Caroline and Ben's wedding at Manoir de Longeveau was my first of the 2026 season, and as openers go I couldn't have asked for much more. Sunny, not too hot, not too cold, which in late April is never a given.
I've shot at Longeveau before, but a few weeks out I went over for a proper look around anyway. The manoir, then into Aubeterre-sur-Dronne for the church, which I'd never been inside. Partly to refresh my memory, mostly to plan the day properly. It paid off, especially for the church.
Getting ready in the Manoir
Getting ready was all in the manoir. Ben was in full RAF uniform, cap, gloves, medals, the lot, and I'm not going to pretend that doesn't make my job easier.
Their daughter Sofia was brilliantly behaved all day (better than most of the adults!), and she was just so sweet to watch with Caroline and her mum while they got ready.
The ceremony in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
Then over to Aubeterre, about ten minutes from Longeveau, for the ceremony at Église Saint-Jacques. It was a Catholic service, so on the long side, and Father Francis, a friend of the family, led it together with the local priest. You'd never have guessed it was the first time the two of them had worked together.
If you're worried a village church will be too dark to photograph, this one isn't. Not bright, but plenty of light to work with, and a really lovely place to shoot a ceremony.
Drinks in the square and a Citroën 2CV
After the ceremony everyone moved to the village square for drinks. I had the Nikon F100 loaded for this bit. It's what I usually do during drinks: go round the groups of people as they're naturally standing and talking, and taking a few informal portraits of the guests.
Caroline and Ben were getting about in an old Citroën 2CV, which is about as French as wedding transport gets. Once the guests had headed back to Longeveau, we stayed behind for a few portraits. First at the viewpoint on Rue Saint-Jacques, with the whole town behind them, then the narrow streets with the 2CV waiting.
On the way back we stopped at an avenue of trees on the road, with the 2CV parked up behind them. I was working with Liz from iWed Film again, and between us we made the most of it.
Back at Longeveau
Back at the manoir, the guests were waiting in the courtyard for the 2CV to bring Caroline and Ben in. Then a big group shot of all 65 of them in front of the manoir, family photos, and on into the drinks reception.
Dinner was outside in the courtyard in front of the manoir, which you can't always count on in April. The speeches were properly emotional, and Ben's had plenty of RAF in it.
Portraits on the golf course, then the barn
As the evening came in, I took the two of them out to the fields and golf course behind the manoir for a few portraits. There's loads of space back there, which makes evening portraits very easy.
Then a croquembouche outside the main entrance instead of a cake, and into the barn for the first dance and the rest of the night.
If you're thinking about Longeveau
You can keep a whole Longeveau wedding on site, and that works brilliantly. But if you want a church ceremony, Aubeterre is ten minutes down the road and gives you a completely different setting for the first half of the day: the church, the square, the streets and the views back over the town. Then you're back at the manoir for dinner, the golf course for portraits and the barn for the party. Zoé from Marry Me In France planned all of it, and the timings held up all day.
If you're planning a wedding at Longeveau or anywhere in Southwest France, I'd love to hear about it.
Suppliers
Venue: Manoir de Longeveau
Ceremony: Église Saint-Jacques, Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
Planner: Zoé Parry, Marry Me In France
Videographer: Liz, iWed Film
Flowers: Angie Steadman, Les Fleurs Coupées
Hair: Angie Pittman
DJ: Justin Burley
Car hire: Robert Q