Helen & Barthelemy's Lectoure Wedding (Part 01)

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/175385089[/vimeo]

HELEN & BARTHELEMY'S LECTOURE WEDDING

Helen & Barthelemy's Lectoure wedding began and finished at the fantastic Chateau de Malliac.

I'd been looking forward to this one before they even booked. How so?

We have had a family owned home in Gers (the village of La Romieu to be precise) for over 15 years.

Then we (that is Julie & I), decided to buy our own house in the region and at the time of writing, complete on that within the next 2 days.

It is approx 10km from Chateau de Malliac which will be my closest grand venue. So obviously keen to work there!

And what an introduction to the venue. Most of my clients book the 1/2 day prior coverage option. It adds so much more to the overall coverage.

In the case of Helen & Bart, due to another commitment, this was not going to be possible. So introductions happened on the day of the wedding.

This is rare and when it does happen, I'm always slightly...not nervous, that would be the wrong word, but simply wondering what 'they' will be like?

I needn't have had any concerns, Helen is Irish. So are her family. I was given the warmest welcome and made to feel part of it immediately.

And that's a big thing. I am primarily a 'documentary' photographer, - that is other than a handful of portraits and a couple of family groups, I'm mostly hands off.

An observer, the proverbial fly on the wall and a storyteller. But to get the best story, you need to be closest to the action and it's hard to do that if you are not on the inside.

After the bridal preps and some background pics of the venue, the morning's somewhat murky weather lifted.

The SW France sunshine began to blaze on the golden fields (sunflowers) this region is noted for as I headed to St. Gervais in Lectoure.

Lectoure is possibly the most gorgeous small town in the region. An ancient fortified spa town perched on top of a hill, it can be seen for miles around.

And there I met Bart the groom. Another warm welcome from him and his family. This Irish/French union was going to be a good one.

Then the ceremony. The cathedral is pretty massive and the ceremony although solemn, equally uplifting with a group of Helen's friends singing various pieces.

Helen is a former opera singer, - she picked the pieces. One of them I have used in the slideshow production below.

And then it was over and the 150+ wedding party spilled out into the square before a friend's grey Citroen 2CV whisked them on to the wedding venue for Part 2.

     

Helen & Barthelemy's Chateau De Malliac Wedding (Part 02)

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/175380986[/vimeo]

CHATEAU DE MALLIAC WEDDING

Following on from Part 01, here is Part 02 of Helen & Barthelemy's Chateau de Malliac wedding.

After their spectacular wedding ceremony (is spectacular the right word for a church wedding?) at St. Gervais Cathedral, Lectoure, we returned to Chateau de Malliac.

The bride & groom arrived in a grey Citroen 2CV. One without a handbrake, but that's another story...

Now most drinks receptions/cocktail hours I have been to have lasted no more than 2 hours.

This one lasted a little longer. More like 4+ hours. In 30+ degree heat.

If that sounds like a negative, it isn't as rather than a few trays of canapes, a continuing flow of canapes combined with the starter course happened.

Accompanied by the local bandas comprising 20+ members.

And it wasn't that hot under the shade of the trees either.

I can't even remember all the choices, but chef David Chaves would complete one and then move on to another.

There was also an oyster bar served on a bed of ice in the prow of a boat.

And then, we moved on to the dining hall barn where an impromptu dance off happened.

And duck and dessert and more macarons than I've ever seen in one place.

Multiple speeches, more dancing, doves and a rendition of the Irish rugby anthem (plus an Irish favourite 'Dirty Old Town' in French!).

In conclusion, one of the liveliest, most fun weddings I have been to. Brilliant.

Below, a slideshow and pics. Enjoy. Oh...and full international print ordering gallery available by clicking here.

"From the moment we first saw Simon’s website we knew we were on the right route for finding our wedding photographer but the deal was sealed when we spoke with Simon, he was so relaxed and helpful and very enthusiastic about shooting in France! He exudes calm and professionalism and for a bride, this is comforting!! During the day, Simon stayed in the background and was non-invasive throughout but when we saw the pictures it is obvious he was everywhere, he did not miss a trick. We love how Simon captures intimate, precious moments without invading your privacy and how he catches the expression and laughter of those he photographs. We have had so many compliments about the photographs. Thank you so much, Simon. Simon est un vrai professionnel et ce fut un immense plaisir de l’avoir a notre marriage. Les photos ont une vrai ame et refletent tout a fait cette journee fantastique. Bravo Simon et merci"

Helen

Christina & Adam's Gascony Wedding at Chateau de Lisse

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/171201151[/vimeo]

CHRISTINA & ADAM'S GASCONY WEDDING AT CHATEAU DE LISSE

It's fair to say that this South West corner of France (if not all of France actually) has not had quite the gorgeous weather that early Summer normally brings and so it was for the Gascony wedding of Christina & Adam. It wasn't terrible, stayed dry and was sunny even as their wedding day progressed, but it was not hot...which for a wedding day is maybe a good thing.

