Watercolor Paintings Inspired This French Countryside Wedding

Wanting their wedding to feel like a watercolor painting, this couple chose a dreamy color palette with washed-out tones for their French countryside destination celebration at Chateau de Barbirey, planned by Marry Me in France. Between the perfectly adorned tablescape by Juane Pivoine, the illustrated invitation suite, and the softly lit photographs captured by Peter and Veronika, we're enamored with the undeniable romance of this pretty palette and watercolor effect.

From the Bride... I had only been living in Los Angeles for three weeks, and Gideon had only been home from France for three months, but somehow our paths crossed at the highly unromantic dive bar, Kitbz Room adjoined to the infamous Canters Deli in Los Angeles. Gideon charmed me all night with tales of his French travels, and six months later, he joined me on a trip to Paris. That week in October proved to be one of the most magical and solidifying moments of our lives, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Two years later, we decided say, “I Do,” in the beautiful country where we fell in love. We knew we wanted a small and intimate wedding with close friends and family, so a chateau in the countryside sounded perfect! We thought to ourselves, you only live once, right? We started our search and landed on a beautiful 17th century castle located in the Burgundy region of France, Chateau De Barbirey. From the hundred-year-old cobblestone streets to the French blue shutters on all 36 windows, this location seemed like a true fairytale. Taking into consideration the beautiful landscape and dreamy façade, we decided to have our theme and tone complement this beautiful establishment. We wanted our wedding to feel like a watercolor painting, something dreamy, with washed-out tones such as pale pink, cream, French blue, and accents of gold. However due to the natural beauty of the chateau, it didn't need much pizazz.Throughout the weekend in Burgundy, we consumed endless amounts of rosé and croque monsieur while sweating profusely from the thick humidity of the summertime. We witnessed thunder and hail storms throughout the entire wedding day, but when the ceremony began, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Even the church bells rang as Gideon and I placed our rings on each other’s fingers. No matter how many little issues we encountered along the way, the magical storybook wedding we had fantasized about came true that day. France will always have a special place in our hearts, and the magical moments we shared with family and friends that day will forever live on.

Photography: Peter & Veronika | Event Planning: Marry Me In France | Floral Design: Jaune Pivoine | Wedding Dress: Marisa Bridals | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Katherine Frelon | Venue: Chateau de Barbirey | Photography Assistance: Floretally