view of the château wedding venue in the Dordogne.
Wedding day card and envelope laid out before the groom’s preparations.
Groom reading a handwritten letter on the morning of the wedding.
Groom getting ready as a groomsman helps adjust his cufflinks
Close-up of the groom’s personalised cufflink during morning preparations.
Close-up of the groom’s boutonniere and floral details laid out on a wooden table
Groom and groomsmen posing together before the wedding ceremony.
Wedding day stationery with a handwritten letter to the bride.
Bridal bouquets arranged on fabric before the wedding ceremony.
Bridal party celebrating together in matching robes on the morning of the wedding.
Wedding dress hanging above the bed in the bridal suite.
Bride smiling and holding her bouquet before walking to the ceremony.
Bride standing with her parents for a portrait before the ceremony
Bride standing with her father for a portrait before the ceremony.
Bridesmaids walking toward the outdoor ceremony space at the château.
Wedding celebrant speaking during the outdoor ceremony while the groom and groomsmen stand beneath a stone archway.
Bride and her father sharing a moment together before walking down the aisle.
Wedding celebrant delivering a reading while the groom and groomsmen stand during the outdoor ceremony.
Bride walking arm in arm with her father as they approach the ceremony area.
Celebrant and groomsmen waiting at the outdoor wedding ceremony, captured in black and white.
Bride and her father walking together before the ceremony at a Dordogne château.
Groom embracing the father of the bride during the wedding ceremony
Bride meeting the groom at the altar and sharing a kiss during the outdoor ceremony.
Wedding ceremony held outdoors at a château in southwest France.
Couple exchanging vows during their outdoor wedding ceremony at a château in southwest France.
Couple and celebrant taking part in a symbolic moment during the outdoor ceremony
A close wedding portrait of the couple sharing the first kiss beside a stone wall at their Dordogne venue.
Newly married couple walking through the courtyard during their outdoor wedding in the Dordogne.
Couple pouring champagne into a tower during their wedding reception in southwest France.
Bride laughing with the groom and a guest during the outdoor reception.
Group photo of the couple with their bridesmaids during the outdoor reception
The couple walking hand in hand through the courtyard beneath tree branches after their ceremony.
Guests standing and waving napkins during a lively moment at the outdoor wedding reception.
Guests standing and waving napkins during a joyful moment at the outdoor reception.
Wedding speech being read during the outdoor reception at a Dordogne château
Bride and groom laughing together during a speech at their outdoor reception.
“A lively moment during the outdoor wedding meal with guests raising glasses and celebrating.
Groom giving his wedding speech during the outdoor reception.
Guests laughing and chatting around the outdoor wedding dinner table at a summer reception.
Guests seated at long tables during the outdoor wedding reception, captured in black and white.
Groomsmen preparing speech notes during the outdoor wedding reception in the Dordogne.
Guests laughing during outdoor wedding speeches at a long table reception in southwest France.
Guests laughing together during outdoor wedding speeches, captured in black and white.
Guests taking photos and chatting at an outdoor wedding dinner in southwest France
Guests gathered around long tables during an outdoor wedding meal in France.
A playful portrait of the couple in tall grass during their wedding in the Dordogne
Close-up of the bride’s hands resting on her wedding dress, showing rings and lace detail.
A candid portrait of the couple smiling at each other during their wedding in the Dordogne
A couple sharing a golden hour kiss during their wedding portraits in southwest France.
Couple standing together near a stone archway at their Dordogne wedding venue
Newly married couple walking through the courtyard at their Dordogne wedding celebration.
The couple sharing a quiet moment on the dance floor during their evening reception in France.
Bridesmaids posing together in a candid moment during the evening wedding celebrations.
Guests dancing during the evening reception at a summer wedding in the Dordogne.
Wedding croquembouche presented with sparklers during the evening reception.
Close-up of the couple cutting their croquembouche wedding cake during the reception.

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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Christian and Leonnie at Château du Raysse