I think this was either my 6th or 7th wedding at this stunning venue, Chateau de Lisse, expertly run by Jo and her team.

For Christina & Adam's wedding, I met up with them the day prior for a pre-wedding type shoot around the grounds and chateau in order for them to get a sense of what we could achieve on the actual wedding day and this was followed by a meal at a restaurant in nearby Nerac.

THE WEDDING DAY

On the wedding day itself, Christina wore an especially fabulous to photograph Madeline Gardner wedding dress with hair & makeup by friend and bridesmaid Jade.

After a ceremony conducted in the chapel by Father William, the guests were provided with sunglasses for the drinks reception. Sunglasses? Surely they brought their own? Ahh...see pictures! (Just for a bit of fun, Christina & Adam provided a table of colourful sunglasses. I had my eye on some gold one's, but somebody nabbed them before I could get my hands on them).

Flowers were by Faith from La Couer Savage, catering by Jean-Marc @ Chateau de Lisse and the excellent band, Bright Lights, possibly the best wedding band I have come across to date in France (yes, that good!)

And the first dance? Well I witnessed and photographed it the day prior when they had a practise and then on the evening of their wedding, it went down a storm. Possibly even rivalling it, then friend and bridesmaid Simone sang 'Valerie' by Amy Winehouse live with the band.

All in all, a great wedding, a joy to photograph & film and the results...well the results can show that far better than I can describe the day in words, so without further ado...

(Full gallery including international print ordering facility available by clicking here)

"Where to start?!..... I can't recommend Simon highly enough. He photographed and videoed our wedding in June in France. He immediately made us feel at ease and afterwards many of our guests commented that they felt the same. He fitted in as though he was one of the guests which resulted in fantastic natural photos of everyone. During the getting ready shots my bridesmaids forgot he was even in the room. Lovely manner with the kids too.Oh and the photos and video are brilliant!"

Christina

SUPPLIERS AT THIS WEDDING

Venue & Catering: Chateau de Lisse

Dress: Madeline Gardner

Flowers: La Couer Savage

Band: Brightlights

Castelnau des Fieumarcon Village Wedding - Emily & Bernard (Day 02)

CASTELNAU DES FIEUMARCON VILLAGE WEDDING - EMILY & BERNARD (DAY 02)

Day 2 of Emily & Bernard's Castelnau des Fieumarcon village wedding continues here with...well, Day 02, their actual wedding day! Day 01 if you missed it is here.

More fabulous sunshine greeted us and continued throughout with the wedding neatly split into 2 parts in order to avoid the harsh sun & heat of the afternoon.

So the outdoor ceremony conducted by friend Jonny took place in the morning followed by a drinks reception further down the village and then a picnic brunch back on the lawn.

Emily & Bernard were looking for a very relaxed and laid back wedding day and that's exactly what they had (it's all in the planning...and the location...and the weather...and the people...and the planets aligning which is exactly what they did).

Early evening, the guests gathered again for a few more drinks (and why not, - it's a thirsty business this time of year!) followed by an outdoor meal on the terrace including speeches and dancing.

The lightbulbs, hung by Bernard's brother added a finishing touch to the bunting/flags created specially for the occasion and made from local material to where the couple had been living and working (Kinshasa, DRC). I have to admit to getting a bit obsessed with the bulbs, but they were a bit special!

Day 03 can be viewed by clicking here and the wedding film will follow just as soon as we've finished creating it, - there's a lot of material!

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/140423974[/vimeo]

&nbs;You can visit our Castelnau des Fieumarcon wedding photography page by clicking here.

The Village (Marry me in France) - Fin & Dom

THE VILLAGE (MARRY ME IN FRANCE) - Fin & Dom

So following on from Fin & Dom's wedding film (here), is this, their Castelnau des Fieumarcon wedding photography at The Village (Marry me in France).

The day started bright weather-wise but soon clouded up and threatened towards the mid-afternoon outdoor ceremony and then sure enough, the heavens opened. A couple of times. And the thunder rolled...

But then as is often the case in this part of France, it soon cleared and the sun shone and the ceremony that had been postponed a couple of times was finally underway.

It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony conducted by the couple's friend Brigitta with additional readings from 3 friends.

