Just as I was getting used to the cooler temperatures in the UK, I was whisked off to the south of France for Feryal and Martyn’s Domaine Gayda wedding. They chose their venue very carefully. A beautiful vineyard and restaurant a few miles south-west of the ancient city of Carcassonne. It sits on a hill overlooking the local area with a great view of the Pyrenees in the distance.
Of Algerian descent, much of Feryal’s family are French speakers, and many of them live in France. Therefore, the majority of the guests felt very at home with the language and the climate. I travelled down on the day before the wedding and got to capture both Martyn’s pre-wedding meal in Carcassone itself, and also Feryal’s henna ceremony. Interestingly, unlike previous (Indian) henna ceremonies I have attended there was no intricate painting on the hands. Just a large lump of the stuff in the bride’s palms.
Wedding Photography at Domaine Gayda in France
The following day I found the bride and her bridesmaids inside the house preparing furiously. The couple had their wedding ceremony by the poolside, conducted by the late Ray Thatcher from Weddings Words and Wishes. After the formalities, everyone wandered up to the main building, through the vines, for the reception and wedding breakfast. We were treated to a gorgeous Mediterranean sunset, and once darkness fell it was time for speeches and some very energetic dancing!
South of France Wedding Photography
The next day I got to return to Domaine Gayda for the post-wedding barbecue, although I had to head home before getting chance to take a dip in the pool. Shame.
Carcassonne Wedding Photography in France
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