GEORGIE & JACK (Mr & Mrs TBC) - CHATEAU DE JUMILHAC (a Marry Me In France wedding)

DAY 01

(Ceremony rehearsal and BBQ)

One of my favourite types of wedding is the ‘home wedding’ and whilst this one could not be exactly described as that, it could be classified as a ‘destination holiday home wedding’. Sort of… as in bit’s of it (the day prior specifically) took place at bride Georgie’s parents holiday home in SW France. And then on the Sunday, a brunch lakeside event on the edge of the village, but we will get to that later…

Day 01 started with a rehearsal at this modest, quaint, DISNEY FAIRYTALE CASTLE, Chateau de Jumilhac. Pretty much most weddings I attend in France are at a ‘chateau’ but few are truly worthy of that name as it directly translates into English as ‘castle’ and this IS the kind of thing we think of when we think castle/chateau. Rather than a big house with lot’s of windows.

Anyway, fun rehearsal and as I will repeat until my career is one day over (a long time off, though according to one recent rumour put about, I have retired. Ha! Not happening whoever put that one out there, but I digress), having a rehearsal is pretty essential if you want your ceremony to not be an utter disaster. And I have been to a few and guess what they all had in common? Correct, no rehearsal.

Moving on, in both senses, it was then off to Georgie’s parents for a family BBQ. The usual thing, a lot of smoke, some slightly burned stuff, a few drinks and in this case, an early night for all.

This was a Marry Me In France wedding planned by Kate’s Weddings.

WEDDING DAY PREP

On to the wedding day itself. As always we begin with a weather forecast and Meteo Pessimiste suggested as it does for over 50% of Saturday’s in SW France in the late Spring and Summer, that there was a strong chance of a storm later on. Approx 9/10, that never happens and sure enough, Sunny and moderately hot all day.

Jack and the boys and his family all got ready just down the road from Georgie’s parents before shooting off to lunch somewhere and I then headed off to Georgie and the girls.

With the boys it’s generally quite simple; the hunt for a working iron, the search for the missing cufflinks, a couple of beers, get dressed.

The girls provide a bit more material and over at Georgie’s parents, it was also a minimal stress, fairly relaxed affair with hair & make up by Olga.

Something of note and that is Georgie had written cards for all the girls and her parents which was a really nice touch.

CEREMONY

A couple of aerial shots to set the scene visually and then the main event itself, the ceremony conducted by the bride’s older sister Gemma, doubling as both celebrant and bridesmaid (costume change later).

The ceremony took place on the edge of the rose garden and despite there being absolutely zero shade, fortunately, it was not that hot a day, peaking around the mid 20’s.

Florals here by Jenny Fairbanks and stunning as always.

CONFETTI & CHAMPAGNE TOWER

I don’t really need to use too many words here, - confetti and champagne tower is sufficient!

DRINKS RECEPTION

A big horse and a small pony were the stars of the show here and the big horse had been handing out orders of service prior to the ceremony (even without hands) and small pony was now ‘handing’ out bottles of beer from his/her/their set of paniers.

Laura Springham fiddled away and it all mostly took place under the shade of a huge tree.

Canapes (and catering later) by The Event Kitchen.

THE NEW MR & MRS LANGMEAD

10-15 minutes is all it takes, but we can go for longer if time permits and you wish, - it’s up to you.

OUTDOOR SPEECHES

Back under the tree for this or folks would have suffered in the sun.

Speeches were split into 2 blocks of 2 pairs, with the bride and her father going first outdoors and then Jack and his best man, later on indoors.

DECOR, ENTRANCE, SERVICE

A pretty spectacular dining room welcomed guests for the wedding ‘breakfast’ with the guests entering to ‘Be Our Guest’, ie, Georgie’s playful nod to the ‘Fairytale Castle’.

INDOOR SPEECHES

Second round of speeches and speeches done well which is they didn’t go on forever which if you are also a videographer, is very welcome ;)

EVENING

Cake and sparklers with Espresso Martini’s served on the walkway before first dance and music by Bright Lights brought the wedding day to its conclusion. But we are not done just yet…

THE DAY AFTER

The sign says it all really, - Sunday Lake Brunch.

A mobile crepe van provided the brunch and the promised rain did not actually appear, at least not whilst I was there.

To conclude, an enormous thank you to Georgie & Jack for first choosing me and then trusting me to capture their wedding weekend. I think I did it justice…