Tara & Guillaume - The Majestic Chateau (with Marry Me In France)

 https://vimeo.com/279451454https://vimeo.com/282662476 Where to start...The weather I think. Hot. Blazing hot. It probably did not get past 35 degrees C, but when you are out in it all day long, that's more than enough.This was my first visit to The Majestic Chateau and it has instantly become one of my favourites. One thing I never do is spend much time studying any venue prior to that first visit. Nor do I spend any time looking at what anyone else has done there. I don't wish to be influenced but see it fresh and through my eyes.And so it was for Tara & Guillaume's wedding at The Majestic Chateau with the ever-fabulous Laurence from Marry Me In France.I knew it was a courtyard based chateau and had a fabulous natural swimming pond (I have a thing about them and looking to build one myself) so the setting I knew was going to be great.On top of that, MMIF always put on a good show and this one was a bit special. The only possible fly that can get in the ointment on these days is the weather but as above, wall to wall sunshine.So the wedding day itself...Bride & Groom prep in the chateau itself for this Canadian-French affair. The bride Tara is from Canada and the groom from France though they reside in the former.The ceremony took place next door in the village church with the drinks reception down by the aforementioned swimming pond. Some of the speeches also took place here as did a champagne fountain, - all very relaxed and beautiful.Then it was up to the chateau courtyard for the meal and further speeches and again is another perfect and elegant setting, before moving on to dancing in the barn.As always, it's the results that can tell the best story with a highlights slideshow production above (to be followed as soon as it's ready, by an additional wedding film) and a selection of highlights below.A full gallery with international print ordering facility is available by clicking here.  

Marie & Danny's Chateau la Gauterie Wedding

 https://vimeo.com/279216441 When you choose to get married in South West France, the one thing you expect is sunshine.At least if you choose to get married May-Sep. OK, May was a bit 'off' this year, but since early June, it's been mostly wall to wall sunshine with just the occasional dramatic storm.And so it was for Marie & Danny's wedding at the gorgeous Chateau la Gauterie, owned and managed by Sarah & Rupert.My coverage began as it does for over 90% of the weddings I am engaged for, with a 1/2 day prior coverage.This allows for an on-site meeting, practice photo-shoot and relaxed, low-key, documentary coverage of the evening 'meet & greet'. Sometimes this is a pig roast, or a mobile pizza van, or a meal at a nearby restaurant, or in this case, a BBQ.There were some familiar and 'old' faces for me on the supplier side... I've worked at Chateau la Gauterie before so already knew the owners, plus Wendy Mears the caterer on this occasion.New faces were Gemma the MUA, the celebrant Lisa Lister and band The Sidekicks.The ceremony itself took place in the on-site chapel, which for a chapel is fortunately reasonably light (which is not often the case with chapels!) followed by a confetti arch for the exit.Drinks & canapes took place on the terrace with some very welcome large parasols in order to shield some of the intense sunlight.The meal & speeches, plus dancing took place in the on-site marquee.Fabulous day, fabulous people, slideshow above, selection of highlight pics below.Full gallery with international print ordering facility available by clicking here.  

