Katrina & Darren

French Chateau Wedding

It isn’t very often that you get to photograph two weddings for the same couple but on a very warm Bank Holiday weekend in August, I did just that. Katrina and Darren had a registry office wedding before the weekend at Shire Hall in Cambridge. Close family attended and enjoyed the afternoon celebrating at St John’s Chop House. Not the newlyweds and I had a bit of a wander around the City of Cambridge. You can’t be in Cambridge and not have the river with Punt’s, or bicycles appear in the photos. We managed both.

I left them to celebrate knowing the next time that I saw everyone would be for the wedding in a Chateau in France.  I am not sure who was more excited, them or me.

With bags packed and kit safely staying with me I said toodle pip to England and Bonjour to France.

and then a few days later………………….

Welcome to Chateau du Sou

The 13th-century Château du Sou is located 30km north-west of Lyon, in the heart of the “Pierres Dorées” country, surrounded by Beaujolais vineyards.

The Castle of Sou dates from the 13th century and is situated 30kms north-west of Lyon in the beautiful rolling hills of the Beaujolais vineyards.

After landing at Lyon Airport and meeting up with Darren’s family for the journey to the Chateau, we arrived. As we turned the corner and the view of the Chateau met us, I think we all said Wow!  With gorgeous creamy stoned walls and surrounding gardens, I just knew this was going to be a beautiful wedding.  I hadn’t even seen the courtyard yet, which I absolutely love.

Katrina and Darren had arrived over the weekend and were busy setting up all the rooms. We all helped with the final details before heading to our accommodation for the evening and wine!  Darren headed off inot town to meet up with some of the guests and I spent the evening wiht some family members and some of the Bridesmaids who arrived the same day.

It was great to have this time to get to know everyone a bit more, not to mention sample some amazing food and wine.

With a leisurely morning before the wedding, there was plenty of time to go for a dip in the pool.  The views from the accommodation were just sublime. Hmmm I wonder if anyone would notice if I stayed here!

Monday morning and it’s time for a wedding. The guests would soon be arriving, so I headed into the Chateau to find Katrina and Darren.

Time to head down the stairs and towards the ceremony room.

A tradition of French weddings is the Champagne tower. I’m not quite sure just how many bottles it took to fill up all those glasses but there were a few!

It was lovely for Katrina’s brother, Nick to be involved. He had a prime view via Skype.

Cocktail hour is very different from the afternoon receptions here in England.  We had a wonderful amount of time for those important family photos and for everyone to mingle and soak up the glorious French Sunshine.

As the sun was beginning to set, we headed off to explore the wonderful gardens that surround the Chateau. There was beautiful light and it gave Katrina and Darren a few moments to be alone together.

The next day everyone met up for a celebratory Brunch. I am sure there were a few sore heads on the Tuesday morning.

Congratulations to you both and thank you for letting me be a part of both of your weddings.  That was my first destination wedding and i flipping loved it!

In their own words

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