Country wedding in the heart of the Auvergne near Issoire
Alice & Martin
Country wedding photography in Auvergne: the day
Alice and Martin chose to celebrate their country wedding in the Auvergne, between Sauxillanges and Le Vernet-Chaméane, in the Puy-de-Dôme region, a stone's throw fromIssoire. The day began in steady rain, but soon the skies cleared, giving way to soft light ideal for a natural photo shoot. 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, overlooking the Chaîne des Puys. A country wedding, sincere and full of life - the kind of day I like to photograph, in a sensitive documentary style, faithful 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 in Sauxillanges, we headed for the family home in the countryside not far fromIssoire. In a relaxed atmosphere, everyone was busy: hand-crafted bouquets, tablecloths laid out under the trees, final touches to the decorations.
For the bride and groom's preparations, we worked with two photographers, which enabled us to follow both moments without disrupting the rhythm. Martin got dressed with his brother in a small gîte nearby, whileAlice got ready 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 spontaneous, just as I like to capture in a country wedding.
An intimate first look in the garden: emotions and authenticity
The first look took place under the tall trees in the garden, close to a wheat field. Martin 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 on his face... it all happened in a matter of seconds.
That's why I often recommend that couples spend this time together, away from the public eye. It creates a rare space of intimacy, impossible to find in church or at the town hall.
In this rural setting, in the heart of nature, Alice and Martin's first look will remain for me one of the highlights of the day. A real, unstaged moment, as we love them in wedding photography in the Auvergne.
Country wedding photographer: Franco-British ceremony
Bagpipe ceremony at the town hall
After all the preparations, it was off to the town hall in Le Vernet-Chaméane, a small village in the heart ofrural Auvergne. Guests awaited the bride and groom in a light rain, punctuated by the notes of a bagpipe played by one of Alice and Martin's British friends. A musical touch full of character, which immediately set the tone.
Alice and Martin arrived in an old Jaguar, surrounded by their nearest and dearest. 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 assembly.
The ceremony was conducted in French and English, so that everyone could follow along and get involved. A very thoughtful touch for this French-English wedding in Auvergne.
Church ceremony
Once the civil ceremony was over, the procession formed in the village lanes, still guided by the bagpipes. We headed for the church, small, sober and freshly renovated.
The religious ceremony was carried by the music of four musician friends: guitars, violins, and beautiful acoustics resonating between the stone walls. Martin entered on the arm of his mother, then Alice joined him, accompanied by her father.
From the benches, you could feel the emotion, reinforced by the simplicity of the location 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 an Auvergne country wedding photographer.
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 party was served outside the town hall, before everyone set off for the family home, perched high above the fields. From here, the view opened out onto the rolling wheat fields and, in the distance, the Chaîne des Puys, bathed in cloudy late-day light.
The atmosphere was relaxed. A pétanque competition got underway. While some played pétanque, others brought out a game of cricket, improvised by Martin's brother and his son. We chatted over a glass, laughed and simply enjoyed being together, in this rustic yet joyful setting for a country wedding in the Auvergne. 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 atmosphere became lighter. A few friends had planned some surprise entertainment, and two guests even donned dinosaur costumes to make young and old laugh. The scene was improbable, joyful, and typical of the spirit of the day: don't take yourself too seriously, enjoy yourself 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 party, without fuss, but full of human warmth - exactly what the couples who trust me with their wedding coverage in Auvergne are looking for.
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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