Minnie & Nick - The Village Wedding

 https://vimeo.com/277265284 Minnie & Nick - The Village Wedding at Castelnau des Fieumarcon.'The Wedding Village' as it is known is just that, an entire village. Just for you!It currently sleeps around 80 in something like 15 hours and has no other residents other than the custodians who also run the weddings that take place at this fabulous place.You enter through an imposing arch vaulted fortified gatehouse (past the new for 2018 WC's!) and into a completely private village complete with houses, a huge dining room, a church and outdoor spaces. Plus a pool of course!So this was the setting for Minnie & Nick's 3 day wedding, a setting I am very familiar with having photographed & filmed at least 10 weddings here.I had already met the couple on one of their previous visits to France and then had the privilege of capturing 3 days of their wedding.I say 3 days, but that's really a 1/2 day + full day + 1/2 day as follows:Day 01: Meet & GreetDay 02: Wedding DayDay 03: Games & BBQAround 95% of the weddings I cover opt for the 1/2 day prior which makes a huge difference to what is then achievable on/from the wedding day itself.The wedding day itself was planned to near perfection in regard to timings with an outdoor ceremony start time of 5pm conducted by Raymond Thatcher from Wedding Words & Wishes.Flowers were by the ever bubbly Amy T  and wedding planning by Anneli & Nick at Castelnau des Fieumarcon.Prior to ceremony though, was bridal prep with one of my favourite hair and makeup artists, Lizbeth "don't take pictures of me with pins in my mouth".During the ceremony and late afternoon reception, guests were entertained musically by Pete McGrane, a guitar soloist. (Top tip, having some kind of musical background during the drinks is quite important in regard to 'atmosphere'!).The caterers were Dulou who always turn out fabulously presented canapes and main meal and their desserts are especially good.Evening entertainment was provided by DJ James Carr and DIY gin bar. Oh the DIY gin bar... The rhubarb & ginger. I could have easily had more than one, but sadly I was working and then had to drive home ready for the next day.Day 03 then was a BBQ lunch and lawn games outside Cassagnet, the biggest of the houses and the focal point for such things.There was also home-made ice cream 'Glaces Artisinale' by a lady whose family have been making icecream since at least the early 1930's after immigrating to France from Italy.All in all, a crackin' weekend. Above is a slideshow featuring highlights from all 3 days. Below, a selection of wedding day pics.Finally, click here to access the full gallery with international print ordering facility.  

Chloe & Ryan's South West France wedding at Chateau de Lisse

 https://vimeo.com/274470042https://vimeo.com/274501482 I'm not really the kind of person who goes around patting myself on the back. Really, I don't. But then sometimes you just have to say, "yes, I had a pretty good day at the office".With Chloe and Ryan's wedding at Chateau de Lisse, I had a FANTASTIC day at the office.But, the results from any wedding day are as much about you as they are what I do. I can only do what you allow me and to an extent, the weather and lighting conditions allow. The 'secret' is to let me in and embrace what I do.And that is what Chloe & Ryan did. She's been following me on Instagram for some time so I always knew that the capture of her wedding was important. After meeting the day prior to their wedding, we fine-tuned a few details in regard to the day to follow and had a practice photo-shoot around the grounds.The sun shone from start to finish and the day unfolded just as they had meticulously planned.I want to draw specific attention to 3 key areas of this wedding that really stood out for me in regards to results.1: Bride and Groom prep. This stuff doesn't just happen by accident, but by design. It's about location, lighting and timing. Get all three right and the magic happens.2: Couple session. We split this into two sessions, a 20 minute one during the drinks reception, though as advised, mid afternoon is not the best time to do this kind of thing. The best time is during 'golden hour'. That magical lighting time (providing it's been a sunny day) approx 45 minutes prior to sunset and 15 minutes after. Post meal and speeches, we slipped away for another 10 minutes to take advantage of the opportunity.3: Eating outdoors. Obviously, there needs to be a certain temperature and around 20 degrees C is probably a good cut off, ie, above is good, but below can get a bit cool as it gets dark. Plus, ideally it needs to be sunny and though we have had a few less than great days in France so far this year, for Chloe & Ryan's wedding, it was golden.So it was a day of fabulous bride and groom prep which is actually one of my favourite parts of the wedding day. If done right.Ceremony took place in the chapel and was conducted by celebrant Moira.Hair was by Annette Carr with makeup by bride.Flowers by the ever superb Faith @ Le Coeur Sauvage.Catering by Jean-Marc and the team at Chateau de Lisse.Evening DJ James Carr.Full gallery including international print ordering facility available by clicking here.  

Amy & Andy's Dordogne Chateau Wedding

 https://vimeo.com/273529297 

Amy & Andy's Dordogne chateau wedding took place at the Chateau Charmant in association with Marry Me in France.

An outdoor wedding had been planned, both ceremony & meal, but the weather gods sadly refused that request.

However, post-ceremony, it stayed dry and gradually improved throughout the rest of the day meaning the drinks reception at least could take place outdoors as planned.

The Charmant Chateau is a stunning venue with great outdoor and indoor space and options.

Above is a slideshow production and below a selection of highlight pics with a full international print ordering gallery available by clicking here.

