A Stylish Destination Wedding at Chateau d'Urval

Hello everyone, I hope you're all well and enjoying browsing my new website! With this little refresh, I thought it would be the perfect time to feature another stylish affair, Sophie & Andrew's gorgeous destination wedding in France held at the always incredible Chateau d'Urval in the Dordogne.

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I'm lucky that this was my third wedding at this fantastic wedding venue, and it never disappoints. The Chateau radiates French character and is the complete getaway to escape everyday life with all your family & friends for a long weekend of celebrations, laughter and exuberance. I arrive the day before the wedding and meet the lovely Sophie & Andrew for a pre-wedding sunset shoot with a little walk around the chateau grounds. It's early September so the evenings are still warm and sunsets late, so the perfect time to get some images of them close together.

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The morning of the wedding arrives, and after a healthy selection of croissants & black coffee, it's time to head to the venue to start documenting the day. I love that as you head up the long driveway of Chateau d'Urval you get greeted by some friendly horses as you park up. The sky is blue-rich with only a few clouds scattering the sky, bees are hard at work harvesting the chateaus beautiful flowers and suppliers are busy turning the chateau courtyard into the 100+ seated are for the wedding dinner. Upstairs, Sophie & her bridesmaids are opening gifts, smiles and the sounds of 'oohs and ahhs' fill the room. After a maze of corridors, stairs down and up, I finally find Andrew opening a bottle of champagne with his best mates.

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It's a perfect September day for a wedding; the weather is hot but not so hot that you can't enjoy it. As I head back up, Sophie is about to come through in her dress, I love the reactions from her bridesmaids! Precisely what any bride wants to see as they come through the room. But even their faces don't compare to her dad coming in and getting emotional as he sees his daughter: so many tears, a lovely moment.

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The ceremony is being held on one the most beautiful areas of the estate; giant oak trees line up facing one another which make for a stunning aisle for the bridesmaids and then Sophie and her dad to walk up. It's simply breathtaking to celebrate this occasion with this nature all around, the rustle of the tree branches, the sun glistening through the leaves, it all fills the soul. I love the images of Sophie arriving to meet Andrew, hugging her dad at the end of the aisle. The couple looking perfect together, Sophie with her Suzanne Neville wedding dress definitely stealing the show as the two get married.

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It's then time for them to lead their guests to the drinks reception, which is being held in a gorgeous hidden space to the rear of the venue. Large climbing plants cover the textured stone walls, rows of open shutters on each bay windows; I love these old chateaus! A perfect place to chat with your nearest and dearest. After drinks, canapes and photos it's time for the speeches, luckily we don't have to go far as the couple has decided to in the same location. I probably say this for every wedding I feature, but this is my FAVOURITE time of the day, I love seeing people get emotional as someone they love takes to the stage and talks.

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After a few tears and lots of smiles, it's time to head to the courtyard Chateau d'Urval for the dinner reception. Oh my days this has to be the spot which sells this venue to so many couples! It definitely has the wow factor to eat and drink the evening away. And this night is no exception, everyone is on fine form and loving every moment. I particularly love when the sunsets, the festoon lights contrasting beautifully with dark blue sky. Such a romantic setting for a french destination wedding!

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The night ends in the cellar for dancing, magnum bottles of rosé and the best of times with your best mates! This what life is all about. And I don't know about you, but I literally can't wait until nights like this come back to us all.

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I really hope you love Sophie & Andrew's stylish Chateau d'Urval wedding as much as I do! Let me know what you think of this wedding and the new website design at the bottom of the post. Also if you like this one then definitely check out Judith & Daniel's Le Mas de Montet wedding or even Larissa & Tim's spectacular Lake Bled wedding in Slovenia. If you're planning a wedding in the country then go check out my France destination wedding photographer page.

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Peace!

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