Some weddings are lovely. Some weddings are a party. And then some weddings are an Irish family based in Dubai flying half the world into the Dordogne countryside and absolutely refusing to do anything by halves. This was one of those. The bride knew exactly what she wanted When Áine first got in touch, she was very clear. She wanted her photographs to match the venue, all glamour and drama, big skies, sweeping staircases, the works. What she didn't mention on the call was that she's also one of the funniest brides I've ever photographed, which frankly should be listed as a venue feature. Château de la Valouze was made for a bride like this. It's the kind of place that makes you stand up a bit straighter when you walk in, and Áine treated it less like a backdrop and more like a co-star. Iconic. Walking in to Pink Pony Club Now. Ceremony entrances. You've got your classic string quartets, your Canon in D, your tasteful acoustic covers. Áine walked in to Pink Pony Club. Reader, the reaction. Her sisters were up front as bridesmaids, already grinning before the doors even opened because of course they knew, and the moment everyone else clocked what was playing, the whole room just went. I don't know how you photograph pure joy, but I gave it a very good go. If you're planning your own entrance and worrying about whether your song is "wedding appropriate," let this be your sign. The right song is the one that makes your guests laugh, cry and reach for their phones all at once. A crowd that came to celebrate This wasn't a wedding where guests politely nibbled canapés and checked their watches. People had flown in from Dubai, from Ireland, from all over, and they arrived ready. The sun was out, the drinks were flowing, the live music was going, and somewhere in the middle of it all were two families who clearly adore each other having the absolute time of their lives. That's the thing about big Irish families. You don't photograph them so much as try to keep up with them. Every time I turned around there was another moment happening, someone howling with laughter, someone mid toast, someone dragging someone else onto the dance floor. My kind of wedding, in other words. Why destination weddings in the Dordogne work so well Weddings like Áine's are exactly why couples choose South West France. You get the château, the sunshine and the space to have everyone you love in one place for more than just a single afternoon. When your guests have travelled from three continents, the celebration stretches out, the pressure comes off, and what you're left with is a proper gathering rather than a timetable. And for me, it means photographs full of real moments. Not stiff line ups on a rainy lawn, but people who are genuinely delighted to be there, golden light, and a bride who walked into her own wedding to Pink Pony Club. Áine, you were an absolute dream. Thank you for the glamour, the drama and the laughing until my camera shook.

Some days are just different You wake up and the sky is already doing something unreasonable — that shameless, saturated blue that only happens in South West France in high summer, the kind that makes everything feel slightly too beautiful to be entirely real. I've photographed weddings all across the Dordogne and Périgord for years now, and there are days, not every day, but certain days when every element conspires together so perfectly that you find yourself stealing moments between shots just to stand still and absorb it. This was one of those days. Domaine Léotardie https://laleotardie.com/ in summer. A couple completely and utterly in love. The best collection of people I've had the pleasure of photographing together in a very long time. And a celebration that unfolded from golden morning to velvet night with the kind of effortless, generous joy that no amount of planning can manufacture, it simply has to be there, in the people, in the place, in the moment. It was very much there. The light in South West France does something to a wedding that no other place on earth can quite replicate. It makes everyone look like they belong in a film. The morning of a wedding at a French domaine has a texture unlike anywhere else. Before the formalities, before the flowers and the seating plans and the carefully orchestrated processionals, there is the glorious, unhurried, slightly chaotic morning. At Léotardie, it started with baskets of croissants. Warm, buttery, architecturally impeccable croissants, the kind that take genuine skill to produce and which the French deliver as though they're doing you a light favour. There they were on a long table in the morning sun, alongside café au lait in bowls, fruit, and the particular hum of twelve people all getting ready in the same space, all slightly in each other's way, all completely delighted by it. A couple surrounded by all the people they love most, in one of the most beautiful places on earth, in the middle of a sizzling South West French summer. What on earth could be better? Why I Love This Work I've been