A Summer Wedding at Château du Pordor

Some wedding venues simply stay with you.

Not because they’re grand or impressive — although Château du Pordor certainly is — but because every time you return, you remember exactly why couples fall in love with the place.

Nestled in the countryside near Avessac in western France, Château du

Pordor is one of those venues I’ve been fortunate enough to visit several times throughout my career as a wedding guitarist. Every wedding there feels different, yet the atmosphere remains the same: peaceful, elegant, and wonderfully authentic.

Last summer, I had the pleasure of returning to perform during Léo and Audrey's wedding, providing live acoustic music throughout their cocktail reception.

It turned out to be one of those afternoons that reminds me why I love

what I do.

A Beautiful Summer Wedding at Château du Pordor

The weather couldn’t have been better.

The sun illuminated the château’s stone façade, guests wandered through

the gardens with a glass of champagne in hand, and conversations flowed

effortlessly beneath the shade of the old trees.

Unlike the excitement and emotion of the ceremony, cocktail hour has its

own rhythm.

Guests finally have time to relax, reconnect with family members they

haven’t seen in years, meet new people, and simply enjoy being together.

It’s a moment that doesn’t need to be rushed.

Live acoustic music naturally becomes part of that atmosphere — not as the

centre of attention, but as something that gently accompanies every conversation, every laugh, and every toast.

This has always been my favourite part of a wedding day.

Why I Always Enjoy Returning to Château du Pordor

Some venues become familiar over time.

Not in a routine way, but in the comforting sense that you already know

the people, the spaces and the atmosphere waiting for you.

Château du Pordor has become one of those places for me.

The estate offers everything that makes a French destination wedding so

memorable: beautiful gardens, elegant architecture, peaceful surroundings and countless little corners that photographers love to explore throughout the day.

It’s also incredibly versatile. Whether couples choose an outdoor ceremony, an intimate celebration or a larger reception, the venue always seems to adapt naturally to the style of the wedding.

For couples dreaming of a wedding in France, it's the kind of venue that offers more than just a beautiful backdrop. It feels welcoming, unpretentious, and effortlessly elegant. Qualities that allow the day to unfold naturally while giving guests a genuine sense of place.

The property is lovingly managed by Olivia, whose kindness immediately puts both couples and vendors at ease.

Having worked at Château du Pordor several times now, it’s always a genuine pleasure to come back.

A Chapel Filled With Character

One part of the estate deserves a special mention.

Hidden within the grounds is a former chapel that has become one of my

favourite ceremony locations in France.

The first thing that strikes you is the light.

Then the silence.

And finally, the remarkable acoustics.

It’s a space that naturally creates emotion before a single note has

even been played.

This chapel also holds a personal memory for me.

It was here that I filmed my live acoustic performance of Perfect by Ed

Sheeran.

When I was looking for a place that reflected the elegance and intimacy

of that song, the chapel at Château du Pordor immediately came to mind.

Every time I return, I remember that filming day.

And every time, I’m reminded how magical this place feels.

Working With Joanna From Joyze

A wedding is never created by one person.

Behind every smooth timeline and every seemingly effortless moment is a team working together.

For Léo and Audrey's wedding, everything was orchestrated by Joanna from Joyze.

We've collaborated on several weddings over the years, and she's one of those planners who immediately brings positive energy wherever she goes.

Throughout the wedding season, we often catch up after our events to share stories from the weekends we've just experienced. One of my favorite rituals is listening to Joanna's voice messages on the drive home after a wedding. They feel like a podcast — full of funny moments, unexpected stories, and the kind of behind-the-scenes perspective that only another wedding professional truly understands. It's a small tradition I've genuinely come to look forward to every season.

Always smiling.

Always available.

Always one step ahead.

What I particularly appreciate is her ability to keep everyone relaxed while ensuring every detail stays perfectly under control.

Couples immediately feel at ease around her, and vendors know they can focus entirely on doing their best work.

That kind of trust makes a real difference throughout the day.

Building a Playlist That Felt Personal

One of the aspects I enjoy most before every wedding is preparing the

music together with each couple.

Every playlist tells a story.

Some couples choose timeless jazz standards.

Others lean towards contemporary folk or acoustic pop.

Léo and Audrey wanted something joyful, warm and full of Mediterranean

spirit.

Among their requests were Le Temps des Fleurs by Dalida and two songs

that instantly make people smile: Bamboleo and Volare by the Gipsy

Kings.

Both songs always create a wonderful atmosphere during cocktail hour.

Guests recognise them within the first few notes, conversations suddenly

become a little louder, and before long, someone is quietly singing

along.

I spent time preparing them carefully and, of course, singing them in

Spanish as faithfully as I could.

Or at least… I hoped I did.

A Funny Surprise After the Performance

Once my performance had finished, I had the chance to chat with Léo and Audrey for a few minutes.

They thanked me warmly for the music before Léo casually mentioned something I hadn't expected.

He has Spanish roots.

And he speaks fluent Spanish!

For a brief moment, I mentally replayed every lyric I’d sung during

Bamboleo and Volare.

Fortunately, he was smiling.

We both laughed about it, and it became one of those little moments that perfectly sums up why I enjoy weddings so much.

No matter how much preparation goes into each performance, there are

always unexpected conversations, spontaneous encounters and personal

stories that make every wedding completely unique.

More Than Background Music

People often describe cocktail music as background music.

I understand what they mean, but I don’t completely agree.

Background music is something people barely notice.

Live music is different.

It subtly shapes the atmosphere.

It influences the pace of conversations.

It creates moments without interrupting them.

Guests don’t necessarily spend two hours watching the musician.

Instead, they experience the afternoon differently because the music is

there.

That’s exactly what I try to create at every wedding.

Not a concert.

An atmosphere.

One that feels effortless, elegant and entirely personal to the couple.

Choosing the right musician is just as important as choosing live music itself. Here's what I recommend when choosing a wedding musician in France.

Looking Back

When I think back to Léo and Audrey’s wedding at Château du Pordor, several images immediately come to mind.

The late summer sunshine over Château du Pordor.

Guests laughing together in the gardens.

Joanna moving effortlessly from one moment to the next, making sure

everything ran smoothly.

The beautiful chapel where I’ve created some of my favourite memories.

And, of course, discovering after singing in Spanish that the groom

understood every single word.

It’s a memory that still makes me smile.

And it’s one more reason why Château du Pordor remains one of the venues

I’m always happy to return to.

If you'd like to talk about the music for your day, I'd be delighted to hear about your plans. You can get in touch here to start the conversation.

Wedding Team:

Venue: Château du Pordor Wedding Planner: Joyze Photographer: Thibaut Baccarne Videographer: Jean-Gabriel Marionneau Catering: Edouard Set MUAH: Rozenn CM Studio Florals: Little Garden Live Music: Thom Rengorf DJ: Malrow Image Credits

The photographs featured throughout this article were captured by Lomai Photo who joined me on the wedding day to create content for my portfolio. These images are used with permission for editorial purposes and are not the official wedding photographs from Léo and Audrey's wedding.

The photograph of Joanna from Joyze is courtesy of Solène Lagant.