A Refined Summer Garden Wedding at Château de Michellia in Oregon

A Lush, Elegant Celebration of Love and Tradition

June 15, 2024, unfolded as a day of gentle unpredictability and remarkable harmony. Set against the backdrop of Château de Michellia — a newly unveiled French château–inspired venue in Oregon’s Willamette Valley — Mariya and Stan’s wedding was a study in refined opulence and cultural depth. Nestled across ten acres of manicured gardens, the estate offered a timeless setting for a celebration rooted in tradition, beauty, and thoughtful intention.

A Romantic Beginning Inside the Château

The day began within the château itself, where Victorian-era European architecture created a distinctly feminine backdrop for getting-ready moments. Soft natural light poured through tall windows, illuminating delicate details and lending the morning an editorial ease that felt both intimate and quietly grand.

Mariya and Stan shared their first look in the all-white grand foyer — a space defined by soaring ceilings and classical symmetry. Its restraint allowed the emotion of the moment to take center stage: elegant, personal, and deeply felt.

Portraits in Light and Setting

Throughout the day, moments of portraiture unfolded with an ease that felt both natural and quietly composed. From the soft, anticipatory energy of the morning preparations to the warm glow of late afternoon, each frame captured a different dimension of Mariya and Stan’s celebration.

Inside the château, diffused window light and tonal interiors created imagery that feels timeless and refined. Getting-ready moments carried a sense of intimacy — layered with anticipation, texture, and thoughtful detail.

Later, as the skies began to clear, the gardens offered a luminous backdrop. Gentle light settled across the estate, lending warmth and dimension without overpowering the landscape. The resulting portraits feel polished yet personal — honoring tradition while remaining unmistakably contemporary.

A Ceremony Marked by Serendipity

As guests arrived, passing showers drifted across the gardens, the scent of fresh rain mingling with lush florals in layered ivory, blush, and the faintest wash of mauve. Towering arrangements framed the ceremony lawn, setting a tone of understated grandeur.

Just as Mariya stepped into view, the rain lifted, replaced by warm afternoon light that seemed to settle gently over the estate. Beneath an abundant floral arch, the couple exchanged vows rich with meaning and heritage — a ceremony expansive in scale yet intimate in spirit.

An Artful Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour unfolded as a series of beautifully layered experiences. A beloved tradition within the Slavic community, the espresso cart quickly became a natural gathering place, serving rich coffee drinks that encouraged guests to linger and connect.

Nearby, an expansive charcuterie display — set within the estate’s rose garden — felt almost painterly in its composition. Artisanal cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruits, nuts, and freshly baked breads were arranged with a sculptural eye, inviting guests to graze at leisure.

A Reception Designed with Intention

Designing the reception on the château’s grand lawn required both vision and precision, as the space needed to accommodate the ceremony for a sizable guest count while transitioning seamlessly into dinner. The lower tier of the lawn ultimately hosted the reception, creating natural dimension while preserving the estate’s sweeping views.

A thoughtful mix of long tables and classic rounds balanced communal energy with opportunities for quiet conversation. Crisp white linens set the foundation for a layered tablescape of lush white florals accented with hints of blush and light mauve, arranged in richly textured cement vessels that grounded the otherwise airy palette.

Place settings reflected quiet sophistication: scalloped layered dinner plates with a subtle monochromatic pattern, modern gold flatware, white hemstitch napkins, refined glassware, and ribbed bud vases that introduced gentle dimension. Neutral rattan Louis dining chairs warmed the composition, offering an organic counterpoint to the tonal design.

When the sun made its welcomed late arrival, café umbrellas — strategically woven into the floor plan — provided guests with shaded respite while preserving the visual rhythm of the space.

At the front of the reception, a ribbed white sweetheart table was draped in a grand floral installation. Positioned so the couple could overlook their guests, it was beautifully framed by the ceremony arch and a floral-lined staircase, allowing earlier design elements to carry forward with seamless cohesion.

Nearby, a self-serve nonalcoholic station styled on a charming glass-and-metal shelf invited guests to help themselves to sparkling water, sparkling cider, and thoughtfully selected NA offerings — an approachable detail that complemented the relaxed elegance of the afternoon.

A Dessert Display That Stopped the Afternoon

The dessert presentation was a true jaw-dropper. Lavish in scale and rich with heritage, the spread featured traditional Ukrainian sweets alongside refined pastries—honey-soaked medovik, delicate fruit tarts, and airy meringues—layered into a display that felt abundant yet impeccably styled.

Anchoring the table was a five-tier wedding cake inspired by Ukrainian embroidery, its intricate detailing a sophisticated nod to the couple’s roots and a striking blend of tradition and modern elegance.

A Grand Daylight Farewell

Rather than transitioning into evening, the celebration concluded in the late afternoon with a grand entrance through the château’s front doors. Bathed in natural light, the farewell felt intentional and celebratory — joyful without excess, elegant without spectacle.

A Celebration Defined by Elegance and Heritage

Mariya and Stan’s wedding was an experience shaped by cultural reverence, thoughtful design, and an unwavering clarity of vision. From the château’s romantic interiors to the layered culinary moments and garden reception, every detail reflected a love story rooted in tradition and elevated by refined taste.

For couples envisioning a luxury wedding in Oregon’s wine country, this celebration is a reminder that timeless design does not require convention — only intention.

If you’re dreaming of a high-touch, bespoke wedding experience in the Willamette Valley or beyond, we would be honored to create something truly distinctive together.

VENDOR TEAM:

Planner: J29 Events, Sadie

Venue: Chateau de Michellia

Catering: La Provence

Photographer: Wedding Photo House

Florist: Ivy & Sage Floral

HAMU: Cover of Beauty

D]: Nazar

Cake: Simply Beautiful Cakes

Rentals: Event Co. & Golden Poppy Rentals

Coffee cart: Cafe Fleurs Catering

Entertainment: Host: The Event Gelist

Photo Booth: Smirk Photo Booth

Tent: Life's Best Inn Tents

Signage: Mir Designs and Co

Charcuterie: PNW Charcuterie