A drinks reception followed on the terrace with champagne, canapes and food straight off the plancha during which we found a spot of shade and photographed a handful or relaxed family groups.

The meal took place indoors with dancing to follow. And the rain never made another appearance.

All in all, a beautiful wedding day and run professionally as ever by those lovely people at Marry Me In France led by Beth Stretton.

The pics below are 200 'highlight' selections with full gallery including international print ordering facility available to view by clicking here.

You can visit our Castelnau des Fieumarcon wedding photography home page by clicking here.

Castelnau des Fieumarcon Wedding Film - Fin & Dom

CASTELNAU DES FIEUMARCON WEDDING FILM - FIN & DOM

I had been wanting to photograph and film a wedding at Castelnau des Fieumarcon ever since I discovered it a couple of years ago...less than 3 miles from our front door in France.

How can that be? How could I not have been aware of this place after 12 years of having a family home in the neighbouring village of La Romieu in the Gers region?

Well quite simply because if you ever popped up to the hilltop village (more of a hamlet) on any day there wasn't a wedding taking place, you'd mistake it for just another (albeit beautiful) hilltop village that dot the countryside in this region.

But Castelnau des Fieumarcon in the village of Lagarde is a little different. It was for a long time time utterly deserted and left to ruin until it was restored and became available just a couple of years ago for individual house, or exclusive village hire.

I came across it researching local venues when I was planning one of our regular trips to the region and immediately got on so well with Anneli & Didier who manage the place that they very kindly put me on their recommended photographer list, a rare privilege for any photographer who has not actually worked at the venue!

But that small latter issue is now in the past as I was there last Friday photographing and filming the delightful wedding of Fin & Dom and the results from the photography side of that day will be in another post to follow, plus there's another wedding at the venue in a couple of months.

This particular wedding came about due to the kind recommendation of our services by the ultimate wedding planners for a wedding in France and they are Marry Me In France so a big thank you to Beth at MMIF and Laurence who was running the wedding on the day.

For the purpose of this post, below is a Firehorse Photography 'Macro-Film. We offer 2 options in regard to filming and these are the Macro-Film which combines; photography, filming, optional audio highlights, soundtrack and ambient sound capture (the morning chorus and the evening crickets make an appearance in this particular production!). A set of highlight pics can be viewed in another post here.

The Micro-Film is a little more extensive as Julie also films throughout the day from a different perspective meaning we have more than twice as much footage from which to work.

But without further ado, below is Fin & Dom's non-audio Castelnau des Fieumarcon wedding film and we hope you enjoy it!

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/129925492[/vimeo]

You can visit our Castelnau des Fieumarcon wedding photography home page by clicking here.

Victoria & Craig's Wedding in France (Chateau de Lisse)

VICTORIA & CRAIG'S WEDDING IN FRANCE (CHATEAU DE LISSE)

It didn't rain all day for Vicki & Craig's wedding in France. Just most. Especially later on when the thunder rolled, the lightning struck and the rain was relentless. Spectacular looking out of a window, but not what you were imagining your Summer wedding in this SW corner of France would be like. However, the weather is the one thing you can plan for, but otherwise have zero control over so it's a case of simply getting on with it and enjoying what you do have.

And enjoy it Vicki & Craig did and how could you not at this most beautiful French chateaux, Chateau de Lisse, even if 95% of the day had to be spent indoors.

Vicki wore Tara Keeley sourced from Bride2B Prestwich and hair was by Emma Louise and makeup by VataBeauty.

Full gallery including international print ordering facility coming soon... now available by clicking here.

Castelnau des Fieumarcon Photography

CASTELNAU DES FIEUMARCON PHOTOGRAPHY

1 hilltop village for rent. 16 houses. 1 full-time inhabitant. That is the ancient village of Lagarde known for weddings as Chateau des Fieumarcon situated in the heart of the Gers region of Gascony in South West France.

1 full-time human inhabitant that is, - Layla an adorable 3 year old Border Collie also lives with resident custodian & manager Didier.But that's it, - just the two of them unless there is a wedding or another event on.

Castelnau des Fieumarcon is believed to be the only entire 'village for hire' in France and is an absolutely stunning venue for a wedding with it's hilltop location over-looking the rolling Gascon countryside (which if you do not know the area, think 'French Tuscany'!).

Close by are the towns of Lectoure & Condom with the cities (and major airports) of Bordeaux and Toulouse within 1.5 hours driving time and on a recent visit, I produced a gallery of landscape photography that captures some of the area. Click this link to view those pictures.

I recently had the privilege of spending a few hours scouting the location/village ahead of future weddings there, in the company of Didier & Layla and as a location for a rural wedding setting in South West France, it really is second to none.

