Country wedding in the heart of the Auvergne near Issoire
Alice & Martin
Country wedding photography in Auvergne: the day
Alice and Martin have chosen to celebrate their country wedding in Auvergnebetween Sauxillanges and le Vernet-Chaméanein the Puy-de-Dômejust a stone's throw fromIssoire. The day began in steady rain, but soon the skies cleared, giving way to soft light, ideal for an evening out. natural photo reportage. Right from the start, the atmosphere was simple and warm: bouquets of wild flowers, homemade decorations, moments shared in the family garden. The ceremonies took place in the middle of the village, between the town hall and the little church, before the guests gathered for an evening in the heart of the fields, with a view of the Puys mountain range. A country weddingsincere and full of life - the kind of day I like to photograph, in a style documentary and sensitivefaithful to the moment.
Country wedding in the Puy-de-Dôme, from the preparations to the first look
Preparations for a country wedding near Issoire
After a trip to the hairdresser's Sauxillangesdirection family home located in the heart of the countryside, not far fromIssoire. In a relaxed atmosphere, everyone was busy: hand-picked bouquets, tablecloths spread under the trees, final touches to the decorations.
For preparations for the bride and groomWe worked with two photographers, allowing us to follow both moments without disrupting the rhythm. Martin dressed with his brother in a small nearby gîte, whileAlice with her sister and a friend.
Soft light filtered through the clouds, perfect for natural, unadorned photos. Nothing was frozen, everything was in motion and spontaneity, just as I like to capture in a photograph. wedding reportage in the countryside.
An intimate first look in the garden: emotions and authenticity
Visit first look took place under the tall trees of the garden, close to a wheat field. MartinHe was ready and waiting for Alice, a little nervous. When he turned to meet her, the emotion was immediate. The tears, the hands on his face, the shocked look in his eyes... it all happened in a matter of seconds.
That's why I often recommend that couples spend time together, out of sight. It creates a rare space of intimacy, impossible to find at church or town hall.
In this context countryin the heart of nature first look of Alice and Martin will remain for me one of the highlights of the day. A real, unstaged moment, just the way we like it in wedding photography in Auvergne.
Country wedding photographer: Franco-British ceremony
Bagpipe ceremony at the town hall
After the preparations, it's off to the Le Vernet-Chaméane town halla small village in the heart of theRural Auvergne. The guests waited for the bride and groom under a fine rain, punctuated by the notes of a bagpipes played by a British friend of Alice and Martin. A musical touch full of character, which immediately set the tone.
Alice and Martin arrived on board an old Jaguarsurrounded by their loved ones. Inside, the civil ceremony was both intimate and warm. The mayor, who has known Alice since childhood, punctuated his speech with personal anecdotes - some funny, others more tender - that brought a smile to the faces of the entire gathering.
It all took place in French and EnglishThe new website is designed for everyone to follow and get involved. A nice touch in this French-English wedding in Auvergnecarefully thought out.
Church ceremony
Once the civil ceremony was over, the procession formed in the village lanes, still guided by the bagpipes. On to the church, small, sober and freshly renovated.
Visit religious ceremony was carried by the music of four musician friends: guitars, violins, and a beautiful acoustic resonating between the stone walls. Martin entered on the arm of his mom, then Alice joined him, accompanied by her father.
From the benches, you could feel the emotion, reinforced by the simplicity of the setting and the closeness of the guests. It's in this kind of setting, typical of Auvergne villages, that I find everything that speaks to me as a country wedding photographer Auvergne.
A country wedding in the Auvergne with a view of the volcanoes: evening and cocktail party in the garden
A country wedding evening in the Auvergne: wheat, games and soft light
After the ceremonies, a cocktail was served at the exit of the town hallbefore everyone took to the road to join the family homeperched high above the fields. There, the view opened out onto the undulating wheat and, in the distance, the Puys mountain rangeThe view was bathed in cloudy, late-day light.
The atmosphere was relaxed. A pétanque competition got underway. While some people played pétanque, others took out a set of cricketimprovised by Martin's brother and his son. We chatted over a drink, laughed and simply enjoyed being together, in this setting of country wedding in Auvergnerustic and cheerful. Nothing was static, everything was alive. The kind of end-of-day we love.
A simple, joyful party... with two dinosaurs as a surprise!
As the evening progressed, the mood became lighter. Some friends had planned surprise entertainmentA couple of guests even donned dinosaur costumes for a few laughs. The scene was improbable, joyful, and typical of the spirit of the day: don't take yourself too seriously, enjoy to the full, and create unique memories.
In the falling half-light, garlands were gradually lit, conversations lengthened, glasses emptied. The atmosphere was soft, as if in suspension. A country partywithout fuss, but full of human warmth - exactly what the couples who place their trust in me are looking for. wedding reportage in Auvergne.
Alice's testimony: memories and tips for a successful wedding
Following their report, Alice took the time to answer a few questions about their meeting, their choices for the day, and what they take away from it.
How did you meet?
Martin and I met at a board game meeting. I'd just moved to England and was keen to meet new people. Martin had already attended several meetings. A little shy, we were both listening, in the background of a discussion, when everyone else left. We found ourselves alone, a little sheepish, and started chatting. Later, I found him on the group's forum and we exchanged a few messages before meeting up again over a pint.
What were your priorities for the day?
Our top priority was to be surrounded by smiles. We make each other happy, and we wanted to share that with our loved ones. I've traveled a lot, and my friends are scattered far and wide. This was an opportunity to meet them again, to introduce them to Martin, and to show them the Auvergne region where I grew up. As for Martin, he was keen to show his family and friends around the region he loves so much. We did a lot of the work ourselves, with the help of our friends who had come a few days before. We had a wonderful time together, even before the wedding.
What will you treasure most?
For me, it was the moment I saw Martin for the first time on the wedding day. We'd spent the morning passing each other without seeing each other. When our eyes finally met, it took my breath away. I forgot everything; it was just the two of us.
For Martin, it was the moment at church. At the town hall, you had your back to everyone, but here, you could see everyone's face. He was struck by the benevolent gathering. We'd been through some difficult times before we met, so to see this community gathered around us was very powerful.
What advice would you give to a couple preparing for their wedding?
Entrust the running of your day to one or two people you trust. On the big day, you won't have the time or the mind to manage everything, and some things simply won't get done if nobody knows about them.
Above all, relax. Accept that things may not go exactly to plan. It will still be beautiful, sometimes even more beautiful than you had imagined. We, for example, didn't manage to have our "first dance" that evening... so we danced a few days later, at sunset, just the two of us, and it was perfect.
Thank you both for this testimonial.
See other photo reports :
Report on a country wedding in the rain at Château de Bois Rigaud near Issoire.
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