Charlotte and Morgan in the grounds of Château d’Aveny
Wedding · 15 May 2026

The wedding of Charlotte & Morgan at Château d’Aveny

Château d’AvenyVexin5 min readTrailer · 1 min 51

By Laurent Henry · Published · Updated

Twenty years later

A message I never saw coming.

In May 2025, I receive a message from Morgan on LinkedIn. We went to school together, then lost touch for almost twenty years. He tells me that he is marrying Charlotte at Château d’Aveny and that he has been following my work for a while. More than anything, he wants me to make their wedding film.

I was not expecting that message at all. I am surprised, of course, but mostly touched by his trust. The Vexin and Paris region are outside the area where I usually work. For this wedding, though, there is barely a decision to make: I want to see Morgan again, meet Charlotte and create a film that feels like them.

Meeting an old friend again, from behind the camera
The film

Charlotte & Morgan

A 1-minute 51-second trailer that brings back the atmosphere of their day at Château d’Aveny.

Trailer · Château d’Aveny · 1 min 51Laurent Henry Weddings · Wedding on 15 May 2026
Charlotte and Morgan walking through a corridor at Château d’AvenyPhoto credit: Joanna Bonhomme
01 · Getting ready

Two rooms, two different moods.

The day begins in the château, where Charlotte has her hair and makeup done by Margaux Peron, surrounded by her two witnesses and her young daughter. Getting ready can look like a simple prelude. In reality, the story has already begun.

I then cross over to Morgan’s room as he gets dressed. His two witnesses, father and son are with him. A few rooms apart, I move between two very different moods without needing to stage anything. Lou from Pondicheri Weddings keeps the schedule on track while I stay alert to the quieter moments.

Charlotte and Morgan meeting on the staircase at Château d’Aveny for their first lookPhoto credit: Joanna Bonhomme
02 · The first look and chapel

Seeing each other, then leaving to get married.

The first look takes place on the château’s grand staircase. Charlotte and Morgan meet there, away from the other guests. The setting is beautiful, but their emotion is what fills the frame.

We then leave the Domaine d’Aveny for a small nearby chapel in the Vexin. The ceremony is full of emotion, especially when gospel singing fills the church. Even behind the camera, I find this particular moment moving.

Charlotte and Morgan walking through the grounds of Château d’AvenyPhoto credit: Joanna Bonhomme
03 · Cocktails and couple portraits

Friends, family, the grounds, and a little time together.

Back at Aveny, the cocktail hour feels warm and relaxed. Food keeps coming, from trompe-l’œil creations to the spritz and bruschetta bars. It is a constant parade of delicious things. A little later, we join Charlotte and Morgan in the grounds for their couple portraits.

For the couple portraits, I work alongside Joanna BHM. The estate gives us plenty to work with: tall trees, façades, paths and pockets of real countryside surprisingly close to Paris. Most of all, we let Charlotte and Morgan walk and enjoy this quieter part of the day.

Charlotte and Morgan in the reception room at Château d’AvenyPhoto credit: Joanna Bonhomme
04 · Dinner

At dinner, I mostly film what happens around the table.

Dinner naturally changes the pace of the day. Guests settle in and conversations take over.

Ugo avec un H moves between the tables, surprising guests with close-up magic. I film the tricks, but even more so the reactions around them: smiles, astonished looks and the people still trying to work out what just happened. That is what I enjoy about moments like this. Everyone gets drawn in.

Charlotte and Morgan watching the fireworks from the terrace at Château d’AvenyPhoto credit: Joanna Bonhomme
05 · The final act

The sky lights up, then the party begins.

After dinner, everyone heads outside for the fireworks by Soirs de Fêtes. Charlotte and Morgan looking up at the sky, the château at night and their guests in front of them: as a filmmaker, I could hardly ask for a better transition into the party.

La Maison Note then takes over on the dance floor. Editing these images brings me back to the message I received a year earlier. Twenty years after school, I am making the wedding film of a friend I had not seen in all that time. This was never going to feel like just another commission.

A few frames
The wedding-day team

Meet the team.

These are the professionals who helped bring Charlotte and Morgan’s day at Château d’Aveny together.

VenueDomaine d’Aveny

An 18th-century château and grounds in the heart of the Vexin, between Paris and Normandy.

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Wedding plannerPondicheri Weddings

Lou and her team planned and coordinated the day.

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PhotographerJoanna BHM

The photographer who stayed with Charlotte and Morgan throughout the day.

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Makeup & hairMargaux Peron

Charlotte’s hair and makeup while she was getting ready.

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Close-up magicUgo avec un H

Close-up magic performed among the guests.

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FireworksSoirs de Fêtes

The fireworks that lit up the final part of the evening.

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CateringGrand Chemin

The food served throughout the reception and dinner.

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DJLa Maison Note

The soundtrack and energy of the dance floor.

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