Firehorse Photography have been offering a professional wedding photography and wedding filming service in France for some 6-7 years now and in that time have covered weddings in our own region of Gascony, plus; Dordogne, Loire, Provence and Côte d'Azur.You can visit our Castelnau des Fieumarcon photography home page by clicking here.

Chateau de Lisse Wedding Photography

CHATEAU DE LISSE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Chateau de Lisse is an absolutely stunning wedding venue in the Lot-et-Garonne region of Gascony in the SW corner of France, approximately 1.5 hours from both Bordeaux and Toulouse.

Set in 550 hectares the chateau is one of the most historical and impressive castles in Gascony and available to hire for up to just 10 weddings per annum and offering a magical & fairytale setting to relax, unwind and getaway for your own private Castle wedding in France.

It was a real pleasure to take the opportunity to visit in early June to take a look around the building & grounds and have a chat with the enthusiastic Jo Braham who has the almost dream job of managing the weddings that take place there, ahead of my first wedding, that of Australian couple Jenny & James (now available to view by clicking this link).

Simon Mark Whitten of Firehorse Photography is available for weddings throughout France and especially interested in hearing from couples getting married in the region and at Chateau de Lisse itself. To date, we have photographed and filmed weddings in the following regions; Gascony, Dordogne, Loire, Provence and Côte d'Azur.

To find out more about getting married at Chateau de Lisse, click this link to go direct to their website.

In order to discuss your Chateau de Lisse Wedding Photography or wedding plans anywhere in France, either give is a call on 01439 788150 or use the contact form.

La Romieu Wedding Photography

LA ROMIEU WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

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We are quite fortunate to have had a base in France for the last 13 years, situated in the square of the beautiful Gascon village of La Romieu in the Gers region, close to the market town of Condom. You won't find a closer full-time professional wedding photographer than us!

La Romieu is dominated by the Collégiale St. Pierre which is on the GR 65 long-distance walking route of the Grande Randonnée network.The French name for this GR route is the Chemin de St-Jacques and the Spanish name is the Camino de Santiago, because the GR 65 is an important variant route of the old Christian pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

Weddings can and do take place at both the Collégiale and the mairie and are virtually next door to each other in the village square and right outside our front door!

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The pictures above are a few examples of La Romieu and the landscape surrounding the village.

Simon Mark Whitten of Firehorse Photography is available for weddings throughout France and is especially interested in weddings local to the Gers region and to date have covered weddings throughout the region plus; Dordogne, Loire, Provence and Côte d'Azur.

Fancy an entire 'wedding village' of your own? The click this link to find out more about Castelnau des Fieumarcon just 4 kilometres from our front door.Here are a few pics I took myself on a recent visit to have coffee with resident caretaker and manager, Didier.

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Another stunning local venue is situated in Couloume Mondebat and is Chateau Arlens and Sally Mayo is the dedicated wedding planner there.

Wedding Venues, Towns, Villages & Landscapes of Gascony

WEDDING VENUES, TOWNS, VILLAGES & LANDSCAPES OF GASCONY

[ut_one_half] Wedding Venues, Town's, Villages & Landscapes of Gascony. Gascony, - that vaguely defined area of the South West corner of France, stretches from Bordeaux South to the Spanish border and the Pyrenees and East towards Toulouse. It's a beautiful part of France with it's rolling hills and (in the Summer), fields of sunflowers with a rich culture & cuisine including; d'Artagnan of The Three Musketeers fame plus also the home of armagnac and foie gras. The area includes; the Aquitaine région (départements of Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, south and west of Gironde, and south of Lot-et-Garonne) and the Midi-Pyrénées région (départements of Gers, Hautes-Pyrénées, southwest of Tarn-et-Garonne, and west of Haute-Garonne). [/ut_one_half] [ut_one_half_last] Featured in this post are images mostly from the département of Gers including; the regional market town of Condom, the bastide villages of Fources, Larresingle, Terraube and Lavardens. These pictures were taken between visiting various wedding venues in a recent trip, but as it was early June, no sunflowers just yet! Want a recommendation for a local chateau? Chateau de Lisse in nearby Lot-et-Garonne is beautiful, spacious yet intimate. Another beautiful nearby venue is situated in Couloume Mondebat and is Chateau d'Arlens with weddings run and coordinated by Sally Mayo. Looking for an entire 'wedding village'?! Then look no further than the absolutely stunning Castelnau des Fieumarcon. [/ut_one_half_last]Simon Mark Whitten of Firehorse Photography is a full-time specialist wedding photographer with a base in the Gers region.