  

Chateau de Malliac Wedding - Alissa & John

 https://vimeo.com/271221003 OK, it didn't go quite as planned...The plan was for a 3 day outdoor wedding (other than dancing on the wedding day in the middle), but the weather gods decreed it was not to be.Friday, the sun shone and it was mid 20's as it should be in this part of the world. Guests arrived and assembled for drinks and pig roast in one of the courtyards at this fabulous wedding venue.Saturday though, it turned overnight as had been consistently predicted for well over a week. The temperature plummeted to around 13/14 degrees C and if it was not raining, the skies were grey.It's a difficult scenario for a couple, especially when the bride, her family and a lot of her friends, are from California where the sun never stops shining!But there is one thing inclement weather can never do and that is stop the wedding!This one had two key advantages in this regard and those were...The venue: Chateau de Malliac on the edge of the beautiful Montreal-du-Gers in South West France is a fabulous venue offering plenty of scope for an indoor wedding.The planner: Patricia from Country Weddings in France has a huge amount of experience in wedding planning and this was far from being the first wet wedding that she has encountered.Prep: I love bridal prep. I've said it in many posts previously, but it's one of my favourite parts of the day and is the perfect first principal chapter to any wedding day.Ceremony: It was planned to have been outdoors on one of the lawns, but instead was in one of the large barns. A little darker than ideal for a photographer, but had a certain drama to the available lighting!Drinks reception: The weather was still doing it's thing outside, so in the barn.Couple stuff: We actually managed to get out for a bit with the use of umbrellas and some great pics can be made with this scenario.Meal: Again, should have been outdoors, but instead, in another barn (and again, one of the many pluses of Chateau de Malliac and that is that it offers these other options, - some venues do not!) and it's a pretty gorgeous barn.The day after: Brunch and pool party...except we ended up doing a pool party of 2 + inflatable plan. The best laid plans eh...Beautiful wedding and lovely lovely people...but yeah, we could all have done with a bit of sunshine!Highlight slideshow above based on all 3 days. Highlight pics from the wedding day (including landscapes captured the day prior).Full gallery including international print ordering facility available by clicking here.  

Secret Garden Wedding with Marry Me in France

 https://vimeo.com/264945381 My second wedding of the year was another small/intimate wedding though this time even smaller than last weeks 35 person wedding with just 16 in total.Sophie & Will's Secret Garden wedding took place at this idyllic venue in Dordogne, planned & managed to perfection by Sue Christie at Marry Me in France.Depending on which weather forecast you looked at, it could have gone either way... Meteo France said sunshine. Accuweather reckoned rain. All day. The reality was though it started a bit cloudy and cool and ended that way, it was glorious when it counted, - for the outdoor ceremony and drinks reception.I always say there's nowhere to hide at such a small wedding, both for me and for the guests, but I love these smaller weddings for their intimacy and personality and this one had both in spades.Above is a highlights slideshow from the day. Below is a selection of those highlights. A full gallery including international print ordering facility is available by clicking here.  

Barn Wedding France - Angie & Jarrod

 https://vimeo.com/262953709 Well bonjour 2018! What a way to start the 2018 wedding season with this absolute gem of a wedding.I wasn’t sure quite what to expect with Angie & Jarrod’s wedding as I wasn’t even supposed to be photographing it, but the photographer originally booked, could no longer make the date.Their loss was my gain and despite the short notice and time of year (second to last day of March after the wettest Winter on record for South West France and zero sign of a long overdue Spring) it was an absolute joy to be part of.It turned out that this was to be a near 100% ‘handmade’ barn wedding with me being the only professional/supplier on the day.Angie & Jarrod’s wedding was also a multicultural affair with Angie and her family coming from Colombia, Jarrod and his family from the US and a number of guests from Sweden.Something I didn’t realise until I arrived at the venue in the countryside near Angouleme, was that ‘the venue’ was actually the bride & groom’s home. No wonder I couldn’t find a website for it or a listing on tripadvisor when planning my route!So as with most weddings, I have varying degrees of information, but rarely know exactly how the day will turn out as there are so many variables that can play a part.Immediately though, after the warmest of welcomes, I knew that it was going to be a good day and the 2018 season would be off to a flying start. And it was just that.Something else not immediately obvious about this wedding is that the ceremony took place at the latest time of any of the 600+ weddings I have covered in the last 18 years and was at nearly 7pm. Yes, 7pm. In the evening.I had prior concerns because ‘late’ ceremony weddings outdoors mid Summer can work brilliantly and benefit from superb light, but at the end of March? With the pretty poor weather we’ve been having?Well the planned outdoor ceremony was shifted into the barn but the weather played fair and was bright & sunny all afternoon and early evening. The timing was perfect with family photos and couple only session immediately after the ceremony in order to take advantage of ‘Golden Hour’.The results speak for themselves. As I say to all my clients, they play an equally important part in the process and end result as I do. I can turn up anywhere, but it’s only when they let me into their day fully and whole-heartedly that the magic happens.And magic happened on the 30^th March 2018.Wow wow wow!We love the video! And every single photo!We could not have picked a better photographer and we couldn’t be more pleased with your work!Thrilled!Jarrod and Angie  [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.106" background_layout="light"]