photographing weddings in South West France for years now, and I never tire of it. Not because every day is perfect, they're not, no day is but because in the pursuit of documenting one of the most significant days in two people's lives, you are guaranteed to witness something genuinely extraordinary. Every single time. Days like this one at Domaine Léotardie are the reason I do what I do. The venue, the people, the light obviously, but more than any of those things, the specific atmosphere of this particular group of human beings choosing to be joyful together on behalf of two people they love. That atmosphere is unrepeatable. It exists once, on one day, and then it exists in the photographs. My job is to make sure that what it felt like to be there is still legible in those images twenty years from now. The warmth of the stone. The smell of heat on lavender. The particular quality of the laughter at that table. The way the light fell at 7pm over the vineyard and made everything look like a painting. This is what I am here to give you: not just photographs of your wedding, but a document of a day that actually felt like this, as specific and irreplaceable and gloriously, improbably good as this particular day, in this particular place, was. These portraits are why couples fly here from across the world to get married. They are what Domaine Léotardie was made for. And watching two people who are completely happy, completely in love, completely present in this extraordinary moment, there is genuinely no better use of half an hour in the entire world. We came back to the party. The stars were out by then, and someone had found a second wind, and the music was louder, and the wine was still flowing, and the night stretched on in the way the very best nights do, with nobody willing to be the first to say it was time to go home. Your wedding deserves to feel this beautiful I specialise in documentary-style wedding photography across South West France and beyond. If you're planning a wedding in the Dordogne, Lot, Gascony, or anywhere in the Périgord South West France I'd love to hear from you.

Fiona and Ciaran got married at the gorgeous Domaine d'Essendieras in the South West of France, on what can only be described as a properly sweat through your shirt hot day. The kind of heat where the lavender wilts and even the bees look like they're considering a sit down. But while the weather was busy having a meltdown, this couple was busy being effortlessly, ridiculously cool. They didn't wilt. They sparkled. There's a particular kind of magic that happens when a couple refuses to let the elements dictate their day. The sun was blazing, but so was the chemistry. A Classic Car, Because Why Not For the photos, we brought in a beautiful classic car, it did not disappoint. There's something about a vintage motor that instantly elevates a couple from "very happy newlyweds" to "characters in a film you'd actually want to watch." Fiona looked like she'd stepped out of a French New Wave movie. Ciaran looked like the kind of man who knows how to lean on a car bonnet without it looking try hard. Personal Touches Everywhere You Looked Every corner had a personal touch, the kind that makes guests stop, smile, and say "oh, that is so them." From little details that told the story of Fiona and Ciaran as a couple, to thoughtful nods to their guests travelling from far flung corners of the globe, the whole day felt less like an event and more like a love letter, just one with a seating plan and considerably more rosé. A Day That Burned Bright Domaine d'Essendieras provided the kind of backdrop you simply cannot fake, all golden stone, rolling Dordogne countryside, and that particular South West France light that makes everything look like it's been filtered through a glass of good wine. But honestly, the real heat source on the day wasn't the weather. It was two people who clearly adore each other, surrounded by their favourite humans from every corner of the planet, dancing badly and loving every second of it. And Then, The Ceilidh Just when you thought the day couldn't get any better, the evening rolled in with an absolute belter of a ceilidh barn dance. If you've never seen a group of international wedding guests, several glasses deep, attempting a Scottish reel with all the grace of a newborn giraffe, you have genuinely not lived. There was spinning. There was laughing. There was at least one collision that ended in hysterics rather than injury, which I'm told is the gold standard for ceilidh outcomes. The barn rattled, the band played on, and Fiona and Ciaran were right in the thick of it, glowing, grinning, completely unbothered that it was still roughly the temperature of a sauna. If you're picturing your own wedding day in the Dordogne, take it from Fiona and Ciaran: book the venue, hire the car, plan the ceilidh, and don't worry about the heat. Dreaming of your own South West France wedding? Let's chat about how we can capture every scorching, joyful, ceilidh-fuelled moment of it.

