Although I love photo shooting weddings in grand and luxury venues such as the Ritz, I also like very much intimate weddings in baroque chateaux. I had been dreaming of photo shooting a wedding at Chateau La Durantie for some time, and early September of 2024, I had the chance to capture the wedding of Jordana & Adrien, an adorable couple who lives in Estonia. She’s Brazilian and he’s French, and they chose Chateau La Durantie to celebrate their love with their closest family members and friends. Theirs was an elegant destination wedding in the French Perigord region, designed and orchestrated by wedding planner Sarah Thomas Events.

Chateau La Durantie, which dates back to the 19th century, impressed me with its baroque adorned salons. Everything in this venue echoes French classical art de vivre. It is not only the exquisite decoration of the salons, but also the refinement of the bridal suite that thrilled me. It looks as if each spot of Chateau La Durantie had been thought for photography. It has an ancient flair, but all seems in perfect condition, making you feel as if you were jumping back in time.

Just like in most weddings, I spent time with the groom and his groomsmen, before going to the ladies’ side. The bride and the bridesmaids enjoyed a friendly moment, reading the “Wedding Post” with Jordana & Adrien’s front page wedding news and sharing a bottle of champagne.

After the bride and groom’s getting ready, the couple reunited for their wedding first touch. I had never heard about first “touch” before then, having only photo shot first “looks”. Jordana & Adrien explained to me they wanted to see each other in their wedding dress and suit for the first time at the ceremony, but did want to spend a privileged moment together before. They thus both closed their eyes and turned their back to each other. This was a very emotional moment, when the bride burst into tears of joy holding her future husband’s hand, yet not being able to look at him. After the first touch, all guests gathered at the top end of the gardens for the ceremony.

This outdoor ceremony, under the radiant sun of the Southwest of France, was a very emotional one. Nothing could have predicted the encounter of these two lovebirds, her from Brazil, and him from France, who met in Estonia, where they both work and live.

Making the most of the late afternoon sun, I took couple pictures of the bride and groom in these elegant salons of Chateau La Durantie. These were a perfect setting for timeless and romantic pictures, but also for a few more fashion shots. The staircase was also a great spot to take photos, as it benefited from the afternoon’s light. This spot reminded me of an Italian palazzo.

The newlyweds enjoyed a cocktail party with their close ones. I seized this opportunity to capture a few drone pictures.

Then began the outdoor dinner. I have always loved al fresco dinners, and one of my dreams was to take pictures of outdoor chandeliers over a long wedding table. Well, this was also Jordana’s dream to enjoy such a table design for her wedding. I was thus most thrilled to have the opportunity to capture these dangling chandeliers over a beautifully designed table by Sarah Thomas.

Supper under the stars of Dordogne was a very emotional, romantic one. The bride and groom were blessed with their family and friends’ speeches.

Then they cut the wedding cake, poured a fountain of Ruinart champagne, and enjoyed magnificent fireworks.

Lastly, began the dancing party, in the old wineries of Chateau La Durantie. Jordana had swapped her wedding gown for another dress, best accommodating to dancing. Her choice of style added much value to her wedding day, as a second dress is a perfect trick to add another mood – to the formality of a long wedding gown succeeds the lightness and modernity of a short-cut dress.

Venue: Chateau La Durantie

Planning + Design: Sarah Thomas Events

Florals: Opera de Gardenia

Hair + Makeup: Anna Jazelle Beauty

Wedding Day Photography: Aude Lucas • Wedding Photography

Videography: Veronika Joy

Cake: Wooden Spoon by Coralee

Strings: Ensemble Obligato

DJ: Halcyon Nights

Sax: Phil Sax man