France Weddings 2017 Review
France Weddings 2017 ReviewEvery year is the ‘best ever’ isn’t it? Well it’s true, it was!Although my 17th full year as a wedding photographer/film-maker, this was my first full year actually resident in France. Previously, I’d been ‘commuting’ which can seem like fun initially, but becomes quite wearing after a while, especially when you factor in French air traffic control strikes (which are frequent during the Summer) and delayed or cancelled flights!However, it was great to start the 2017 season from our home in South-West France and only have to fly for work once. I took 56 flights in 2016!I won’t describe all 26 x 2017 weddings as it would take too long, but some of the highlights and special memories (and this is not just a job) that stood out for me were…The very first wedding of the year was a cracker. Texans, Kim & Ian, chose a Chateau in Dordogne. As with most of the weddings I cover, it’s not just the wedding day, but usually the day prior and sometimes the day after also.In Kim & Ian’s case, it was just the day prior (as the day after they were off on their travels) and we had so much fun visiting a chateau, having lunch, the gardens at Château de Marqueyssac and just hanging out. Not only was I also staying at the chateau with them (quite rare), but I had not only my own room, but entire ground floor to myself. It doesn’t get much better than that!Relaxed from start to finish and planned by Abigail at Marry Me in France we had (and I hate to use this word) most awesome day. OK it was exactly 0 degrees C upon waking with a carpet of frost everywhere, (it was a particularly cold snap in Dordogne that week), but all the more beautiful for it.A small wedding with just under 20 in total, outdoor garden ceremony (just warm enough by then, though they had to eat indoors as it was just too cool later) and outdoor dancing around the firepit.What made it was not the venue, not the landscape, not the weather, not the ‘stuff’ (which were all great), but the combination of those factors plus the fabulous inclusive welcome of the B&G and the entire wedding party. In Kim’s words, “an honorary member of our family”. And that is how results are achieved.The next wedding that really stands out for me was that of Lucy & George. This again fairly small wedding of around 40, took place entirely at George’s parents home in France in a ‘secret’ valley in the Lot. I say secret because it was almost impossible to find. Until you knew where it was!The weather was scorching and in this instance I covered the wedding day itself, plus the brunch & pool party the day after.As always, it was the people that made it, but in this case, the weather and idyllic setting were absolutely perfect.Then there was actor Hugo’s wedding to doctor Paul, up in the mountains above Nice. The setting, the weather, the people…the most amazing wedding band, Mister Kanish.There were so many great weddings this year and I could ramble about them all. But I won’t, so will conclude with a very warm thanks to all 52 of my special clients this year, - you made it what it was.Special mention to, to all the great suppliers I worked with this year, - Beth, Abigail, Kate, Sue, Sarah, Amy & Julie at Marry Me in France, Sarah at And Then We Got Married, Nicole at Pure Expressions, all you florists and caterers and bands and…well everyone. Good job all!Next up, 2018.It’s going to be even better…No, it really is. I’ll tell you why very shortly...