Aine & James - Chateau de la Ligne
At some point this Summer, I lost count, but this was Wedding Number X of this year’s season of 33 weddings.
It’s been a season like no other and though I used to shoot up to 40+ weddings back in the UK, those were almost always single days and mostly photo only.
These days, it’s rare if it’s a single day coverage (3 of 33 this year) and photo AND video (this year just one single photo only job).
This was multi-day coverage, photo and video and my first wedding at Chateau de la Ligne. I shot a music video here a few years back plus an ‘styled wedding’ last year, but this was the first real wedding.
The day prior was a ‘meet & greet’ day for Aine & James with guests mostly arriving from Ireland and Irish stew was an option from the buffet that evening.
Planned and organised by Laura from the French Wedding Company, the wedding day started somewhat hazy due to the two big forest fires happening at the time here in SW France in the Bordeaux area. By midday however, that could not compete with the strong SW Summer sun which blasted it’s way through to light up the day.
The car. We don’t get so many cars at weddings here in France because most weddings tend to be single venue events, but we had one here and it made an impact visually!
I could go on, but as usual, will let the visuals tell the story, something they can do better than my words…
If you were a guest at this wedding, click here to view the full gallery.
Hayley & Adam - Chateau Saint Martory
I love this place. I loved it the first time and even more after this second visit. There is something about it that is just right.
Well not just ‘some’ thing singular, but lot’s of things…
I like it’s location, the area, the proximity of the Pyrenees and the drama of the place. Especially from the air with the drone.
I like the fact that it’s very much suited to outdoor weddings as I prefer outdoor weddings full stop. You can keep your chapels and your barns and as nice as they can be, they do tend to be restrictive when it comes to creativity, quantity of light and quality of light. No, give me the great outdoors any time.
So Hayley & Adam’s Chateau Saint Martory wedding started the day prior and they usually do, with a welcome party at a nearby beer garden.
The wedding day itself took place of course at this fabulous chateau named after and in the village of Saint Martory set on the banks of the Garonne river.
Prep took place in the fairytale castle and ceremony in the shade of a line of trees followed by reception in the shade of the chateau. The meal and speeches took place…also in the (planned, - it’s all about the locations PLUS the timings!) shade in the courtyard with the dancing in the semi-outdoor barn area,
All in all, a great day and and fabulous wedding.
Pics below, Wedding Film above and if you were a guest at this wedding, you can access the full gallery by clicking here.
SUPPLIERS AT THIS WEDDING
VENUE = Chateau Saint Martory
HMU = Sarah Pearce
FLORIST = Claire Santelli
CELEBRANT = Weddings Words & Wishes
CATERER = La Brigade Traiteur
DJ = Matthew Morgan
Harriet & Tom - The Romantic Chateau
It’s not often that this happens, but 5 days later, I was back at the second wedding of the year at this venue.
I actually have 2 more visits later this year for a total of 4, but right now, we’re focused on Harriet & Tom’s big day.
This Marry Me In France planned wedding took place on a typical South West France hot Summer’s day.
According to the stats, the driest July on record for France since 1961!
Anyway, fantastic day and as with the best weddings, doesn’t really need many…if any words to describe the event, - simply watch the video and look at the pics!
If you were a guest at this wedding, then you can access the full gallery by clicking here.
THE ‘TWO SAMS’ WEDDING
Samantha and Samuel to be precise.
This one took place at ‘The Romantic Chateau’ in the Lot-Et-Garonne region of SW France and was planned & organised by Kate from French Touch for Marry Me In France.
I have captured I think either 4 or 5 weddings at the place previously but had not been there for about 3 years…and then I had 2 weddings at the venue with just 3 days between them!
I’m back there in Sep and similar scenario, 2 back to back weddings. I might even get to see the first lot leaving as the next lot arrive…
Anyway, the wedding of the Two Sams began with an informal welcome meet & greet at a place in the square of the uber-picturesque Monflanquin a couple of kilometres up the road.
I have mixed feelings about ‘off-site’ welcome meet & greets because they can either be great…or a complete disaster. Primarily from a visual/capture viewpoint. I have been to many that took place in a cramped indoor environment that was meant to be exclusive/private (but was not), poor service, endless issues over food and drink orders and the key to these things is twofold:
1: OUTDOORS
2: Adequate space
This place worked and made for a great photo & video opportunity but the main point being they enjoyed it.
The wedding day itself all took place on site with chapel ceremony, drinks reception outdoors, meal speeches in the barn, dancing outdoors.
