The Wedding Village in France - Lauren & Michael
https://vimeo.com/339073201
The Wedding Village in France. There may be others, but I don't know of another entire village that is exclusive to a single wedding as Castlenau des Fieumarcon.
Lauren & Michael's wedding was something like the 12th I have covered at the venue (and the first of six this year) and the first thing that struck me on this May visit, was just how much work has been done over the Winter.
It's long since been one of my favourite venues to work at (the scope, the staff, the opportunities) and new for this season especially is the new top terrace, approx 50% bigger than it was previously. There is also a new spa complex under construction below the terrace (opening in 2020 I believe) and a new open sky, but 'indoor' area. All in all, progress!
I first met Lauren & Michael up at the village last year and whilst Poppy was but an 8 week old bump, but come wedding day, she's not so far off being a year old. She features in quite a few photos and though too young to be a proper flower girl, an integral part of the day.
L&M's wedding began the day prior on the Friday with an informal 'meet & greet' drinks and BBQ/buffet plus a couple of welcome speeches from Michael's parents. The weather held off mostly but the weather for the last few weeks has been a bit unsettled in this part of SW France.
The day dawned sunny on the Saturday and it lasted most of the day. OK, it clouded up a bit for the outdoor ceremony and for parts of the drinks reception, but we were treated to a fabulous sunset in the evening.
Above, there's a multimedia slideshow production of highlights from the Friday & Saturday and below, a series of highlight pics. The full gallery including international print ordering facility can be accessed by clicking here.
Some other weddings at this venue can be viewed by clicking here
Suppliers who made this wedding what it was:
Styling & coordination by La Boutique Event
Catering by Delicieux
Flowers by Amy Tyman
Band The Pulse
Anant & Chris's France Rainbow Wedding
https://vimeo.com/337733080
ANANT & CHRIS'S FRANCE RAINBOW WEDDING
There was more than a bit of deja vu. Just 7 days ago, I was at the same venue, Chateau de Lisse. Shooting a same sex wedding. Sometimes coincidences just happen like that. But of course, despite being the same venue, a totally different wedding and experience.
Last week, it was Norway that came to South West France. This weekend it was the USA and India and utterly contrasting weddings yet with some similarities. This post however is all about Anant & Chris and their wedding day!
Actually, I must mention the weather from both weeks. Last weekend the forecast was for rain and a thunderstorm, but it ended up being dry and quite sunny at times, just not very warm. This weekend, the forecast had been predicting Summer but it was anything but and so Anant & Chris's planned outdoor wedding went indoors.
Most of my clients are having what it is called a 'destination wedding' and Anant & Chris's France Rainbow Wedding (rainbow references coming shortly) was just that and as such, based over a number of days of which I attended two.
Day 01 was meeting. I'd already met Chris and his mom plus Bertie their wedding planner from Matthew Oliver Weddings, when they came out to France for a visit earlier this year. We then had a practice photoshoot in and around the chateau making the most of the slightly better weather than that predicted for their actual wedding day. Then it was off to nearby Chateau Gensac...
I've never visited Chateau Gensac before but driven past it countless times over the last 20 years but finally had the opportunity with Anant & Chris's wine tasting & tapas evening. It should have been outdoors and even could have been as the sun eventually came out in the late evening but it was a success regardless and the welcome was very warm by owner and host Jan.
And so to their wedding day itself. Indoors as already mentioned using the on-site chapel with amazing flowers by Veronique at Poesie d'un Jour. (Je t'enverrai des photos très bientôt, Véronique !) and ceremony conducted by Chris's Uncle plus cellist for both the ceremony & drinks reception, Graham Brown.
Rose petal confetti followed with drinks outside on the terrace under glowering but mostly dry skies with fabulous canapes by The Impeccable Chef, Jean-Marc.
The meal & speeches took place in the formal dining room which a few years back, was always a challenge as it used to be dark wood paneling but was painted off-white and transformed and now works really well.
Finally, the 'rave cave' was set up for dancing, but determined to do at least something outdoors, the first dances took place in the evening converted horse box bar area and the girls put on a Bollywood style flash mob dance which went down a storm.
I didn't mention the rainbow did I? The day prior, at our meeting, I'd suggested to Anant & Chris that post meal, but prior to first dance, if the opportunity allowed, we should do a few sunset 'golden hour' shots. It was mostly wishful thinking, but being positive etc... Well it happened. After a day of relentless grey (punctuated by the Indian colours) weather, right on cue, the sun burst through for approx 5 minutes. There were a few drops of rain and you can see those in the pics and the reward was not just those pics, but a fabulous rainbow.
