An intimate floral-filled wedding in Normandy with Michelle & Casey

Bride and groom standing under a floral arch in a garden, surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.
A man in a tuxedo speaks while holding a glass, standing beside a seated woman in a white dress at le Manoir de Gerville. They are in a brick-walled room with a decorated table and animal figures on the mantel. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.

It was such a joy to be Michelle and Casey’s intimate Normandy wedding photographer, especially as I’m lucky to live not too far from where they chose to get married.

They knew from the beginning that they wanted an intimate destination wedding – something meaningful and unrushed, where they could bring together their closest friends and family and spend real time with them. With just 16 guests, they found Le Manoir de Gerville, a beautiful historic manor in the Normandy countryside, and made it their home for the week. It was the perfect setting for a relaxed and heartfelt celebration.

When Michelle and Casey first contacted me, they shared how important it was to them that their photographs felt natural and artistic. My approach is relaxed and unobtrusive, documenting the day authentically so couples can fully enjoy it. These two had such a beautiful, laid-back, and romantic day, and it was a joy to photograph.

A large brick mansion with tall windows, flanked by trees and hedges, is set along a gravel pathway for Michelle and Casey's intimate wedding.
Black and white image of a pair of high-heeled shoes with bows on a patterned carpet.
A bouquet of pink, white, and blue flowers with greenery tied with a white ribbon sits on a wooden windowsill, next to a window with a view of a grassy area outside.

The Couple’s vision for their intimate Normandy wedding

Michelle and Casey wanted their wedding to feel organic and understated, letting the setting speak for itself. Florals were the only styling element they prioritised, choosing soft pastel tones to give the day a natural, garden-inspired feel.

Angelique from The Painted Bouquet created a floral arch in the gardens for the ceremony and also designed the florals for their dinner inside. Everything framed the spaces beautifully without ever feeling overpowering.

They contrasted the earthy feel of the flowers with Casey’s classic black suit and bow tie, while Michelle chose an elegant fitted dress with a detachable back skirt. The manoir itself did the rest, creating the timeless aesthetic they were drawn to.

Bride in white dress stands by a window while two people adjust her gown for her intimate Normandy wedding. Another person is nearby. The room has blue curtains and wooden furniture.
A woman in a strapless gown stands indoors, looking down, while others adjust dresses in the background. Black and white photo. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.
Bride in a strapless wedding gown holding a bouquet, standing by a window in a room with a brick wall and wooden furniture.
Man in a white dress shirt adjusting a bow tie in a room with a window, lamp, and chair. Black and white image.
A man in a suit adjusts his jacket in front of a large window with natural light streaming in. The room has classic decor.
A man in a black tuxedo stands indoors near a door, with red curtains partially visible.

Michelle and Casey’s intimate Normandy wedding ceremony

The weather had other plans at first, with a soft drizzle lingering through the afternoon, but Michelle and Casey were set on holding the ceremony outside. Just before the ceremony was due to start, the rain stopped. It felt simply perfect.

A close friend led the ceremony, and it was full of love, joy, and heartfelt moments. One part I’ll never forget was when Michelle shared the words “to never settling down” in her vows to Casey. A promise to keep chasing adventure, love deeply, and live life to the fullest.

A man in a suit and bow tie stands outdoors, smiling. A woman in a floral dress stands behind him, holding a paper. The setting is a lush garden with flowers and trees. Black and white photo.
A bride in a white dress walks down an outdoor aisle with two people. Guests are seated on either side, and trees are in the background.
A bride and groom stand under a floral arch during an outdoor wedding ceremony. Guests are seated in two rows facing them, and a person reads to the right of the couple. A brick building is in the background. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.
A couple stands at an outdoor wedding altar surrounded by floral arrangements, with a person officiating the ceremony.
A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors, exchanging vows under a floral arch. A woman in a floral dress stands nearby holding papers. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.
A bride and groom share a kiss under a floral arch during an outdoor wedding ceremony at their intimate Normandy wedding, surrounded by guests and a brick building in the background.
Bride and groom stand under a floral arch in a garden. The bride holds her dress while the groom is beside her. Stone building is visible in the background. Black and white image.
A bride and groom walk down the aisle outdoors, holding hands. Guests on either side clap and toss flower petals. The setting is a garden with a brick building in the background. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.