It was a pretty lively event with some real characters and atmosphere as the results will hopefully convey.
If you were a guest at this wedding, you can click here to access the full international print order gallery.
ROSE & WILL - CHATEAU DE GOUDOURVILLE
This was my second visit to this dramatic hilltop chateau.
A REAL fortified chateau and not a large house or collection of gites calling itself a castle.
You could fight off the English or French from this place during the 100 Years War…and they probably did.
But anyway, there wasn’t any fighting going on at Rose & Will’s wedding a couple of weeks back. At least not whilst I was there.
Once again, we had the all too often forecast for storms and potential rain and once again, it did not happen.
The wind did pick up at one point and there was even a few drops, but nothing but some blown over menus on the tables.
Which was good as this was planned as an outdoor wedding.
The weekend began with a BBQ the evening prior and some of the results from that plus a good look at the venue now follows:
THE WEDDING DAY
So the forecast was a bit mixed and an entirely outdoor wedding had been planned.
Fortunately all of it did take place outdoors except for the dancing which had to be move indoors (but shhh, was probably all the better for it as the great hall was a great setting for this part of the day, so actually a good move regardless of weather forecasts!).
But before that, of course there were preparations, a ceremony, drinks reception, meal & speeches.
The ceremony took place in the moat with the triple arched bridge as a backdrop and was conducted by friend and stuntman, Dave.
Drinks took place within the ‘internal’ 3 sided courtyard and meal on the ‘rear’ South/West facing terrace.
Dancing as above, indoors.
As always, the pics can tell a better story than I can.
If you were a guest at this wedding, click here to access the full gallery, these pics here are just a snapshot.
Credited supplier list at the bottom of the page.
SUPPLIERS AT THIS WEDDING
VENUE = Chateau de Goudourville
HMU = Laura Cawte
FLOWERS = Jenny Fairbanks
HIRE = Our Fabulous Things
BAND = Vital Signs via Fix The Music
BELLA & PETE - CHATEAU DE CLAUZADE
It wasn’t my first visit to Chateau de Clauzade, that took place last year when weddings were not happening in France so some of us were making the best of things in other ways. Such as this ‘styled shoot’: Chateau de Clauzade Styled Shoot.
But almost 1 year later to the day, Bella & Pete’s (real!) wedding took place. Unlike so many others this year that have been or are postponed weddings from ‘21 or even ‘20, this was a scheduled one.
The forecast wasn’t great. So often, at the start of the week prior to any weekend wedding, the meteo predicts storms and rain for the Saturday. By the time we get close, the risk has (usually) diminished. There was still a threat later on, but it didn’t happen, but during the ceremony we had the lightest of showers at the one time of the day when ZERO rain was predicted. The weather eh…
The wedding weekend kicked off with a relaxed BBQ ‘welcome party’ on the side lawn of the chateau hosted by Bella & Pete and I love attending these things because it makes all the difference between being on the inside of any couple’s wedding.
Here are a few pics from that…
The Wedding Day itself… Well as above, the forecast had not been looking great but had improved in outlook sufficiently for at least the ceremony to take place outdoors.
Sadly the meal itself had to be moved indoors. Not because it rained (because it didn’t) but the risk factor was too high. It’s a great barn, but one of the reasons most couples plan a wedding in France is to have a near total, if not total, outdoor wedding. One out of two due to circumstances wasn’t too bad at least.
The ceremony itself was conducted by Pete’s dad and despite a couple of drops of rain, went well and ended as planned with the confetti canons fired in perfect symmetry.
Prep & Ceremony pics as follows:
And then, as is traditional, a drinks reception / cocktail hour followed with champagne & canapes on the side lawn, with a handful of formal pics and a short bride & groom only session.
Live music makes a MASSIVE difference at any wedding and at Bella & Pete’s wedding we had Tom Smith and his band Tomorrow doing a live acoustic set.
And onto the final chapter of the day, - the meal, speeches, dancing, macarons…
Below the pics is a list of all those who made this wedding happen but if you were a guest at this wedding and have the password, click here to go to the full gallery of over 500 images.
Supplier List
Photo & Video = me, obviously
Planner = Sam from Oui Ici
Venue = Chateau de Clauzade
MUA = Linzi from Skin23
Hair = Tina Thorpe
Florals = Fleurs et Nature
Caterer = Eric Leclerc
Toons = Tom Smith
Hire = Our Fabulous Things
Jenn & Phil - LES JARDINS DE COURSIANA
22 years ago, my career in the wedding industry began.