South West France. A rustique-in-the-best-possible-way manor house. One tennis racket. Zero snakes. Infinite wine. I'm going to level with you: I drove to Manoir Longeveau expecting a beautiful wedding in the French countryside. What I did not expect was to be volunteering as a human snake detector, swinging a tennis racket through a hay field like a deranged Wimbledon finalist while twenty well-dressed people watched from a safe distance. But I'm getting ahead of myself. First Impressions: This Place is Ridiculous (In the Best Way) Manoir Longeveau sits in the rolling hills of South West France like it was placed there specifically to make photographers weep with joy and couples fall even more in love. Stone walls draped in character. Grounds that whisper centuries of stories. The kind of venue where you half-expect a French aristocrat to lean out of an upstairs window and offer you a croissant. I arrived and immediately knew: this was going to be that kind of wedding day. The kind you talk about for years. The kind where everything just works. I was not wrong. Sam & Jess: A Perfect Match Let me tell you about this couple. Sam — groom, wine enthusiast, and (as I'd later discover) a man of exceptional generosity — had the kind of calm, joyful energy that made everyone around him relax. Jess was radiant. Genuinely, properly, stop-and-stare radiant. The sort of bride who makes you forget you're supposed to be taking photos because you're too busy just... watching. They were married in front of the manor house itself, which served as the most spectacular backdrop imaginable — all that honey-coloured stone glowing in the afternoon light, the lawns perfectly manicured, the air smelling of lavender and very good life choices. The ceremony was warm, funny, and genuinely moving. People cried. I nearly cried. My camera definitely got a little blurry around the vows and that's my story and I'm sticking to it. The Secret Garden: Drinks, Laughter & Maximum Charm Post-ceremony, the guests were ushered into the secret garden for drinks, and honestly, calling it a "secret" feels criminal — a place this beautiful deserves to be shouted about from every rooftop in the Gironde. Prosecco flowed. Conversation sparkled. The bridesmaids and groomsmen — an absolutely brilliant, hilarious, warm-hearted group who seemed collectively incapable of being anything other than tremendous fun — held court in all corners of the garden. Within approximately eleven minutes of drinks beginning, it felt less like a wedding reception and more like a reunion of people who had been best friends for decades. (Some of them had. Others had just met. You genuinely couldn't tell.) The Hay Field Incident (A Story I Will Tell Forever) Right. So. The hay field. At some point — fuelled by golden hour light, collective bravery, and probably a glass of something French and excellent — we decided to head into the hay field for portraits. Tall grass, beautiful light, genuinely cinematic. Perfect. There was, however, one small concern. South West France is home to several species of snake. Not many. Not dangerous ones, particularly. But some. And someone — I believe the word "snakes" was uttered casually by a bridesmaid — planted a seed of mild concern that rapidly grew into a full hedge of anxiety. Enter: the tennis racket. I'm not entirely sure how it materialised. These things happen at weddings. One moment there was no tennis racket; the next, there was, and everyone was looking at me. "You go first," said someone. "You're the professional," said someone else, which is an interesting interpretation of what "wedding photographer" means. And so I went. Into the hay field. Tennis racket raised. Sweeping the grass ahead of me with the energy of a man who has absolutely thought this through and is definitely not making it up as he goes. The wedding party watched from the edge of the field, glasses in hand, looking very much like they were enjoying the show. We found zero snakes. We got the most glorious golden hour photographs. And I have officially added "Snake Wrangler (Speculative)" to my CV. The Send-Off: Two Bottles of Red and a Heart Full of Gratitude As the evening wound down and I packed up my kit, Sam — brilliant, thoughtful, wine-knowledgeable Sam — pressed two bottles of local red into my hands as a thank you. Reader, I nearly cried again. Not because of the wine (though it was, predictably, excellent — this is South West France, they don't mess about). But because it was such a perfectly them gesture. Warm. Generous. A little unexpected. Exactly like the whole day had been. The Bit Where I Get Slightly Soppy I photograph a lot of weddings. It's the best job in the world, and I