JENNI & YANN - MANOIR DE KERHUEL - 3 DAY WEDDING
THE DAY BEFORE…
Peak temperature 37 degrees Celcius which is just shy of 99 degrees Fahrenheit. This was the ‘coolest’ of the 3 days at Jenni & Yann’s wedding…and was just the beginning for me of a 3 week road trip of 5 weddings, with only a single one taking place below 35 degrees C. But that is another story…
This American-French wedding took place in Brittany, Western France at a number of location and began the day prior with a tour of the Distillerie des Menhirs a few km from Quimper followed by picnic snacks in the park and concluding with a dinner in Yann’s home town of Pont Aven.
MANOIR DE KERHUEL
Located in the beautiful Breton countryside, less than 20 minutes from the seaside, Manoir de Kerhuel is tucked away in. the heart of Finistère and has 23 spacious modern rooms plus an outdoor heated swimming pool, sauna and tennis court.
On the day coordination by Camille of Paillettes & Chantilly.
PREP
Through nobodies fault, things did not start too well…
First of all, the extreme heat had knocked out the power in the entire region the evening before so not only no aircon (it peaked 41 degrees Celcius today which is over 100 F in old money), but no power whatsoever. Eek. Fortunately, most of this wedding was taking place outdoors and unplugged, but overcome with some ingenuity re. anything electrical!
HMU by La Salon Mademoiselle
CEREMONY
The ceremony itself was conducted by the best man, Alex and took place in the shade with a view of the Manoir in the background with some beautiful and personal vows that absolutely made this chapter of the day.
COCKTAIL ‘HOUR’
Freshly shucked oysters, assorted nibbles, a leg of cured jambon, champagne…
JENNI & YANN
The main event, the star attraction(s), the focus of the entire event, - so easy to work with, so natural together…
THE EVENING
Speeches, fine dining, croquembouche, dancing…and the power came back on around 10pm!
THE DAY AFTER
Galettes or crepes? Why not both, washed down with some local cider.
But 43 degrees C in the shade called for a thunderstorm…and the weather gods duly delivered.
Such a fun wedding full of great people!
LUCY & CHARLES - CHATEAU DU RAYSSE
Hi Simon,
These are brilliant!
We want to say a huge thank you, we honestly love the photos and videos so much. We’ve been going through them again and again, and every time we spot something new. You captured the weekend exactly as it felt to us, full of warmth, fun, and all the little moments we were hoping wouldn’t get lost, and you made us look good!
You’re genuinely so talented. The way you managed to be everywhere without us noticing, the natural shots of our friends and family, the atmosphere, the light, it’s all just beautiful. Thank you for giving us something we’ll treasure forever. We couldn’t be happier.
Thanks again!
Lucy and Charles
Here Endeth The Season…
The final wedding of the 2025 wedding season in France was that of Lucy & Charles at Chateau du Raysse.
The weather has played ball throughout the year, mostly, and it has just been the last couple of weeks where it was less than stellar and unseasonably cool. However, Lucy & Charles actual wedding day, it was sunny throughout before being somewhat less for the day after ‘pool party’.
The 3 day event began on the Friday with welcome drinks plus some fun & games outdoors followed by wine tasting hosted by Jessie from Man vs Wine, live music and home cooking inside…
WEDDING DAY
Hair & Makeup by one of my favourite dynamic duos; Linzi from Skin23 and hair by Eleanora
Flowers & hire by Our Fabulous Things
Planning & coordination by Julie Pawsey
DJ set by Damien Keys
Fine dining by Chez Tomz
And so to Day 03 and the pool party that wasn’t (due to the weather) but excellent catering again by the team from Chez Tomz, DJ set by Damien Keys and ice cream a la plancha to finish things off. Including my 2025 wedding season!
MARIA & ANDY - CHATEAU DE LA CITARDIERE
DAY 01 - WEDDING DAY
Hair & makeup: Lynda Meurou
Florist: Folie Douce
Celebrant: Tasha, Loire Valley Celebrant
Planner: Lauren, Chateau de la Citardiere
Caterer: L’Oree des Bois
Day musicians: Alexandre (pianist) and Remy (guitarist)
Evening: Roadhouse 9 (band)
Anglo-American couple, Maria & Andy’s took place at a chateau that looks like something straight out of the middle ages. The 14th century to be precise including a moat, so unlike your typical large house, this one is a proper castle!
