Celebrating Classic French Design at Chateau de Champlatreux

In designing this celebration, planner Heather Benge of Styled Shoots Across America brought together elements to celebrate both the classical French interiors and enchanting flower filled grounds of Chateau de Champlatreux. The ceremony site, set on the sweeping back steps of the chateau, made for a truly iconic moment while the intimate reception design celebrated the whimsical outdoor garden grounds. While the ceremony focused on the grand back steps of the venue, and the reception setup overlooked the chateau from the shady trees, for portraits we wanted to highlight the unique flower fields that make up the exquisite grounds streaming out from the venue. Photographer Katie Trauffer used the golden late afternoon light to craft glowing portraits that would highlight the whimsical, romantic effervescence of the flowering lawn.

The idyllic Chateau de Champlatreux, located just forty minutes from the heart of Paris, served as the inspiration for this French garden party celebration. Combining both the sumptuous elegance of classic French details inside each of the seven unique salons with the whimsical grounds covered in fields of soft white flowers, Chateau de Champlatreux embodies both classical French design and the leisurely romance of the countryside.

The bride's etherial Pronovias gown floated through the flowering fields of Chateau de Champlatreux. Layers of dancing tulle flowed as the bride walked the gardens while the delicately beaded bodice sparkled in the afternoon sun. The bride kept her look simple with drop earrings by Joanna Bisley Designs while Sunkissed and Made Up set loose waves in her hair.

The florals were a mix of modern garden party chic while still honoring the wildflower fields of the Chateau's park. Florist La Maison Dautel crafted centerpieces of roses, peonies, greens, and carnations in vintage urns to enhance the garden party feel of the reception. Meanwhile, the ceremony site incorporated more natural textures to coordinate with the fields stretching beyond the aisle.

The bride's petite bouquet, filled with florals and light on greens, perfectly accentuated the beauty of the bride and her look. The ceremony and reception design was filled with greens, but in the bouquet, La Maison Dautel focused primarily on blooms and used greens only sparingly. The creams and honey tones beautifully complimented the venue, and by doing a bloom heavy design, the bride's bouquet stood out amongst the other florals of the day.

Every Chateau in France has such a unique personality, and part of what makes Chateau de Champlatreux so beautiful is the whimsical park in place of what is typically a more formal garden. This inspired the team to create a more relaxed, romantic feel by placing the table amongst the fields. Venues play such a large and important role in setting the tone for your celebration, so especially when considering destination events, be selective to find a venue that embodies the spirit you want your celebration to have.