Above, the slideshow production from Anant & Chris's wedding. I would advise going full screen and turning up the volume! I sometimes get asked, "where do you get your music choices from?" From the clients day is the answer! They are usually songs that were; walked in to, walked out with, first dances, surprise flash mobs etc...
Below, a series of highlight pics and the full gallery with international print ordering facility can be viewed by clicking here.
Thanks for trusting me Anant & Chris. I hope I did you proud. I think I did...
Rachel & Eoghan Wedding in South West France
https://vimeo.com/298343872
There are some wedding venues I can return to again and again and never get bored with the place. Castelnau des Fieumarcon near Lectoure in the Gers, South West France is such a place. It's not just the place, but the people that work there who make it all happen such as Anneli, Didier, Abby and Nick who run the venue and folks such as Amy who did all the floral work.
The first time I visited was around 5 years ago and at that time it immediately struck me that it was something a bit special. For one thing, how many entire hilltop villages set in a landscape of rolling hills referred to as 'France's Tuscany' do you know?!
It's a unique and special place and one I have the had the privilege of having visited and continue to visit, an average 3 times per annum.
And each time it's different. And that is another of the beauties of this place, - there are so many options in regard to where events take place.
Rachel & Eoghan's (try 'Owen', - it's Irish) wedding weekend began with an informal 'meet & greet' of drinks and pizza at the venues own mobile pizza van the evening prior. The sun shone until quite late as is quite common even in October in this small corner of South West France.
The wedding day dawned as equally sunny, but alas, it was not to last. I've had a good run this year, - a wet wedding in May but other than a few grey spells, it's been a glorious Summer pretty much all the way through. The turning point was mid-afternoon on this particular Saturday... Sunny for the chapel ceremony and exit, but clouded over for the first drinks reception.
We then moved up to the second drinks reception area and ready for the outdoor pre-dinner speeches and...yes, the wind picked up and kicked off a bit. It didn't really affect anything too much and the on-site team built a small stage and area for speeches and it all worked in our favour.
Then it was indoors for the meal and a couple more speeches plus the cake and dancing. Fabulous day for a great couple and some very lovely family and guests.
If you click this link here, you will be able to access the full international print ordering gallery.
Sarah & James at Le Chateau Charmant
https://vimeo.com/296858991
Another gorgeous late Summer/early Autumn day for Sarah & James's Le Chateau Charmant wedding. One of THREE weddings that they had!
Why 3? Well Sarah is British, James is American...though now has an Australian passport also and the couple live in Australia. So one wedding in Oz, one in France (in the middle) and one in the US.
This was my third and final visit of the year to this utterly charming chateau and the weather was kind enough for another fully outdoor wedding.
Expertly planned and organised by Amy at Marry Me In France, I don't think Sarah & James could have asked for a better weekend for their wedding in France.
The day prior got off to a mixed start with James's father taking a fall and causing himself a head injury, but was patched up at the local hospital and made it back just in time for an intimate dinner.
The day itself went without a hitch and the outdoor ceremony was conducted by James's aunt who is a nun. I was hoping for full Sister Act outfit, singing and dancing, or even just a bit of simple guitar playing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO7cD6qmydo but she played it straight. Ah well, some day...
Great, heartfelt speeches during the outdoor meal and a fabulous sparkler entrance to cake cutting and dancing concluded the day.
Full gallery including international print ordering facility available by clicking here.
Kirsten & Richard's Domaine de Blanche Fleur wedding
https://vimeo.com/295548785https://vimeo.com/297914789
Kirsten & Richard's Domaine de Blanche Fleur wedding took place at this beautifully converted former mill near Avignon, Provence.
Actually, the nearest location is Chateauneuf-de-Gadagne...but more people have heard of Avignon! Which is well worth a visit for a day if you can get around the terrible traffic. Arrive and leave by boat is your best bet!
It was Provence in September so you would expect great weather and so it was. Sunny for both the days that I was there, - for the 1/2 day prior at a pizza restaurant and on their actual wedding day.
This was my second visit to the venue having covered another wedding (3 days) there last year and it was great to be back in that part of the world.
Kirsten & Richard's ceremony took place outdoors and was conducted by Celia from The English Celebrant.
Drinks, canapes and a video diary room took place immediately after in the courtyard with the meal and speeches taking place in the orangerie with catering by Meffre Traiteur.
The evening was completed with a cake and cheese tower, both firework lit plus David from UK DJ's Abroad provided the music & entertainment.
A full international print ordering facility is available by clicking here.
Katrina & Adam's Chateau D'Urval Wedding
https://vimeo.com/293336935https://vimeo.com/291655444
Katrina & Adam's wedding took place at the historic Chateau D'Urval (previously known as Chateau de la Bourlie).
