Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild Wedding with a Persian Ceremony on the French Riviera

A quiet Anglican ceremony in Beaulieu-sur-Mer

The day began in a small yellow church just a few minutes from Cap-Ferrat – St Michael’s Anglican church in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Hidden on a quiet street behind trees and soft pastel houses, it is one of those places that does not look like much on a map, but feels intimate and very personal when you are standing inside it with your family.

The couple chose a simple English-language ceremony first, surrounded by close friends who had flown in from London, Tehran, and the US. No fuss, no performance, just a calm start before heading to Villa Ephrussi for the Persian part of the day.

Arriving at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is what people imagine when they think of a luxurious South of France wedding. Soft pink façades, symmetrical gardens, fountains dancing to music, and that open view over the sea on both sides of the cape. Every time I photograph a wedding here, I take a moment to slow down, the place deserves it.

Guests arrived by coach from Beaulieu-sur-Mer and walked through the Italian garden to the main terrace. It is always that first reaction I like, the quiet “wow” as the villa and the axis of fountains reveal themselves. From a photography point of view, this is where the story widens, the architecture, the water, the distant hills of the French Riviera all become part of the frame.

A Persian sofreh aghd in the loggia

The couple wanted to honour Persian traditions with a full sofreh aghd at Villa Ephrussi. The loggia, that high columned gallery overlooking the gardens, was the perfect space. It feels almost like a theatre set, but when you place the sofreh in the centre, everything becomes very personal again.

The mirror, candlesticks, sugar cones, herbs, and sweets were styled in soft ivory and gold to match the villa. As a photographer, I like how the loggia’s pale stone and the pink exterior work as a natural reflector. Skin tones look soft and luminous, especially in late afternoon light.

During the ceremony, the couple’s families took turns holding the embroidered cloth overhead while sugar cones were gently ground together, sending wishes of sweetness over the new household. The mix of languages, English, Farsi, French, suited this venue well. Villa Ephrussi has always been a meeting point of cultures and you feel that in the atmosphere.

Portraits in the Villa Ephrussi gardens

After the sofreh aghd, we stole a little time for portraits. The good thing about Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is that you do not need to go far, everything is within a few steps, but each corner looks different on camera.

We started in the Italian garden along the main axis of fountains, then moved to the Florentine garden and the stone balcony overlooking the sea. The pastel colours of the villa, the deep green of the cypress trees, and the blue of the Mediterranean create a natural colour palette that works beautifully for both editorial style and documentary photography.

Dinner, fountains, and the French Riviera at night

As the sun dropped, dinner was set up along the garden axis. Long tables with soft linen, golden cutlery, and simple white flowers, nothing too busy, just details that worked with the existing architecture instead of competing with it.

Villa Ephrussi is special at night. The fountains are lit, the villa glows gently, and the coastlines of Villefranche and Beaulieu appear in the distance. From a photographic standpoint, this is where I like mixing natural light with subtle flash, keeping the atmosphere while still showing the details of the setting and the guests.

Sunset portraits in the cypress alley

Before the evening truly began, we slipped away to the cypress alley for a few last portraits. This part of Villa Ephrussi is made for sunset, long leading lines, structured greenery, and a clear view of the sky changing colour.

For couples, it is a short break between dinner and dancing. For me as a photographer, it is where some of the most timeless frames from a Villa Ephrussi wedding usually happen.

Why Villa Ephrussi works so well for destination weddings

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is one of those rare venues that is both grand and comfortable. It has the elegance of a museum and the warmth of a private home. For couples planning a destination wedding on the French Riviera, that balance is important, especially when family and friends are travelling from different continents.

From a photographer’s perspective, the light here is very forgiving. The villa’s pale colours reflect light softly, the gardens provide shade in the middle of the day, and there is always a quiet corner where you can step away from the crowd to create a more intimate portrait.

If you are planning a ceremony at St Michael’s Anglican church, a Persian sofreh aghd in the loggia, or a completely secular celebration in the gardens, Villa Ephrussi can adapt. It is a flexible canvas, you bring your culture and traditions, the villa provides the setting.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild wedding photographer

I am Janis, a South of France wedding photographer who has photographed hundreds of celebrations across the Riviera, Provence, and the rest of Europe. My style blends documentary storytelling with a quiet editorial feel, real moments, beautiful light, and just enough direction so you never feel awkward in front of the camera.

If you are planning your own Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild wedding and you are looking for a photographer who knows the best spots, timings, and angles around the villa and Cap-Ferrat, I will gladly help you plan the photography side of the day.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild wedding FAQ

Is Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild a good venue for a destination wedding?

Yes. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is one of the most iconic wedding venues on the French Riviera. The pink villa, Italian garden, fountains and sea views on both sides of Cap-Ferrat make it ideal for couples bringing guests from different countries and cultures.

Can we combine a church ceremony and a Persian sofreh aghd?

Many couples choose to marry at St Michael’s Anglican church in Beaulieu-sur-Mer and then hold a Persian sofreh aghd or symbolic ceremony at Villa Ephrussi. The loggia and terraces work very well for sofreh setups and mixed-language ceremonies.

How many hours of photography do you recommend for a Villa Ephrussi wedding?

For a full Villa Ephrussi wedding day with preparations, church or civil ceremony, sofreh aghd, portraits in the gardens and dinner outdoors, I usually recommend 10–12 hours of coverage.

Do you help with the timeline and portrait locations?

Yes. I help couples plan the photography timeline from church to villa, suggest the best light for the sofreh aghd, and recommend portrait locations around the gardens, loggia and cypress alley.

Do you photograph multi-day weddings in the South of France?

Yes. Many couples book coverage for welcome drinks, boat trips or brunch the day after the wedding. I regularly work across Cap-Ferrat, Antibes, Cannes, Grasse and the wider South of France.