Enjoyed this particular barn wedding in France?

Well these others may be of interest...

https://www.firehorsephotographyfrance.com/_2020/charlotte-chris-dordogne-chateau-wedding/ 

Featured Wedding - Livvy & Alex

https://vimeo.com/244334976

I shoot 25 weddings a year. That's my year's work. Doesn't sound much does it? But every wedding is a working week, so that's 25 weeks work.

Then because I also film approximately 50% of all the weddings I attend, that's another 12-13 weeks work. All told, it's 37-38 weeks work a year.

Sounds alright doesn't it?! Almost like a teachers year...except I work all Summer approx 75-90 hours a week, every week. Non-stop. For months.

I need/deserve those several months off I have over the Winter. But what is this ramble exactly about? Featured weddings, - what makes some wedding 'Featured'.

Back to the 25 a year. Not every wedding can be a featured wedding, so what makes one? Not to do a disservice to every other wedding that is not 'featured' but it has to have something distinctly unique about it. That isn't to say many other weddings could not have made the cut. They could, but I have to draw the line somewhere...

So this one, - why is it special?

Well for one thing, it was the most 'handmade' wedding I think I have ever been to (including my sisters and that was pretty handmade, by our mother mostly) and other than the DJ and 2 local ladies employed to do the washing up (but nothing more), I was the only professional there.

The first thing that struck me about Livvy & Alex before I'd even met them, was how enthusiastic, yet laid back they were. I got the sense of this from our communications leading up to the wedding and it was confirmed on meeting them the day prior.

So when I say 'handmade' and 'only professional there' (other than the DJ in the evening), it really was the case. No florist, no makeup artist or hairdresser, no caterers, no pro musicians, - nope, they did it all themselves. Everyone got stuck in with whatever they were best at. Picking and arranging wildflowers. Making canapes. Serving canapes. Serving the main meal. Cooking the meal. Forgetting to put the Potato Dauphinoise into the oven making the drinks reception run over by an hour to fabulous effect. DIY, it's all on you. And it was brilliant.

The sun shone. The location of everything was great. The timing was spot (ahem, I helped with that). The potatoes not going in the oven in time gifted us some extra special light at 'golden hour'. We were planning on nipping out for it anyway, but circumstances dictated, drinks were still going on anyway.

Words words words... It's all best told in pictures, pictures, pictures. See above and below and enjoy.

 

Featured Wedding - Steff & Charlie

https://vimeo.com/244329068

Could have eaten outdoors. Wanted to eat outdoors. The weather forecast said it would be unwise. It was late September in South West France. It should have been OK, but on this particular day, it wasn't. If I could have changed just one thing about Steff & Charlie's wedding day, it would have been the weather.

As it was, it remained dry and their drinks reception did take place outside, but that planned outdoor meal, as mentioned, dining room. It's a good dining room, but as anyone who knows me or my work will appreciate, I am a big advocate of the outdoor wedding.

So what made this one so special and worthy of being a 'Featured Wedding'? To get right to the point, not prevaricate, not beat about the bush, not waste any time delaying the answer to this most pertinent of questions...well I'll come back to that.

OK, it was them, Steff & Charlie. There is nothing else that will make or break a wedding more important than YOU. It's what you plan, organise and execute. It's how much you want great photography and work with your photographer to make it happen. And that's just what they did.

We had a great rapport from the start. I was never bombarded with questions or answers required for opinions on every single detail, but key questions asked at various points from the point of booking to the day itself. Even then, I can never really be 100% sure what the day will bring. Based on experience, history and sheer gut feeling, I have a good idea, but never really know until I meet the couple in person (prior to their wedding day) and then as it unfolds.

