A Peachy Keen Dream Day For Lauren & Jack

Photography by: Emma Hill Film & Photography

I'd planned a surprise trip to Iceland for Christmas, but little did I know he was also planning to take me to propose there in March, so my plans hastened his idea and meant he had to rush to get the ring in time! It all went perfectly on the day though, we had been snowmobiling on Iceland's largest glacier and just as we reached the highest point with the setting sun behind us I turned around to see him on one knee. After 7 years it had finally happened in the most breathtaking scenery, so beautiful.

We always knew we wanted to get married abroad and France suited our loved ones best. Searching for a venue led to 'The Fairytale Château' popping up and I just knew it was the one! My Nan holidayed every year just around the corner from the venue and when she passed away before the wedding, it felt even more special because it was like she was there with us in her favourite area. We had 60 guests in all, wanting it to be intimate with our closest family and friends with us on site. 45 guests could stay within the château's accommodations, with the rest in hotels so everyone could join us for the weekend activities. After starting planning in 2018, I was so excited getting ready on a day we had been waiting for through two Covid delays.

It was a lovely morning getting ready with my bridesmaids, chatting away as we had our hair and makeup done. I felt the nerves start once my dress was on in case I tripped, but I simply couldn't wait to walk down the aisle and see everything come together. I actually found my dress in the first shop I visited! I was initially against a sweetheart neckline but once I tried it on it just felt different. The material, fit and train of the dress all felt really special and I knew it was the one. I then worked with a custom seamstress  to create a custom top half with sleeves like I always wanted. Designing it together was a memorable experience and I have to thank Fross for showing me it was possible to create something unique and Helen for executing my vision perfectly!

I also have to thank our planners Beth and Kristian at 'Marry Me in France' for handling everything so we had as stress-free a weekend as possible and our photographers and videographers Emma and James for blending in like guests and capturing everything so beautifully. We had so much fun with you! The most special part of the day would have to be the ceremony itself as we wrote our own vows which made it so personal and emotional. Having our sons walk down the aisle and our eldest being the ring bearer was such a special touch. He still talks about "our wedding in the fairytale castle" a year later and he was only three!

When we first met the 'Twilight' film series was huge, so it felt apt to walk down the aisle to the piano version of "A Thousand Years" from the soundtrack. We then went with a more upbeat song to exit the ceremony, "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)", it speaks for itself! "Bambaleo" by The Gypsy Kings was our choice for entering the reception and all our guests did the French tradition of swinging white napkins and it was so fun! When we chose 'At Last' as our first dance song in 2020, we didn't realise how apt it would become when we finally got to celebrate after the delays! One of our best decisions has to be throwing a huge BBQ pool party the day after the celebrations as we shared stories, ate amazing food and spent the day playing pool volleyball, it was a magical memory.

I cannot recommend Château de Cazenac enough to couples looking for a space to get married, they had so many spots to hold every part of the wedding. Not to mention the stunning scenery and rooms for guests, the staff really went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. It also lent itself really well to our wedding colours as the greenery and peachy pinks all complemented the stone of the venue. It was simply timeless. Always keeping me on my toes, Jack surprised me with a trip to Santorini for our honeymoon and wrote inside the card I opened on the morning of the wedding, it was the perfect finish to our celebrations.

THE DREAM TEAM

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY: @EMMAHILLFILMPHOTOGRAPHY DRESSES: @FROSSWEDDINGCOLLECTIONS SUITS: @DKNY AT @MOSSBROS JEWELLERY: @TIFFANYANDCO HAIR: @DAISYBARRHAIR MAKEUP: @ENYADOHERTY1 PLANNERS & DÉCOR: @MARRYMEINFRANCE VENUE: @DOMAINECAZENAC DJ: JUSTIN AT CRYSTAL BEATS CELEBRANT: CHRIS SAIT FROM CELEBRANTS IN FRANCE LIGHTING: LUMINOUS LIGHTING BALLOON DISPLAY: @CREATIONSANDCELEBRATIONSLTD STATIONERY: @PSXO_DESIGN CATERING: CHEZAMISCATERING_DORDOGNE & THE GARDEN STREET FOOD POP-UP