Manoir de la Foulquetiere Wedding - Aimey & Ben (Part 02)

MANOIR DE LA FOULQUETIERE

Relaxed, sunny, elegant, fun. Dogs, pigs, giant balloons, Popcorn. Cornish: Rattler, sea shanties, people... The Loire Valley.

That is some combo and just a brief summary of Aimey & Ben's wedding at Manoir de la Foulquetiere.

Relaxed: As is the case with most weddings in France, they tend to be so because they are spread over more than one single day.

Sunny: From start to finish which is pretty essential when most of your wedding takes place outdoors!

Elegant: Oh so very.

Fun: With a capital F. (I didn't mention previously the outdoor games and frisbee!)

The dogs: For family dogs, one of which was the ring-bearer.

Pigs: The owner Rosemary has two, Derek & Rodney.

Giant Balloons: There was a casualty after a few hours. The yellow one decided to end it's own life. Possibly assisted by the sun...

Popcorn: For those utterly tedious moments when the couple sign the book, give your guests a personal box of popcorn!

Cornish Rattler: It's a cider. It's strong. It's a Cornish thing.

Sea Shanties: Every wedding ceremony should have one.

Cornish People: Almost as great as those from Yorkshire and on this particular day, maybe better...

The Loire Valley: and Manoir de la Foulquetiere itself is of course just a perfect place for a wedding.

Special mention in regard to the day and evening music courtesy Alex Crowe.

Full gallery including international print ordering facility here and in case you missed it, Part 01 was here.

https://vimeo.com/191125566

The Alpes-Maritimes Wedding Photography of Gemma & Lee (Day 01)

 [vimeo]https://vimeo.com/178020593[/vimeo]

THE ALPES-MARITIMES WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY OF GEMMA & LEE

Winding roads. Seemingly endless winding roads. That is my abiding memory of the Alpes-Maritimes wedding photography of Gemma & lee.

The winding roads AND fabulous time & memory I have of their wedding that is.

Most of the weddings I cover are adventures. Adventures because France has a land area almost 3x that of Britain. There is usually a fair bit of travel!

Adventure because something like 85% of the weddings I cover are at new venues.

There is always something special about that first visit. It's not that repeat visits are not welcome, but you can never again get that 'first time feel'.

And so it was with Gemma & Lee's wedding at Domaine du Foulon, Gréolières approx 1 hour North of Nice.

I chose a hotel for my 3 night stay nearly 2 hours North of Nice. That proved to be a mixed bag.

Mixed because the scenery was spectacular. Mixed because it meant 80 minutes rarely getting out of second gear on relentless mountain switchbacks.

Ah...but it was all worth it. Adventure!

Domaine du Foulon has been owned by ex-pat Brits Nick & Mia (and their three dogs) for 12 years. It is a huge, 4 stories in parts, family home with I think 13 bedrooms?

Tucked away discreetly in a valley just below the charming village of Gréolières, it is surrounded by mountains & forest.

If you are looking for nightlife, you need to create your own.

It's rare I don't do these 1/2 day prior visits as they add so much value to the whole 'wedding photography experience'.

I rarely have the opportunity to meet couples prior to their weddings other than the day prior.

This 1/2 day prior allows for that, - a chance to get to know one another better, have a proper recce, pre-shoot and relaxed documentary coverage of whatever is going on.

Come the wedding day, we all know each other and I can slip seamlessly into the background of the event.

Part 02, Gemma & Lee's actual wedding day can be viewed by clicking here.

    

The Domaine du Foulon Wedding of Gemma & Lee (Day 02)

 [vimeo]https://vimeo.com/178018639[/vimeo]

THE DOMAINE DU FOULON WEDDING OF GEMMA & LEE

Following on from Part 01 of Gemma & Lee's Domaine du Foulon wedding is this, Day 02, their actual wedding day.

The over-riding tone for Gemma & Lee's wedding was low-key and fuss-free.

They got that. First the location. It's moderately remote.

Gréolières is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France approx an hour North of Nice.

