I’m back online after a brief hiatus, regaling you with tales from my Ethiopian escapade Let’s just say the wifi gods were not smiling upon me But now, I’m thrilled to share our latest adventure from Dubai – where the skyscrapers shine bright and the internet connection is reliable once more With that said, let’s dive back into the world of romance and destination weddings Lianne and Neale’s intimate affair in a fairytale French chateau was nothing short of enchanting.
The picturesque setting of Chateau Lagorce in Bordeaux served as the perfect backdrop for their special day Lianne dazzled in her flowing Jenny Packham wedding dress, while Neale and his groomsmen looked dashing in their bespoke grey check suits From heartwarming chalkboard signs to delectable French cuisine, lace- wrapped mason jars filled with pastel blooms, and the intoxicating scent of lavender wafting through the air – this wedding was a visual feast.
And let me tell you, the light-filled portraits captured by Dasha Caffrey Photography are simply breathtaking.
French Chateau Wedding
The Suits
As I prepared for my big day, Neale, his trusty best man, and my dad turned to their go-to tailor, the esteemed Basilica in Reading With years of experience working with Neale, the team delivered a stunning job, ensuring the boys looked dashing and stylish in their bespoke suits.
The Photography
As soon as I laid eyes on Dasha’s wedding photos from Chateau Lagorce, I knew I had to book her for my own special day With a background in photography myself, I’ve developed an intuition about what makes great wedding photography – and Dasha’s work clearly resonated with me Without hesitation, I reached out to her and secured her services; and I’m thrilled to say that it was the best decision I made We’re absolutely delighted with the stunning images she captured for us.
The Flowers
I tasked the florist with a simple brief: incorporate flowers in season, soft pastel hues, and an element of whimsy by creating a slightly undone appearance The result was a charming and unique touch to the overall aesthetic
A peculiar yet delightful choice for the groom’s buttonholes were Scottish thistles, which resonated with me given my many Scottish friends Their inclusion added a thoughtful nod to our cultural connections and harmonized nicely with the grooms’ ties.
My father insisted on including buttonholes for all the men in attendance, a decision I initially found unnecessary However, witnessing the outcome firsthand, I must confess that it added a level of sophistication and cohesion to the overall look.
The Videography
In the end, it was a sudden realization that drove me to opt for videography services – witnessing my friends’ stunning movie-style clips of their special day left me eager to secure someone to capture our own memories A chance discovery led me to LM Visual, whose exceptional work, warm personalities and commitment to excellence resonated with me, ultimately convincing me to book them on the spot.
The Refreshments
As the wedding planning unfolded, I found myself drawn to mason jars filled with pastel-hued juice – an idea that seemed perfect for beating the heat on the big day Little did I know, our celebrant would run late, and these refreshing drinks would prove a godsend for our parched guests Meanwhile, as a destination wedding meant we couldn’t indulge in a food tasting session, we relied on Anna, our lovely wedding coordinator at Chateau Lagorce, to guide us towards the perfect menu.
Happily, her recommendations did not disappoint – the food was nothing short of exceptional Adding an extra layer of excitement was my mum’s surprise: she’d arranged for a family friend to craft a custom wedding cake, complete with his own unique twist on a classic design And as if that wasn’t enough, we were treated to a decadent chocolate masterpiece, perfectly complemented by the traditional French delight of a Croquembouche.
The Wedding Music
We’ve had a special connection with ‘First Day of My Life’ by Bright Eyes for years, making it an effortless choice for our first dance As for our best friend, who just happens to be a guy, we wanted him to feel included in the celebration despite his inability to take on a traditional bridesmaid role (I did propose the idea, but he politely declined) So, Neale and I thought it would be wonderful if he could play his guitar as I made my way down the aisle.
Despite being a novice with only two months of experience under his belt, we gave him some intense lessons, and he ended up doing an incredible job We were both thrilled to have him involved in our special day He also lent his skills to our recessional walk, playing ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz – mainly because it was the only other song he had mastered at that point.
What Made Your Wedding Just So ‘You’?
Our goal was to have a low-key celebration that allowed us to relax and enjoy every moment of our special day To achieve this, we opted for an intimate gathering with close friends and family, skipping the frills like hairdressers and makeup artists We also chose a comfortable dress code, which helped create a stress-free atmosphere (apart from the best man’s minor mishap with the rings) Since we live abroad, it was crucial to spend quality time with our loved ones before the big day.
By hosting a pre-wedding getaway that included BBQs and wine tastings, we were able to build strong connections and create lasting memories By the time our wedding day arrived, everyone felt like part of the family It was truly a celebration centered around us and the people we love.
Advice For Other Couples
While Pinterest can be an endless well of inspiration, it’s essential to keep your original ideas in mind to avoid getting lost in the process Staying true to your initial vision is key to achieving the wedding day you’ve always wanted When delegating tasks, approach it with a nice touch, especially when asking friends and family for help It may feel awkward at first, but they’ll likely jump at the chance to contribute.
As I learned during my own wedding planning experience, having a support system is crucial – especially when planning from afar Lianne and Neale’s special day was no exception A huge thank you goes out to Dasha Caffrey Photography for capturing these stunning images And can we just take a moment to appreciate Lianne’s breathtaking beauty Her partner in crime, Neale, looked dashing as well, making them the perfect stylish pair For more real weddings and inspiration, click away.