22 years ago, my father took early retirement and moved to the beautiful Gers village of La Romieu in SW France
A couple of days ago, Jenn & Phil’s wedding took place at this fabulous place I have wanted to shoot a wedding for a looooooong time.
It did not disappoint…
The event kicked off at the family owned (Jenn’s aunt) Le Camp de Florence with poolside terrace evening ‘meet & greet’.
Here are a few highlight pics from that…
The wedding day itself started at Florence at Jenn’s aunts house for the girls prep and nearby mobile home for the boys.
Hair was by Annie Salmon and make up was by Deb Stewart.
On to the ceremony (followed by reception) at Les Jardins de Coursiana.
The site chosen for the ceremony was a beautiful shaded spot under a large oak tree with a view of the ornamental lake.
Floristry by Amy Tyman and the ceremony itself was conducted by one of the best men.
And then…?? Drinks reception/cocktail hour/vin d’honneur of course!
A relaxed, well shaded reception under the vast canopy attached to the party barn with plenty of Aperol Spritz!
And to conclude, dinner, speeches and dancing with…
Catering by Delicieux
Band The Sabres
Planning & Organisation by Abby at La Boutique Event
Finally, if you were a guest at this wedding, click here to access the full gallery!
LAUREN & RAJ - THE COURTYARD CHATEAU
It was a welcome return of sunshine and blue skies for the entire 3 day weekend that was Lauren & Raj’s wedding at ‘The Courtyard Chateau’.
The event kicked off with a welcome ‘meet & greet’ pizza party complete with vintage style van and the most delicious pizza. Beer, rose, etc…
Regarding the wedding day itself, the bride Lauren got ready at a gite around 10 mins away and made a grand entrance in a black Jaguar with her dad and bridesmaids.
The ceremony itself took place on a sloping lawn within the shade of two huge pine trees and was conducted (a complete surprise to most!) by one of the groomsmen.
Afterwards, the guests were entertained by a roaming jazz band who again, were a complete surprise to most as they suddenly appeared out of the small chapel on the rear lawn just after L&J had poured a champagne tower.
The meal took place within the courtyard back at the front of the chateau followed by cake cutting (M&S fave, ‘Colin The Caterpiller’!) and then danced the rest of the evening away to a live band.
Day 03 was as these things usually are, a much more relaxed affair with some chilling by the bar, music courtesy of the several guest/DJ’s, some water sports and a hosted BBQ.
Great wedding, great people (usually are!) and a great vibe. The pics and video below as always can tell a better story than my words…
This wedding was planned & organised by Marry Me in France and if you were a guest at the wedding, feel free to click here to access the full gallery.
SHANNON & MARK - CHATEAU DE SYAM
Well, where to start with this one other than “wow”.
Wow part of France, venue, couple, friends & family…entire wedding day.
I met Shannon & Mark for the first time, the day prior to their wedding at Chateau de Syam in the Jura region of North East France, close to The Alps.
That’s normal and Mark made me laugh by being happy I’d actually turned up.
Shannon had previously made me laugh when I read on the wedding day questionnaire/timesheet, “…just hoping to at least get a few great shots that we can look back at and cherish”.
I did indeed turn up and I think we got a bit more than “a few great” shots even if I say so myself!
I have a thing for mountains and trees though I don’t tend to get enough time with either (note to self to fix that) and I do like a good road trip wedding.
Never having visited the region before, I was very much looking forward to it but decided to take the train and not drive. Bad idea, won’t be doing that again. The logistics of it were too much. And I came back with a cough/cold that had to be down to the 7 trains, 1 tram, 1 bus, 3 shuttle buses, train stations, airport terminals (car hire at the other end). But enough about my travels and travails…
The Chateau de Syam. Also know as ‘La Villa Palladienne’. Not actually designed by, but inspired by Andrea Palladio (I studied architecture the second time I went to university and was a big fan of his style) is gorgeous building built with strict symmetry. The fact that the place is available as accommodation is pretty special. In fact, it’s one of those places that are so special, I don’t know if I’d want to go back…
Why? Because whereas with most other places, I can go back time and time again and see it and capture it differently, I’m not sure what more we could have done better than the day Shannon & Mark had. It’s almost like a ‘bucket list’ place for a photographer/videographer. Chateau de Syam, utterly gorgeous, check!
Probably it’s just one of those places I will never have another enquiry for over the rest of my career. It happens like that sometimes.
And the wedding day itself, - words don’t tend to fully do justice to these things as it’s a visual story so I’ll let the video and a few highlight pictures do that for me.