As with most couples (around 90-95%), I met them the day prior with an additional 1/2 days coverage to cover this very meaning and a bit of a practice photo-shoot combined with a site recce. I already knew the venue well as this was something like my 10th visit and I was actually there the weekend prior, but each time I approach it as if it was my first visit.

This meeting crossed the final T's and dotted the remaining I's and I knew that the next day, come rain or shine, would be special.

There are days when the proverbial fat lady sings. The planets align. The ducks are all in a row. That last one is from Yorkshire but I've never heard anyone actually say it (but many farmers actually do say, "eeh by gum"). The weather didn't but sod the weather. Seriously. Sod. The. Weather. It's the only thing you cannot control, but you can plan for it.

There's little more I need to say really... Fantastic couple, people, day = equivalent results which can be viewed above in the production, or in the pics below.

And they had a mariachi band!!

Featured Wedding - Anouska & Tom

https://vimeo.com/244332853

I met Anouska & Tom twice prior to their wedding day. That's quite rare. I recommend and normally meet all my clients at least once, but with Anouska & Tom, it was twice.

The first time was because it was convenient. I needed to pop up to the venue which is local (to me) to drop a new sample album off and as Anouska & Tom were staying that weekedn to do some 'wedmin', it made sense to meet up. We had a good walk & talk recce around the whole site, discussing options for various parts of the day and timings. This kind of thing is INVALUABLE.

It doesn't matter so much where (as in which venue, which is more important to you, less so the photographer), but it matters a HUGE amount specifically where on site and when, events are due to take place. What might seem like a great idea at the time...in say November, might not actually work in mid August! Or at that time of day. But might work in mid-August, but another time of day.

And this is the thing with a lot of couples getting married abroad/in France, especially the British. I can say these things because I am British and that is too many couple come to France and then try to have a British wedding. It rarely works!

Why is this? Because France is not the UK for one thing! The wedding season in the UK is year round for one thing. In France it's pretty much May-Sep and other than a few outside of it, that's it. So just 5 months. Why?

The why is because most want the weather. But why do you want the weather? Why that is do you want the weather if you are then going to plan a virtually indoor wedding?! You may as well get married in the UK! No, most couples getting married in France are doing so because they would like a mainly outdoor wedding and do you know what? They are generally the best and usually by a large margin.

Why? (There are a lot of why's in this post!). Because they tend to have more; atmosphere and opportunity, especially in regard to photography.

An outdoor wedding though does need careful planning in regard to where the various parts of the day take place and when. It's a little bit thoughtless to have 100 guests sat in 35 degree (celcius) heat for 1/2 an hour, never mind 2-3 hours for a meal, so locations and timings are key.

So how can you get it completely wrong? Here's how, - it's quite simple:

1: Get married at 1pm in a tiny chapel that can barely seat 30 and has no windows (worth speaking of) and try and cram 100 people in there.

2: Come out into blazing sunshine when it's at it's harshest, everyone is squinting, sweating profusely and soon diving for shade everywhere except where you planned everyone to be.

3: Sit down to eat, indoors, around 4pm.

4: Have a somewhat strange and extensive lull after the meal & speeches before trying to start the evening dancing off around 8pm.

It can work in the UK, but doesn't in France. It just doesn't!

Or you can do what Anouska & Tom did and many others do and that is get married in the late afternoon, outdoors, but in the shade. OK, they didn't get total shade, but not so far off. Then drinks & canapes outside in the glorious sun, but late afternoon/early evening sun when it's more bearable. The eat, outdoors, as the sun goes down making the best use of golden hour. And then party when it gets dark!

As with all these featured weddings, there is little need for me to say to try and describe every detail of the wedding day because the production above and the pictures below do a far better job than my words ever can.

Oh and that second meeting? The day prior with 1/2 a day's additional coverage which is so valuable and recommended to all clients.

 

Featured Wedding - Tamasine & Paul

https://vimeo.com/244325051

What made this wedding special?

Was it the weather? Certainly not, - the sun made fleeting appearances, but it had threatened rain and even thunderstorms all day.

Was it the setting? Partly. It was a new never visited before venue for me and I like that because it means it's totally original. Other than a quick glance on-line when they enquired, I (purposely) had no other pre-conceived ideas of what this place was about.