Situated on the edge of the Mervent Forest, the Château de la Citardière is ideally located just one 1 hour from Nantes and 1 hour from the beaches of the Vendée and La Rochelle.
The day began with the usual preparations that every wedding has and the ceremony took place in a woodland glade overlooking the chateau courtyard.
Over 100 adults attended and over 40 kids so this one was a truly family affair, especially with Maria & Andy having 2 boys of their own and before you think, “40 kids, that must have been a bit hectic”, they were well taken care of for the duration of the day with their own woodland encampment that overlooked the wedding.
Speeches and meal took place in one of the huge rooms with dancing later in the opposite one.
As always, the pics below can tell a better story than any attempt at a written description!
DAY 02 - PIG ROAST
It wasn’t just a pig roast, there was also those 40 kids to consider and an inflatable bouncy castle was provided for their enjoyment with some more adult orientated lawn games for everyone.
These day after events are all about relaxing and winding down and so it was for Maria & Andy and their guests.
JASMINE & ALEX - CHATEAU DU RAYSSE
DAY 01 - WELCOME PARTY PIZZA NIGHT!
It’s not a hard & fast rule, but most of the weddings I attend begin with something like this, - an informal gathering of at least the major participants and so it was at Jasmine & Alex’s wedding weekend at Chateau du Raysse.
Caterer for this one was by Chris from Frais Au Feu with his mobile wood-fired pizzeria with pizzas followed by crepes made to order.
There was a brief rehearsal prior, always recommended just to make sure the key players know what’s happening, but otherwise a relaxed and low-key start to wedding weekend.
DAY 02 - WEDDING DAY
Pretty warm, but nowhere near as hot as it has been and can get, but warm enough, was the weather for this one!
The ceremony took place on the lawn conducted by a friend of the couple keeping the relaxed feel to the event with floristry provided by the couple themselves in the form of dried flowers.
The weekend itself was overseen by UK planner, Claire Durant and hair & makeup was by Eleanora and Magali respectively.
Caterer and musos for the day were; Party in France (caterer), Kyri (sax) and James Carr (DJ)
DAY 03 - POOL PARTY!
And as is fairly ‘traditional’ for a weekend wedding in France, it concluded the next day with a pool party. And steak frites provided by Beki & Andy from the Crazy Diamond food truck!
This was just a super-relaxed wedding to capture and as always, it’s the people that made it so from the suppliers to the guests, but mostly, Jasmine & Alex themselves.
NIAMH & MATT - CHATEAU DU RAYSSE
Kicking off 2025, is the wedding of Niamh & Matt that took place at Chateau du Raysse on the Dordogne/Lot border in South-West France.
Continuing where the 2024 season left off, the weather forecast was trash; Friday OK, Saturday rain from mid-afternoon leading to thunderstorms and Sunday relentlessly wet.
It did not turn out quite like that and it wasn’t until Day 03 that the heavens opened…
But that is getting ahead of ourselves and it all began with Day 01.
DAY 01 “Come on Barbie, let’s go Party!”
Having a ‘Dream Team’ of suppliers is something that should never be underestimated and this wedding had a dream team for sure. Because when you get onto Day 02, the evidence is right there in print!
The Day 01 suppliers were:
Cocktails = the guys from Mr Sully
Food = Beki & Andy from Crazy Diamond food truck
Live Music = Jodie & Charlie from Feels Like July
General Entertainment = Frank & Pepper (emotional support Dachsunds and professional barkers)
The sun went down, the strings of lights came on, cocktails (named in honour of the grandparents) were drunk, burgers & frites were eaten and a good time was had by all.
DAY 02 - WEDDING DAY
The morning began with the mobile crepe van courtesy of Sylvie, originally from Bretagne (Brittany to us Brits) and then once fed, it was prep time.
In a slight break from tradition, there were no bridesmaids or groomsmen other than flower girls Aoife & Zara whose only job was to look cute and Frank & Pepper could not quite be trusted to do anything much other than charm the ladies. Plus Niamh & Matt got ready in the same room. Makeup for the ladies by friend & guest, Lauren of Laurie Linton Makeup.
The bride walked into the ceremony conducted by the ever effervescent Cherry Newman, escorted by her Uncle Michael with live music again from Jodie & Charlie who also performed an afternoon set during the drinks reception that followed and the first dance.
Flowers were by Jenny Fairbanks (as was all furniture and other hire for the day) with on the day coordination by Blandine & Michael (a different Michael to Uncle Michael).
