Let me tell you a story.  It's a story of romantic light, a French château, and the most magnificent cake I've ever seen. But it's also a story about love, as they always are.

An hour's journey from Paris sits a chateau in the hills of Normandy. It's sun-washed façade reflects the happy yellow of the day, and its stately frame has seen more years than I can count.

Max and Clara, our real couple for the day's editorial, arrived by train to the chateau the night before. The rest of the magic happened in the morning. 

It was a brilliant day, and as soon as the fog departed with its mysteries and the dew had left the grounds around the castle, set up began. Max & Clara had no shortness of florals for their intimately-styled "I do's," and roses dripped from the tablescape in the orangerie, the gentle curves of the ceremony arch, and the garden-inspired bouquet of the bridal portraits.

The blooms on the cake, however, are entirely handcrafted from sugar. A masterpiece by Monika Kos, she delicately constructed each petal to form the most realistic edible flowers I had seen. She painted the edges of the garden roses to reflect a natural lifespan, the delicate touches of creams and browns making the flowers seem utterly alive.

Two gowns (who can decide on only one?)--one for the morning portraits and one for the ceremony, each delicious layers of tulle upon tulle, a perfect blend to soften the European architecture of Chateau de Courtomer.

In case you can't tell, there is special place in my heart for the details of a day. The impact of intentional florals, the play to be had when a dress has movement, the natural elegance of European estates--all these fold together to create a stunning canvas for the story of a day. 

The French countryside was a cherry on the cake.

If you are inspired by the wedding photography here, consider a chateau for your intimate celebration. The rooms here, at Château de Courtomer, have private en suite bathrooms, the library is as expansive as the grounds, and private catering can keep your heart and stomach content for however long your celebration lasts.

So, if you're in need of French chateau wedding inspiration, you've certainly come to the right place. The dusty blue wedding colors, so iconic of France, are on full display here at this editorial. As are an abundance of smiles, candid snapshots, and the most gorgeous couple.

Always ready for the next adventure, let us take you to chateau for the intimate destination wedding you've been dreaming of.

Here begins our romance.