This past summer, Zoe & Leeyen, doctors from Los Angeles, traveled with sixty of their nearest to France where they spent three days celebrating their love. From a first look at sunrise under the Eiffel Tower to a stunning ceremony in front of a 15th century château, everything about their exquisite wedding weekend was a dream for this Chateau Bourdaisiere wedding photographer.
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Two hopeless romantics, Zoe & Leeyen’s proposal was nothing short of magical. From the moment they met, sparks flew. What started as a casual first date in the afternoon turned into spending nearly twenty four hours together, including watching the sun rise on the beach. Fast forward to Leeyen planning an amazing scavenger hunt for Zoe that concluded with them on the same beach and him down on one knee with a ring. Magic!
For these two jetsetters who have traveled the world time and time again together, a destination wedding in France was the perfect way to celebrate their love. After several Covid-related postponements and incredibly stressful years working in healthcare through the pandemic, it was even more incredible to see them finally be able to live out their Parisian wedding dream.
Nestled in the French countryside just minutes away from the lovely village of Amboise, Chateau Bourdaisiere played host to Zoe & Leeyen’s nuptials. This 15th century Loire Valley chateau has a long line of noble owners and served as the most romantic backdrop for their black-tie wedding.
Zoe and Leeyen wanted the design to feel romantic, French, and timeless. To create this look, the Rachael Ellen Events team opted for soft shades of blush and rose paired with classic neutrals. The soft palette allowed the historic chateau and gardens to shine while adding a soft, feminine touch to the overall look.
The bride was drawn to romantic yet clean details that added to the feel of the château. She opted for a simple, modern-romantic tablescape and focused our design on a “wow-factor” ceremony. The look was a chic, intimate, garden-party feel that was perfect for the couple.
Before the ceremony, Leeyen relaxed with his best friends while sipping Japanese whiskey. After Zoe and her ladies were ready they donned their sequined gowns and went outside to enjoy the sunshine and their beautiful bouquets filled with English garden roses and fluttering ranunculus.
The stunning ceremony, designed by the bride herself, featured an abundance of blooms covering all three floors of the château facade. Florals featured delphinium, garden roses, and sweet pea paired with lush greens. It felt completely enchanted – like stepping into a fairytale.
Zoe & Leeyen served classic french cuisine prepared by a local caterer. Zoe was lucky enough to have a tasting pre-pandemic while on a girls trip to Paris. Their caterer prepared a classic French wedding cake with sparklers during the cutting. It was one of the highlights of the night!
Chateau Bourdaisiere Wedding Photographer: Molly Carr | Design & Florals: Rachael Ellen Events | Paperie: Ink & Press Co | Gown: Galia Lahav | Venue: Chateau Bourdaisere