Catering and exceptional food today (as always) came from Rosie Greenhalgh and her team at Party in France. She’s a Kiwi not an Aussie alright?!
Finally, to conclude the evening, DJ James (not Jimmy) Carr British DJ in France.
Still no sigh of any rain…
DAY 03 - POOL & PIG DAY
Vegetarians and vegans should look away now as there are gratuitous pictures of a cooked pig.
Before or after Mr Cochon, there were crisps (chips to American readers) and a selection of Scottish sweet snacks and I believe it was compulsory to have tried at least one of each type. I am sure I read that somewhere…
And then the heavens did open! After an immediate ‘all hands on decks’ (literally), we shifted DJ James stuff under cover as it was torrential for a while with guests huddled under two parasols.
But then a few, including the B&G went into the pool anyway, because, well why not?
Thanks to Niamh & Matt for being so welcoming and laid back. It’s not often I get a couple that are not, but Niamh & Matt were SUPER laid back and as a result, their wedding weekend went like a dream. Well apart from the downpour late afternoon on the Sunday, but we never expected to get even what limited time we had prior to that.
LAUREN & MICHAEL - MANOIR DE LONGEVEAU
THE EVENING PRIOR
Pizza! It’s almost always a pretty good call for a Wedding Welcome Party and so it was for Lauren & Michael’s at Manoir de Longeveau in Dordogne, South West France.
There are very few venues that can actually sleep over 100 guests on-site but this place is one of those few that can and at about an hour from Bordeaux airport, pretty accessible.
This wedding was planned and executed by Zoe Parry for Marry Me In France.
THE MORNING
An early start for those that actually turned up for golf…* cough Michael cough * and as is so often the case at this time of year, early October, a misty start which makes for some spectacular drone photo & video. Shorts was a bit ambitious for some of the golfers…
Otherwise, as with all weddings, a bit of prep; the girls in the main house and the boys up the road at one of the houses.
THE CEREMONY
I need to mention the dog. It should be compulsory to have a cute dog at all weddings and how cute was this one?! His little waistcoat complete with pocket watch and he was the official ringbearer.
And then the weather. Sunshine. Very welcome, especially after the weather we have had in France this year which is not going to be remembered as one of the best years. In fact, the worst in my 20+ year career, but hey ho, you get what you get. But today, it was pretty good.
THE AFTERNOON
It wouldn’t be a wedding in France without a Citroen 2CV as was the case here. Actually very few weddings in France tend to have a wedding car as most tend to all take place at one single venue so don’t need transport of this nature, but it’s still great to have a car as an extra prop.
THE EVENING
Some late afternoon sunshine saw us into the evening when the courtyard came to life under a magical lighting set up which was perfect for the meal and speeches followed by dancing in the barn.
THE DAY AFTER
And then the weather returned to its normal 2024 party piece, grey. There were some glimpses of sunshine from time to time, with a bit of blue early on as evidenced in some of the pics below, but weather never stops a good party. This one the day after was chilled fun & games around one of the pool’s and then BBQ food to round things off in the evening.
DESTINATION WEDDING FRANCE - LAUREN & KAL
The post below covers Day 01 of this 3 day destination wedding in France with day’s 02 & 03 covered in a separate post here.
I’ve split this one because although all 3 days took place consecutively and without moving venue (Gites La Columbiere), there were two completely different weddings!
The first featured here was your more typical ‘destination wedding in France’ and the next two days were totally different. Hope on over to that other post to find out how exactly…
The day began with bride prep with Linzi from Skin_23 on makeup and Nikki T on hair with bouquets by Jenny Fairbanks.
The ceremony was conducted by Michelle Roberts in the big barn as the weather was not playing ball as it hasn’t on quite a few occasions this so-called ‘Summer’!
Catering was by Chloe’s French Kitchen as was BBQ style with day music by quartet Ensemble Obbligato and evening DJ’s, Wholly Vinyl.
MARYANA & ROBERT - CHATEAU NAUDOU
Words fail me when it comes to the weather this year, - the absolute worst year for sure since I started shooting weddings over 20 years ago.
And since this wedding, I’ve been to a few others and all have also had very unreliable forecasts and mixed weather.
But with Maryana, originally from Ukraine and Robert from the US, we got away with it, mostly, except for one single part of the day, - the ceremony!
