Under the lens of Valérie Escandon Photography, “Love Laced in Chocolate” unfolded as a poetic study of taste and texture. Set above the vineyards of Yvorne, at Château Maison Blanche, the editorial translated the essence of Swiss fall into a tactile experience.
The concept was brought to life by Hortensia Events and Cherish & Co, whose direction merged regional heritage with couture aesthetics. Their shared vision was clear: to turn Switzerland’s most beloved elements, like wine, cheese, chocolate, and Gruyère cream, into a sensory design narrative.
In October, Vaud’s vineyards turn golden and scarlet, carrying the scent of fermenting grapes and wood smoke. The team wanted to capture the warmth of Swiss hospitality wrapped in gastronomy and couture aesthetics.
Location
Rising above Yvorne’s sunlit vineyards, Château Maison Blanche belongs to the UNESCO-listed wine region of Lavaux, a place where Swiss heritage meets cinematic scenery. Built in the 16th century, the estate feels both historical and alive, its cream-toned walls catching the alpine light, its terraces wrapped in vines that still produce Grand Cru Yvorne wines.
For the team, it was the perfect canvas: refined, but never pretentious. The château’s own tones of ivory stone, green vines, and the soft blue of the mountain sky melted into the palette of the day, mirroring the creamy whites and chocolate hues of the styling. The landscape itself became part of the decor, shaping the editorial’s atmosphere of quiet luxury and natural rhythm.
Preps & Looks
The day opened with that soft, cinematic quiet. In a lace-trimmed set, Estelle, the bride, moved through the light-soaked rooms, her look already setting the tone of the story: intimate, tactile, and effortlessly feminine.
Just a few doors away, the groom and his friends prepared in striking contrast — all black tuxedos. Their portraits felt straight out of a Wes Anderson frame: perfectly composed yet playfully imperfect, like a stylish pause before the ceremony.
Her beauty, created by Natalija Styliste, followed the same philosophy: warmth without excess. Bronze lids, fig-tinted lips, and glowing skin that caught the sun like silk.
When Estelle slipped into her gown by The F Dress Geneva, the story shifted from intimacy to structure: silk, clean lines, and a couture balance between simplicity and statement.
Outside, the palette deepened. Bridesmaids appeared in silk chocolate dresses, fluid and rich under the sun. Their look contrasted beautifully with Estelle’s ivory gown, each tone enhancing the next. It’s part of what is called the “Brown Renaissance.” The chocolate hue was officially crowned as the leading bridal tone of 2025, redefined not as rustic but as couture warmth.
The groom, Younes, and his party followed the same philosophy: classic tuxedos worn with relaxed confidence, Italian nonchalance in Swiss geometry.
Ceremony
The ceremony unfolded in front of the château. Chairs were arranged facing the entrance, creating a natural aisle that drew the eye toward the stone arches and the soft Swiss light. The altar was simple yet sculptural: an organic arrangement of florals by Tavola Floral, mixing figs, grapes, and seasonal blooms in shades of chocolate and wine.
After the ceremony scene, the tone shifted from elegance to movement. The couple stepped to a vintage Cadillac from Collector’s Garage Geneva, a rare 1950s model that symbolized timeless design. Against the cream walls and blue alpine sky, its presence added a cinematic contrast.
Then came the wind, that lifted the veil, moved through the lace, and rustled the fabric of the chairs. The veil itself, hand-embroidered with “Love Laced in Chocolate”, was created by a lace artisan from a custom sketch made for this project.
Love Laced in Chocolate
The tablescape felt like an edible installation, every detail was layered with texture and meaning. The stationery by Faitpart à Part introduced the tone: lace-sewn menus and place cards that looked more like couture textiles than paper.
At the center stood a masterpiece by Cupcaker, a sculptural chocolate cake that redefined the idea of dessert styling. Created entirely without artificial coloring, it combined layers of dark chocolate and Gruyère cream, and was crowned with hand-molded lace made from pure cocoa.
Reception
As the day unfolded into the late Swiss afternoon, the scene softened into what could only be described as tactile poetry. Every texture was deliberate yet effortless: linen cascading from the table like sculpture, fabrics wrapped around vases, a visual code of 2025, where textile becomes art.
Food and florals are intertwined into one language. Loaves of bread, figs, grapes, and cheese replaced traditional arrangements, creating a form of tactile floristry: a celebration of imperfection and appetite. It was an intentional move away from glossy symmetry toward something raw, sensory, and alive.
Every detail carried meaning. Vintage glassware and silver cutlery sourced from Lausanne antique shops underlined the theme of slow luxury. The tablescape itself, minimalist yet rich, resembled an art installation, something you’d find in the pages of Kinfolk: designed to be touched, not just seen.
A tower of espresso martinis replaced the traditional champagne pour, a nod to the richness of Swiss coffee culture and the color palette that had defined the day. Served in vintage coupes over lace, the drinks echoed the theme’s signature tones.
The palette echoed the soul of the concept: chocolate, cream, fig, burgundy, grape, caramel gold, and a whisper of milk coffee. A color story that felt edible, not ornamental. Even the cow-print mules made a subtle appearance, a detail of Swiss identity, reframed as a fashion statement rather than irony.
The dessert didn’t end with the cake. In a quietly intimate moment, Estelle and Younes assembled their own tiramisu: layering cocoa, cream, and espresso-soaked savoiardi by hand. It was the perfect symbol of the editorial’s essence.
“Love Laced in Chocolate” embodies a new chapter of European minimalism with soul, where texture replaces perfection, and emotion takes the place of symmetry. A Swiss interpretation of slow luxury, intimate yet precise, indulgent yet pure. It’s where French poetry, Italian ease, and Swiss precision meet in quiet harmony.
PHOTOGRAPHER Valerie Escandon Photography | PLANNING & DESIGN Hortensia Events, Cherish & Co | ARTISTIC DIRECTION Cherish & Co, Hortensia Events, Valerie Escandon Photography | VENUE Château Maison Blanche | CONTENT CREATION Cherish & Co | FLORAL DESIGN Tavola Floral | CAKE DESIGN Cupcaker M | MUAH Nataliya Styliste, Aros Concept, Amo Hairstylist | BRIDAL GOWN The F Dress Geneva | JEWELRY DESIGNER L’Atelier du Quatre Juin | STATIONERY Faire Part à Part | TABLE DECOR Mariada | CAR Collectors Garage Geneva | MODELS Estelle & Younes | BRIDESMAIDS Katleen Btl, Alessia Proserpi, San Pression | GROOMSMEN Jordy Offf, Bernardo Santoss, Keviin Lopez
