Chateau Lill WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Woodinville, WA | B. Jones Photography

If Chateau Lill is on your venue shortlist, I have one thing to say: yes. Absolutely yes.

I've been photographing weddings at this property since 2014 — back when it was still known as DeLille Cellars — and it was one of my very first styled shoots after going full time as a wedding photographer. That shoot was published in Wedding Chicks and led to four weddings at Chateau Lill the following year alone. Over a dozen weddings later, this venue still makes me genuinely excited every single time I pull up the driveway.

Here's why: there is nothing else like it in the Pacific Northwest. The moment you step onto the grounds, you're not in Woodinville anymore. You're somewhere in the French countryside — manicured gardens, stone details, a working vineyard, European architecture that looks like it's been there for centuries. It's laidback luxury with just the right amount of bougie. And it photographs like an absolute dream.

What makes Chateau Lill so special for wedding photography

Most venues in the Seattle area give you PNW forests, mountain backdrops, or waterfront views. All beautiful — but Chateau Lill gives you something completely different. The French estate aesthetic means your photos will look like nothing else in your friends' Instagram feeds. Stone staircases, wine barrels, a secret island, a private dock, grapevines catching the late afternoon light — every corner of this property is a portrait waiting to happen.

What I love most as a photographer is the sheer variety of backdrops available across a single property. I've never once run out of locations at Chateau Lill, no matter the season, the weather, or the size of the wedding party.

My favorite photo spots on the property

The Front of the Chateau

This is the establishing shot — the one that tells the whole story of where you got married. The architecture, the stone details, the manicured gardens framing the entrance. I always make time for portraits here, and for large wedding party shots it cannot be beat.
The Staircase from the tent

Picture this: the groom waiting at the bottom as his partner descends the steps for their first look. One of my absolute favorite first look locations at any venue I shoot. The light, the anticipation, the architectural framing — it's cinematic every single time.
The Balcony

Elevated, romantic, with sweeping views of the property. Golden hour from the balcony is something couples talk about long after their wedding day.
The Barrel Room

A favorite for couples portraits and bridal party photos. The rustic European character of this space is unlike anything else on the property. On rainy days this becomes one of my go-to indoor locations — I typically light it with a flash behind the couple on an angle to create a warm glow, plus a soft flash on the front to illuminate their faces. The results are moody, dramatic, and completely stunning.
The grapevines

One of the most forgiving locations on the property — the light here is gorgeous at almost any time of day, making it ideal for couples portraits, bridal party photos, or those last golden hour shots.
The Driveway

Long, lined with established trees, and absolutely perfect for golden hour portraits and dramatic send-off shots. One of my top three sunset locations on the property.
The Dock

Sitting right on the main pond, the dock is one of those locations that feels completely transportive — you forget you're in Woodinville entirely. It works best at sunset or on a beautifully overcast day when the light is soft and diffused. Schedule this intentionally and it'll produce some of your favorite images from the day.
The Getting Ready Suite

Natural light, a spiral staircase, and enough space for your whole crew. The iconic dress photo practically takes itself in here.
The Grand Staircase from the Bridal Suite

Gorgeous natural light, architectural drama, and enough space for everything from intimate couples portraits to full bridal party shots. One of my favorite indoor portrait locations at any venue I shoot.
The Grand Ballroom

Soaring ceilings, brass chandeliers, a dramatic fireplace, and a window seat built for portraits. This room works beautifully in any weather — and on a rainy day it becomes the absolute star of the show.
The Secret Island

Tucked away at the back of the property, the secret island is one of those spots that makes couples feel like they've discovered something private and magical just for them. Like the dock, it photographs best at sunset or on a cloudy day when the light wraps around everything evenly.