It started raining literally 2 minutes prior and ended around 5 minutes after. But we pressed on and only got slightly damp!
And despite the open sided stretch tent, being at least dry was pretty important for this mostly outdoor wedding including evening dancing.
But as above, other than the ceremony, we did OK at this multi-cultural wedding planned and organised by Jo at The Impeccable Pear.
Some other key suppliers were:
MUA = @be.beautiful.south.west.france
Hair = @nikbridalhair
Florals = @buzzybeeworks
Guitarist = @petemcgrane
Catering = @lechefimpeccable
DJ = @magicevent33
Venue = Chateau Naudou
CARYS & NICK - CHATEAU VALOUZE - 1 DAY WEDDING
A very rare single day coverage wedding was this one for Carys & Nick at ‘Chateau Glorieux’ with plhweddingsandevents for Marry Me In France.
Unfortunately, I can’t provide a list of suppliers, but let’s just say some of my favourites in the industry in South West France.
Otherwise, the Wedding Film above and selection (far from the full gallery) of pics below, can tell a better story than my words anyway!
JESSICA & GARETH - CHATEAU LA GAUTERIE
Jessica & Gareth’s wedding took place at Chateau la Gauterie which sits almost on the boundary of two departments in France; Charente and Dordogne.
I think this was either my 4th or 5th visit to this delightful venue and there is always a warm welcome from owner and wedding planner-in-chief, Sarah.
The weekend’s event began with a Welcome Party BBQ hosted by the bride & groom, Jess & Gareth in the courtyard next to the chateau followed by (obviously!) their actual wedding day.
It was yet another day when the forecast was pretty pessimistic at best, but once again, any bad weather did not play apart and the day just got brighter and brighter including; outdoor ceremony on the rear steps and drinks reception on the terrace.
Then a long table down one of the driveways under the trees with musician, Andy Usher leading the guests finally towards the party barn and cake!
The Wedding Professionals involved in this event were:
HMUA: Charlotte Austin
FLORALS: Angie Steadman – Les Fleurs Coupees
CELEBRANT: Laura Shuckburgh
CATERING: Nomadz
CAKE: Steph The Cake Lady
LIVE MUSIC: Andy Usher and Ell.Cru, Live acoustic singing with guitar, saxophonist and bongos plus DJ.
SARAH & DAN - AUSTRIA - A PEACH PERFECT WEDDING
Here we go, the hills were alive with edelweiss and the sound of music…and Christmas trees on very tall poles…
Apparently the trees on poles is some kind of tradition similar to May Day festivals of yesteryore that used to be a big thing in the UK. Sadly, the only pics I have are on my phone for IG Stories amusement purposes, but fortunately, there are a ton of pics from my ‘proper’ cameras I can share below of both the wedding and the stunning scenery!
Sarah (who is known as Katie and that confused me for a while) and Dan, from the US but living in Switzerland, chose to get married in Austria, close to Saltzburg. And what a trek that was, - 1350+ km’s for me. Each way. Phew, but worth it for this wedding.
This is one of those occasions where I will mostly let the pictures do the talking other than to say the following:
Planned by Vanessza for Peach Perfect Weddings and taking place at multiple venues including; groom prep at the Hotel Stefanihof, ceremony and first drinks reception at the lakeside gardens of the Hotel Seewinkel, both in Fuchsl am See and with everything else from second drinks reception onwards, at Ansitz Wartenfels up in the mountains.
Things started off with a monumental rain storm the evening before and the weather was looking a little dicey for the wedding day and did indeed start of somewhat cloudy, but we kept the faith and were rewarded.
OK, the pics can take over and tell this story!
IRINA & SERCAN (a Marry Me In France wedding)
Hi Simon,
It's lovely to hear from you again - hope you've been enjoying Austria (I'm following along on IG)!
WOW - the video is sooooo good!! The photos too (looks like you worked your magic with the groom and his family afterall - they seem relaxed and happy in their suite pics haha)! I love it all...needless to say, we were in good hands with you so thank you for everything you did during our wedding.
Irina & Sercan
This one was a truly international affair with the Bride’s family coming from Bosnia and the Groom’s family Turkey, with the couple themselves living in San Francisco!
This wedding event was actually Part 3 of a trilogy that began with the legal side in the US, moved over to Turkey for groom Sercan’s side of the family and then ended up in South West France.
Planned to perfection by Kate W for Marry Me In France at Le Chateau Charmant.
