Wedding at the Château des 3 Fontaines in Pernes-les-Fontaines

Why choose the Château des 3 Fontaines for your wedding?

A beautiful venue isn't always enough to make for an enjoyable wedding experience.

In my opinion, what makes the Château des 3 Fontaines so appealing is, above all, the opportunity to host several very different events without requiring the bride and groom and their guests to travel around a lot.

Preparations can take place in the castle, the ceremony in the park, the cocktail reception on the lawn, and then dinner and the evening festivities in the Orangery.

This continuity makes a huge difference in the rhythm of the day.

The bride and groom spend less time traveling, the guests can enjoy the estate more, and the various parts of the wedding flow together much more naturally.

For the photo essay, this also makes it possible to capture a variety of settings while maintaining a sense of cohesion: the castle’s interiors, the park’s vegetation, the facades, the late-afternoon light, and finally, the much more festive atmosphere of the evening.

A multi-day wedding in Provence

This marriage had begun even before the day of the ceremony.

The bride and groom had decided to host a welcome dinner, a tradition I’m seeing more and more often at weddings in Provence, especially when the guests come from different regions of France or from abroad.

I especially like this first date.

The atmosphere there is usually very different from that of the wedding itself. Guests arrive gradually, families meet, friends reunite, and the bride and groom finally have time to enjoy everyone’s company without the hectic pace of the big day.

From a photographic standpoint, it's also a great way to start the story.

The images are often very spontaneous: conversations over a drink, the first bursts of laughter, hugs between loved ones who sometimes haven’t seen each other in a long time…

The next day, everyone already knows each other a little better.

The atmosphere at the wedding naturally becomes more relaxed.

Preparations at the Château des 3 Fontaines

Preparations are always a special time.

The day begins slowly, surrounded by a few close friends and family members, before the pace gradually picks up.

When the bride and groom can get ready right at the reception venue, the experience goes much more smoothly. There’s no need to coordinate multiple trips, and everyone can fully enjoy those first few hours.

At the Château des 3 Fontaines, the rooms and interior spaces also offer a variety of settings.

The natural light, the windows overlooking the park, and the castle’s architecture create an atmosphere very different from the one we’ll experience a few hours later during the ceremony.

The 70-square-meter bridal suite offers a beautiful space for getting ready and opens directly onto the estate's grounds.

My advice for the preparations

Try to keep the room where you get ready relatively uncluttered.

You don't need to turn your bedroom into a photo studio. Good lighting, a few key people, and a room cleared of bags and packaging are usually enough to create much more elegant photos.

I also recommend gathering in advance the items you’d like to include in your photo story: wedding rings, stationery, perfume, jewelry, shoes, or items with a special story behind them.

An outdoor ceremony in the heart of the park

The park is probably one of the Château des 3 Fontaines’ greatest assets.

Its mature trees and varied vantage points make it easy to envision an outdoor ceremony that blends seamlessly into the surroundings.

As for this wedding, the ceremony took place right there in the estate's gardens.

This is a moment I like to photograph with as little interference as possible. The bride and groom’s entrance, the parents’ reactions, the looks on the witnesses’ faces, and the exchange of vows are much more powerful when they happen naturally.

The estate highlights its landscaped grounds, which cover approximately ten hectares, and the natural shade provided by its trees for ceremonies and cocktail receptions.

What time should you choose for a ceremony in Provence?

In the middle of summer, I would avoid an outdoor ceremony in the early afternoon as much as possible.

The light is very direct at that time, and temperatures can be high.

When the event schedule allows, a later ceremony generally offers guests greater comfort and much more pleasant lighting.

Ideally, you should factor in the sunset time when you first start planning, rather than waiting until a few days before the wedding to think about it.

The cocktail party on the large lawn

After the ceremony, the cocktail reception is often the moment when all the pressure finally lifts.

The newlyweds rejoin their guests, groups naturally form, and everyone really starts to enjoy the evening.

Across from the Orangery, the large lawn allows guests to move about freely while remaining within the same area. The Château states that it measures approximately 1,200 m² and can accommodate large receptions depending on the chosen layout.