mean that sincerely. But every now and then you get a day that reminds you why — a couple so clearly made for each other, in a place so absurdly beautiful, surrounded by people so full of love and laughter that you drive home feeling genuinely lucky to have been there. Manoir Longeveau is magic. Sam and Jess are magic. The bridesmaids and groomsmen who made the whole day feel like one long, sun-drenched party — magic. The secret garden — magic. The hay field — also magic, and mercifully snake-free. The tennis racket is available for hire. Enquire within. Congratulations, Sam & Jess. May your marriage be as golden as that hay field light, and may your cellar always be as well-stocked as your send-off suggested. 🥂🐍🎾

Right. Where do I even start with this one. Sun. Vines. Food stalls. Dancing under the stars. And two people completely in their element surrounded by every single person they love. Yeah, it was one of those days. I always say I can read the vibe of a wedding within about five minutes of arriving. Matt and Natt's? I called it immediately. The kind of day where nobody's going to be standing around awkwardly waiting to be told what to do. The kind of day that just… goes. In the best possible way. The venue was Paradis des Vignes — and look, with a name like that you'd hope it delivers, wouldn't you. It absolutely does. Rows of vines stretching off into the distance, that particular South West France light that arrives in the afternoon and refuses to behave itself, warm stone, open sky. Honestly one of those places where you wander around with a camera feeling ridiculously lucky to be there. The shoot amongst the vines We headed out into the vines for the couple shoot mid-afternoon and I always love this bit — not because it gives me beautiful backdrops (though it absolutely does), but because it's just us, out of the noise of the day, and I get to actually spend some time with the couple. Matt and Natt were completely relaxed. No stiffness, no asking "are we doing this right" — they just wandered and laughed and looked at each other and I followed them around trying not to mess it up. The golden light hitting the vines, the two of them just being themselves — this is exactly what informal wedding photography in South West France is all about. Nothing forced. Nothing fake. Just real moments in a genuinely beautiful place. No stiffness, no asking 'are we doing this right' — they just wandered and laughed and I followed them around trying not to mess it up." The food situation (which deserves its own paragraph) The caterer set up food stalls with different options throughout the day — canapes circulating during drinks, different things to try as the evening went on. I love this format at a wedding. It means guests move around, they talk to people they wouldn't otherwise talk to, they come back for seconds. It's relaxed and generous and it feels like a proper celebration rather than sitting at a table for two hours trying to make small talk with whoever's been put next to you. Dancing under actual stars As the evening cooled down (slightly — this is South West France, it doesn't really cool down), the dancing moved outside. Stars overhead. Warm air. The vineyard a dark silhouette in the background. Every single person on the dance floor — not just the confident ones, everyone. Which is always, always the sign of a properly good wedding. This is the part of the day I live for. My job when the dancing starts is basically to be invisible — no flash, no interrupting, no "can we do that again but look at the camera this time." Just being in the right place when something wonderful is happening. Matt's family absolutely going for it. Natt's friends forming some kind of circle that may or may not have been planned. All of it captured, none of it staged. If you're thinking about getting married in South West France... I'm based here and I photograph weddings all over the region — the Dordogne, the Lot, the Gironde, venues near Bordeaux and beyond. I know how extraordinary this part of the world is for a wedding, and I know that finding the right photographer — especially when you're planning from abroad — can feel like a bit of a leap of faith. Here's what I'll tell you. My job is to turn up, settle everyone down, blend into the background, and capture your day as it actually felt. The big stuff and the in-between stuff. The moment that made you cry laughing and the quiet look between you two that nobody else even noticed. I'm not there to direct you or make you pose or interrupt your day. I'm there to document it. f you want fun, relaxed, documentary-style wedding photography in South West France — at a vineyard, a château, a domaine, or anywhere else in this corner of the world — I'd love to hear from you. Check availability at lydiataylorjones.com and let's have a chat. Matt and Natt — thank you for having me. What a day. What a place. What a brilliant pair of humans. I had the absolute best time. wedding photographer South West France wedding photographer South West FranceParadis des Vignes weddingvineyard wedding photographer Franceinformal wedding photography Francefun wedding photographer Dordognerelaxed documentary wedding photographydestination wedding France Lydia Taylor Jones photography

