Whimsical Golden Hour Wedding at Château de Puissentut, Occitanie

Imagine a whimsical wedding bathed in the soft glow of golden hour in Occitanie, France.

You’ve chosen a gorgeous château nestled in the rolling countryside of Occitanie, in the historic region of Gascony, in south west France. Friends relax in the sun-soaked gardens, of the Chateau de Puissentut, glasses in hand. You and your fiancé are finally ready in cool linen suits as the heat of the day retreats into a warm, honeyed light. Nearby, the old pigeonnier — where you will soon exchange vows — waits patiently.

The stage is set. The music begins.

This was the scene for the wedding of James and Mace, who travelled to Château de Puissentut to formalise their commitment to one another. They invited a small but beautifully formed group of friends, all of whom had journeyed from the USA or further afield, to witness their ceremony.

 

A Destination Wedding in Occitanie

James and Mace wanted their ceremony to tell their story — not only their love for one another, but also the deep bonds they share with their family and friends.

During our pre-ceremony conversations, we hatched a plan to invite loved ones to contribute directly to the ceremony. Six friends and family members were asked to share their thoughts and feelings about the love-match that is James and Mace.

 

As ever, I had no idea how I was going to weave these voices together until I sat down to write. The speakers represented a cross-section of old friends, newer friends, and family. The result was a rich, layered ceremony — a telling of James and Mace’s journey, interspersed with heartfelt reflections on friendship, belonging, and the joy of welcoming new partners into long-standing relationships.

A Ring Blessing Filled With Love

James and Mace chose to highlight the importance of everyone present by including a ring blessing ritual.

During this beautiful moment, the wedding rings were passed from hand to hand. Each guest held them close, silently offering a blessing — whether from the heart, from faith, or simply from love. By the time the rings returned, they were imbued with the collective goodwill of everyone gathered there.

It’s a simple ritual, but one that never fails to add depth and meaning to the exchange of rings.

Personal, Playful Wedding Vows

The pinnacle of any wedding ceremony is the exchange of vows. Many couples write their own; others prefer familiar, traditional promises. James and Mace chose something a little different.

I asked them, secretly, to write down three reasons why they love one another. During the ceremony, they promised to continue doing the very things their partner cherished most.

With their permission, here’s a real example.

James wrote that he loves Mace because:
“No matter how weird I get, you’re right there being weird with me.”

So I asked:

“Mace, do you promise to keep being weird with James — unapologetically, wonderfully weird?”

His “I do” landed perfectly.

Their final vow was a playful variation on the traditional:

“Do you promise to love James/Mace, comfort him, celebrate and support him — whether the skies are glittering or grey, whether your pockets are jingling or just full of fluff — in sickness, in health, and in all the magical messes in between?”

It worked a treat.

A Ceremony Full of Heart (and Cheese and Wine)

After a few words about the future James and Mace hope to build together — and a moment of silliness involving cheese and wine (you really had to be there!) — the ceremony drew to a close.

One final surprise remained: a message from Mace’s parents, read aloud by his brother, telling him how proud they are of the man he has become. There were few dry eyes.

Then came the first kiss (surely it’s time we found a less antiquated phrase for such a joyful moment!) and the joyful exit of the grooms, showered with confetti and goodwill.

Celebrations at Château de Puissentut

The wonderful hosts, Angela and Dirk, were already busy preparing for the celebrations to follow. I lingered for a while, chatting with guests, admiring the champagne tower pour, and enjoying the spectacularly good apéros.

It was another unforgettable wedding ceremony at Château de Puissentut, filled with warmth, laughter, and love.

Thank you to James and Mace for inviting me into their day, and to their family and friends for giving their time and hearts so generously.

 

Thank you to Darek Smietana for the wonderful pictures

To Antony Holloway for his excellent playing (and flexibility!)

And to Angela and Dirk at Chateau de Puissentut for making everyone so relaxed before I’d even started!