Charlotte & Rob - a Chateau De Lisse wedding
CHARLOTTE & ROB
A CHATEAU DE LISSE WEDDING
https://vimeo.com/372359518https://vimeo.com/375397571
Full gallery including international print ordering facility with 40% discount for the next 10 days, CLICK HERE!
Jo & Resh - Domaine Les Falaises wedding
JO & RESH - DOMAINE LES FALAISES WEDDING
https://vimeo.com/361283278
Click here to access Jo & Resh's full international print ordering gallery with 40% discount for the next 10 days!
https://vimeo.com/362015865
Aliz & Mike - Chateau la Fayolle
ALIZ & MIKE - CHATEAU LA FAYOLLE
https://vimeo.com/359960231
I love these 'one off' weddings and Aliz & Mike's will probably remain one.
Why? And what do I mean?
Well when your aunt and uncle just happen to own a chateau that is not a wedding venue...!
There was really only one 'negative' with this day and that was it was a bit of a grey day. At times, it threatened to brighten up but it never did and that left the light somewhat flat.
There are times with photography that flat light is welcome, but personally, I prefer a bit of contrast, - a bit of light & dark. But you get to work with what you get to work with. And that was pretty fantastic.
First of all, Amy F from Peaches & Cream who planned & organised this wedding.
Charlie TS & Jodie on musicals.
DJ Pierre (and BBQ king!).
Karen Lacaud caterer.
Florist: Maryflor.
Angie Pittman (hair).
But the real stars of the show, - Aliz & Mike, plus their friends & family. Despite Chateau la Fayolle being a stunning family home and 'one off' wedding venue, it's the combination of people that make weddings special and memorable. And this one was certainly both.
Above is a slideshow production from the event. Below, a series of highlight pics. If you were a guest, click here for full gallery with international print ordering facility.
Fleur & Tom's Lot et Garonne Wedding
FLEUR & TOM'S LOT ET GARONNE WEDDING
https://vimeo.com/358289763
Sunshine with a threat of a storm later on. The latter never materialised.
I love you because you understand, dearEvery single thing I try to doYou're always there to lend a helping hand, dearI love you most of all because you're you
Jim Reeves
Fleur & Tom's wedding took place at Chateau de Saint Paul in the Lot et Garonne region of South West France.
Some stories are best just told with pictures and video so above, the wedding film and below, the slideshow and below that, a set of extensive highlights.
If you were a guest at Fleur & Tom's wedding, click here in order to access the full gallery including international print ordering facility.
https://vimeo.com/360224249
Maeve & Bob's La Roche-Chalais wedding at Chateau de la Valouze
MAEVE & BOB'S LA ROCHE-CHALAIS - CHATEAU DE LA VALOUZE WEDDING
https://vimeo.com/352093863
Following on from Claire & John's Irish heritage wedding at this relatively new venue in SW France, was this full Irish event!
Maeve & Bob are residents of Australia, but are actually from Ireland as were pretty much all the guests at this wedding again planned & styled by Laura at French Wedding Company.
The sun shone once again as it generally does in SW France during wedding season and instead of an outdoor ceremony, this was a full Irish catholic mass in the church in La Roche-Chalais.
There were some excellent suppliers contributing to this wedding including;
French Wedding Company for planning & design as mentioned above
Laura Cawte for hair & makeup (beginning a run of 3 weddings over 4 weeks with Laura!)
Star Preacher, - one of the best wedding bands I have come across
Lax & Co. for catering
I could babble on for the sake of babbling on but will wrap the wordy bit up by simply saying; above = Maeve & Bob's wedding film and below a series of highlight pics.
If you were a guest at this wedding, here is a link to the full gallery including international print ordering facility.
Great couples, great wedding, great day!
The Grand Chateau - Chris & George - Marry Me In France
THE GRAND CHATEAU - CHRIS & GEORGE
https://vimeo.com/350718991
Heather & Scott - Castelnau Des Fieumarcon
HEATHER & SCOTT - CASTELNAU DES FIEUMARCON
https://vimeo.com/348153121
Venue: Castelnau Des Fieumarcon
Planner: La Boutique Event
Florist: Amy Tyman
Caterer: Anneli Faiers
Full gallery including international print ordering facility with 40% discount available for the first 10 days, click here!