Why Choosing a Fun, High-Energy Wedding Photographer in South West France Makes All the Difference Planning a wedding in South West France? You’ve already nailed one of the most important decisions — the location. Rolling countryside, golden light, incredible food, and that laid-back French charm… it’s basically a dream backdrop. But here’s the thing most couples don’t think about enough: Your photographer doesn’t just document the day — they shape the energy of it. You spend A LOT of time on your wedding with your photographer so choosing the right one is very important. Chateau Valouze South West France More Than Just Photos — It’s About the Vibe If the idea of stiff posing, awkward smiles, and being told to “stand over there and look romantic” makes you cringe a little… you’re not alone. That’s exactly why more couples are choosing a fun, informal, high-energy wedding photographer — someone who blends into the celebration, keeps things relaxed, and captures the real moments as they unfold. Think less photoshoot, more experience. Laughing with your friends during group shots Spontaneous dance floor chaos Wind in your hair during golden hour That one slightly wild uncle stealing the spotlight Those are the moments you’ll actually want to remember. Chateau wedding in South West France South West France Is Made for Natural Photography From Dordogne châteaux to countryside barns and vineyard estates, this region is built for storytelling photography. The light here? Unreal.The scenery? Effortlessly romantic.The atmosphere? Relaxed, joyful, and just a little bit wild. A high-energy, documentary-style photographer knows how to use all of that without turning your day into a staged production. Instead of pulling you away for hours, they work with the flow of your wedding — capturing moments as they happen. What Does “High-Energy” Actually Mean? Let’s be clear — this doesn’t mean someone bouncing off the walls all day (although a little dance floor enthusiasm never hurts). It means a photographer who: Brings positive, upbeat energy to keep things flowing smoothly Helps guests feel comfortable quickly (no awkwardness) Keeps group photos fast, fun, and painless Knows when to step in — and when to disappear They’re part hype-person, part storyteller, part problem-solver. Basically, the kind of person you want around on your wedding day. As it happens! Natural, Candid, and Actually You The biggest shift couples are making right now? Moving away from overly posed, traditional wedding photos. Instead, they want: Real laughter, not forced smiles Movement, not stiffness Emotion, not perfection A relaxed, informal approach means your photos feel like you, not a Pinterest checklist. And years from now, that matters so much more than perfectly aligned poses. Perfect for Destination Weddings in France If you’re planning a destination wedding in South West France, chances are: Your guests are traveling from abroad The vibe is more relaxed and celebratory You want the day to feel like a holiday, not a schedule A high-energy photographer fits seamlessly into that atmosphere — helping everyone feel at ease, even if they’ve never met before. No awkward silences. No forced interactions. Just genuine moments. The Result? Photos That Feel Alive At the end of the day, your wedding photos should do more than look beautiful. They should feel like something. You should be able to: Hear the laughter Feel the sunshine Remember the chaos, the joy, the energy That’s what an informal, fun wedding photography style delivers. Family is EVERYTHING Final Thoughts South West France gives you the setting.Your guests bring the energy. The right photographer ties it all together. So if you're dreaming of a wedding that feels relaxed, joyful, and completely you — choose someone who matches that energy. Because the best photos don’t come from perfect posing… They come from real moments, real people, and a photographer who knows how to bring it all to life. Looking for a fun, relaxed wedding photographer in South West France? Make sure you find someone whose personality matches your vibe — it makes all the difference.