This historic venue is set in a beautiful landscape in the Dordgone region of France.
It was the 1st September and there was just the beginning of those first signs of Autumn. The leaves beginning to turn and slightly cooler mornings. But after an hour or so of sunshine, it's like full Summer.
And so it was for Katrina & Adam's big day.
The venue has just about completed a major architectural update internally and there are many fabulous rooms for guests and it's just a superb place for a wedding.
The wedding day began with bridal prep followed by an outdoor ceremony in the woodland at the end of the formal gardens.
A drinks reception with harpist and oyster bar followed and then meal & speeches in the courtyard and open air.
The day concluded inside for the dancing and gin bar. Pity I have to drive as the rhubarb & ginger was oh so tempting...
Click here for full gallery including international print ordering facility.
Anna & Sam Manoir Wedding France
https://vimeo.com/292114631https://vimeo.com/290636243
Anna & Sam's Manoir Wedding France took place on the 18th August at the little gem that is the Manoir de la Foulquetiere.
It's difficult to use a single word to describe any wedding day but the one I shall use for this is 'lively'!
The day began with the usual prep before an outdoor ceremony by the small lake conducted by the Rev. Hazel.
A signing then took place in the on-site chapel and then an extensive drinks reception with showcase 'live cooking' demos from the traiteur, Brossard whilst a couple entertained with accordion, guitar and voice. Very lively!
Then it was indoors for the wedding breakfast and speeches before heading back outside for open air dancing with one of France's best wedding bands, Rip It Encore.
And the sun shone all day.
A full gallery including international print ordering facility can be accessed by clicking here.
Laura & Paul's Fairytale Chateau Wedding
https://vimeo.com/284705613
It was another one of those days when the weather forecast did not look like the greatest...but was actually just fine.
Even August in the Dordogne sometimes gives us these wobbles!
Laura & Paul traveled from Northern Ireland (home country) via Bermuda (work & live country) to France and the 'Fairytale Chateau' for their wedding planned by Marry Me in France.
The ceremony took place within a line of trees and was the perfect spot with drinks reception, canapes and FOB speech on the lawn terrace that overlooks the Dordogne Valley.
The wedding breakfast and remaining speeches took place in the elegant barn with first dance and cake cutting outside in the inner courtyard.
Fabulous setting and a fabulous day for Laura & Paul and their guests.
Above is a 'Photo-Film' production which includes highlights from the speeches and below is a series of highlight pictures.
An international print ordering facility is available by clicking here.
Daniel & Stephen's Chateau Wedding France
https://vimeo.com/287234324https://vimeo.com/282487288
Daniel & Stephen's Chateau Wedding France
July 21st was the date. Chateau de Lisse the venue. Sunny was the weather.
We started the day prior with a 'meet & greet' and BBQ for guests arriving mostly from the UK. The weather wasn't ideal, but as above, for the main event, it was!
Daniel & Stephen got ready together along with their best men. The ceremony took place in the on-site chapel with a bespoke curtain kindly provided by a guest. There's a story there, but I don't full know it to tell it!
The drinks reception took place outside on the terrace accompanied by an accordion player and the meal & speeches also before moving into 'The Rave Cave' for the evening dancing.
As with all these stories, it's the pictures and productions that tell it best!
Above is a slideshow production and below, a series of highlight pics.
Flowers were by Faith at Le Coeur Sauvage
Celebrant Moira Stephen
Catering by Jean-Marc @ Chateau de Lisse
Full gallery with international print ordering facility available by clicking here.
Clare & Andrew's Le Chateau Charmant Wedding
https://vimeo.com/281426166
G'day. I didn't realise that Clare & Andrew were Aussies until I met them the day prior. A London address caused me to make assumptions. But upon meeting them, like 50% of the London, Aussies!
The location for this weekend's wedding was Le Chateau Charmant and was my second of three visits this year.
Last time round, it was mixed weather, starting wet but rapidly improving. Alas, it didn't improve enough early on for the planned outdoor ceremony & meal to take place, but no such issues for Clare & Andrew.
After our day prior meeting and practice photo-shoot, it was off to nearby Aubeterre-Sur-Drone for drinks & food at the Hotel de France, also familiar territory from previous weddings in the area.
So the wedding day itself. Wall to wall sunshine, as you'd expect, or at least hope for in July in SW France.
Planned and executed to perfection by Nathalie at Marry Me in France, both the ceremony & meal took place outdoors as planned.
All in all, a fabulous day mostly due to the fabulous people involved, clients, guests and suppliers.
Above is a slideshow highlights production and below a selection of those also. A full international print ordering gallery can be found by clicking here.
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 30th 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 
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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!!