Was there anything completely unique about this wedding? Well for me, actually yes and that is the 'first look' sequence we built into the wedding day. This is quite common in the US, for the couple to meet prior to the ceremony with the groom waiting and the bride arriving for that 'first look'. But that alone did not 'make' this wedding.

So what did?

If you have read any of my other 'Featured Wedding' posts or spiel elsewhere, you will already know the answer. It's the couple themselves. Every. Single. Time.

Connections. Rapport. Trust. Desire to achieve the maximum potential from the wedding day without detracting or taking over from it.

So this post is not about their wedding day, - that story is told far better than my mere words in the production above and in the pictures below.

No, this post is about how we achieved the end result which can be achieved at any wedding, anywhere, providing YOU make it happen.

As I say to all my clients, I turn up at each and every job with the same enthusiasm, the same tools, the same (but ever-increasing) skill-set, but what makes the difference is the part YOU play.

The perfect result is achieved by doing the following:

1: Having a desire for great wedding photography in the first place. Not just ticking a box alongside a dozen other wedding day 'needs' but by having that desire in the first place. Some may not have it so strongly to begin with, but in the planning of their wedding, will develop it. Some never have it in the first place and I can predict with 100% what the result of that will be and that is, A: never achieve more than an average result, or B: not actually book me in the first place.

2: Having booked me (or the photographer who was/is 'the one') by then understanding what your part is in regard to achieving that perfect result is, because it's not simply turning up on the day and expecting the magic to just happen. Yes, some stuff does just happen, - that's called circumstance or luck. For it to happen across the entire day requires intent. Intent requires; planning, discussion, organisation.

3: I provide all my clients with a brief but detailed breakdown of how I will...or at least can achieve the best possible results possible. I'd estimate around 75% follow that advice to the letter and make me and integral part of their wedding plans from the very start. Approximately 15% make me a large(ish) part of their planning, but also do other stuff which may or may not pan out. The remaining 10%? They do their own thing and the result is never complete and often requires a great deal of discussion after the event when IT'S TOO LATE.

4: Meeting prior to the day. It's essential. I have no issue in reporting that the weakest 3 weddings of my 2017 wedding season all shared one thing in common. All 3 couples opted not to meet prior to their wedding day despite being urged to very strongly. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water... Coincidence? I know with complete confidence, not. A proper meeting prior is ESSENTIAL, though I haven't found a way to make it compulsory!

So to conclude, Tamasine & Paul. Did the results from this wedding happen by circumstance/luck/magic? No. They happened because Tamasine & Paul wanted great photography in the first place. Then, despite having a wedding planner, they were keen to trust my advice in pretty much all things. (By all things, I don't mean flowers, dress, food etc, but timings etc). They ran ideas by me in the build up to their wedding, the day prior on site and on the day of their wedding (due to the mixed weather). Ultimately 2 factors combined, - they trusted me and they were just a lovely couple. Now that is what I call a marriage made in heaven.

I didn't mention the venue once in this post. Until now. It was Manoir de Clenord near Blois in the Loire region. Great place but as with all the best results, absolutely nothing to do with the results.

Charlotte & Chris Dordogne Chateau Wedding (Marry Me in France)

https://vimeo.com/239081147

- CHARLOTTE & CHRIS -

a HISTORIC CHATEAU WEDDING

And so we reach the final wedding of the 2017 'Summer' season.

Still have one more in December, but the 'a wedding every weekend since April' time is over!

It's been a great season, the best yet. I don't know how, but every year does improve upon the last and so it has been for the last 17 years.

So we ended on a real high in both Charlotte & Chris's wedding in general and with the weather which was glorious.

Being a photographer, I will complain that is was too sunny...but then we are never 100% happy with the lighting which keeps us on our toes!

This wedding was again in conjunction with the planners I work with a lot, Marry Me in France and it's always fun to work with the team.

The ceremony itself took place in the idyllic setting of a small woodland at the end of the formal rose garden and could not have been more perfect.

In fact, I'd go as far and say it was the best outdoor location for a ceremony this year. Perhaps a little contrasty for the time of day, but otherwise pretty perfect.

The drinks reception took place in the full sunshine of the Indian Summer that we have been having and the meal inside as this time of year, it's just a little too cool once the sun has gone down to be sitting outside.

Above is a highlight slideshow production from Charlotte & Chris's day and below, a few highlights with full international print ordering gallery available by clicking here!

