Chateau Rigaud Wedding Photography

Emily and Donal’s destination wedding in the Dordogne at Chateau Rigaud

“We want you to come join the party!” were the actual words Emily and Donal used after we’d chatted on the phone for all of five minutes. And that was that – I was going to be their wedding photographer at the phenomenal Chateau Rigaud. Exciting times.

Chateau Rigaud has a unique atmosphere to it – it’s a grand venue, no doubt about it, but it doesn’t push you around, it invites you in and cuddles you, makes you feel special and then sends you on your way like an old friend, making you feel like you need to come back at your next opportunity… Yeah, I liked it there, I liked it there a lot!

In the build up I had chatted to Emily and Donal over the phone, and we’d met up one drizzly afternoon in London for a quick coffee and chat about the wedding, but I felt like I truly met them for the first time when I nipped to Chateau Rigaud on the afternoon before the wedding. (As an aside, I decided to have a holiday with the family in nearby Genissac for the weeks either side of Emily and Donal’s wedding, if you’ve not been to this part of the world then just make it happen. It’s good for the soul…) But yeah, I met Emily and Donal and they showed me round the chateau and we chatted. I left with such a spring in my step and couldn’t wait to get back to them the next morning!

The wedding was incredible – so many goosebumps moments. Their ceremony was officiated by Steve – an old friend. Their friends read poetry and sang songs, and everyone joined in. The heat was unbearable at times but thanks to a whole load of pale ale shipped over to Chateau Rigaud from their friend’s Shoreditch brewery everyone managed to stay cool. The speeches were so heartfelt and had everyone in tears, and then by the time the party got started everyone was just massively high on life. It was a real joy to be part of and capture in these photos.

Massive shout out to Ajna of Oui Mon Coeur, Emily and Donal’s wedding planner who created an awesome air of calm for them the whole time. She worked tirelessly all day long to keep the vibe nice and chilled but to make sure stuff happened when it needed to. You were great, Ajna, can’t recommend you highly enough!

Emily’s dress is by Vivienne Westwood, Flowers are by Heidi at Flowers in the Vines. Photos by… oh yeah – me!