Palaces vs. Chateaux

You’ve decided to get married in Paris and have to find a Paris wedding venue? What a wonderful choice! Paris, the City of Lights, provides a uniquely stunning backdrop for a wedding, boasting magnificent venues that exude elegance, luxury, and history. It’s a city that truly enhances any love story, offering a refined, romantic, and timeless setting for your big day.

However, choosing the perfect Paris wedding venue can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of options available. Within the city itself, you’ll mainly find palaces and grand hotels, while the surrounding areas of Paris are home to beautiful châteaux. Whether you’re looking for a modern or traditional wedding, both palaces and chateaux offer a fantastic setting. But each has its own specific charm.

As a Paris wedding photographer, I invite you to explore how the choice of your Parisian wedding venue can influence the type of wedding photos you’ll have for years to come. Let’s embark on a tour of Paris’ most beautiful wedding venues!

The Palaces

Nestled in the heart of Paris, the city’s palaces offer the perfect combination of comfort and accessibility. With spacious settings for weddings and their in-house restaurants, these venues provide everything you need in one place. But how do wedding photos at Parisian palaces look?

A Sense of Grandeur

Parisian palaces boast breathtaking photo spots: majestic entry halls like the one at George V, beautiful staircases such as the famous one at the Ritz (did you know the steps are lower than standard ones, making it easier for brides in gowns?), intricately decorated salons like the Pompadour Room at Le Meurice, and lush, manicured gardens (I absolutely love the Ritz gardens!). These settings offer the perfect atmosphere for elegant, luxurious wedding photos.

Everything in One Place

The major advantage of hosting your wedding at a Parisian palace is convenience. All the essential locations for bride and groom preparations, the ceremony, and the reception are on-site and easily accessible. Plus, the decoration is often cohesive, meaning the atmosphere flows seamlessly from one space to another. For instance, the Alain Ducasse restaurant at Le Meurice shares the same gilded moldings as the reception rooms, while the Ritz’s Belle Époque style complements the stunning covered gallery that connects the hotel’s buildings. And don’t forget – you can even enjoy a little shopping at the luxury boutiques in the Ritz gallery!

A Different Kind of Light

It’s essential to keep in mind that when you choose a Parisian hotel for your wedding, the lighting is often artificial. The reception halls and salons may not have much natural light, so artificial lighting is used. From a photographer’s perspective, this presents an opportunity to take stunning flash photos, which are currently very fashionable and have a chic, editorial feel. On the other hand, the spaces are usually well-lit enough to avoid using flash, giving your photos a softer, more delicate look without disrupting key moments like the ceremony.

Proximity to Iconic Paris Landmarks

One of the greatest advantages of a Paris palace wedding is the close proximity to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Le Meurice is just minutes from the Louvre, an ideal spot for grandeur-filled wedding photos. The Ritz, located on the famous Place Vendôme, provides a perfect backdrop for photos in front of the luxury jewelry boutiques. The George V is a short distance from the Trocadéro, offering stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. The Hôtel de Crillon is near the Tuileries, Pont Alexandre III, and the Petit Palais with its majestic golden gate. If you’re getting married at a Parisian palace, make sure to take full advantage of these outdoor locations for unforgettable wedding photos in the heart of Paris!

The Chateaux

If you’re looking for Paris wedding venue that is actually outside of Paris itself, the surrounding areas are home to beautiful chateaux. These venues represent the height of French architectural culture, and getting married in one means diving into history. A chateau wedding can create a wonderfully romantic atmosphere, but don’t forget – you can also have a modern, fashion-forward wedding in this historical setting, creating a stunning contrast. Plus, when you get married in a chateau, the venue is exclusively yours for the day, so you can enjoy a private and intimate experience with full access to both the indoor and outdoor spaces. Let’s explore why a chateau might be perfect for your wedding day.

A Dive into History

Getting married in a chateau means stepping into the past (how many times has the Chateau de Champlatreux’s blue salon been used as a setting for historical films?), and celebrating your special day in a setting that’s truly beyond compare. It’s a celebration of tradition and heritage. While it can be challenging to find a chateau with neutral, light-colored salons (though Chateau de Nainville-les-Roches is one exception), the red walls of the Chateau de Ferrières, for instance, add an exceptional ambiance that enhances your reception décor. The only challenge with historical chateaux is choosing floral designs that blend with the interior – but don’t worry, there are talented floral designers I can recommend!

A Variety of Photo Spots

When you marry in a chateau, you have access to a variety of stunning photo spots, both inside and outside, which brings incredible diversity to your wedding photo album. The décor in each room may differ significantly, creating opportunities for different moods and aesthetics. The chateau’s gardens often provide picturesque angles and views of the château from afar. Sunset shots in the garden can add a beautiful, romantic touch to your photos.

Natural Light

Speaking of natural light, this is one of the key advantages of a chateau Paris wedding venue. Generally, chateau wedding venues have larger windows that flood the rooms with natural light. In contrast, city palaces often have smaller windows and restricted access to natural light due to surrounding buildings. The abundance of natural light in chateaux makes it easier to capture your wedding scenes without flash, ensuring a soft, romantic effect in your photos.

Drone Photos

In recent years, drone photos have become incredibly popular, and for good reason – aerial views of your wedding venue can be absolutely breathtaking. Unfortunately, drone use is not permitted within the city of Paris, but most chateau venues allow drones (with the owner’s permission, of course). This means I can take stunning aerial shots of your wedding, adding a powerful, artistic dimension to your photo album.

Al Fresco Dinners

One of the most enchanting aspects of chateau weddings is the ability to host an outdoor cocktail hour and dinner. Al fresco dining is absolutely magical for wedding photos – imagine a candlelit dinner under the stars, with chandeliers adding a luxurious touch to the scene. And yes, I can even capture this beautiful moment from above using the drone, creating unforgettable, magical images of your celebration.

Conclusion

When it comes to tying the knot in Paris, both the palaces of the city and the chateaux surrounding it offer something truly magical. It all comes down to the vibe you envision for your wedding day – whether you’re dreaming of an opulent, city chic wedding in a grand palace or a fairy tale celebration in the history-filled halls of a chateau. Both options promise a breathtaking experience!

But here’s the exciting part – whichever venue you choose, your decision will shape the way your wedding photos come to life! If you’re a fan of natural light and outdoor beauty, a chateau will give you stunning, sunlit shots that will make your heart sing. On the other hand, if you adore the intimate, luxe vibe of a Parisian palace, get ready for those glamorous, mood-lit, editorial-style photos that will make you feel like royalty.

No matter which venue steals your heart, I’m here to help you craft a wedding photo experience that reflects your love story perfectly. With my experience as a Paris wedding photographer, I’ll ensure every magical moment is captured beautifully. From majestic interiors to iconic Parisian landmarks, together we’ll create a collection of photos you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Contact me, let’s make your Paris wedding dreams come true!