I’ll let the pictures (below) and video (above) do the talking on this one…
Claire & Richard - Bordeaux Wedding France
DAY 01
CHICKEN CHAUD
This one was 6/7 of a month long road trip around South West France and actually the second visit to Chateau de la Valouze within 4 days! And both weddings with Nicole from Petillante Weddings.
This 3 day event was an Irish (Claire) and Scottish (Rick) event with elements of both as you will see. Plus karaoke with See You Jimmy.
Things kicked off as the sun began to set on Day 01 with Chicken Chaud, in English, ‘hot chicken’ direct from the Chicken Chaud food truck.
DAY 02
MAWWAGE
Either you had to have been at the ceremony or you need to know your Peter Cook to get the title above. Both ideally…
Plus Nicole demonstrates the Cha Cha Slide and a former professor from the USA talks wine.
HAIR: Laura Cawte
MUA: Virginie E
FLORIST & HIRE: Our Fabulous Things
CATERER: Lacoste
SOMMERLIER: Man Vs Wine
BAND: Popcorn Factory
DAY 03
BBQ POSHED UP
And as with all things, it had to end at some point and so it did here at Claire & Rik’s epic 3 day wedding event at Chateau de la Valouze near Bordeaux in South West France.
Plus someone has a hair cut and receives their wedding day gift.
Great planning, great execution, great weather, great team, great wedding!
KAREN & OLIVER - 2 Day Destination Wedding at CHATEAU DE LA VALOUZE, Dordogne (Photo & Video)
Simon!!!
We have just sat down and watched the video.
You did a fantastic job, we are over the moon.
Thank you a million times over!
Kaz & Ollie
Karen & Oliver, AKA, Kaz & Ollie, chose the stunning Chateau de la Valouze near Bordeaux in South West France for their wedding and this was my 7th of 8 visits to the place to date.
Something that destination weddings have over domestic weddings, is that they generally take place over several days.
This one kicked off with some slightly dodgy weather during the set up, but actually remained dry for the event hosted by Kaz & Ollie with food truck by Gr’Eat Food. See what they did there? Some weddings use an off-venue restaurant, but honest opinion, it doesn’t work very well. It doesn’t tend to work because it doesn’t tend to be exclusive, the available space tends to be small and from what I have experienced, there always seems to be food, drink and service issues. Get a food truck in! ‘DIY’!! It’s much more personal and relaxed. And cheaper… Regarding the potential results, photography & video, something like this is an up to 10/10 opp whereas the restaurant gig tends to be 1-3/10 at best. Just the way it is…
DAY 02
THE WEDDING DAY
This was one of the first weddings of the season where early morning, it felt like the end of Summer and start of Autumn.
The mist soon cleared to brilliant sunshine as it was South West France in mid September where the weather is usually still good until around mid October.
Kaz & Ollie’s wedding at Chateau de la Valouze was planned and organised by Nicole Tournois of Pétillante Weddings based herself near Bordeaux with some of the other key service providers being:
HMUA: Magali and Faces by Nay
CELEBRANT: Mark Rind
CATERING: Laeco Traiteur
BAND: Monk
What else can I say really, - prep, ceremony, drinks & canapés, speeches & meal, dancing, - it was a wedding! The pics below and Wedding Film above can tell a much better story than my words!
Chateau Rigaud - Sally & Shae
Good Evening Simon!
Where to start… We think you have done a simply incredible job of highlighting our special moments on our special day. We are still wiping the tears and excitement away. As a bit of time passes these gorgeous shots and video will digest and get even better we are sure.
Thank you for doing such a great job in video & stills with avoiding our sensitive moments and giving us great joy viewing this.
Kind regards,
Sally & Shae Davies
WEDDING DAY
Yes, it was a case of 3rd time lucky, - wall to wall sunshine for all 3 days!
Sally & Shae’s wedding day began with an actual legal ceremony at the local marie which is quite rare for a destination wedding, most couples electing to do the legal part in their own country. And for anyone not having attended a legal ceremony in France, it’s more a formality than any kind of celebration or a wedding ceremony. That part comes later.
Hair and make up was by Laura Cawte (for the second wedding in a row, along with the celebrant and DJ!) up in the tower room with Shae and the men downstairs accompanied by some rather fine Japanese whiskey. (I may have had a small one…)
The outdoor ceremony was conducted by Cherry from Bride Buddy, as above, for the second time just a few days after our last meeting, with personal vows which really add something to any ceremony.