Discovering Château de la Valouze: A Hidden Gem in Southwest France Nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Southwest France, Château Valouze is a stunning yet often overlooked treasure waiting to be discovered. A harmonious blend of rich history, architectural grandeur, and natural beauty, this charming French château offers a unique glimpse into the region's heritage and the timeless allure of the French countryside. It is a truly stunning venue for a wedding in South West France. The lovely Joe and Monique held their wedding at this venue in 2024. This is just a very small selection of images from their day. If you would like to see more just ask! The bridal suite boasts a fabulous balcony where you can have your champagne and a nosy whats going on downstairs! It's so grand and and a fabulous place to get ready in. Lots of space for you and your besties to enjoy the morning. What a fabulous setting for your ceremony! I just love photographing weddings at this venue. If you are getting married here ask to see other galleries. The beauty of the venue is you can use so many areas for different times of the day. What a moment! That 'just got married' feeling! I am able to use all the grounds to show off the venue and all the gorgeous bridesmaids and groomsman. I love photographing weddings at Chateau de la Valouze If these photographs have made you excited for your wedding feel free to ask me any questions re timings and the best parts of the chateau to use. It's even gorgeous inside! Joe and Monique told me after they had enjoyed every minute of their day and you can tell from these gorgeous photographs. I love to take photographs in a relaxed style - I get my couples in the right spot and make sure dresses and everything else is perfect and then just get the couple to be themselves. The natural smiles are always the best ones and means the couple don't feel awkward and unnatural. Golden hour at this venue is just the best! Golden hour at chateau de la valouze What a stunning setting - chateau de la valouze The magnificent staircases can be used for photographs. Just so many areas to choose from! The golden hour at chateau de la valouze To finish off the day back to the great hall for dancing! I am sure you will agree it is a stunning venue. If you are holding your wedding at this venue please get in touch and we can discuss further. Chateau de la Valouze wedding venue I love to photograph weddings at chateau de la valouze

Relaxed, documentary wedding photography in the Dordogne I've been photographing weddings at Château de la Durantie for over ten years now, and I'll let you into a secret — I still get that little jolt when I come up the drive. You'd think familiarity would take the shine off it. It really doesn't - I arrive I think, right, here we go again and also how luck am I. It's also why I love shooting here. Ten years of weddings means I know exactly where the sun lands at gold o'clock, which corner of the grounds is worth a two-minute wander for portraits, and where everyone will inevitably end up when the party gets going. That knowledge means I'm not scrambling — I'm just watching, and being ready. A wedding party made of best mates Ellie and Max did something I always love to see: they didn't agonise over the etiquette of who's traditionally allowed to stand where. They simply gathered up their favourite people — the ones who've been there for the good bits and the shambolic bits — and put them all in the wedding party. The effect on the day was immediate. There's a particular energy that comes from a group of people who genuinely know each other, and it doesn't need any encouragement from me. Nobody was waiting to be told what to do. There was a running joke I never fully got to the bottom of. Somebody's speech went sideways in the best possible way. And getting-ready in the morning felt less like a formal event and more like the tail end of a very good weekend away — which, in fairness, is exactly what it was. My style is documentary and personality-led, which is a slightly fancy way of saying: I stay out of the way, I pay attention, and I photograph what's really happening. I'm not going to spend forty-five minutes posing you. I'm not going to ask you to gaze meaningfully into the middle distance, and I'm definitely not going to make you do that thing where you both pretend to laugh at nothing. What you'll get instead is a set of photographs that look and feel like your day actually felt. Your mum crying before she'd even got out of the car. Your best mate's face during the vows. The bit at 1am on the terrace when the good shoes came off. Real things, photographed properly. I do take a bit of time for couple portraits, because you'll want them — but it's a relaxed twenty minutes with a walk and a drink in hand, not a photoshoot. Most couples tell me it ends up being one of the few quiet moments they get all day. Why Château de la Durantie works so well For UK couples planning a destination wedding in South West France, this venue does a lot of heavy lifting. It photographs beautifully in almost any light, it gives you proper château grandeur without feeling stiff, and the grounds mean your guests can spread out and settle in. It's the kind of place where people arrive on the Friday, get comfortable, and by Sunday nobody wants to go home. Planning your own South West France wedding? I've spent around twenty years photographing weddings, and the last stretch of those in this beautiful corner of France. If you're planning a château wedding here and you want photographs that are warm, honest and a bit funny — rather than stiff and staged — I'd love to hear about your day. Get in touch and tell me about your plans. Ellie and Max were married at Château de la Durantie in South West France. Photography by Lydia Taylor Jones — destination wedding photographer based in the Dordogne.

