Ellie Carpenter and Daniëlle van de Donk’s Chic Château Celebration in the South of France

When two of women’s soccer’s most celebrated talents, Matildas’ defender Ellie Carpenter and Netherlands midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk, decided to say “I do,” they chose one of the world’s most romantic backdrops: the lush vineyards and rolling hills of Servian in southern France. Their three-day destination wedding at the restored Château Hermitage de Combas was equal parts intimate and grand, blending elegant design with the effortless joy that defines their love story.

Ellie’s move to Lyon in 2020 marked the beginning of a new chapter—both professionally and personally. A year later, Daniëlle arrived as the city’s newest midfield dynamo, and what started as mutual respect on the pitch quickly became something more. “We’d crossed paths internationally, but playing side by side was when we really connected,” Ellie recalls.

Returning to the region where they first fell in love, Ellie and Daniëlle selected Château Hermitage de Combas—just a four-hour drive from Lyon—for their nuptials. The historic estate’s manicured gardens, sunlit courtyards, and elegant front lawns provided a canvas for a weekend that felt both lavish and personal. “It’s intimate, natural, and full of heart,” says Ellie of the venue’s timeless charm.

With Australian planner Natasha of Du Jour Events at the helm, the couple embraced a modern-neutral palette of earthy greens, warm taupes, and classic ivory.