It's also one of my favorite times to work on a news story.

I don't try to interrupt conversations. I simply move among the guests to capture the interactions, the reunions, and all those little moments that often slip by the bride and groom on their own special day.

Don't spend your cocktail party taking pictures

That's probably one of the pieces of advice I give most often.

You don't have to disappear for an hour with your photographer.

A few group photos taken in advance and a short couple’s photo session are more than enough.

The rest of your time should be your own.

When is the best time to take couple photos at the Château des 3 Fontaines?

The light in Provence can change dramatically in just a few hours.

In the middle of the day, it is generally stronger and full of contrast. As the sun begins to set, it gradually becomes warmer and more enveloping.

This is my favorite time of day to take portraits of couples.

The grounds of the Château des 3 Fontaines offer plenty of opportunities to create a varied series without having to leave the estate.

The trees, the castle’s facade, the paths, and the views through the park allow you to quickly experience a change of atmosphere.

I usually recommend setting aside about fifteen to twenty minutes, around sunset.

This amount of time is enough to capture beautiful photos without turning your wedding into a photo shoot.

Above all, those few minutes often give the bride and groom one of the only chances to be alone together all day.

Dinner in the Orangery

After the cocktail reception and the natural light of the park, stepping into the Orangerie marks a real change in atmosphere.

With its main space of 470 m² and an additional room of 130 m², it is ideal for hosting both a dinner and a dance party. The estate currently accommodates up to 400 guests for a seated dinner and 500 for a cocktail reception.

The large openings to the outside allow guests to enjoy the view of the park for part of the evening.

Then, as the light fades, the atmosphere becomes more intimate.

Candles, flowers, table settings, and lighting gradually take center stage.

That's usually when the speeches begin, along with the surprises prepared by the witnesses and all those moments that no one can really anticipate.

A Wedding Reception at the Château des 3 Fontaines

Once night falls, the estate takes on yet another look.

In particular, the Château highlights the lighting installed in the trees, which visually extends the reception into the park after natural light has faded.

Then comes the moment for the first dance.

And often, just a few minutes later, the dance floor bears little resemblance to the very restrained elegance of dinner.

That's also what I love about a comprehensive photo essay: capturing every aspect of the day.

The joy of getting ready.

The emotion of the ceremony.

The light of the cocktail.

And finally, the sometimes completely unbridled energy of the evening.

None of these parts is more important than the others. Together, they truly tell the story of what was experienced.

Plan a destination wedding at the Château des 3 Fontaines

The estate is particularly well-suited for couples who want to hold their wedding over several days.

The château itself now promotes this format: a welcome dinner, the wedding day, followed by brunch, with the option for some of the guests to stay right on the premises.

For couples living abroad, this completely changes the experience.

A trip to Provence is no longer just a one-night affair. Guests can arrive gradually, enjoy the Vaucluse, and spend time with the bride and groom.

The welcome dinner can be relatively informal: an outdoor dinner, a few large tables, and a relaxed atmosphere.

The next day is set aside for the wedding.

Then, a brunch lets us extend our time together a little longer before everyone leaves.

It's also a great way to make the most of the time spent with people who have sometimes traveled several thousand kilometers to be here.

Where can guests stay near Pernes-les-Fontaines?

The château currently has 34 beds, which allows the bride and groom, close family members, and some wedding guests to stay on-site.

For a wedding with a larger number of guests, you will naturally need to arrange additional accommodations in the surrounding area.

Pernes-les-Fontaines is a good first choice, as are the various towns in the surrounding Vaucluse region.

Depending on where guests are staying, arranging a few shuttle services for late in the evening can be particularly convenient.

For an international wedding, I also recommend preparing a short document for the guests that includes:

the various lodging options, transportation, the weekend schedule, and a few suggestions for enjoying Provence in conjunction with the wedding.

It may seem like a minor detail during the planning stages, but it makes the whole experience much easier once everyone is there.

Tips for Couples and Wedding Planners

Plan Your Schedule Around the Light

Lighting should not be an element added at the end of the planning process.