There’s a supplier list further down and a link to the full gallery, otherwise, enjoy.
To conclude, if you were a guest, you might like to click here to access the full gallery which has a secure, international print order facility.
Otherwise, here’s a list of a few people that were involved:
THE VENUE Chateau de Syam
HMU Evie Smith
FLORIST Alexandra Rousselet
CATERING Maison Ramel
DJ Prodij_fr
LA CANNONERIE - LINDSEY & PHIL
Wedding 5/33 of the 2022 season was that of Lindsey & Phil.
Another postponement from what should have been the 2021 wedding season (I have already attended more wedding in the last 5 weeks than I did in the last 2 years ‘thanks’ to Covid…) finally happened.
A little smaller than originally planned, but the sun shone almost all day. Almost because it darkened and there was even the smallest of sprinkles during the meal, but they were in the loggia so probably didn’t even notice…
This was my first visit to the venue and it’s a great set up for the smaller/mid size wedding with wet weather options (that some venues do not have!) and a beautiful region with lot’s to see and do.
There were a lot of other ‘firsts’ at this wedding… First time at the venue, the planner, the celebrant, the pianist/DJ and there’s a full supplier list further down plus link to the full gallery.
But next, pics:
If you were a guest at this wedding and have been given the password, then click here to access the full gallery!
*
SUPPLIER LIST
Wedding Planner = Julia Hatton
Venue = La Cannonerie
Florist = Fairy Fleur
Caterers = Lovage & Pumpernickel
Cake = Invitation au Delice
Celebrant = Gaynor
Hire = Our Fabulous Things
Piano / DJ = Brian Sanders
ESTHER & ROBYN - CHATEAU RIGAUD
After nearly 3 years, it was a welcome return visit to Chateau Rigaud in the Charente region.
Unfortunately, it being April, the weather was not exactly playing ball and I had a repeat of my last visit. That’s not my fault, honest…and I can honestly say that about 8 days out of 10 when the weather forecast isn’t so great for any given wedding day, it usually is when I am there. That I will take credit for. There’s only one o in good ;)
So yes, we didn’t have the greatest weather for Esther & Robyn’s wedding at Rigaud, but wasn’t a total wash out by any means. Rather it was an indoor and under cover kind of day.
That’s the wedding day itself. I was there for the best parts of 3 days with Day 01 kicking off with an afternoon ceremony rehearsal and then off to nearby Chateau Destinee on the banks of the Dordogne for a ‘welcome party’.
Some of the highlights from that can be viewed below…
DAY 02 - WEDDING DAY
Il pleut. It is April and Esther & Robyn live in Dublin so maybe, just maybe, they brought the Irish weather with them…?!
Rain doesn’t stop play however and there was a lot of play at Chateau Rigaud not just on the wedding day but all weekend.
A quick mention in regard to Rigaud itself. I can say with 100% integrity that I have never been to such a well run place. It was the same on my last visit. A guest drops a glass on the floor. A member of the team is nearby and there is a dustpan & brush hanging nearby. It’s cleared in moments. It’s that kind of place.
The staff buzz/glide around and everyone knows their task. And the food… The whole place runs like clockwork and it may only have been my second visit (and hopefully not last), but it cannot be coincidence. Thumbs up.
Esther & Robyn’s wedding then. Two brides, two sets of ‘Brides Men’. Two prep set ups to cover, photo and video but I think I managed OK.
The candlelit ceremony took place in the barn and was conducted by friend Tadhg, pronounced Tige, like Tiger but without the 'r'. (I asked)
Gin, oysters and sausages with a couple of speeches in the gazebo overlooking the meadow and then back to the barn which had been turned around to be even more magical for the evening.
More pics and video below and then we’ll get to Day 03.
DAY O3 - ROSE ALL DAY (& SUNDAY LUNCH)
And breathe. I love attending the Sunday morning after. Though it tends to be less morning and more afternoon.
Whether it be a buffet lunch like this or a slightly wilder pool party, there’s always a great chilled vibe going on that completes the event.
As with so many things ‘Rigaud’, it was very food-centred again and that’s a good thing as this is a place you come to if you want a culinary experience. And great service.
And then the sun started to come out just as I had to leave…but again, that was nothing to do with me!
If you were a guest at this wedding, then you can click this link to get access to the full gallery.
CREDITS
Venue = Chateau Rigaud
Planner = ‘in house’
Florist = ‘in house’
Celebrant = ‘a friend’
Catering = ‘in house’
I’m struggling here…!!