Jess & Jack's Provence Wedding
JESS & JACK'S PROVENCE WEDDING
https://vimeo.com/348137530
Venue: Domaine de Blanche Fleur
Makeup: Louise @ Love Hair By Lou
Hair: Mel Kinsman
Florist: Florence @ Fleurs de Ninon
Band: Truly Medley Deeply
Caterers: La Vallergue
The full gallery of pictures from Jess & Jack's wedding including international print ordering facility with 40% off for the first 10 days, can be accessed by clicking here.
American Wedding in France - Claire & John - Chateau de la Valouze
https://vimeo.com/343450879
Finally. Finally!
Sunshine. If only because May to that point had been somewhat mixed. 4 weddings in a row and of these, 3 planned a mostly outdoor wedding for ceremony, drinks, meal (and it was too cool, grey or wet to do so) and 1 wedding which took place mostly indoors. On the only sunny Saturday in May...
But on the 1st June, at Chateau de la Valouze on the edge of the small town of La Roche Chalais, not so far from Bordeaux, the sun shone. All. Day. Long.
Claire & John are doctors from the US and something like 30+ medically trained specialists were guests at the wedding so had there been a medical emergency, this would have been one of the best weddings to have been at! No such scenario arose.
The event kicked off the day prior with a relaxed 'meet & greet' and burger van with venue decorated with various bits of rowing paraphernalia in a nod to another side to John when not doctoring. These day prior events not only allow me to meet my clients and form a relationship with them plus melt into the background on the wedding day itself.
The whole event was organised and executed by Laura Southgate at The French Wedding Company and was superb. This was the first time I have worked with Laura and her team and I am looking forward to the next two weddings with her/them over the next couple of months.
And so to the wedding day itself... Hair & makeup was by the ever-excellent Carey Hawkins and floristry by Silk Flowers France.
The ceremony itself took place under a large old oak and accompanied by a string trio who also played during the drinks reception to follow.
One of the stars of the show was Lana, a Portuguese Water Dog who belonged to the bride's parents and traveled over from Switzerland for the wedding.
Nothing beats eating & speeches outdoors in France. Nothing. Obviously only if the weather is good, and ideally, around sunset as that is when the light turns golden and then into an inky blue around the time it's time to cut the cake. But you have to get your timings just right at the planning stage to ensure this. Most don't, but at Claire & John's wedding, the timing was near perfect.
Dancing took place inside with music provided by DJ Ian Win plus a fabulous firework display by Ruggieri.
Above is a slideshow production of highlights from the day and below an extensive set of highlight pics and to access the full gallery including international print ordering facility, click here!
https://vimeo.com/345449247
Kirsty & Sam - The Romantic Chateau
Kirsty & Sam's wedding took place on a sunny Sunday at 'The Romantic Chateau' in the Lot et Garonne.
The weather had been a bit mixed all May but we got away with it on this particular weekend with both of the weddings I attended!
The wedding had been planned and organised by Julie from Marry Me in France and was themed in a very Spring-like vibrant yellow.
The ceremony itself took place in the on-site chapel with drinks reception in the courtyard and meal & speeches in the barn.
Dancing took place outdoors to live band Mr Zenn featuring keyboard player Paul who also just happens to be Sam's dad!
I think they had a great day topped with a firework spectacular cake in true French style, fabulous food and a lot of fun.
Above is the slideshow production and below, the Wedding Film plus series of highlight pics and by clicking here, you can access the full gallery including international print ordering facility.
https://vimeo.com/341518699
The Wedding Village in France - Lauren & Michael
https://vimeo.com/339073201
The Wedding Village in France. There may be others, but I don't know of another entire village that is exclusive to a single wedding as Castlenau des Fieumarcon.
Lauren & Michael's wedding was something like the 12th I have covered at the venue (and the first of six this year) and the first thing that struck me on this May visit, was just how much work has been done over the Winter.
It's long since been one of my favourite venues to work at (the scope, the staff, the opportunities) and new for this season especially is the new top terrace, approx 50% bigger than it was previously. There is also a new spa complex under construction below the terrace (opening in 2020 I believe) and a new open sky, but 'indoor' area. All in all, progress!
I first met Lauren & Michael up at the village last year and whilst Poppy was but an 8 week old bump, but come wedding day, she's not so far off being a year old. She features in quite a few photos and though too young to be a proper flower girl, an integral part of the day.