The timing of the ceremony, the cocktail reception, and the couple’s photo session can be planned from the outset around sunset.

This is especially important for summer weddings in Provence.

Come up with a real Plan B

Even in the south of France, no one can predict the weather.

The presence of a large Orangery makes it possible to consider a viable indoor solution if conditions do not allow for the outdoor plan to proceed.

Leave some wiggle room in the schedule

A wedding almost never goes exactly according to schedule.

It takes ten more minutes to prepare.

A speech drags on.

A guest arrives late.

Scheduling breaks between the different steps helps make for a much more relaxed day.

Thinking of Marriage as a Holistic Experience

For a wedding that spans several days, each event does not necessarily have to be equally formal.

The welcome dinner can be very simple.

Weddings are becoming more staged.

The ultimate laid-back brunch.

This mix of activities adds variety to the weekend and allows guests to experience different aspects of Provence.

Photographing a Wedding at the Château des 3 Fontaines

Knowing a place gives you a real advantage.

I now know how the light changes throughout the park, which areas work well for preparations, how to make the most of the different vantage points around the ceremony, and when to take advantage of the last rays of sunlight for portraits.

But my job isn't just about knowing the beautiful places.

What interests me most of all are people.

A father just seconds before seeing his daughter.

Friends who improvise a speech.

A fit of laughter during the cocktail party.

The bride and groom looking at each other while everyone around them is busy with something else.

I prefer a natural and unobtrusive approach in those situations.

When you need some guidance—especially during portrait sessions—I'm here for you.

The rest of the time, I'd rather let you live your own lives.

Because a wedding photo essay should, above all, reflect the people who lived through it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Weddings at the Château des 3 Fontaines

Where is the Château des 3 Fontaines located?

The Château des 3 Fontaines is located in Pernes-les-Fontaines, in the Vaucluse department of Provence. Its official address is currently 2328 Route d’Avignon, 84210 Pernes-les-Fontaines.

How many people can the Château des 3 Fontaines accommodate?

The estate currently lists a capacity of up to 400 seated guests and 500 guests in a cocktail setup in the Orangery. The outdoor lawn allows for even larger setups. Capacity must always be confirmed with the Château based on the planned layout.

Can we stay overnight there?

Yes. The Château currently has 13 rooms that can accommodate up to 34 people, including a 70 m² bridal suite.

Can we hold an outdoor ceremony?

Yes. The large landscaped park offers a variety of spaces and natural shade, which is particularly ideal for an outdoor ceremony.

Can we hold the entire wedding on the estate?

The various spaces allow you to plan the preparations, an outdoor ceremony, the cocktail reception, dinner, and the evening celebration on-site, subject to the arrangements confirmed directly with the estate.

Is it possible to plan a wedding that lasts several days?

Yes. The estate provides information, in particular, about organizing celebrations that span several days, including a welcome dinner, the wedding, and a brunch.

When is the best time to get married at the Château des 3 Fontaines?

Spring, summer, and early fall each offer very different atmospheres. More than the month itself, the timing of the ceremony and managing the lighting are essential, especially during the hottest periods.

How much time should we set aside for the couple's photos?

I usually recommend fifteen to twenty minutes toward the end of the day. This allows you to enjoy the beautiful light while still spending time with your guests.

Is the Château des 3 Fontaines a good choice for a destination wedding?

Yes. The on-site accommodations, the various areas of the estate, and the ability to organize multiple events over several days make this a particularly attractive option for couples whose loved ones are coming from different regions or from abroad.

Are you planning your wedding at the Château des 3 Fontaines?

If you're planning your wedding in Pernes-les-Fontaines, in the Vaucluse, or elsewhere in Provence, I'd love to hear about your plans.

Having previously had the opportunity to photograph an entire multi-day celebration at the Château des 3 Fontaines, I am familiar with the estate’s various spaces and how the light changes there throughout the day.

My approach focuses on genuine emotions, spontaneous moments, and natural, timeless images, all while allowing you to fully enjoy time with your loved ones.

Tell me about your wedding, the date, and what you have in mind for the day. I’ll reply personally and send you my complete brochure if I’m still available.