 

Steff & Charlie's Chateau Wedding in France (Chateau de Lisse)

https://vimeo.com/238257091

- STEFF & CHARLIE -

a CHATEAU DE LISSE WEDDING

And so we come to the 3rd and final of this season's weddings at Chateau de Lisse.

Cooler than expected, with the odd spit & spot of the wet stuff, but nothing that affected the day.

Steff wore Caroline Castigliano and the bridesmaids blue.

Charlie a blue & green suit with bow tie by Lewes Bow Ties.

Flowers were by the ever fantastic Faith @ Le Coeur Sauvage.

Plus there was a mariachi band! The band were actually friends of the couple so guests, but in the evening, transformed into their alter egos...

Up above, there's a multimedia slideshow production. Watch it!

Below, a selection of highlights.

The full gallery with international print ordering facility is available by clicking here.

Enjoy.

 

 

Victoria & Jamie's French Chateau Wedding

https://vimeo.com/236713739

- VICTORIA & JAMIE -

a CHATEAU DE LISSE WEDDING

Victoria & Jamie's French chateau wedding took place at one of South West France's most beautiful venues, Chateau de Lisse.

This was my second of three visits to Chateau de Lisse this year and I think my 9th to date.

Every year it just gets better and better as each Winter, another improvement job is carried out either on the building itself or with the grounds.

And the setting is fabulous. I'm not sure exactly why this is, but our area (I live just 30 minutes away) is not France's greatest tourist destination by far (though we have a lot of good stuff do see & do here!) but does attract a lot of weddings. The latter bit I do understand, - we have some exceptional venues and scenery, plus generally the weather!

And speaking of 'the weather', anyone who lives in SW France will know that we have had a bit of a mixed bag this year, but all good for Victoria & Jamie with their chapel, but outdoor dining wedding day.

Makeup was by Lizbeth and flowers by Faith For makeup & flowers, Lizbeth and Faith are amongst the very best in France.

Otherwise time to let the pictures do the talking because they can always tell the story of the day far better than I can!

Slideshow production above and a selection of highlight pics below in a click/swipe through gallery.

Full gallery including international print ordering facility is available by clicking here.

 

Manoir de Clenord wedding - Tamasine & Paul

https://vimeo.com/235706330

- TAMASINE & PAUL -

a MANOIR DE CLENORD WEDDING

What is perfection? Is there such thing as a 'perfect wedding'?

Well all I can say is that if this one wasn't, it was as close as you can get.

OK, it could have been 5 degrees warmer. It could have been 30 minutes later in the day. Err, I'm struggling now...

The thing about weddings as a wedding photographer is you never really know what you are going to get and then achieve until the actual day.

Or the day before...

Initially, I wasn't sure what Tamasine & Paul's Manoir de Clenord wedding would produce.

I had not met them before. Nothing unusual in that, - I meet less than 5% of clients prior to the booking stage. I was going to be working with a planner I had never worked with, the lovely Nicole at Pure Expressions Events and at a new venue I had never visited before.

As I said, none of that is in any way unusual and as every wedding is as unique as every couple, you never know what it's really going to be like until you get there.

As with ALL weddings, the singlemost important factor is not where, or what or even really why, but WHO.

We all played a part but in the end, all weddings in my experience and opinion come down to the couple. They either want you there, or tolerate you. If it's the latter, the whole day becomes a salvage job. If they actually want you, it's a joy. Folks either work with you...or they do their own thing. The former produces everything, the latter can be a struggle.

So I met Tamasine & Paul the day prior. We had a meeting and chatted through the day. We looked at some stuff and we went out for a play to take some pictures. I knew then at that point their wedding had the potential to be right up there if only the weather played fair the next day...

And somehow it did. Despite every forecast projecting an afternoon of doom & gloom which is not what any wedding needs never mind an open air ceremony.

The rest of this story is in the slideshow production above and in the highlight images below. Full gallery with international print ordering gallery available by clicking here.

Gers Marquee Wedding - Becky & Chris

https://vimeo.com/234823713

- REBECCA & CHRIS -

a GERS CHURCH & MARQUEE WEDDING

Finally, the day arrived!

I had been looking forward to this one for some time having met both Becky & Chris plus Becky's parents earlier this year.

And being just down the road literally (well 40 minutes), it beats 6 hours each way in the car!