L&M's wedding began the day prior on the Friday with an informal 'meet & greet' drinks and BBQ/buffet plus a couple of welcome speeches from Michael's parents. The weather held off mostly but the weather for the last few weeks has been a bit unsettled in this part of SW France.
The day dawned sunny on the Saturday and it lasted most of the day. OK, it clouded up a bit for the outdoor ceremony and for parts of the drinks reception, but we were treated to a fabulous sunset in the evening.
Above, there's a multimedia slideshow production of highlights from the Friday & Saturday and below, a series of highlight pics. The full gallery including international print ordering facility can be accessed by clicking here.
Some other weddings at this venue can be viewed by clicking here
Suppliers who made this wedding what it was:
Styling & coordination by La Boutique Event
Catering by Delicieux
Flowers by Amy Tyman
Band The Pulse
Anant & Chris's France Rainbow Wedding
https://vimeo.com/337733080
ANANT & CHRIS'S FRANCE RAINBOW WEDDING
There was more than a bit of deja vu. Just 7 days ago, I was at the same venue, Chateau de Lisse. Shooting a same sex wedding. Sometimes coincidences just happen like that. But of course, despite being the same venue, a totally different wedding and experience.
Last week, it was Norway that came to South West France. This weekend it was the USA and India and utterly contrasting weddings yet with some similarities. This post however is all about Anant & Chris and their wedding day!
Actually, I must mention the weather from both weeks. Last weekend the forecast was for rain and a thunderstorm, but it ended up being dry and quite sunny at times, just not very warm. This weekend, the forecast had been predicting Summer but it was anything but and so Anant & Chris's planned outdoor wedding went indoors.
Most of my clients are having what it is called a 'destination wedding' and Anant & Chris's France Rainbow Wedding (rainbow references coming shortly) was just that and as such, based over a number of days of which I attended two.
Day 01 was meeting. I'd already met Chris and his mom plus Bertie their wedding planner from Matthew Oliver Weddings, when they came out to France for a visit earlier this year. We then had a practice photoshoot in and around the chateau making the most of the slightly better weather than that predicted for their actual wedding day. Then it was off to nearby Chateau Gensac...
I've never visited Chateau Gensac before but driven past it countless times over the last 20 years but finally had the opportunity with Anant & Chris's wine tasting & tapas evening. It should have been outdoors and even could have been as the sun eventually came out in the late evening but it was a success regardless and the welcome was very warm by owner and host Jan.
And so to their wedding day itself. Indoors as already mentioned using the on-site chapel with amazing flowers by Veronique at Poesie d'un Jour. (Je t'enverrai des photos très bientôt, Véronique !) and ceremony conducted by Chris's Uncle plus cellist for both the ceremony & drinks reception, Graham Brown.
Rose petal confetti followed with drinks outside on the terrace under glowering but mostly dry skies with fabulous canapes by The Impeccable Chef, Jean-Marc.
The meal & speeches took place in the formal dining room which a few years back, was always a challenge as it used to be dark wood paneling but was painted off-white and transformed and now works really well.
Finally, the 'rave cave' was set up for dancing, but determined to do at least something outdoors, the first dances took place in the evening converted horse box bar area and the girls put on a Bollywood style flash mob dance which went down a storm.
I didn't mention the rainbow did I? The day prior, at our meeting, I'd suggested to Anant & Chris that post meal, but prior to first dance, if the opportunity allowed, we should do a few sunset 'golden hour' shots. It was mostly wishful thinking, but being positive etc... Well it happened. After a day of relentless grey (punctuated by the Indian colours) weather, right on cue, the sun burst through for approx 5 minutes. There were a few drops of rain and you can see those in the pics and the reward was not just those pics, but a fabulous rainbow.
Above, the slideshow production from Anant & Chris's wedding. I would advise going full screen and turning up the volume! I sometimes get asked, "where do you get your music choices from?" From the clients day is the answer! They are usually songs that were; walked in to, walked out with, first dances, surprise flash mobs etc...
Below, a series of highlight pics and the full gallery with international print ordering facility can be viewed by clicking here.
Thanks for trusting me Anant & Chris. I hope I did you proud. I think I did...
Rachel & Eoghan Wedding in South West France
https://vimeo.com/298343872
There are some wedding venues I can return to again and again and never get bored with the place. Castelnau des Fieumarcon near Lectoure in the Gers, South West France is such a place. It's not just the place, but the people that work there who make it all happen such as Anneli, Didier, Abby and Nick who run the venue and folks such as Amy who did all the floral work.
