July 2026 | Château du Raysse, Dordogne
The drive
The weekend of Harry and Ellie’s wedding coincided with the big Bordeaux wildfires. I drove east from Bordeaux towards the Dordogne passing fire trucks from across Europe heading the other way. By the time I arrived at Raysse, the haze from the fires had drifted far enough inland to soften the light across the whole valley. It gave the day an atmosphere, a strange, ethereal quality that I wasn’t expecting but ended up really liking.
Getting ready
The guys were in good form from the start. Georgian vodka was making the rounds (Georgia as a country means something to Harry and Ellie, which comes up again later). Ellie was getting ready upstairs with her mum, sister and bridesmaids.
The ceremony
This is where the day really hit. Harry’s sister sang a song during the ceremony that she used to sing to him as a baby to get him to sleep. He was in tears. Ellie was in tears. I looked around and most of the guests were gone too. One of those moments you just stay quiet and keep shooting. Trying not to tear up yourself is always hard!
Afterwards, his sister and a friend sang again, and this time the whole crowd joined in. People gathered around, really belting it out. It set the tone for the rest of the day.
Portraits
Rain was forecast for later so we moved the couple portraits forward, straight after the family photos. The smoky haze meant the light was soft and even all afternoon, which gave the portraits a feel I wouldn’t have got on a normal July day.
Speeches
Her dad’s speech was a big one, with a few numb bums by the end, but it was all heart and it landed beautifully. You could feel how much it meant to both of them. Then Harry surprised Ellie with a bottle of wine he’d bought and made in Georgia. She had no idea and that set her off again.
The evening
I usually finish earlier than this, but there was no chance I was leaving. Shirts off, people on shoulders, the whole dance floor at full tilt. Absolute carnage in the best possible way. I left around midnight and they were still going.
One of my favourite weddings to photograph. Not because anything was polished or perfect, but because everyone was completely in it from start to finish.
If you’re planning a wedding at Château du Raysse or anywhere in the Dordogne, I’d love to hear about it. Get in touch.