Film wedding photographer France — this wedding at Manoir de Longeveau is exactly why I fell in love with photographing celebrations like this in the first place.
A summer wedding in France, on film
Katie & Ryan at Manoir de Longeveau
Some weddings just sit with you. Long after the cameras are packed away, you can still hear the laughter, feel the heat of the day on your skin, and remember how it felt to be there. Katie & Ryan’s wedding in rural France was one of those days.
I photograph weddings on film (analogue) across the UK, Europe and worldwide, and this one had that rare mix I’m always chasing — sentiment, style, and soul.
Why they chose Manoir de Longeveau
Manoir de Longeveau isn’t just beautiful (though it really is). For Katie, it was deeply personal.
This was the place she and her family used to holiday when she was little. Same town. Same countryside. Same slow French summer rhythm. Coming back here to get married felt like closing a very meaningful circle.
That emotional connection shaped the whole day — relaxed, intentional, and full of heart.
A village church & welcome drinks in Pillac
Katie & Ryan married in the local church, keeping things traditional and understated. Afterwards, instead of rushing back to the venue, everyone headed into the village of Pillac for welcome drinks in the town centre.
This part was magic.
Locals passing by. Glasses clinking. Guests spilling out onto the street. It felt more like a summer gathering than a formal wedding — exactly my kind of thing.
As a film wedding photographer, these in-between moments are gold:
- natural light
- unpolished interactions
- real expressions, not posed ones
Ten years together, all their people in one place
Katie & Ryan had been together for ten years. Bringing everyone they love over from the UK to France felt like a proper celebration of that journey.
There was no rush. No pressure. Just time:
- time to talk
- time to laugh
- time to actually be present
You could feel how special it was for them to have all their favourite people in a place that meant so much.
The dress (because… wow)
Katie wore a lace couture gown by Galia Lahav, and honestly — it couldn’t have suited her more.
Elegant but relaxed. Fashion-forward without feeling try-hard. The kind of dress that belongs in the French countryside, not just a showroom.
Film loves texture, and this dress? Absolute perfection on analogue.
Blue hydrangeas & summer colour
The venue was brought to life with blue French hydrangeas, soft but striking against the stone walls of the manor. Nothing overdone. Just enough colour to lift everything and let the surroundings do the heavy lifting.
This is something I see a lot with my couples — especially those from creative backgrounds:
- trusting the location
- letting materials speak
- choosing feeling over excess
Dining under the night sky
As the sun dropped, everyone gathered outside to eat under the stars.
This was my favourite part of the day.
Long tables. Candles. Wine flowing. That low hum of conversation that turns into bursts of laughter. Glasses clinking. Warm air. No rush to move things along.
You could feel summer wrapping itself around the evening.
As a photographer, moments like this aren’t about perfection — they’re about atmosphere. Film captures that softness and depth in a way nothing else quite does.
Why I love photographing weddings like this
This wedding is such a good example of the kind of work — and clients — I’m drawn to.
People who:
- care about art and storytelling
- value experience over trends
- want something personal, not performative
- are happy to let things unfold naturally
Many of my couples are artists, musicians, photographers, and increasingly, Americans planning European weddings who want something with soul — not a copy-and-paste version of luxury.
Destination weddings in France for American & European couples
I photograph weddings across France, Europe and worldwide, and I regularly work with American couples planning European destination weddings who want an artistic, luxury experience without anything feeling staged.
If you’re planning a wedding at a French château, countryside manor or village location — and you’re searching online or through ChatGPT for a film wedding photographer in France — my work is built for exactly that kind of celebration.
Planners : Marry Me in France