The first time I visited was around 5 years ago and at that time it immediately struck me that it was something a bit special. For one thing, how many entire hilltop villages set in a landscape of rolling hills referred to as 'France's Tuscany' do you know?!
It's a unique and special place and one I have the had the privilege of having visited and continue to visit, an average 3 times per annum.
And each time it's different. And that is another of the beauties of this place, - there are so many options in regard to where events take place.
Rachel & Eoghan's (try 'Owen', - it's Irish) wedding weekend began with an informal 'meet & greet' of drinks and pizza at the venues own mobile pizza van the evening prior. The sun shone until quite late as is quite common even in October in this small corner of South West France.
The wedding day dawned as equally sunny, but alas, it was not to last. I've had a good run this year, - a wet wedding in May but other than a few grey spells, it's been a glorious Summer pretty much all the way through. The turning point was mid-afternoon on this particular Saturday... Sunny for the chapel ceremony and exit, but clouded over for the first drinks reception.
We then moved up to the second drinks reception area and ready for the outdoor pre-dinner speeches and...yes, the wind picked up and kicked off a bit. It didn't really affect anything too much and the on-site team built a small stage and area for speeches and it all worked in our favour.
Then it was indoors for the meal and a couple more speeches plus the cake and dancing. Fabulous day for a great couple and some very lovely family and guests.
If you click this link here, you will be able to access the full international print ordering gallery.
Sarah & James at Le Chateau Charmant
https://vimeo.com/296858991
Another gorgeous late Summer/early Autumn day for Sarah & James's Le Chateau Charmant wedding. One of THREE weddings that they had!
Why 3? Well Sarah is British, James is American...though now has an Australian passport also and the couple live in Australia. So one wedding in Oz, one in France (in the middle) and one in the US.
This was my third and final visit of the year to this utterly charming chateau and the weather was kind enough for another fully outdoor wedding.
Expertly planned and organised by Amy at Marry Me In France, I don't think Sarah & James could have asked for a better weekend for their wedding in France.
The day prior got off to a mixed start with James's father taking a fall and causing himself a head injury, but was patched up at the local hospital and made it back just in time for an intimate dinner.
The day itself went without a hitch and the outdoor ceremony was conducted by James's aunt who is a nun. I was hoping for full Sister Act outfit, singing and dancing, or even just a bit of simple guitar playing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO7cD6qmydo but she played it straight. Ah well, some day...
Great, heartfelt speeches during the outdoor meal and a fabulous sparkler entrance to cake cutting and dancing concluded the day.
Full gallery including international print ordering facility available by clicking here.
Kirsten & Richard's Domaine de Blanche Fleur wedding
https://vimeo.com/295548785https://vimeo.com/297914789
Kirsten & Richard's Domaine de Blanche Fleur wedding took place at this beautifully converted former mill near Avignon, Provence.
Actually, the nearest location is Chateauneuf-de-Gadagne...but more people have heard of Avignon! Which is well worth a visit for a day if you can get around the terrible traffic. Arrive and leave by boat is your best bet!
It was Provence in September so you would expect great weather and so it was. Sunny for both the days that I was there, - for the 1/2 day prior at a pizza restaurant and on their actual wedding day.
This was my second visit to the venue having covered another wedding (3 days) there last year and it was great to be back in that part of the world.
Kirsten & Richard's ceremony took place outdoors and was conducted by Celia from The English Celebrant.
Drinks, canapes and a video diary room took place immediately after in the courtyard with the meal and speeches taking place in the orangerie with catering by Meffre Traiteur.
The evening was completed with a cake and cheese tower, both firework lit plus David from UK DJ's Abroad provided the music & entertainment.
A full international print ordering facility is available by clicking here.
Katrina & Adam's Chateau D'Urval Wedding
https://vimeo.com/293336935https://vimeo.com/291655444
Katrina & Adam's wedding took place at the historic Chateau D'Urval (previously known as Chateau de la Bourlie).
This historic venue is set in a beautiful landscape in the Dordgone region of France.
It was the 1st September and there was just the beginning of those first signs of Autumn. The leaves beginning to turn and slightly cooler mornings. But after an hour or so of sunshine, it's like full Summer.
And so it was for Katrina & Adam's big day.