Let me be upfront about something. Writing a blog post about why you should choose me feels a little bit like walking into a party and announcing your own arrival. A little awkward. A little much. But here's the thing — choosing your wedding photographer is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. You're going to spend the entire day with this person. They'll see you cry, they'll watch you do something embarrassing on the dancefloor, they'll be there for the quiet moments nobody else notices. So you'd better actually like them. So instead of a list of reasons I'm brilliant (cringe), let me just tell you honestly what I do — and you can decide if it sounds like your kind of thing. I Make It Feel Like the Camera Isn't There My absolute favourite compliment? "Everyone at your weddings looks like they're having an amazing time." That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because I genuinely don't want you standing around doing awkward poses for hours. No jazz hands. No "now look at each other and laugh for no reason." Just you, being completely yourselves, surrounded by your favourite people — and me, quietly in the background catching the real stuff as it happens. The laugh that sneaks up on you during the vows. Your mum's face when she sees you. Your best friend losing it completely during the speeches. The look you give each other when you think nobody's watching. Those are the photos you'll still be obsessed with in twenty years. I've Been Doing This for Twenty Years (And I Still Get Butterflies) Twenty years of weddings means I've seen everything. I've shot in 40-degree heat, I've photographed in torrential rain, I've stepped in last minute when other photographers have cancelled and delivered galleries that couples couldn't believe were possible in the circumstances. I know the light at golden hour in South West France like the back of my hand. I know how to read a room, how to calm nerves, how to keep things moving without anyone feeling rushed. I know when to step in and when to completely disappear. But here's what I'm most proud of — after twenty years, I still get a little flutter before every single wedding. The excitement. The "this matters" feeling. I genuinely hope I never lose that. I Actually Care — Properly I'm not just turning up, clicking a shutter and going home. I'm there from the getting-ready chaos right through to the first dance. I'm fluffing dresses and fixing veils and giving pep talks and hyping you up when you need it. I'm keeping one eye on the light and one eye on your grandad who's about to do something brilliant in the corner. So many of my couples become real friends afterwards. I get updates about babies and new houses and promotions. They're not just clients — they're people who let me into one of the most important days of their lives, and I don't take that lightly for a single second. The South West France Bit Look — I live here. I work here. I know these châteaux, these venues, these golden evenings when the light turns everything to honey and you could cry at how beautiful it all looks. I know which spot at which venue catches the last of the sun. I know the planners and the florists and the caterers, which means the whole day runs more smoothly. I know how to make the most of a French summer evening in a way that only comes from having done it hundreds of times. If you're flying in from the UK or Australia or Canada and trusting someone you've (probably) never met in person to capture your wedding day — I want you to know that trust is everything to me. I will work my absolute heart out for you. The Bottom Line I'm not the right photographer for everyone — and that's fine. If you want stiff, formal, everyone-standing-in-a-line photography, I'm probably not your person. But if you want photos that actually feel like your wedding day felt? The joy, the chaos, the big moments and the ridiculous ones? Someone who'll make you laugh until you forget there's even a camera there? Then hi. I think we're going to get on brilliantly.