Hair & MUA = Laura Cawte
DJ = Damien Keys
CHATEAU DE MALLIAC - SASCHA & HENRY
Sascha & Henry’s Chateau de Malliac finally happened 533 days after it should have originally taken place due to Covid on a beautifully sunny 3 day Easter weekend in SW France
Well, here we go with 2/33 of the 2022 wedding season here in France, with this super-sunny Easter weekend wedding of Sascha & Henry.
Delayed (twice) for a total of I think, 533 days, we got there in the end!
And what a weekend. I say ‘weekend’, but like so many of the weddings I attend, multi-day coverage is the norm and this one was 3 days, so Fri-Sun.
This one started off with a ceremony rehearsal at the venue, Chateau de Malliac, one of the finest ‘all round’ places to get married in SW France.
It has numerous outdoor options for ceremonies, receptions and eating plus a HUGE barn that can accommodate/seat, maybe 250+?
To start this one off visually, below is a highlights film from Day 01 with a ‘welcome party’ that took place in the nearby village of Montreal-du-Gers, plus a few highlight images. (There is a link by the way further down to the full gallery that has around 1000 images in it!).
WEDDING DAY
The main event.
The forecast was good for the entire duration, peaking around the low/mid 20’s (that’s Celsius to my American readers!) which isn’t bad for mid-April. The sun was pretty strong actually, deceptively so.
The ceremony itself took place outdoors, as most ceremonies in France do, in the shade of a huge pine tree on the front lawn with some gorgeous florals. (Credits and links to suppliers lower down this page).
A drinks reception on the from terrace followed with live music from one of the best party bands. Ever. Live music is a near-essential for any wedding and adds (creates even) an atmosphere that otherwise does not exist. As with so many things, weddings are a combination of elements that make up the whole.
Eating was outdoors…which if possible, is again a ‘must’ for a wedding in SW France. The ambience of the courtyard setting at Chateau de Malliac is the stuff dreams are made of.
And then it was off to the dancing, following the ‘Matt Young way’, - a jam jar candlelit walk way which was a tribute to someone who should have been a guest, but sadly passed away just a few months prior to Sascha & Henry’s wedding.
The Band. What a band. I see a lot of bands and some are better than others. Then there are those who lead the party. There’s a link below if you’re planning your own wedding and are interested in one of The ultimate party bands.
As usual, there’s a highlight film below from the wedding day only and a selection of pics…but after that, we’re not done because there’s Day 03!
DAY 03
Easter Sunday. BBQ, beers and a cricket match.
Very British! But in France…
It’s rare that I attend a wedding these days that isn’t absolutely dripping with atmosphere and lovely people. It’s why I do this.
To conclude this post and before I get to the credits, I would just like to share a few words from Sascha & Henry that they took the time to write the very next day…
Simon
We can’t thank you enough for this weekend. You were an absolute star and went above and beyond the original brief (and then some more!). We are so pleased to have you as part of our day and can’t wait to see the photos/footage - we just know it will be perfect. No rush whatsoever - we’re off to sleep for a few days anyway…!
All the best
Henry & Sascha
Click the link here to S&H’s FULL gallery!
CREDITS
Venue = Chateau de Malliac
Planner = Julie at Mariage en Gascogne
Florist & Hire = Jenny at Our Fabulous Things
Hair = Perrine & Aurore at Changez d’Air
MUA = Cyrillia Deyre
Celebrant = Natalie at Celebrants in France
Bar = L’Alamboutic
Cake = Ilham les Gourmandises
Band = Fix The Music
DJ = Damien Keys
CHATEAU D’OCHE - DANIELLE & RICHARD
Danielle & Richard’s wedding FINALLY took place like so many, postponed from 2021 and took place in April at Chateau D’Oche.
Finally, FINALLY, the 2022 wedding season gets under way…
And not just the new wedding season, but finally Danielle & Richard get to have their wedding in France.
Postponed from what should have been Summer last year plus a different (and new to me) venue at the fabulous Chateau D’Oche, this early April wedding kicked off my season.
The weather forecast was looking a little grim up to a few days prior and indeed, it wasn’t exactly great the day prior with D&R’s welcome pizza party.
But the wedding day itself, dry from start to finish and mostly sunny all day long after a bit of a misty start. But it was cold! Like sub 10 degrees C cold which in itself is hardly ‘freezing’ but for an outdoor ceremony and drinks reception, it was a tad chilly.
Also it was a my first ‘military wedding’ in France. I used to get quite a few back in the day back in the UK, but think this was my first actual ‘in uniform’ wedding in France?