The venue has just about completed a major architectural update internally and there are many fabulous rooms for guests and it's just a superb place for a wedding.
The wedding day began with bridal prep followed by an outdoor ceremony in the woodland at the end of the formal gardens.
A drinks reception with harpist and oyster bar followed and then meal & speeches in the courtyard and open air.
The day concluded inside for the dancing and gin bar. Pity I have to drive as the rhubarb & ginger was oh so tempting...
Click here for full gallery including international print ordering facility.
Anna & Sam Manoir Wedding France
https://vimeo.com/292114631https://vimeo.com/290636243
Anna & Sam's Manoir Wedding France took place on the 18th August at the little gem that is the Manoir de la Foulquetiere.
It's difficult to use a single word to describe any wedding day but the one I shall use for this is 'lively'!
The day began with the usual prep before an outdoor ceremony by the small lake conducted by the Rev. Hazel.
A signing then took place in the on-site chapel and then an extensive drinks reception with showcase 'live cooking' demos from the traiteur, Brossard whilst a couple entertained with accordion, guitar and voice. Very lively!
Then it was indoors for the wedding breakfast and speeches before heading back outside for open air dancing with one of France's best wedding bands, Rip It Encore.
And the sun shone all day.
A full gallery including international print ordering facility can be accessed by clicking here.
Laura & Paul's Fairytale Chateau Wedding
https://vimeo.com/284705613
It was another one of those days when the weather forecast did not look like the greatest...but was actually just fine.
Even August in the Dordogne sometimes gives us these wobbles!
Laura & Paul traveled from Northern Ireland (home country) via Bermuda (work & live country) to France and the 'Fairytale Chateau' for their wedding planned by Marry Me in France.
The ceremony took place within a line of trees and was the perfect spot with drinks reception, canapes and FOB speech on the lawn terrace that overlooks the Dordogne Valley.
The wedding breakfast and remaining speeches took place in the elegant barn with first dance and cake cutting outside in the inner courtyard.
Fabulous setting and a fabulous day for Laura & Paul and their guests.
Above is a 'Photo-Film' production which includes highlights from the speeches and below is a series of highlight pictures.
An international print ordering facility is available by clicking here.
Daniel & Stephen's Chateau Wedding France
https://vimeo.com/287234324https://vimeo.com/282487288
Daniel & Stephen's Chateau Wedding France
July 21st was the date. Chateau de Lisse the venue. Sunny was the weather.
We started the day prior with a 'meet & greet' and BBQ for guests arriving mostly from the UK. The weather wasn't ideal, but as above, for the main event, it was!
Daniel & Stephen got ready together along with their best men. The ceremony took place in the on-site chapel with a bespoke curtain kindly provided by a guest. There's a story there, but I don't full know it to tell it!
The drinks reception took place outside on the terrace accompanied by an accordion player and the meal & speeches also before moving into 'The Rave Cave' for the evening dancing.
As with all these stories, it's the pictures and productions that tell it best!
Above is a slideshow production and below, a series of highlight pics.
Flowers were by Faith at Le Coeur Sauvage
Celebrant Moira Stephen
Catering by Jean-Marc @ Chateau de Lisse
Full gallery with international print ordering facility available by clicking here.
Clare & Andrew's Le Chateau Charmant Wedding
https://vimeo.com/281426166
G'day. I didn't realise that Clare & Andrew were Aussies until I met them the day prior. A London address caused me to make assumptions. But upon meeting them, like 50% of the London, Aussies!
The location for this weekend's wedding was Le Chateau Charmant and was my second of three visits this year.
Last time round, it was mixed weather, starting wet but rapidly improving. Alas, it didn't improve enough early on for the planned outdoor ceremony & meal to take place, but no such issues for Clare & Andrew.
After our day prior meeting and practice photo-shoot, it was off to nearby Aubeterre-Sur-Drone for drinks & food at the Hotel de France, also familiar territory from previous weddings in the area.
So the wedding day itself. Wall to wall sunshine, as you'd expect, or at least hope for in July in SW France.
Planned and executed to perfection by Nathalie at Marry Me in France, both the ceremony & meal took place outdoors as planned.
All in all, a fabulous day mostly due to the fabulous people involved, clients, guests and suppliers.
Above is a slideshow highlights production and below a selection of those also. A full international print ordering gallery can be found by clicking here.