Steph and Rob married at the beautiful Marry Me in France Majestic Chateau in the Dordogne South West France in June and what a wedding it was! With a soft pink colour scheme, chateau setting and summer sunshine, they couldn’t have had a more perfect day. The couple travelled to their South West of France wedding venue from Australia, with family coming from the UK too. It was lovely to be part of their day and to capture the magic as it happened. We chose Marry Me in France Majestic Chateau for our wedding because we wanted it to be more of a holiday for our friends and family. Specifically, we wanted the chance to spend a bit more time with them and getting married in France gave us that,” the couple explain. “Marry Me in France gave us a selection of photographers to choose between and we loved Lydia’s photography. She takes really natural photos and uses the landscape and light amazingly, capturing all the fun of the day. Having had her photograph our wedding too now, we would 100% recommend her.” Steph and Rob held their ceremony outside at The Majestic Chateau beneath a rustic wooden pergola, woven with flowers by Angie from Marry Me in France. The bride looked incredible in the elegant ‘Grace’ dress by Sassi Holford, while her groom looked dapper in a navy Peter Jackson suit. Photographing bridal parties is always brilliant fun, so I was delighted to find that Steph had asked five of her best girls to be bridesmaids. They wore floor-length, champagne dresses from Debenhams, which looked perfect against the backdrop of the chateau. Rob also chose six ushers, giving us the opportunity to create some fun group photos. The girls had so much fun helping each other get ready in the morning. Who doesn't need a cup of tea and biscuit on their wedding morning! A blush, champagne and ivory colour scheme gave the wedding a romantic, classical feel. “I chose peonies, lisianthus, roses, gypsophila and eucalyptus for the flowers,” Steph explains. For the reception tables, we chose wood slices topped with tea light candles and loosely tied posies. We displayed them in parfait jars and small vases.” All created by the fab Angie. Hannah took care of the decorations and Stephanie baked the couple’s delicious lemon and vanilla, chocolate and raspberry and carrot cake tiers. “We chose Amy one of the Marry Me in France recommended caterers for our meal. Piedmont roast peppers were our starter, followed by duck for the main course. Lemon and lime tartlets were a delicious dessert,” says Steph. When I shared their wedding photos with Steph and Rob, I asked them to choose their favourite… and they chose three! “My favourite photo is the drone shot of us kissing by the lake. I think it’s really arty and love the natural colours. My other favourite is the group shot with everyone standing behind us. I also love the photo of Rob kissing me while I dip backwards.” Be inspired by Rob and Steph’s wedding gallery at Marry Me in France Dordogne, France.

Just in the middle of the village of Saint-Privat-des-Pres, the venue consists in a remarkable chateau and its dependencies, all organized around a charming courtyard. Five independent houses - the Chateau, the Logis Vert, the Logis Rouge, the Logis Blanc and the Logis Noir - named after the four parts of Dordogne, have been restored with refined taste in the spirit of the 18th century and modern comfort. “I believe that this great peaceful region of France will always be a sacred spot for man and that when the cities have killed off the poets this will be the refuge and the cradle of the poets to come. I repeat it was most important for me to have seen the Dordogne: it gives me hope for the future of the race, for the future of the earth itself. France may one day exist no more, but the Dordogne will live on just as dreams live on and nourish the souls of men.” Henry Miller I agree! I am so lucky to work in this stunning region of South West France. With France being the land of love, wine, and cheese, this beautiful country should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a romantic and unique destination wedding location such as this stunning chateau in Dordogne region of South west France. With stunning chateaus, picturesque villages, and gorgeous views, France has it all. And don’t forget about the food! From mouth-watering pastries to delicious cheese, you and your guests will be in for a treat.

So happy to be included in this list from French wedding Style Blog The Best French Wedding Photography If you are reading this, like us you are biased and love a fabulous French Wedding! However today we have a real treat for you as we’ve combined the very best of the best, the most fabulous of the fabulous to bring to you The Best French Wedding Photography! You will find below every wonderful image, a little from the vendor as to why they love the image and a link to their website, so be sure to check them out. Now who/ what made our Top 15 Best French Wedding Photography list….. Ignore the others obviously ;) but here is my part “I love this image because it captures the glamour and yet the freedom and relaxed spirit of a wedding in France.” www.lydiataylorjones.com For the full article click here https://www.frenchweddingstyle.com/best-french-wedding-photography/