Glamorous wedding at Chateau Domaine d’Essendieras in Dordogne

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This glamorous wedding at Chateau Domaine d’Essendieras is certainly the stuff that dreams are made of!  John and Liana fell in love in Paris and the romantic proposal that followed took place on a private jet bound for Verona!  Of course their wedding had to be in France, where their romance began.

The location for the wedding Château Domaine d’Essendieras, is in the bucolic setting of The Dordogne region.  The big day was captured by Juliet Lemon Photography and you can see the idyllic setting through Juliet’s gorgeous imagery around the beautiful 16th century Chateau and its perfectly manicured gardens, surrounded by lush fields.

Where to start on how many wonderful details there are to this wedding!  From Liana’s stunning dress, the dreamy surroundings and gorgeous weather and not forgetting my serious hair embellishment envy, with the change into Liana’s just FABULOUS reception hair accessory!

Juliet takes us through the big day: “On the morning of the wedding there was a flurry of activity, with Liana and her entourage of girls getting ready at the Chateau, while John and the chaps set off for a round of golf. 

French Wedding Style – Photography © Juliet Lemon Photography

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The girls giggled away sipping champagne, preening and dancing to the sound track of 80s music.  With the help of her girls and Yasmin, her talented make-up artist, the already gorgeous Liana was transformed into a beautiful bride.  The elegant figure-hugging Mori Lee wedding dress was complemented by her intricate hair-do and flawless make-up, which was finished off with killer-red lipstick.

There was a surprise delivery to the the bridal suite; a gift from her husband-to-be.  It was her “something blue”…  a sapphire and diamond-encrusted ring!  It was exquisite and suited her perfectly.  Liana, in turn, had treated him to a vintage pocket watch, which he absolutely loved.

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A big, yellow American school bus transported the guests to the church while Liana and her father were chauffeured the short distance in a convertible white Cadillac.  Passers-by smiled and waved as the car drove through the narrow streets of the quaint village, which led to St. Medard church.

The decoration of the church had been kept simple and just the aisle was lined with tall vases, each containing three clusters of Gypsophila (Baby’s Breath), which were used later on as table centrepieces for the wedding breakfast.

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The little bridesmaids, one of them on crutches, were in their element as they walked up the aisle, scattering petals and before they took their seats for the ceremony they delivered a romantic note to John from Liana which read ”I can’t wait to kiss you. x”.  Liana then entered the church with the sunlight streaming in behind her, walked up the aisle, while a soprano sang the beautiful song “Kissing you” from the film “Romeo and Juliet”. The whole congregation was in awe of the radiant beauty, who made her way over to the man she was going to marry.

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After the lovely service the congregation, wearing smiles, flooded out into the village square, armed with handfuls of confetti, all eager to congratulate the happy couple.

The reception was held in the grounds of the Château under a blue sky, a few fluffy, white clouds and lots of sunshine; it was pure magic and perfect.  The champagne flowed, canapés were consumed and the guests mingled and giggled away to mellow tunes played by a saxophonist.    

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Shortly before the call for the wedding breakfast the newly weds and I went to take a few photos of them together in a field of hay bales just beyond the gardens.  With the sun just starting to set, the light was incredible and it was such a treat to photograph the happy, elegant couple revelling in their new Mr. & Mrs. status. 

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The speeches following the wedding breakfast were incredible funny and witty and everyone was in fits of hysterics.  The evening was filled with dancing and lots more drinking with the party carrying on right through until the early hours.”

monique trulove --wedding blogger

Wedding Credits:

Wedding PhotographerJuliet Lemon // Wedding Planner : MarryMeFrance.com -// Wedding Venue : Domaine d’Essendierias – 0033 05 53 55 34 34 // Wedding DressWindsor and Eton Brides    // Bridal Shoes – Carvela diamond encrusted shoe // Florist – Philippe Bonvoisin – Perigueux 0033 06 11 24 48 15 – [email protected] // Hair and Makeup Artist: Yasmin Christie // Bridesmaids Outfits : lightinthebox.com  // Bridesmaid Accessories – Windsor and Eton Brides   // Grooms Outfit: bespoke suit // Bride/ Groom Gifts – vogue Diamonds 01753 865870 Ritchie  // Caterer – venue // Wedding Cake – local patisserie //  Wedding Favours – home made  // Stationery & Invitations – home made  // Wedding Celebrant/Officiant – French Christian church – Amy Owen smith – [email protected] // Transportation/ Wedding Cars:  venue // Wedding Decorations:  home made frames and favours //

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