Emma & James – Manoir de Longeveau, Charente

30.08.2025

Emma & James chose Manoir de Longeveau for their August wedding, and the place suited them perfectly — relaxed, bright and full of space for people to enjoy themselves. The day began in the Manoir before everyone travelled to the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, a remarkable underground church that gave their ceremony a real sense of occasion. Back at the Manoir, the afternoon unfolded in that unmistakable Irish way: plenty of laughter, good energy, and a steady flow of moments worth photographing. A brief shower passed over before dinner, giving everyone a few minutes to regroup before the evening picked up again. And, in true fashion, a rugby ball made its way onto the lawn — which led to a playful lineout and some of my favourite frames of the day. A warm, memorable wedding in the heart of the Charente.

Groom fastening his suit jacket near a bright window at Manoir de Longeveau.
Groom’s buttonholes laid out on white fabric, ready before the wedding at Manoir de Longeveau.
Groom and groomsmen laughing while opening a champagne bottle outside Manoir de Longeveau.
Groom and groomsmen standing together outside Manoir de Longeveau before the ceremony.
View of the village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne with stone houses and tiled roofs.
Groom and groomsmen walking through the streets of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne before the ceremony.
Groom having his boutonnière adjusted by a groomsman outside Manoir de Longeveau.
Fabric welcome banner hanging on the stone wall showing “Welcome to the wedding of Emma & James – 30.08.2025.”
Groom and groomsmen posing for a photo inside the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
Guest stepping out of a car and greeting another guest on arrival at the wedding.
Groom laughing with guests during arrivals at Saint-Jean de Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
Groom greeting a guest with a hug outside the ceremony.
Three bridesmaids standing together holding colourful bouquets before the ceremony.
Wide overhead view of the ceremony setup inside the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
Black-and-white overhead view of the bride entering the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
Bride placing a ring on the groom’s finger during the ceremony at the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean.
Bride and groom smiling during the vows, with a guest reacting behind them inside the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean.
Guests seated inside the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean, clapping during the ceremony.
Bride and groom seated together, smiling, during the ceremony at the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean.
Bride and groom cheering and raising their hands together as they exit the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
Bride and groom walking through the crowd after the ceremony, holding bouquets and smiling.
Guests handing out confetti cones outside the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean before the couple exit.
Guests leaving the church, including a couple carrying a baby, during the confetti moment setup.
Bride and groom walking through two lines of guests for the confetti throw outside the church.
Bridesmaids and groomsman waiting with bouquets and confetti cones outside the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean.
Guest carrying a baby while walking along the wooden walkway inside the Église Souterraine Saint-Jean.
Bride, groom and close friends talking and holding drinks during the reception at Manoir de Longeveau.
Three guests smiling for a photo during the outdoor drinks reception at Manoir de Longeveau.
Groom hugging a guest during the reception at Manoir de Longeveau.
Two guests smiling and holding drinks during the outdoor reception at Manoir de Longeveau.
Bride and groom walking hand-in-hand down a village street in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
Bridal party walking together through the village streets of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne after the ceremony.
Groom standing for a portrait against a stone wall in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
Close-up of the groom’s buttonhole featuring blue and white flowers.
Groom hugging Mum in the streets of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
Bride smiling with sunglasses on, holding her bouquet during the celebrations.
Bride chatting with guests while holding a drink during the reception at Manoir de Longeveau.
Group of wedding guests posing for a photo in the courtyard at Manoir de Longeveau.
Groom laughing with two guests during the reception at Manoir de Longeveau.
Close-up of the ribboned Porsche bonnet used as the wedding car.
Bride and groom leaving the ceremony in a black Porsche with guests cheering around them.
Bride sitting on the back of the Porsche holding her bouquet while guests celebrate.
Bride leaving in the Porsche as guests gather in the village street of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
Bride and groom walking hand-in-hand through the village streets after the ceremony.
Exterior of Manoir de Longeveau on a sunny afternoon with ivy climbing the walls.
Bridesmaid and bride laughing together during the reception at Manoir de Longeveau.
Guests playing Jenga during the afternoon reception.
Guest holding a baby in the shade during the drinks reception at Manoir de Longeveau.
Young guest writing in the wedding guestbook during the afternoon reception.
Groom and groomsmen jumping in the air for a line out in the venue grounds.
Groomsmen lifting a guest into the air during a playful moment at the Manoir de Longeveau reception.
Group of guests holding up Grooms Mother while laughing during the afternoon reception.
Guests dancing and celebrating outdoors during the reception at Manoir de Longeveau.
Wedding party forming a line-out for a playful rugby-themed moment on the lawn.
Bride and groom being lifted into the air by guests during a celebratory moment.
Close-up of the bride holding a personalised rugby ball during the reception.
Bride smiling and holding the rugby ball while chatting with guests at the reception.
Bride and groom posing with the rugby ball and a beer, smiling during the celebrations.
Bride and groom walking along the long reception table set for dinner at Manoir de Longeveau.
Long dinner table set for the wedding meal at Manoir de Longeveau, decorated with candles and flowers.
Close-up of the wedding dinner table with glassware, candles and floral arrangements.
Two guests laughing and holding the microphone during speeches at the reception.
Guests waving napkins above their heads during a lively moment at the wedding dinner.
Bride laughing during a speech while seated at the top table.
Plated starters arranged on a table ready to be served during the wedding dinner.
Close-up of one of the plated dishes served during the wedding meal.
Bride and groom sharing a quiet moment, leaning into each other, during the speeches.
Bride and groom smiling and reacting during a wedding speech at dinner.
Guests clapping and smiling at their tables during the wedding dinner.
Group of friends posing together in the courtyard during the evening celebrations.
Bride and groom standing with their croquembouche wedding cake, sparklers lit on top.
Guests reacting and cheering during the evening cake presentation.
Bride and groom smiling beside their croquembouche before cutting the cake.
Group of guests standing arm-in-arm during a late evening moment at the wedding.
Bride dancing with guests inside the barn at Manoir de Longeveau.
Bride and groom dancing enthusiastically during the party.
Bridesmaids dancing together on the dancefloor during the wedding party.
Guests dancing and celebrating under string lights inside the barn.
Groom being lifted into the air on the dancefloor during the evening party at Manoir de Longeveau.
Guests dancing and cheering under string lights during the wedding party.
Black-and-white photo of the bride being lifted into the air on the dancefloor while guests celebrate around her.
Guests dancing, laughing and raising their hands during the evening celebrations.
Bride being lifted up by guests with her arms raised on the dancefloor inside the barn.
Groom and guests being lifted into the air together during a lively dancefloor moment.

Contact me.

Gavin Chapman · Wedding Photographer in France

I’m based in Bordeaux and photograph weddings across the Dordogne, Charente, Lot-et-Garonne and throughout France.

I work mainly with English-speaking couples from the UK, US, Australia, Ireland and beyond — people who want beautifulful photographs of themselves and the people who matter most, on the day that matters most.

Available across France and Europe.

I’d love to hear what you’re planning.

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Ellie & Chris at Château du Raysse, Dordogne