Camille and Pierre's wedding - Chateau de l'Hospital

Château de l’Hospital is a jewel in the town of Portets. Long abandoned, it was completely renovated and reopened to the public in 2017. It retains the charm of a long history while enjoying a pleasant layout. The owners have provided wedding rooms and cosy lounges. One of the assets of this Gironde château is its grounds, a perfectly manicured haven of peace surrounded by vineyards. A fantastic playground for a wedding photographer.

Faced with capricious weather, Camille and Pierre opted to hold their ceremony indoors, in the reception hall. Clotilde was in charge of the floral arrangements. For my part, I was able to immortalize the preparations of the bride and groom and their witnesses in the château.

Wedding preparations at Château de l’Hospital

The bride and groom were able to get ready in two separate rooms. The rooms provided by Château de L’hospital are spacious and tastefully decorated. They’re bright, perfect for pre-ceremony photos.

Camille, the bride, told me she wanted to take the family photos in certain parts of the château. I’ve already had the opportunity to visit this site several times as part of my professional photography assignments, and I was able to suggest that they do a shoot in the historic hall. With its murals and renovated stonework, the place was perfect for family shots. We moved on to the smoking room to enjoy a more relaxed setting. The shots turned out beautifully, and the charm of the château adds a lot of character to them.

Emotional first look shoot before the wedding

I knew Vincent, the bride’s father, well. Like me, he’s a sensitive dad. I knew I’d be able to capture an avalanche of emotions when he discovered his “little one” in her beautiful dress. So I chose the superb stone staircase inside the Château to set the scene for Camille’s meeting with her dad. The moment of discovery and first look between the two was touching and moving. I loved immortalizing it!

Then I guided Camille to the magnificent arcades in the château grounds. This is the place I suggested for the first look with Pierre. Time stopped in Portets the moment Pierre saw Camille in her princess outfit. The love and admiration between the couple was palpable. I feel privileged to have been able to immortalize this emotional moment before the ceremony.

An ideal venue for a secular ceremony in Gironde

The wedding ceremony took place at the Orangerie du Château de l’Hospital, a large, bright and modern hall. The moment was powerful and intense, as the photos testify. The speeches were funny and moving. You could feel the deep attachment between the guests and the bride and groom.

I was delighted with the detail shots and everyone’s twinkling eyes. It’s hard not to be touched by the interventions of those close to us. By the end of the ceremony, the sun was descending on the estate. It was time to head outside.

Photos of the newlyweds in the vineyards in the heart of nature

Finally, we were able to shoot an unforgettable photo in the château’s vineyards. The low sunlight on one of Gironde’s most beautiful wine estates provides an idyllic backdrop for post-wedding shots. The bride and groom were radiant, and the photos speak for themselves.

Camille was resplendent in her beautiful dress and bouquet. The photos highlight her wedding outfit and hairstyle. I tried to capture all the complicity between the lovers in this shoot. This wedding at Château de l’Hospital will remain one of my favorites.

I’ll let you browse the gallery and the wedding teaser video. The beauty of the surrounding countryside and the sumptuous stonework of Château de l’Hospital create a unique setting in which to celebrate love. To find out more and plan your wedding in this exceptional location, please visit their website.

Would you like to discover other wedding venues for inspiration? See my gallery.

Here you’ll find wedding photos taken around Bordeaux in stunning locations: at Château de Puyrigaud, or in a different style, at Villa Tosca on the Bassin d’Arcachon.