A double drinks reception followed, the first being a champagne tower ‘mini’ reception in one location before heading to the rear terrace for another with cocktails and live canapé open fire cooking based around sausages and oysters. Live keyboard music and evening DJ, Damian Keys.
Then it was meal (always superb at Chateau Rigaud as is the service, - the best I have consistently experienced at any venue in France, - it really is in another league to anywhere else), speeches, dancing, sparklers and fireworks.
ROSE ALL DAY
Well perhaps not quite all day, but from early to late afternoon at least! Chateau Rigaud do this particularly well. It’s more a very fine buffet style Sunday lunch accompanied by rose, but other beverages are available. As were strawberry daiquiris and serve yourself ice cream from the machine. As many as you fancied. Might have had two myself…
And that was it, 3 days, each distinct and memorable and I look forward to my next visit :)
TORI & DANNY - FAMILY HOME IN FRANCE - 1 DAY WEDDING
Ahh Simon! I have been refreshing my emails (I can’t tell you how many times) every day in anticipation.
Danny is here & not in the jungle! We have watched the video 4 times now, can’t get enough. Thank you so much for capturing everything so beautifully, both of us have blubbed.
We love everything! & wishing we could do it all over again.
Thank you, from both of us xx
It’s only been about 7 weeks but feels like 3-4 months since Tori & Danny’s Lot et Garonne wedding in South West France, but finally it is ready for presentation.
Weather first… From the pics below and wedding film above, it was sunshine mostly moving to cloud later on and with a big storm forecast. By the time I left close to midnight, the storm had not materialised but I certainly got rained on when I parked the motorhome about 30 minutes away. A storm (or any kind of rain) is not what you want on your wedding day and certainly not when it’s a marquee job with outdoor dance floor!
But I am getting ahead of myself here, so back to the start which was a bit different to normal and began with the boys and a lot of boot polishing. Military chap is Danny the groom and so the first half of the wedding was in uniform before switching to a lighter Summer suit rather than full dress uniform.
For the bride, Tori and her girls, it was a case of getting ready at her Mum’s house where the wedding day was to take place and keeping the family theme going, the ceremony was conducted by Danny’s father.
Canapes & cocktails followed with DJ and live music courtesy of Mixology + sax, plus a further short live set by friends of the couple.
Otherwise it was one of those weddings where there is nothing to be added by me waffling about it and I suggest instead, watch the wedding film above and take a gander at the set of highlight pics below.
Honourable Mentions:
MUA = Kelly Hayman
Hair = Nikki Treacy
Florist = Mayflor Villereal
Catering = The Event Kitchen
Live Music = Mixology
Marquee = La Bonne Fete
AMY & TOM - 3 Day Destination Wedding at THE ROMANTIC CHATEAU, Lot et Garonne (Photo & Video)
Thank you so much for being there for us to help make the weekend so incredible!
We are really impressed with the outcome and delighted with the photos and videos, - such high quality!
Amy & Tom
Still talking about ‘postponed weddings’ and this one for Amy & Tom was shifted a few times before ending up as actually happening for them on the 1st July.
Planned & organised by Roberta W for Marry Me In France, we had you could say, ‘mixed weather’… A bit grey on the first evening and raining on and off throughout the wedding day, but perked up sufficiently in the evening for some outdoor dancing.
The weekend started with a small gathering of closest family & friends for a ‘Pizza & Prosecco’ evening at the venue before the wedding day itself.
The wedding day started a bit wet, but stopped for both the entrance and exit to the chapel, but affected the drinks reception a little forcing it under cover.
We were fortunate enough however in that it stopped later allowing a bit of a golden hour shoot and all the dancing took place outdoor.
And then it cleared up nicely for the pool party the day after!
Congrats to Amy & Tom, - we finally got there and 2 will soon be 3!
SOPHIE & TOM - 2 Day Destination Wedding at THE COUNTRY CLUB, Dordogne (Photo & Video)
Hi Simon,
Okay we did what you said and…
O M G! Wow what an incredible video and set of photos. We are so over the moon with how you have captured the day/ weekend and couldn’t have asked for anything more. The video is just everything! Such a lovely feeling to relive it and see it through the eyes of someone else. Thank you for capturing the best weekend of our lives 🥰
Watching on repeat until further notice!!!