The house itself is set within the forest and mountain slopes just below the village.

It's a very tranquil and peaceful spot. As my previous post stated, if you want the nightlife, head an hour back South to Nice!

It's very much my kind of place though. Relaxed and laid back and especially because the core family were there for a week and not just a day.

It makes all the difference, these 'weddings combined with a vacation' and makes a significant difference I feel in regard to the whole wedding experience.

So low-key and fuss-free as previously mentioned was what was planned and what happened.

Relaxed prep. OK, slightly over-ran, but the celebrant Miguel was not rushing off anywhere. And neither were we.

Relaxed drinks on the terrace. Relaxed meal & speeches outdoors. Relaxed dancing back on the terrace when the light got low.

Relaxed I think was the key word and it was great and no fuss, no drama, - the results speak for themselves.

Full international gallery with print ordering facility available by clicking ici.

 

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

Ellie & Dean Day 01 Blanche Fleur Wedding

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/174344249[/vimeo]

BLANCHE FLEUR WEDDING

Dear KLM (air traffic control France really). Can I politely request you do not bugger up my flights for this one please?It's been something like that for several weeks now, the 13th strike in 14 weeks and I'm not the only one getting a little tired of it.

The wish was granted. Whoever it affected, it wasn't me.

And the weather... It hasn't been the most consistent early Summer in SW France but a switch to Provence for Ellie & Dean's Blanche Fleur wedding did the trick.Ensoleille chaque jour, mais tres chaud. A bit too tres chaud at times with temperatures hitting the mid 30's.

As one guest said in conversation, "back in the UK we long for the sun, but here we are diving for shade!"It worked out quite well on the wedding day however due to a sensible ceremony time in the late afternoon and a decent breeze courtesy of mademoiselle Mistral.

As per, my ramble tends to be less and less about the weddings these days as what can I honestly say that the pictures cannot? And so much better than my mere words.

But it went like this:

1/2 prior = meeting, recce, pre-shoot, pizza van, wine wine wine. Provençal naturally.

Wedding day = prep, tears, ceremony, laughter, drinks, hugs, speeches, love, dancing, bed.

1/2 day post = brunch, crepes (savoury & sweet), pool party. Leave. Sadness.

As with all these 3 day jobs, it feels longer. More like a week. In a good way.

Conclusion. Loved every second of it and it's good to feel appreciated.

Day 02, their actual wedding day is now available to view by clicking here:

Ellie & Dean's Provence Wedding Photography (Day 02)

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/174362482[/vimeo]

PROVENCE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Following on from Day 01 of Ellie & Dean at Blanche Fleur, is this Day 02 of their Provence wedding photography.

The location was Blanche Fleur, a complex of self-catering accommodation on the site of an old disused mill.

The moment I walked through the gates, I guess I got the same feeling they did on their first visit, - this is going to be a great place for a wedding!And with 3 days in which to capture it, in the promised 30 degree plus Provencal sunshine... Well it was always going to be a bit special and so it was.

Someone recently said to me,"Your work that you do in France is a bit special. Even more 'sparkle' than the work you do in the UK. I think it's because you love working there more?"I think they were/are right.

I think there are other factors also including:

The locations; this year, 80% of my work is at brand spanking never visited before venues.But surely familiarity is better? It can be, but also no.There is something extra special about a first visit to a new venue.No preconceived notions or ideas (and I never look at anyone else's work at a venue. Ever.)

The 1/2 day prior coverage option that around 90% of all clients take up.This makes for an even better set of results from the wedding day.Combining a thorough recce with an on-site meeting with a pre-wedding location shoot plus low-key documentary coverage of the evening such as;outdoor meal, BBQ or as was the case here, pizza van!

Sunshine! It's not guaranteed of course, but with the majority of my weddings in France taking place May-Sep and more towards or in the South, we get a lot more than the UK.

A full international picture viewing/print ordering gallery can be accessed by clicking here!