All in all, a great start to the season with a great bunch of people; couple, guests and suppliers (list below).
If you were a guest at this wedding and have the password, you can click here for a link to the full gallery as the pics below are just a small number of highlights.
CREDITS
Venue: Chateau D’Oche
Planner: Julie Francis
Florist: Mrs Whiterose
Makeup Artist: Skin23
Hair: Amanda Drew
Dress: Suzanne Neville from Carina Baverstock Couture
Grooms Suit: Courtesy of the British Army
Celebrant: Leslie Mitchell
Caterer: Lovage & Pumpernickel
Toons: Truly Medly Deeply
THE Pizza Man: Chris Thompson
Helena & Ben - Chateau du Puits Es Pratx
Helena & Ben - Chateau du Puits Es Pratx
And so endeth the season after 5 weddings...
Up until about 1 month ago, it was only going to be 4 (instead of what should have been 30), but then Helena & Ben came along 'last minute' and it was 5.
So 'The Season' this year lasted an entire 6 weeks. And that was it. But still, 5 weddings was better than 0 weddings!
This was a new venue for me, Chateau du Puits es Pratx over near Narbonne in the Languedoc.
Apparently it's on a UK TV show called 'Chateau DIY'?!
Day 01 was welcome drinks, a Mediterranean style buffet meal and then a quiz.
Day 02 was the wedding itself at the local church in Ginestas and then back at the chateau for the rest of the day.
Day 03 was a BBQ and some farewells for some of the guests.
This is a really well run family venture with Tim & Luke (the future son in law) acting as front of house, Sasha floristry and daughter Lily the chef.
My DJ sidekick for all 3 days, the one, the only, James, British DJ in France.
If you were a guest and have the password, there's a full set of images here with an international print order facility.
Below, Helena & Ben's Wedding Film plus a selection of highlight images.
Enjoy.
https://vimeo.com/637462898
Sam & Ben - Bordeaux Wedding
Sam & Ben - Bordeaux Wedding
Last weekend it was back to Chateau Sentout near to Bordeaux for the 4th of 5 weddings in this very abbreviated 'season'.
Back, because 2 of this year's 5 weddings, ie, 40% of all weddings this year, will have been at this venue.
It was a very different scenario this time...
Irish instead of Americans.
Wet/grey instead of sunshine.
Different locations at the venue.
Same planner however! Nicole from Pure Expression Events.
So the weather... Does a wet/grey day change things much?
Well a little because the colour suffers a little because of the lack of light and the overall options become more limited, but none of that stops anyone from having a great time.
And that's what Sam & Ben and all their guests had.
OK, Sam's sister couldn't make the wedding in person, but made not one, but two guest appearances in other formats!
As to the rest of it, I'm going to let the video and pictures tell the story...
If you were a guest at the wedding and have the password, you can click here to access the full gallery.
Enjoy.
https://vimeo.com/628347933
Catherine & Hugh - Chateau Plombis Wedding
CATHERINE & HUGH - CHATEAU PLOMBIS WEDDING
Wedding 3 of 4...possibly 5 of this somewhat curtailed season, was that of Cat & Hugh.
This was my first actual visit to Chateau Plombis, though several visits should have previously happened in both '20 and '21.
Well I'm going to look forward to going back as I loved the place, it's a really great set up.
Worst case scenario (ie, wet weather), it has options, but ultimately it's a great outdoor wedding venue which is the main reason folks choose to have a wedding in France right?
At one stage a week prior, it looked like a Plan B was going to need to be enabled because the forecast looked dreadful.
It then picked up. It then flip flopped for a few days to the point where it really was 50:50 for the day prior, the Friday, but the Sat & Sun were looking good.
And that is exactly what happened... Friday was very much a case of 50:50 weather but the next 2 days were perfect.
This is my thing; multi-day and hybrid coverage, ie, photo AND video.
That's what I did here.
One day, when I retire or there are enough people offering similar, maybe I'll talk more about just how I manage this, but for now, let's just say the proof is in the pudding.
Puddings below, split into 3.
Day 01, Day 02, Day 03.
Let's start with Day 01 as I'm a chronological kind of guy...
Meet & greet welcome drinks party at La Cage Aux Oiseaux at Montjoi, a village on a hill that can be seen the ceremony woodland area at Plombis.
It was a bit wet to start and got dark quite quickly, but at least dried up enough for some boules.
Film below and then some pics.
https://vimeo.com/606491923
Day 02 - The Wedding Day
The planner for this wedding was Jo from The Impeccable Pear.