Sophie and Tom x
Sophie & Tom’s ‘The Country Club’ wedding took place over several days at this rare venue in France.
Rare? Rare as in it is one of very few that can sleep so many on-site having so much available accommodation.
Let’s get things started with the day prior at this Marry Me In France planned wedding.
Pizza. That’s about the sum of it…and nothing wrong with that!
OK, there was a bit more than that… Wine, a pair of local musicians (live music is so important at events), good company and a lot of sunshine.
The wedding day itself was no different weather-wise, - extensive sunshine from start to finish and although my 4th wedding of the season, technically the first ‘Summer’ wedding.
An outdoor ceremony took place conducted by close friend Oliver which gives a really personal touch to a wedding.
Drinks in the garden with more live music and meal & speeches outdoors in the courtyard, followed by dancing in the barn.
MADDIE & DYLAN - Chateau de Montrevost
Hi Simon!
This is Maddie, I got locked out of our wedding planning email. But I just wanted to reach out to say thank you again for everything! We enjoyed having your company so much! All of the guests and us had a great time, thank you again for all of your help. Thank you so much these are BEAUTIFUL! We can’t get over how perfect they are. You really did go above and beyond. Thank you again!!
Sincerely, Maddie & Dylan
And so it begins, the 2023 wedding season!
Kicking off the year, about a month before the season in France really gets going, ie, early May, is this little gem of a wedding that took place at the end of March.
Spring was in the air, though had not quite arrived in this particular part of Eastern France over near the Swiss border.
Chateau de Montrevost was the venue, part of the Kasteliades group of venues for hire, in Cuisery, Saône-et-Loire, to be precise.
With a small wedding, there is nowhere to hide (that goes for anyone attending and me) and this one was just 14. Or was it 12? Anyway, it was a smaller one.
Smaller does not mean it’s not a full wedding day by any means, - all the same stuff happens; a couple get ready individually, there’s a ceremony, followed by drinks, then a meal and dancing. They did all that plus the day prior stuff.
It did mean very few on the day suppliers though so along with me, there was Laurene Labre on HMUA duty, food by Sue Manning (one of my new favourite caterers) and James Carr the DJ.
That’s about as much as I have to say right now. Great wedding, great couple, great family & friends, just great great great. A joy to be at and capture for them.
Maddie & James’s Chateau de Montrevost wedding film is above and a selection of highlight pics below.
“Simon!!! Thank you so much these are BEAUTIFUL! We can’t get over how perfect they are. You really did go above and beyond. Thank you again!!”
Maddie & Dylan
SARAH & SAM - CHATEAU BELLE EPOQUE
A few highlights from Sarah & Sam’s Chateau Belle Epoque wedding in South West France planned by the French Wedding Company
So the plan was to have the least ‘wedding’ wedding they could have. Well bride Sarah’s plan anyway.
I think there ended up being slightly more ‘wedding’ than intended, but hey, it was a wedding so…!!
Events lasted more than 3 days, but that was the amount of time I was with Sarah, Sam and their friends & family and what a ‘wedding’ it was at the stunning Chateau Belle Epoque in SW France.
Slightly ‘alternative’ at times, but it worked and the weather played ball, which for the time of year (late April), it can still be a little unpredictable.
The entire thing was planned and coordinated by Laura from French Wedding Company assisted by Pascale and included:
Day 01: Wine tasting and Italian themed evening. Pics below:
Day 02 - Wedding Day
Bride Prep: Check
Groom Prep: Check
Ceremony: “We’re not really having a ceremony. Well we are, but it’s kind of spontaneous. At some point during the drinks reception, if he still feels like it, Sam will ask me to marry him”. OK… And it more or less went like that. But there was definitely a ceremony because Sandie Smith, pro celebrant conducted it!
Second Part of Drinks Reception: (in 2 locations) Check
Sit Down Meal? Err no.
Speeches? Nope.
Dancing? YES!
Some of the suppliers who took part either on this day or longer in some cases, over the event were:
MUA/hair = Laura Cawte
Catering = Lax & Co
Wine = Wines At Home
DJ & Sax = Mixology
Barmen = Mr Sully
Band = Scarlett Entertainment
Furniture = BeLounge
Day 03 - The Day After
And to conclude my coverage of Sarah & Sam’s fun-filled wedding event at Chateau Belle Epoque, there was a low-key BBQ to round things off.
Great welcoming people and great team working on this one also!
