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Chateau de Lerse has to be one of my all-time favourite South of France wedding venues. The chateau itself is stunning, with huge windows and period features that make wedding morning photos exquisite. And then there's the outside space - a tree-lined avenue, charming stone tower and glassy lake.
Luckily for me, Chateau de Lerse was also where Katy and Shane chose for their July wedding planned by Abigail Wells - Davies. Here is the story of their day...
I arrived at Chateau de Lerse bright and early on the couple's wedding morning to capture the day from start to finish. This gave me plenty of time to photograph the stylish accessories Katy had chosen, including the most epic pair of silver shoes with mirrored heels!
Surrounded by aged gold mirrors and antique furniture, it was a glamorous start to their wedding day.
Katy and Shane married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony beside the old stone tower. This spot has stunning views down over the trees and lake - the perfect backdrop for your big moment.
The bridesmaids and flower girls, dressed in white, set off from the chateau on foot. The bride and her father travelled down the avenue in an open-top vintage car. I love it when my couples plan moments like these - it's the perfect opportunity for a moment of calm and encouragement ahead of your big entrance.
The couple kept their ceremony decorations simple but chic, letting their setting do all the talking. Blush pink, white and silver Art Deco-style honeycombs added style, as did the colour co-ordinated stash of parasols to provide guests with shade.
The sound of guitarists strumming away filled the air. It was the ultimate relaxed, romantic atmosphere, bathed in sunshine.
After the ceremony, a tempting array of drinks awaited guests at a beautifully styled station beneath a huge tree. The entire party then made their way back up the avenue to the courtyard at Chateau de Lerse for the reception.
A walk like this gives you the opportunity to greet all your guests, for them to congratulate you and for you to create your confetti shot without a more formal receiving line.
The location for Katy and Shane's outdoor wedding reception was in Chateau de Lerse's charming courtyard. The stretch tent canopy provides much-needed shade when the weather is as glorious as it was for this couple. It also means you don't have to worry about the chance of rain.
The courtyard is surrounded by majestic pillars on one side and charming stone walls and shutters on the others. Taper candles and strings of fairy lights cast the setting in a flickering, romantic glow. Katy and Shane also added a personal touch by suspending photo frames from the climbing vines on one wall of Chateau de Lerse.
During the celebrations, I snuck away with the couple and their bridal party for more photos. The chateau's turrets create a fun location for group shots, with people in windows at different levels.
However, when it came to the couple's pictures, one moment particularly stood out. We'd captured sun-bathed photos earlier in the day, but as the moon rose high in the sky, we ventured out for another shot. I pictured Katy and Shane by moonlight - the inky navy sky and bright moon created the most unforgettable background.
Meanwhile, the couple's guests were making the most of the dance floor, which was also placed beneath the stretch tent. The couple gifted guests sparklers - another twinkly photo moment I love - and created an uber-atmospheric, fairy light-strewn bar inside Chateau de Lerse.
Find inspiration from Katy and Shane's Chateau de Lerse wedding gallery.
Planning an outdoor wedding in the South of France? Take inspiration from Katy and Shane, whose Chateau de Lerse wedding was ultra-fun and ultra-stylish. Wedding Planner Abigail Wells -Davies.