The caterer was Jo's husband, Jean-Marc, Le Chef Impeccable.
I have done to date 15+ weddings with this team so we know each other quite well.
Floral stuff was by Jo's right hand woman, Victoria.
Make-up was by friend Alana Campbell.
Hair by Nikki Treacy.
Evening DJ & Band, The Fusion Girls.
The bit I loved most about this wedding/day was the outdoor eating under the stars, both real and artificial.
Another film and some more pics below...
https://vimeo.com/606543966
Day 03 - POOL PARTY!
A pretty relaxed, chilled affair as these things tend to be.
A lunch of pulled pork, grilled chicken, salads etc and whatever gin was left over from the nigh before.
Plus Aperol. You have to have Aperol if it's a wedding in France. It's de rigeur. Which is also French.
I then slipped away quietly, some time around mid afternoon back to the real world of downloading and editing monumental amounts of photography and video.
Such is my life...
Final film and pics to conclude:
https://vimeo.com/606567509
Mia & Teddy - The Historic Chateau Wedding
Mia & Teddy - The Historic Chateau Wedding
After so much time off and only one wedding prior to this one this season, I wondered if the old skills might be a bit rusty...
"We just want good photos", is something Teddy said to me before the wedding.
"Are you having a good enough time?" is one of Teddy's phrases...
No, not rusty. At all. Are these photos 'good enough' for you Teddy?
M&T's wedding started as pretty much all my weddings in France do and that is the day prior.
It's worth mentioning that this wedding should have happened July last year, but 'You Know What' got in the way and...well, it happened this August instead.
Anyway, back to the day prior... There is no better way for me to achieve results on the wedding day than be there the day prior.
I may even have helped siting the place of the ceremony...but can't confirm or deny that bit of information.
Day prior, stick with the day prior man!
What happened the day prior?
Just some of the usual stuff starting with catching up again after M&T visited my office back in November 2019 after booking earlier in the year.
Candid drinks & nibbles prior to a sit down but informal meal for around 25 of their nearest & dearest.
We took the opp. to do a practice shoot also which ensures 1 of 3 things; quicker session on the wedding day, or better session on the wedding day, or a quicker AND better session on the wedding day.
There's a PhotoFilm and a set of highlight pics below and then we'll get to the wedding day itself...
https://vimeo.com/601123260
The wedding day. The main event...
Wow. Just wow.
I shot either my 2nd or 3rd ever wedding here at this place back in I think 2010?
My bride for that one, Kat, still follows me on Instagram...
I've said this before and I will without question say it again in the future, but there are days and then there are DAYS.
This one was a DAY.
Faultless?
I'm 'Mr Attention To Detail' and very difficult to please...or rather, I do all in my power to quietly make things happen behind the scenes, swan about the day like, well a swan (furiously pedalling below the surface. Swans 'pedal' right?) and this day planned and organised by Sue at Marry Me In France with assistance from Lea at the chateau, just went like the dream day it was for M&T and for me to capture.
Of course it was more than that as many others were involved, especially on the day and I can't actually name them, but if you like anything you see, then contact Marry Me In France about them planning your future wedding.
Planets aligned, the fat lady sang from dawn to dusk. Well, from around 10am to 11pm which was how long I was there for.
There's no point in me saying anything else, - the 'evidence' is all down below.
If you were a guest at this wedding and have been given the password, you can access the full gallery by clicking here.
Alexis & Michael - Chateau Sentout Wedding
Alexis & Michael - Chateau Sentout Wedding
AN ACTUAL WEDDING IN 2021!!!!!
YES, I'M SHOUTING!!!!!
You will probably have no idea what it means to actually be back at work after just 1 wedding attended in nearly 23 months thanks to 'you know what'.
The financial aspect has been tough...really tough, but what has hurt the most has been the lack of creativity.
And having to go through 50+ weddings either postponing or cancelling outright.
But enough of that negative stuff, - this was the first of 4 weddings that remain for what is the 2021 wedding season in France.
And what a wedding...
I am typically booked for two things:
A: multi-day coverage (in this case 3) and
B: hybrid coverage (ie, photo AND video).
Alexis & Michael's wedding planned by Nicole T from Pure Expressions Events covered off all those bases with;
Day 01 = Welcome BBQ at Chateau Sentout, not so far from Bordeaux.
Day 02 = A full day wine tasting at a vineyard close to St Emilion and then lunch/free time in St Emilion itself.
Day 03 = The wedding day itself at Chateau Sentout.
Below, A&M's Wedding Film:
Day 02 was a full day outing to a Grand Cru boutique wine producer just outside Saint Emilion.
