From Schoolyard to France: The Love Story of Danielle and Oliver
Location: Serres-et-Montguyard, Dordogne, Southwest of France
The Love Story of Danielle and Oliver
Danielle and Oliver’s journey, began in their school days, finding a connection at 17 during a party. Their bond grew over late-night chats on MSN Messenger, leading to Oliver asking Danielle to prom, marking the start of their story. Oliver finally proposed on a Mauritius beach at sunset, setting a romantic scene with their favorite rosé. The proposal culminated in a candlelit dinner, sharing the moment privately before announcing their engagement to the family, all leading to their magical woodland wedding at Chateau Lacanaud.
Vendors Feature: Chateau Lacanaud & Frances Mary Sales photographer
Choosing France for their Magical Woodland Wedding
They chose France as the picturesque setting for their destination wedding, appreciating its easy access for guests. This choice welcomed friends and family from around the world, including Australia and New York, highlighting the remarkable efforts made by their loved ones to partake in their joyful union.
The Wedding Planning Journey
Thankfully, they had the most incredible wedding planner, Karen, who took care of pretty much everything. Ollie and Danielle both have a very similar style and knew exactly what they wanted and what they didn’t want for their wedding so that made the planning relatively easy. They talked with Karen about their budget and shared a Pinterest board, and from that, Karen narrowed down suppliers and options suitable for them.
For their woodland wedding ceremony, they exchanged vows in a secluded area on the chateau’s grounds, nestled beneath the trees. This spot, never before used for a ceremony, was chosen for its intimate feel, set apart from the rest of the chateau, creating a private, romantic atmosphere that perfectly aligned with their vision. A simple yet beautiful piece of fabric was draped between the trees to form a natural arch, under which they pledged their love to each other, encapsulating the essence of a woodland wedding.
The Dress and Bridal Party
Danielle fell for the Paradise Dress by And For Love, a choice made even before setting a wedding date. The bridesmaids’ dresses, designed by Caroline Bruce, reflected each one’s personality, adding to the day’s personal touch.
Music Choices
The song they chose for their walk down the aisle was “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” by Kina Grannis. They selected this song because on the night they got engaged, as they sat down to dinner, they could hear a singer at a nearby restaurant performing this very song. They aimed for the ceremony part of their day to be highly romantic, and this song perfectly set the tone, evoking strong emotions
Capturing the Day
Photography with a Natural Touch
The couple chose photographer Frances Mary Sales for her ability to capture natural, joyful moments. Her discreet presence and beautiful photos left them with treasured memories of their day, grateful for her talent and the magic she captured.
Vendors List
Venue: Chateau Lacanaud | Photographer: Frances Mary Sales | Planner: Perfect Day by Karen | Celebrant: Alan Kitchener from Celebrants in France | Hair: Jennifer Degritot | Makeup: Kelly Hayman Makeup | Flowers: Les Six Saisons | Dress: And For Love | Dress Store: Story of My Dress Bridal | Bridesmaid Dresses: Caroline Bruce | Hire: Our Fabulous Things | Catering: The Feast Maker | Stationary: Palette & Page | DJ: Mixology Sax DJ