Timing & Lighting at Chateau Lill - What I tell every couple

Plan your sunset photos for at least 30 minutes before sunset. This is the most important timing note I give every Chateau Lill couple. The golden glow doesn't wait, and if you're not in position early you'll miss the best light of the day. My favorite locations for those golden hour shots are the stairs leading from the tent, the balcony, and the driveway — we'll build your timeline to hit all three if we can.
Most couples do a late afternoon or evening ceremony. This is smart for two reasons. First, the light at Chateau Lill gets better as the day goes on. Second — and this is the bigger one — doing portraits before the ceremony means you can actually attend your own cocktail hour. I plan your portrait session in the window before the ceremony so that once you're married, you're free to be with your guests. No disappearing for an hour after the ceremony while everyone wonders where you are.
Getting ready logistics are worth planning carefully. Venue access time at Chateau Lill doesn't typically allow for full hair and makeup onsite unless you pay for additional time. Most of my couples get their hair and makeup done offsite at a gorgeous hotel or Airbnb, then come to Chateau Lill to get dressed and do finishing touches. This actually works beautifully — you arrive already feeling stunning, and we get straight to the good stuff.

What about a rainy day wedding at Chateau Lill?

Here's something most couples don't realize: a rainy day at Chateau Lill is not a problem. It's just a different kind of beautiful.

I've shot rainy weddings here and walked away with some of my most dramatic and romantic galleries. At one wedding, it started to sprinkle right as we were beginning family photos. We simply moved everyone to the front of the chateau and had the family groupings stand under the awning with the wine barrels framing their portraits. You couldn't tell it was raining in a single photo — and everyone stayed perfectly dry. (Except me. But that's what I'm there for.)

When the weather turns, here's where I take couples:

The Grand Ballroom. This is the rainy day jackpot. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a dramatic fireplace, a window seat built for portraits, soaring ceilings, and brass chandeliers that catch the light in the most romantic way. This room works for intimate couples portraits and large group shots equally well — the scale of the space handles both beautifully.

The grand staircase from the bridal suite. Gorgeous natural light, plenty of space, and architectural details that make every pose look intentional. One of my favorite indoor portrait locations at any venue I shoot.

The barrel room. Moody, dramatic, unmistakably Chateau Lill. Combined with off-camera flash, this room produces images that look nothing like a typical wedding gallery — in the best possible way.

Couples who get married at Chateau Lill

Chateau Lill attracts a specific kind of couple — and I mean that as the highest compliment. You love good wine. You have strong opinions about design. You want your wedding to feel elevated and intentional without being stiff. You're drawn to European aesthetics and you want photos that look like they could have been taken in the south of France.

You're also, in my experience, genuinely fun. The Chateau Lill couples I've worked with know how to throw a party and how to be present in the moments that matter. That combination makes my job a joy.

If that sounds like you — we should talk.

PREFERRED SEASONS at

Chateau Lill

Summer and fall are my favorites at this venue, and most of my couples agree. The grapevines are at their most lush and golden in late summer and early fall, the light goes longer in the evenings, and the outdoor ceremony lawn is at its absolute best. That said, Chateau Lill's indoor spaces are stunning enough to make a winter wedding equally special — the Grand Ballroom in particular is genuinely magical when the weather outside turns.

What a Wedding Day at Chateau Lill looks like

with me behind the lens

I've been photographing weddings at this venue since 2014. I know which direction to position you at every hour of the day, which spots are best for which light, and how to move efficiently through the property so we hit everything without the day feeling rushed. Your timeline is finalized a month before your wedding — so by the time your day arrives, the plan is locked and you just show up.

My couples never have to figure out what to do or where to stand. I direct everything. And because I've done this at Chateau Lill more than a dozen times, I can anticipate moments before they happen and be in the right place when they do.

You'll receive 600+ color images and a full black and white collection, delivered within 30 days. Your gallery lives online permanently, and your guests can download full resolution images at no charge.

Ready to talk about your Chateau Lill wedding?

My consultations are genuine planning sessions — we'll talk through your vision, build your timeline, and figure out exactly what you need. No pressure, no sales pitch.

Book a complimentary consultation