A Relaxed Chateau Lacanaud Wedding in the Dordogne with Danielle & Oliver
Danielle and Oliver’s wedding was such a special one! Taking place in the south-west of France, it was an absolute treat to be their Chateau Lacanaud wedding photographer. I’m so grateful they contacted me, as their wedding day encompassed everything that is so wonderful about destination weddings in France – an incredible location, beautiful weather, and great food and drink. Every element of their celebrations was planned and styled to perfection by Perfect Day by Karen, which meant Danielle and Oliver could truly relax and soak up every moment.
As a Chateau Lacanaud wedding photographer, it was my joy to capture such romantic, natural moments for Danielle and Oliver. They knew they wanted a photographer with a relaxed approach, who could document their day discreetly and authentically, giving them a gallery that truly captured the essence of their wedding day. It was such a pleasure to be a small part of their incredible celebrations, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have photographed their Chateau Lacanaud wedding.
the couples vision for their chateau lacanaud wedding
Danielle and Oliver always knew they wanted a destination wedding – a beautiful location where their guests could come together for several days and truly enjoy the experience. For their wedding day, they didn’t want a lot of fuss, instead envisioning something natural, relaxed, and centred around time together.
For their ceremony, they chose to get married in a secluded woodland area on the grounds of the chateau, beneath the trees. They loved that it felt separate from the main building, creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere that felt calm and personal.
One of the main reasons Danielle and Oliver chose Chateau Lacanaud was the stunning lake. They incorporated it into their day by hosting dinner alongside the water, with one long, curved banquet table. The styling was minimal and rustic, finished beautifully with florals grown locally by Les Six Saisons, whose wild, organic style suited the setting perfectly.
A Relaxed Chateau Lacanaud Wedding Day
The day unfolded at a really easy pace, which gave everyone the chance to properly enjoy being there. Guests wandered around the lake, sat with drinks in the sunshine, and spent time chatting with one another. There was beautiful live acoustic music playing in the background during the drinks reception. It felt calm, happy, and full of life. Danielle and Oliver were fully present throughout, moving between their guests, laughing, and soaking everything in. That warmth carried through every part of the day.
Dinner by the Lake at Chateau Lacanaud
Dinner was held beside the lake in the late afternoon, with one long banquet table bringing everyone together. With around seventy guests seated along the table, the atmosphere felt cosy, excited, and wonderfully relaxed
The lake provided a beautiful backdrop as everyone settled in, and the speeches quickly became one of the highlights. There were so many emotional moments, with laughter and tears flowing easily between courses. As the afternoon light softened, we took a few relaxed couple portraits around the grounds. It was so lovely getting to make the most of the gentle sunset glow before the celebrations continued.
Dinner by the Lake at Chateau Lacanaud
As the day moved into the evening, the celebrations stayed outdoors, shifting into a stretch tent marquee nearby. The atmosphere naturally loosened as the night went on, with guests chatting and enjoying the moment. The evening felt joyful and relaxed, shaped by the warmth of Danielle and Oliver and the people around them. It was the perfect way to round off a wedding day that felt thoughtful, personal, and full of genuine happiness.
A Dordogne Wedding captured naturally
Danielle and Oliver’s Chateau Lacanaud wedding was a relaxed and beautifully considered celebration, set in a special part of France. Photographing their day was an absolute joy. If you’re planning a wedding in the Dordogne and are looking for someone to capture it naturally and unobtrusively, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.
kind words from the couple
“When we saw the portfolio of Frances, we knew straight away we wanted her to be our photographer. The style of Frances work is so organic and all her photos seem so relaxed and happy and just everything she captures, she does so beautifully. We met over Zoom and discussed all the details of our day. In the months leading up to our wedding, she was so supportive and helpful, making sure we had everything we needed to get us prepared for what to expect on the day.
On the morning of the wedding when Frances arrived, she was so kind and made everyone feel at ease straightaway. All of our family and friends commented on how lovely she was. She was so discreet with the camera all day, we barely noticed her working her magic! The photos Frances captured we will treasure forever. They are the most joyful, happy moments and she has captured the atmosphere of the whole day so beautifully. We are so lucky to have had Frances photograph our day and will always be grateful for our beautiful photos!”
chateau lacanaud wedding feature
Danielle and Oliver’s beautifully relaxed wedding was also featured on French Wedding Style.
VENDORS
Photographer: Frances Mary Sales
Planner: Perfect Day by Karen
Venue: Chateau Lacanaud
Celebrant: Alan Kitchener from Celebrants in France
Hair: Jennifer Degritot
Make Up: Kelly Hayman Makeup
Florist: Les Six Saisons
Dress: And For Love
Dress BoutiqueL Story of My Dress Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Caroline Bruce
Rentals: Our Fabulous Things
Catering: The Feast Maker
Stationery: Palette & Page
DJ: Mixology Sax DJ