The forecast however looked grim... Rain all afternoon. Unceasing rain without respite.

The day did start out very gloomy indeed. I was greeted in the temporary car park opposite Becky's parents by a very large German Shepherd and instinctively thought he was a security dog.

I then thought, "why would you need a security dog in the rural French countryside?" and then, "why is he soft as a brush?"

It turned out no one knew where this dog came from and he later joined the party for the duration of the drinks reception, quietly hoovering up crumbs or lying down at guests feet!

Anyway, I digress, 'The Wedding Dog' as I called him was not the main event...

After covering the start of the Groomsmen's Brunch at a nearby house, it was off to the local church of Poo Dragon. Sorry, Pouydraguin.

It was gloriously sunny when the boys and guests arrived, but by the time Becky did, the rain was falling.

It didn't last though and by the time the ceremony ended, conducted by a family friend, the sun was out and sticking two fingers up at the weather gods like an English archer at the battle of Agincourt, stayed out. All afternoon. More or less, - there were a couple of drops...

But then it absolutely lashed it down as everyone arrived in the marquee for the meal & speeches.

Post meal, it was into the barn for the dancing. There was some superb design going on in there plus throughout the whole wedding day as you'd expect from a talented interior designer.

Above is a slideshow production from Becky & Chris's Gers marquee wedding with a selection of highlights below.

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

Chateau Lacanaud Wedding - Heather & Cameron

https://vimeo.com/233809808

- HEATHER & CAMERON -

a CHATEAU LACANAUD WEDDING

Eymet in the Dordogne, was the location for Heather & Cameron's Chateau Lacanaud wedding.

Well just outside anyway, - I never actually saw or went into the town.

The weather was the story of the year, sunny but not quite as warm as it normally is.

But that is not a bad thing as you get the ambience without literally dripping like a tap all day.

And a good thing to that the weather was good as this was a totally outdoor wedding, ie, ceremony and drinks and eating and dancing.

The whole day was planned and executed to perfection by wedding planner Sarah Thomas at 'And The We Got Married'.

From the big picture to the smallest detail (and yes Sarah, I got a picture of your signs for the ladies & gents!) it all went exactly as planned.

Fantastic floristry from Faith at Le Coeur Sauvage and excellent band, The Maida Vales.

The catering was superb (hog roast for main) and the whole day was a delight to be part of.

Above, an extended highlights slideshow production.

Below, a few highlight pictures with full gallery including international print ordering facility available by clicking here.

Claire & Nick at 'The Wedding Village' (a Marry Me in France wedding)

https://vimeo.com/232811913

- CLAIRE & NICK -

a MARRY ME IN FRANCE WEDDING

My 4th wedding of the year at 'The Wedding Village' was that of Claire & Nick with 'Marry Me in France'.

MMIF weddings are always amongst the best and so this one was with planner Laurence.

Proceedings started the day prior with a 'Meet, Greet & Eat' including mobile pizza van.

We have been experiencing a slightly 'up & down' period of weather in SW France recently and so it was for Claire & Nick's wedding. Sunny, but not exactly scorching hot as it can be.

The first thing planner Laurence and I commented on along with manager Anneli, was that we had never seen the village decorated so much. The pictures will give a few clues!

There's not much more I can say with words as the pictures tell a much better story than I ever can...

Click here for the full gallery including international print ordering facility.

   

Chateau La Gauterie Wedding - Charlotte & David

https://vimeo.com/231259263

- CHARLOTTE & DAVID -

a CHATEAU LA GAUTERIE WEDDING

Sunday 20th August saw me back to the Dordogne for Charlotte & David's super-sunny Chateau La Gauterie wedding.

This was my first visit to the venue which is absolutely gorgeous with fabulous grounds and expertly run by owners Rupert & Sarah.

The theme was 'carnival/fairground' and when I arrived, Dave and his team were at work assembling the travelling fair stalls & games they had built themselves.

Hook-a-duck, whack-a-rat, tin can alley, candyfloss machine...it was all there.

The day began however with an outdoor ceremony followed by ribbon cutting and confetti.

Drinks on the lawn followed and the fair opened.

Dinner was informal and buffet style in the marquee.

All in all, a great day and a lot of fun.

Below are a selection of highlights in a click-through gallery with full international print gallery available by clicking here!