Hualin and Wanting's Intimate Chateau Wedding at Chateau de la Gaude in Provence

Hualin and Wanting's intimate chateau wedding at Chateau de la Gaude, Provence: a greenery arch, halter-neck ball gown, and sunset cypress walk.

By Elena Moretti | Published 5 June 2026 | Photos by Olya Kobruseva

Hualin and Wanting's Intimate Chateau Wedding at Chateau de la Gaude in Provence

Olya Kobruseva

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Photographer

Olya Kobruseva

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Photographer

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Hualin and Wanting chose to elope in the South of France with only their parents there, a deliberate, tender call to keep their promises small. They married at Château de la Gaude, a piece of classical French architecture set in the hills of Provence, on a golden mid-September morning, the late-summer light filtering through centuries-old trees. Olya Kobruseva shot it on a mix of analog film and digital.

Photography

Olya Kobruseva

Venue

Château de la Gaude

Region

Provence, France

Couple

Hualin & Wanting

First Look

Groom kissing bride on cheek during first look in château garden at Château de la Gaude

Photo: Olya Kobruseva

The moment that stood out was the first look. Wanting came out in her white gown to meet Hualin at the edge of the hedge maze, only their parents watching, nothing scripted. From there they wandered the terraces and pathways, taking their time in what felt like a private sanctuary. Their advice to other couples is simple: don't be afraid to choose intimacy.

Ceremony

Couple holding hands during vows at greenery arch in golden hour at Château de la Gaude

Couple laughing during petal toss after outdoor ceremony at Château de la Gaude

Wide view of outdoor ceremony with guests, greenery arch and château at Château de la Gaude

Photo: Olya Kobruseva

Bridal Portraits

Back view of bride with long train at iron gate overlooking formal gardens at Château de la Gaude

Detail of bride's open-back halter-neck gown at garden terrace at Château de la Gaude

Bride looking over shoulder at garden gate with parterre hedges at Château de la Gaude

Bride walking through parterre maze garden in ball gown at Château de la Gaude

Photo: Olya Kobruseva

Couple Portraits

Bride and groom walking by stone fountain with orangery at Château de la Gaude

Groom dipping bride on lawn with cypress trees in black and white at Château de la Gaude

Couple running hand in hand across lawn at sunset in black and white at Château de la Gaude

Couple kissing under greenery arch at golden hour at Château de la Gaude

Photo: Olya Kobruseva

Reception

Bride and groom kissing at champagne table with cypress trees at sunset at Château de la Gaude

Bride and groom cutting wedding cake outdoors with cypress trees at sunset at Château de la Gaude

Photo: Olya Kobruseva

Design and Details

Greenery ceremony arch with white roses and hydrangeas at Château de la Gaude

Close-up of white wedding cake decorated with sugar flowers at Château de la Gaude

Reception table with blush rose centrepieces and pink candles at Château de la Gaude

Photo: Olya Kobruseva

The palette came from the estate itself: blush, ivory and green. Wanting wore a strapless white ball gown with a cathedral train that swept the stone terraces, a pearl necklace, and her hair in an updo, with makeup by Kristy Li; Hualin paired a white tuxedo jacket with black trousers and a bow tie. Florals by Kanis Fleur wove white blooms and greenery through the gardens so the château's architecture stayed the backdrop.

Venue

Outdoor ceremony setup with greenery arch and château façade at Château de la Gaude

Château de la Gaude reflected in garden pond with ceremony arch in the distance

Full ceremony setup with greenery arch, chairs and château façade at Château de la Gaude

Ceremony setup with greenery arch and topiary leading to Château de la Gaude

Photo: Olya Kobruseva

Château de la Gaude is all geometry and grandeur: parterre gardens in careful symmetry, an iconic hedge maze, stone balustrades and sculpted terraces, with long views over Provence. With no crowd and no timeline, the couple had the run of it.

Aesthetic

Intimate classical Provence chateau wedding with greenery arch and cypress-sunset reception

Guest Count

6 guests

Budget Range

Bride's Dress

Halter-neck ball gown with beaded open-back bodice and dramatic gathered skirt and long train