Lauren & Lionel’s Dreamy Dove Grey & Blue Chateau Mas de Montet Wedding

One of the very best things about photographing love stories is meeting couples who really were destined to be together. Lionel and Lauren are one of those couples.
After crossing paths through a mutual love of music multiple times in their childhood, they became teenage sweethearts. College intervened and sent them in different directions, but not to be disrupted, fate flung Lauren and Lionel back together in Toronto, at the foot of the TD Tower… The rest, as they say, is history, and here is the story of their beautiful wedding day.

“Two years after we reunited, Lionel proposed to me at the very same spot we ran into each other – in front of the TD Tower. I said yes!” Lauren smiles.
“We love to travel and push our boundaries by seeing more of the world and experiencing more countries. Choosing a destination wedding meant our friends and family could expand their travel footprints, as well as us.”

Beth from Marry Me in France helped the couple to find a venue with room for their family to stay. “A Chateau Mas de Montet wedding ticked all the boxes and when we saw pictures of the place, we fell in love. The gardens and buildings look like something from a fairy-tale,” Lauren gushes.
“Beth also sent over a relatively extensive list of photographers but there was only ever one clear choice for us and that was Lydia! We wanted natural photos that weren’t too posed. We loved the way Lydia framed shots and captured the light. On the day, the experience was easy and fun. I don’t know how we are ever going to choose which photos to print!”
The bride looked stunning in a Mikaella dress with an elegant bateau neckline. Her groom wore a traditional morning suit for the ceremony before changing into a stylish tuxedo for the evening. With the bridesmaids in dove grey floor-length numbers and guests in black tie, they were a super stylish wedding party to photograph.

Lauren and Lionel decorated their Chateau Mas de Montet wedding in whimsical shades of dove grey, cornflower blue, gold and blush.
“We shared some pins with Beth from Marry Me in France and asked her to do the rest. It was perfect!”
As well as their wanderlust, one of the other reasons this couple chose France for their destination wedding was the food and wine. This inspired their wedding menu – and what a menu!

“Firstly, we started the day with a rolling crepe buffet before getting ready!” Lauren reveals. “Everyone complimented the food. Doing as the French do, we also opted for a chocolate hazelnut croquembouche for our wedding cake.”
I was thrilled to hear of Lauren and Lionel’s sparkler plans. The twinkling light and laughter of friends and family makes a sparkler photo one of the most naturally beautiful.
“Most photographers can capture the couple, but they don’t always capture the guests. I loved that Lydia put time and effort into doing both. Because I did not get to spend as much time with each person as I may have liked, I love that I have photos of them throughout the day that I will have forever,” recommends Lauren.

“It’s so hard to pick one favourite photo, they were all wonderful. I love the candid photos of our guests, seeing friends and family so happy. Likewise, the pictures of us with the sun shining through and one with Lionel spinning me around are truly amazing!”
If, like Lauren, you like the way I photograph weddings with a natural, friendly and above all fun approach (it is a party after all!), then please do get in touch and tell me all about your day.

Take inspiration from Lionel and Lauren’s perfect Chateau Mas de Montet wedding…
If you're planning a dreamy destination wedding in France, make this idyllic real-life Chateau Mas de Montet wedding your first stop for inspiration.