And so Ellie & Dean's Provence wedding day... See below, slideshow and pics can tell the story of their day far better than I can with words!

 

SUPPLIERS AT THIS WEDDING

Venue: Blanche Fleur, Chateauneuf de Gadagne, Provence

Dress: Pronovias, Allison-Jayne of Bristol

Caterers: Meffre Traiteur

Celebrant: Alison Phillips

Croissants & Crepes, Day 03 of Ellie & Dean's Epic Provence Wedding

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/174351517[/vimeo]

DAY 03 OF ELLIE & DEAN'S EPIC FRANCE WEDDING

So here it is, Day 03 of Ellie & Dean's epic Provence wedding.

All good things come to an end as they say and it's one (like so many) I didn't really want to leave.

Day 03 was a wind down down that combined a crepe brunch with a pool party and water polo match.

It's been superb from start to finish, but then I can't recall a wedding I have been to in France that hasn't been.

Day 01 including pre-shoot, informal drinks and pizza van can be viewed by clicking here.

Day 02, Ellie & Dean's actual wedding day can be viewed by clicking here.

And so to conclude, one final production and series of highlights from Ellie & Dean's wedding at Blanche Fleur.

Julie & Ross's Chateau Soulac Juillac Wedding Day 01

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/172871622[/vimeo]

JULIE & ROSS'S CHATEAU SOULAC JUILLAC WEDDING

OK, they have waited long enough. I'm normally a bit quicker than 2 weeks getting stuff up,but I had to fly back and forth from France twice and shoot a 3 day wedding so it's taken a couple of days extra.

The pics on this page are from the day prior to Julie & Ross's Chateau Soulac Juillac wedding. We had a meeting and did arelaxed 'practise' pre-shoot at exactly the same time as we would be shooting it for real the next day.These are great to do because not only does it give us more time to get to know each other,but for me to see how any couple interact together. It's also useful to maximise the time inregard to what will work where according to the time of day and light.

Then it was down to a local restaurant for a meal & vin. Plenty of vin! Sadly I had to drive so limited vin pour moi.

I've also included a highlights showreel (below) and for full actual wedding day, click here.

Enjoy

Julie & Ross's Chateau Soulac Wedding (Day 02)

 [vimeo]https://vimeo.com/172906733[/vimeo]

JULIE & ROSS'S CHATEAU SOULAC WEDDING

I have had a blast. An absolute blast. From start to finish. Well not quite from the start and I will come back to that, but Julie and Ross's Chateau Soulac wedding was brilliant!

Cancelled or delayed, seems to have been the story recently. Some folks think it must be quite glam being a destination wedding photographer. At times, yes, it can be. The travel though, it can be a pig. For most of my work, it's 2 days a week. That's a weekend or equivalent of just gone, so time off from Spring through to early Autumn? I don't see so much of that.

So Julie & Ross's wedding. This is why I do this. I put up with the cancelled or delayed flights and all the headache & frustration that goes with that. In the end it comes down to two people, in love, with all their closest friends & family, getting married in a beautiful location.

For Julie & Ross, it was the gorgeous Chateau Soulac in Dordogne run by Jo Bussell and her husband James. Sitting perched on a hill it commands a fabulous view over the Dordogne river valley. It's not a hotel, but a family home that welcomes 12-15 exclusive weddings per annum.

In addition to this post, full international (including Scotland) print order gallery here.

Day 01 was here if you missed it including a short & fast 'highlights' production. Below is The Wedding Film. Enjoy.

[vimeo width="1600" height="900"]https://vimeo.com/172906733[/vimeo]

WHAT HAPPENED

 I started this one as I do with most weddings, with a half day prior to the actual wedding day. This ensures the best set of wedding day results, because then on the actual wedding day, I am already immersed into the wedding completely.

On this half day prior, we had a 'walk & talk' meeting in and around the venue followed by a relaxed pre-wedding shoot to get a feel for all how the place might work. This was followed by an evening meal and drinks nearby at Le Table Rouge riverside restaurant.

And then there was the wedding day. What can I say? Probably nothing better than what I can tell you in photography and in film. The sun shone. Everyone ate, drank and were merry. Some merrier than others. *Cough* best man Duffy... You know it was a great speech when it ends with, "Thank you. And sorry"!

Finally, it was great to renew previous acquaintances, Carey the hair & MUA and make new friends. Jo at Chateau Soulac. Tom from ace wedding band Tomorrow. Cecile & Philippe from my hotel L'Ostal. But most of all, Julie & Ross themselves for first choosing me, then trusting me. You made it all possible and what we achieved was as much or more even, due to you.

 

SUPPLIERS AT THIS WEDDING

Venue: Chateau Soulac

Hair & MUA: Carey Hawkins

Band: Tomorrow

My excellent 'not a hotel'!: L'Ostal en Perigord

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 Photography - Emily & Bernard (Day 01)

CASTELNAU DES FIEUMARCON VILLAGE PHOTOGRAPHY - EMILY & BERNARD (DAY 01)

"Simon, wow, the film is just amazing! We are so happy with it! Feels like you're really there again!! And it captures the mood of the whole weekend so well. I am so glad we opted for this and would recommend everyone do this".

Thank you again for all your toil (seems appropriate given the heat of that weekend!) - we have photographs and a beautiful video that will help us refresh our memories for years of that wonderful weekend. Emily & Bernard

Emily & Bernard's Castelnau des Fieumarcon village photography started here on Day 01 with a 'meet & greet' drinks reception and hog roast on the main terrace.

This was my second visit this year to photograph & film a wedding at this most fabulous of wedding venues and the weather was glorious (compared with last time when it was mixed including a thunderstorm!).

Emily & Bernard had planned this wedding to perfection with the celebrations set over 3 days and at such times of day so as to avoid both the heat and extreme sun of the SW France August sun.

Day 02, their actual wedding day can be viewed by clicking here and the wedding film will be added here just as soon as we've finished crafting it!

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/140404911[/vimeo]

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

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.

Castelnau des Fieumarcon Village Filming - Emily & Bernard (Day 03)

CASTELNAU DES FIEUMARCON VILLAGE FILMING - EMILY & BERNARD (DAY 03)

And so to Castelnau des Fieumarcon village filming, Day 03 and the conclusion of Emily & Bernard's exceptional wedding in this SW corner of France, just 3 miles from our front door!

The whole feel of the wedding was laid back and relaxed and in Day 03, it turned to 'super-chilled'. Day 02, their actual wedding day, can be found here if you missed it.

Late morning was brunch. There should have been and indeed was, a local walk, but let's just say the revelries of the previous night meant not that many were going to be taking part!

And so it proved, but the brunch was great and after another gap in the day in order to avoid the heat, the BBQ was lit after a late afternoon wine-tasting and outdoor chill out in the shade of the largest house.

Fabulous wedding, fabulous people, fabulous time and we hope you will agree, pretty fabulous photography and wedding film to follow.

Full gallery with international print ordering facility shortly is now available by clicking here.

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/140446641[/vimeo]

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

Penny & Paul's Dordogne Wedding Photography (Part 01)

PENNY & PAUL'S DORDOGNE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY (PART 01)

Part 01 of Penny & Paul's Dordogne wedding photography at Chateau Les Merles (a 'Mr & Mrs Smith' venue) near to the town of Bergerac began on a sunny late Summer's day in this beautiful part of South West France.

As is the case with around 90%+ of all our clients, the first time I actually meet them is the afternoon prior to their actual wedding day and so it was with Penny & Paul, a fantastic couple to work with a fabulous wedding as a result.

We started with a combined recce and relaxed couple only photo-shoot around the venue and it's always a perfect start to capturing any wedding day as it builds a rapport, understanding and trust that cannot realistically occur on the wedding day itself...which is why nearly all of our couples tend to book our 1.5 day coverage option! Plus it adds up to around 40% more results for very little extra cost!

Following on from our mini-shoot was a relaxed drinks reception and meal with guests arriving from all over the world and gathering in the gorgeous evening sunshine in the chateau courtyard.

Part 02, Penny & Paul's actual wedding day can be viewed in highlight form by clicking here:

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/148475167[/vimeo]

 

Penny & Paul's Chateau Les Merles Wedding Photography (Part 2)

PENNY & PAUL'S CHATEAU LES MERLES WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY (PART 02)

Following on from Part 1 of Penny & Paul's Dordogne Wedding is Part 2, titled Chateau Les Merles Wedding Photography.

To use a very British term, the weather forecast was a bit 'iffy' and could have not have been as good as it was, - just enough temperature to keep things totally outdoors and even patches of sunshine.

Something I made a note of on the day prior recce and photo-shoot was the strong black & white theme going on inside the venue and I had every intention of making something of this on this the actual wedding day itself. What I had somehow missed though was that it was a black tie event (Fortunately, I do not appear in any of the pics, other than a cameo appearance in a reflection a couple of times!) which made Penny & Paul's wedding an absolute gift!

Penny wore Ellie Sanderson and makeup was by Carey Hawkins.

This was my first visit to this modest sized, but fabuloue venue just a few miles from Bergerac with it's international airport and I'm looking forward to going back again some time soon!

Full gallery with international print ordering facility now available by clicking here and Firehorse Photo-Film now available to view below:

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/148475167[/vimeo]

 

Jenny & James Lot et Garonne Wedding Photography @ Chateau de Lisse Part I

JENNY & JAMES LOT ET GARONNE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY @ CHATEAU DE LISSE PART I

Simon!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are amazing. We are completely floored! Just back from our honeymoon in Croatia and can't wait to show them off to our people.

Jenny & James

Jenny & James Lot et Garonne Wedding Photography @ Chateau de Lisse is split into 2 posts in order to reflect the 2 days over which their wedding took place and starts here with Part I. Bonsoir Monsieur Cochon, but I'm getting ahead of myself...

There is something I say to all my clients and it goes like this; I turn up at each and every wedding with the same set of tools and same skills and it's my experience and the former that adds 'something' to the results produced, but it's you my clients who can make it 'everything'.

A great location helps. The more generous the timescale the better. Favourable weather is usually preferred, but it's the overall circumstances provided by the client that makes the biggest difference to results, ie, choosing the right photographer for you in the first place, working with them prior to and on the day, but mostly trusting them (me) to get on with my craft.

I couldn't have asked for more from New York couple Jenny & James. Right from their first point of contact I knew these two welcoming and creative people wanted exactly what I could provide and we just clicked yet having never met or even talked on the phone as all our communications were by email right up the the start of the results you see below.

So this was Day 01 for me. Relaxed evening coverage of the majority of guests arriving for drinks and the consumption of the aforementioned Mr Pig.

The B&G and I went for a photo-shoot around the grounds at exactly the same time as we would be doing the following day in full wedding dress and as I always stress to my clients getting married in France, this 1/2 day prior coverage is a very valuable investment (though it costs very little) as it not only adds approx 40% more results to the whole 'wedding photography package', but allows a rapport & trust to be furthered which only leads to better wedding day results.

So below, those results and then when you reach the end, you will find a link to Part II, Jenny & James actual wedding day.

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/135334013[/vimeo]

Part II Jenny & James wedding day. 

Jenny & James Lot et Garonne Wedding Photography @ Chateau de Lisse Part II

JENNY & JAMES LOT ET GARONNE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY @ CHATEAU DE LISSE PART II

So on to Part II of Jenny & James Lot et Garonne wedding photography @ Ch. de Lisse, - their actual wedding day. Just in case you missed it, Part I was here.

Maybe we should call it wedding evening actually as with the outdoor lakeside ceremony scheduled for 6pm, there was less 'day' and more 'evening' at this one!

The ceremony itself was conducted by Jenny's brother Jeff and she was attended by her bridesmaid Jessica and James by his best man Jesse. There were 4 J's making up the bridal party and this is actually the second of five (to date) weddings where the B&G have been called Jenny & James.

Post ceremony, the drinks reception began or rather as this was an Americans in France wedding, 'cocktail hour' began followed by wedding meal on the terrace outside the chateau in the gorgeous fading evening sunlight which could not have been much more perfect.

Dancing then took place until the early hours in La Salle de Dance. The whole thing was just fabulous and highlighted below with a selection of some of my favourite images.

Full gallery including international print order facility available by clicking here and wedding film can be viewed below:

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/135308300[/vimeo]

Chateau de Massillan, Provence, Kaylie & Tom, Day 01

CHATEAU DE MASSILLAN, PROVENCE, KAYLIE & TOM, DAY 01

1651 miles and a thunderstorm.

I'll start with the 1651 miles part, - the thunderstorm can wait...

So a couple of days prior to Kaylie & Tom's wedding at the gorgeous Chateau de Massillan near Orange in Provence, France, French air traffic control decided to begin a weeks strike.

As a consequence, airlines began to report increasing delays and cancelled flights, my own (Ryanair) included.

The deadline for me to switch to ferry and drive, was 6pm Wed as I had to be there lunchtime Friday.

5% estimated cancelled flights was predicted by Ryanair for Thursday flights.

Good odds I thought...

Not, - mine was one of the 1 in 20 cancelled, so ferry it was and hence the 1651 miles road trip that ensued.

Eventually, at around 12pm lunchtime, I arrived at the chateau after leaving home at 5.30am the previous day.

So Day 01 of Kaylie & Tom's wedding began with an informal 'meet n' greet' as guests arrived and checked in, followed by a relaxed DIY picnic lunch under the shade of some large trees on the lawn.The shade was needed as being late June in the South of France, the temperature in the shade was 30c, - quite warm to us Brits!

Following lunch, we had a leisurely couple only pre-wedding photo-shoot around the grounds which serves a number of valuable purposes including:The couple get a chance to experience being photographed by me prior to their wedding day (and discover just how relaxed and easy it is).It's also a chance to check out and explore a few locations that we might use the following day in the same, similar or different light.Finally, it gives the couple a set of images in addition to the wedding day ones.

The evening comprised a BBQ (possibly/probably the best ribs I've ever had) and a few drinks before shuffling off to find my boutique meets 1940's 'Allo Allo' hotel in nearby Orange.

Day 02, the actual wedding day can be viewed here.

Oh...and the thunderstorm, - that comes tomorrow...

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/99811358[/vimeo]

Chateau de Massillan Wedding Photography, Kaylie & Tom, Day 02

CHATEAU DE MASSILLAN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY, KAYLIE & TOM, DAY 02

So following on from Day 01 of Kaylie & Tom's beautiful outdoor wedding at Chateau de Massillan in the heart of Provence, is Day 02, their actual wedding day.

The forecast had been showing rain just a few days prior but this had been steadily pushed back with each day as we got closer to the date, but still forecast for 8pm, - the exact time they would be sitting to eat. Outside. Fingers crossed then...

Kaylie wore Johanna Hehir and Tom a Leonard Jay suit with flowers by local florist Blandine.

The ceremony took place in the welcome shade of the large plane trees in the chateau grounds and conducted by the couples good friend George (accompanied by the cicadas in the trees) and followed by a Prosecco and delicious canape reception.

The 4 course meal itself took place in the open air internal courtyard of the chateau and that rain...?

Well it started dramatically with some lightning flashes during mains and a few drops during dessert, but didn't come down properly until everyone had moved inside for the first dance and band Beer Pressure.

And then it was the other half of that 1651 mile drive back to blighty for me the early next morning.

Kaylie & Tom honeymooned in Provence & Paris followed by Miami & Belize later this year.

Full gallery including print ordering facility is available here.

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/100091295[/vimeo]

Chateau de Massillan Wedding Photography by Simon Mark Whitten at Firehorse Photography, - British Wedding Photographer in France