Planning a Wedding in Southwest France? Early Insights from a Local Wedding Photographer
I’m a British wedding photographer based in Bordeaux. I’ve shot weddings in the UK for years and now I’m building the business in France. I’ve second-shot here, with more booked, and I’m getting a feel for how days run in this part of the country.
If you’re planning from abroad, it can be hard to picture the flow. These are early observations from my own work here and from talking with planners, florists, and venue owners in the region.
1. Book Your Wedding Venue Early
There’s no shortage of beautiful spots here — châteaux in the Dordogne, vineyards in Saint-Émilion, country estates in the Charente. The challenge is booking before someone else does.
Local venues often take a limited number of weddings each year, especially family-run places and working vineyards. Peak summer weekends go fast, often 12 to 18 months ahead.
If you can’t visit yet, ask for a virtual tour and galleries from the same season you’re booking. That way, if you’re booking a June date, you’ll see exactly how the roses look in bloom or how the courtyard is set up for shade in hot weather. Those small details can make a big difference when choosing.
2. Use the Light to Your Advantage
The light here changes the day. In midsummer, golden hour can be around 9:30pm, sometimes later in June. That means you can start later without rushing, and portraits often work best after dinner.
Planners often suggest leaving a short gap between the meal and dancing. Ten minutes outside when the light softens can give you some of the best photos of the day, especially if you’re near open fields or vineyards where the sun dips low across the rows.
Spring brings softer light and cooler air. Autumn means warm days and quieter venues, but you lose light earlier, so group photos need to happen sooner. If you’ve chosen a château with tall trees or high walls, it’s worth checking where the shade falls at different times so you’re not caught out.
3. Plan for the Weather
This is one of the sunniest regions in France, but it’s not always perfect. July and August can hit the mid-30s°C. Think shade, water, and lighter fabrics for you and your guests — and maybe swap the three-piece suit for a waistcoat if you’re getting married outdoors.
Planners say rain is rare in summer, but when it comes it’s usually a short, heavy burst. Most venues have covered spaces you can switch to quickly, from stone barns to glass-walled orangeries. Check this when you book so you know plan B will still feel like your wedding, not a compromise.
Spring and early autumn are comfortable, but evenings cool down fast. A jacket or wrap for later is worth having — and if you’re hosting dinner outdoors, heaters or blankets are a good call.
4. Working with Local Wedding Suppliers in France
One of the benefits of getting married here is how many suppliers work with what’s seasonal and local. Florists might source flowers from nearby growers — think armfuls of sunflowers in late summer or delicate ranunculus in spring (those layered, rose-like blooms you’ve probably seen in Pinterest boards without knowing the name). Caterers often feature produce from the region, whether that’s oysters from Arcachon Bay, duck from the Dordogne, or strawberries from Lot-et-Garonne. And it’s common for the wine to come directly from the vineyard down the road from your venue.
This isn’t just about tradition — it means everything is at its best on the day. If you’re planning from abroad, ask your suppliers what’s likely to be in season when you get married. Leaning into what’s fresh locally not only makes things taste and look better, it also gives your wedding a genuine connection to the place you chose. Guests notice it, and it’s often one of the things they remember.
5. Make the Most of Long Evenings
If you’re coming from the UK, the order of the day will feel familiar: prep in the morning, ceremony in the afternoon, speeches before dinner.
The difference is how the setting works with it. Long summer evenings mean we can move portraits to later, when it’s cooler and the light is better. Planners here often recommend it — it takes the pressure off and keeps you with your guests earlier in the day.
This also means receptions often spill outside until late, especially if you’ve got fairy lights in the trees or music in a courtyard. Just keep in mind that sound carries in the countryside, so some venues will have cut-off times for outdoor music — worth asking about early.
6. Planning from Abroad: What Works Best
From speaking with other vendors, the couples who have the easiest time tend to:
Book the venue early and let it guide the rest
Choose a few trusted suppliers and follow their recommendations — in small communities, they often know who works best together
Keep the timeline flexible for weather or delays
Visit once if you can, even for a quick tour and a few meetings. It’s often enough to put names to faces and see the spaces you’ve only viewed on a screen
Final Thought
I’m still new to weddings here, which means I’m looking at everything with fresh eyes and getting tips from the people who work these events week in, week out.
If you want to talk through your plans with someone on the ground in southwest France, I’m happy to help. Timeline, suppliers, honest feedback on a venue — it’s all part of the job.