I’m writing this 6 months or so after Emma and Josh’s wedding and looking back I can honestly say that is one of the highlights of my wedding photography career so far. And not just because I had 3 nights of 12 hour sleep in a peaceful, quiet BNB in the middle of a French vineyard while my significant other was looking after our two little tornadoes in cloudy Folkestone. But it contributed, I’m not going to lie.
Emma and Josh’s wedding at Chateau de Lerse was a proper celebration. The kind of wedding I think about when I envision what I want my own wedding to be like. Dream venue. Beautiful setting. Gorgeous weather (thanks, south west France). Awesome people. Lots of energy. Wild moments. Emotional moments. Their wedding had it all.
3 days of connection, fun and celebrations. There were evening drinks on the first day, the big celebration on the second and a pool party on the last day. I had to give the first day a miss to recharge my battery for the wedding day and pool party, and I’m kind of glad I did. Destination weddings aren’t known for their early start, but they are certainly famous for their late finish. I knew there were going to be fireworks, and I had a feeling the dancefloor was going to be so good that I’d have a fear of missing out if I left early, so the recharge was much needed.
I had so much fun snapping away alongside lovely suppliers and enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the venue. Here are some of my favourite photos from Emma and Josh’s Chateau de Lerse celebration.
Chateau de Lerse – A Dream French Wedding Venue
I knew the venue was lovely before I got there. I’d looked it up online, Google Street view, satellite view, and every view possible, and I’d also seen photos that a photographer friend of mine took there at a wedding. Still when I arrived I was surprised at how good it all looked. My photography-wired brain was flooded with dopamine.
The prep rooms in the main building, where the bride and groom were getting ready separately on the day, were just gorgeous. Stone walls. Oak furniture. Regal feel. Plenty of light. Window facing the outdoor ceremony area.
The grounds at Chateau de Lerse – stunning. Exactly what you’d expect from a wedding venue in the heart of Bordeaux in France. Full of colour. Relaxed. Sunny. The venue describe themselves as a sublime secluded chateau (in South West France) and they’re right on the money.
The chateau was built in the 15th century and has a rich history. It’s ideal for weddings and other large events, too. The people? Joss and the team’s hospitality went above and beyond.
There wasn’t a part of the venue that struck me as visually unappealing. It’s all just beautiful to see and also photograph. I loved getting creative and using high apertures to ensure a lot of the surroundings were in focus. I didn’t think that blurring the background was doing justice to the beautiful views.
Emma and Josh’s wedding carried on with a bout of Israeli dancing and it was wild. The most energy packed, unpredictable and eventful 30 or so minutes of a wedding I’ve ever witnessed. A true joy to capture.
Post-Wedding Pool Party at Chateau de Lerse
Understandably, after a 3 am finish, people weren’t exactly full of energy the day after. The chilled vibes at the pool party reflected that. It was just what everybody needed. Plenty of rest, good food (incredible actually), a place to cool down and some wasp murdering on the side. A lovely ending to a great long weekend of celebrating.
International Awards for Photos at Chataeu de Lerse
I was over the moon to find out that two of the images from Emma and Josh’s wedding picked up international documentary photography awards with Photographers Keeping it Real. Many documentary photographers I look up to submit their work to PKIR, and to have my name mentioned alongside theirs is just surreal. Incredibly pleased and grateful.
A Photographer’s Paradise
Photographing Emma and Josh’s wedding at Chateau de Lerse is one of my wedding photography career highlights. It all came together. The right people, at the right place, at the right time. I loved every minute of it.
Thanks so much for reading. Are you planning your wedding? Do you want it to be a celebration and not a photoshoot? I’d love to hear from you. Say hello on WhatsApp, Instagram or fill out the contact form on the website. Let’s get excited for your big day together.
The Lovely Suppliers I Worked With
Venue – Chateau de Lerse, South West France
Catering – Traiteure Events
Decor – Luzienne Decoration
Videographer – Ben
Hair stylist – Eleonora Hairstyle
Make up – Stephanie Manganelli
Flowers – Mrs Whiterose
Band – Brother From Another