I fell asleep on the bus. Both ways. This is normal for me with buses, trains and planes and cars (if a passenger).
After a tour of the facility it was onto what most came for, the actual tasting and it must have been good because a lot of purchases were made.
It was good full stop, but my budget doesn't quite stretch to Grand Cru wines and I'm more of a gin man anyway.
Then it was onto and into Saint Emilion itself, the 'wine capital' of the region and a stunning place to visit.
Here's a short film that covers these two days prior to the main event:
https://vimeo.com/600300442
Day 03, the actual wedding day itself.
Nothing 'overly fancy' but more a simple close family & friends affair.
No bridesmaids, no best man or groomsmen, a ceremony conducted by a friend, good food and just a relaxed, sophisticated yet not complicated day which complemented Alexis & Michael's style.
These are the days and weddings and clients I live for, the days when I don't wish or want to leave.
Thanks to A&M, your family and friends for the warmest of welcomes and letting me into the heart of your wedding in France.
I hope...and think, I did it justice!
If you were a guest and have been given the password to the full gallery, you can access that by clicking here.
Credit where credit is due...
FLORIST: Atelier SeptembreHair & Make-up: MC Hair & Make-upCaterer: Laeco TraiteurDJ: Muchas Matthias
CHATEAU GENSAC...NOT A WEDDING
Well weddings have been, as it was in 2020, somewhat short in supply.
Since October 2019, at the time of writing, I have attended just 1 and had postponed or cancelled, another 45.
These are unimaginable numbers just 16+ months ago.
But I digress and today am showcasing something that different and that is, 'Chateau Gensac...Not A Wedding'.
Instead, it's their inaugural Summer fete. Or party in English would be the closest word, but we might call it a 'country fair'?
Actually, the closest term would probably be the Anglo-French 'country fete'.
Whatever we call it, it was a great day.
Well planned, well executed and well attended.
4 food trucks ranging from burgers to typical French fayre, through lighter bites to handmade ice cream.
Gensac themselves provided wine-tasting from their wide range, plus another of their specialities, armagnac.
For those not in the know, armagnac is the local 'brandy' particular to the Gascony region and specifically, the Gers.
There was also a horse show plus guided tours of both the stables and the wine/armagnac production facility.
A live band provided the music and the kids were entertained with a bouncy castle and face painting.
I just snapped away in my element. Not that different to a wedding really except there wasn't anyone as a focal point in a white frock.
Below are the highlight results; 2 short films and a series of pics.
Enjoy.
https://vimeo.com/577528334https://vimeo.com/577975003
CHATEAU NAUDOU WEDDING EDITORIAL SHOOT
This Chateau Naudou Wedding Editorial Shoot should have been the first of six.
But the weather forecast for the scheduled weekend put paid to that, so we bumped it a few weeks into the future and it became the sixth.
That wasn't such a bad move because it meant that some of what had been learned on the previous five shoots could be applied.
It was a glorious sunny day, but we knew we were against the clock with this one with a big storm scheduled any time from 8pm.
It did not actually materialise until around 9.30pm but it did prevent any real evening 'after dark' coverage.
As is the case with all of these type of things, just as it is with a real wedding, these are collaborations involving a number of people and businesses.
The full list of who was involved is below the pics but essentially this was shoot arranged by Jo at The Impeccable Pear and Victoria at The Impeccable Pear Floral Design.
Jo's oldest son Oliver stepped in to be 'The Groom' with her daughter Evie taking the role of 'The Bridesmaid'.
Our 'Bride' for the day was Tiffany and none of them have had any modelling experience before so well done to them all...because it's not easy!
Essentially this was a photoshoot from my perspective, but I also captured a series of video vignettes including some drone footage.
I'm now looking forward to shooting a real wedding at the venue, Chateau Naudou and that should have been this year but will now be 2022.
https://vimeo.com/569760323/013eae0cd3https://vimeo.com/569757755/75ad92b371https://vimeo.com/569754535/105a42d630
THE TEAM
VENUE: Chateau Naudou
PLANNER: Jo @ The Impeccable Pear
STYLING & PROPS: Victoria @ The Impeccable Pear Floral Design
MODELS: Tiffany, Oliver, Evie
MUA: Kelly @ Kelly Hayman Makeup
JEWELLERY: Maison Mimi
CAKE: Betty @ Betty's Cakes France
CELEBRANT: Natalie @ Paris Celebrant
A couple of other recent 'Editorial Wedding Shoots' can be seen by using either of the links below: