Chateau de Saint Martory wedding — DESTINATION WEDDING FILMS & PHOTOGRAPHY

Welcome to the highlights from Sophie & Josh’s wedding at Chateau de Saint-Martory.

WELCOME PARTY

Where it all begins… Well not quite, - I met up with Sophie & Josh back in March for a pre-wedding ‘get to know each other a bit’ coffee & shoot in Paris.

It’s not always that easy for some of my more international clients, ie, those from say the US or Australia to do such a thing, but for those UK and EU based, the option exists and it DOES make a difference on the wedding day itself.

So the Welcome Party… Something I would always suggest is, if you can, do something at the venue and not out at say a restaurant. Getting it in, such as a BBQ, or buffet, or food truck or mobile pizza van is just perfect. A table for drinks and sometimes some live music, is all you need.

THE VENUE

This was my third visit to Chateau de Saint-Martory, approx 1 hour South of Toulouse and close to the foothills of the Pyrenees so it’s pretty easy to get to. Unless you live in Normandy when it’s a 900km drive. Each way. But hey ho, I genuinely love the place and the welcome is always warm from owner JF.

It’s quite a ‘fairytale’ type of chateau and sits on the edge of the Garonne river with great options for an outdoor wedding or should the weather be less than favourable, options for that also.

THE WEDDING FILM

The ‘highlights’ of the time I spent at Sophie & Josh’s wedding telling the full story of their event.

There is also a full ceremony video and full speeches video, but neither are featured here as they are a bit long with a combined length of around an hour!

PREP

And still (and probably always will be) my favourite ‘creative’ part of the wedding day itself.

I probably spend around up to 3 hours dipping in and out of Bride & Groom prep, depending on the set up, often bouncing between the two.

That time spent is often around 25% of the entire wedding day coverage so can produce a lot of material!

FIRST LOOK

First look with Dad and then the girls.

These moments are fleeting but are pretty special.

THE CEREMONY

I call it ‘One Tree Hill’ after the US TV series (not that I have ever seen it) and the hill is more a slight rise, but it’s a perfect location for an outdoor ceremony.

A little stage management the day prior with a ceremony rehearsal ensures that not only does the ceremony LOOK amazing in the results, it WORKS perfectly because the two things are inextricably linked.

Anyone who thinks they do not need to do any kind of rehearsal…well best of luck.

I think we pretty much nailed it here with ceremony conducted by a close friend which seems to be a main and welcome trend this season.

CONFETTI

Confetti does not normally get it’s own chapter in one of my blog posts, but in this instance, I thought it deserved it!

DRINKS RECEPTION/COCKTAIL HOUR

As per all my posts, please please please, do not take that last word too literally. Too many times I receive a timeline for a wedding (and it’s NOT my wedding, but it would be remiss of me not to advise!), but sorry, 1 hour is ridiculously too short. If it’s less than 2 hours, it’s pushing it, - really tight as around 50% of the results I will produce come from this time including; candid guest pics, drone shots, family groups, couple session, tablescapes, never mind any video set up if you are going to have even one single speech prior to the meal.

Have 2-2.5 hours as was the case here and just enjoy it rather than look back and wish you had taken more time!

THE COUPLE

You can probably tell from the lighting that the weather wasn’t exactly stellar on this particular day, but we kept the faith and despite a little bit of rain prior to the ceremony, there was not a single drop the rest of the day and the sun even poked it’s head out, albeit briefly, around 9pm during speeches!

TABLESCAPES, TALKING BITS & FOOD

Doesn’t really need any explanation or elaboration from me, - the pics can speak for themselves.

It did get really black whilst I was shooting the details and I did think it was all going to possibly be moved inside…but the black cloud moved on!

EVENING PARTY

To quote a current popular saying, “OMG”.

Normally, there’s a first dance and then some more dancing and really late on, some shenanigans, but in this instance, the shenanigans started immediately with a mic grab and unplanned karaoke.

Live music by Schmooze Events who also provided live sax during the drinks reception and sang Sophie’s entrance to the ceremony.