planning at The Castelnau

13 Jan

With P & P as they make their wedding plans

Driving the 20 minutes or so through narrow and winding country roads, climbing up and rolling down hills, wary of oncoming tractors my foot hovers close to the brake, the sky starts to darken and rain begins to softly fall.
’Great!’ I think.
No hope for some soft and golden light outdoor portraits but it didn’t really matter as The Castelnau looks beautiful in any weather and at any time of year - inside and outside.

But better than that, the guys, P & P were just charming - charismatic, witty, handsome - this is going to be the most FUN wedding to photograph.

Staying out of the rain I set up the video and filmed P & P telling me their story. I love to watch the body language of couples, watch closely their eyes when they are talking about when they first met - the love is evident. They soften. They finish each other’s sentences (with the odd correction).

I suggest that if they are up for it we should venture out into the wet together and I can follow them as they visit each of the many houses within the village, starting to piece together which guests will go where.

We chat about their plans as we move about.
They are on a schedule so little time - Nick, wedding planner of La Boutique Event has organised a wine tasting.

The rain moves on and droplets, hang, glinting as they suspend from the leaves of a pear tree. The clouds retake their forms, some blue is revealed.

A table is set by the open doors, chilled bottles, the corks pushed half in, deformed reflections on the silver seau à champagne. The white table cloth, bright against the gathering shadows within the big hall as the sun begins to dip.