An Intimate Normandy Wedding with a Relaxed, Thoughtful Pace

After the ceremony, Michelle and Casey kicked things off with a champagne tower, marking the start of their just-married celebrations. Guests enjoyed a drink, chatted with one another, and spent time taking in the setting of the manoir, with no pressure to move on quickly or stick to a strict timeline.

During the drinks reception, I always like to take the opportunity to photograph a few family portraits. These photographs are important, as they bring everyone together on such a meaningful day. They’re often the images that are printed and displayed in homes, which is why it’s worth making time for them at this point.
We also took a little time for couple portraits of Michelle and Casey in the grounds of the manoir, keeping everything natural, relaxed, and easy-going.

A couple in formal attire is smiling and pouring champagne into a tower of glasses outside a brick building at their intimate Normandy wedding in the French countryside.
A bride and groom in formal attire raise glasses in a toast outdoors. The bride smiles widely, wearing a strapless gown and veil, while the groom dons a suit with a bow tie.
Three people smiling and holding drinks outside a brick building.
A group of six people, including a bride and groom holding flowers, stand on a path in front of a large brick building with green trees and bushes.
Four women pose outdoors, with one in a white dress holding flowers and three in green dresses. A brick building is visible in the background.
Bride and groom embrace and smile at each other outdoors. She holds a bouquet and wears a veil; he is in a suit. Black and white photo.
Bride and groom stand under a floral arch, with the groom kissing the brides cheek. The bride holds a bouquet of pink and white flowers at their intimate Normandy wedding.
Bride and groom standing under a floral arch in a garden, surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.
Bride in a flowing white gown and veil, holding a bouquet of flowers, stands on a gravel path leading to a large brick building, surrounded by greenery during her intimate Normandy wedding at le Manoir de Gerville.
Bride in a white strapless gown holds a bouquet of pink, white, and blue flowers with greenery, wearing a veil and long gloves.
A couple in wedding attire holding hands, walking towards a brick building with multiple white-framed windows.

A candlelit dinner shared with loved ones

As the evening moved indoors, the atmosphere settled into something quieter and more intimate. Dinner sat around one long table in a U-shape, with candlelight, flowers, and soft light filling the room. The evening stayed relaxed and unrushed. Everyone gathered together, sharing food, conversation, and heartfelt speeches.

Michelle brought a few different white dresses with her to France and changed outfits throughout the evening. It felt easy and unplanned, adding to the relaxed feel of the night rather than becoming a ‘moment’ in itself – just another part of how the day unfolded.

A rustic dining room with a long wooden table set for Michelle and Casey's intimate Normandy wedding, featuring floral centerpieces, candles, and place cards. Brick walls, large windows, and framed art adorn the space.
Le Manoir de Gerville with illuminated windows at dusk, surrounded by trees and neatly trimmed conical bushes lining a gravel pathway.
A man stands giving a speech at a dining table surrounded by people. The room has brick walls, floral decorations, and lit candles.
A couple sits smiling at a dining table decorated with flowers and candles in front of a brick fireplace with owls and antlers mounted above it.
Five people seated at a table adorned with flowers and candles, engaged in conversation in a softly lit room with large windows.
A man in a tuxedo speaks while holding a glass, standing beside a seated woman in a white dress at le Manoir de Gerville. They are in a brick-walled room with a decorated table and animal figures on the mantel. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.
A black and white image of people seated at a dining table adorned with flowers and candles in a dimly lit room. A woman with a bun hairstyle is in the foreground.
A couple in formal attire is joyfully opening a champagne bottle, spraying it, in front of a brick building at night at their Intimate Normandy wedding.
A couple in wedding attire shares a kiss outside a dimly lit building at night. The woman is raised slightly off the ground.

Kind Words from the Couple

“We stumbled across Frances whilst on Instagram beginning our search for a photographer. She was an absolutely golden find. The photography was so important to us as this is the one piece from your wedding day that you keep forever, aside from your spouse of course! Frances has such a stunning organic style to her work. She produces photos that look like they are taken from the vantage point of another participant rather than a photographer. When we received our photos we were in awe at the romantic and cinematic feel. They look like art rather than just photographs.”

It was a real pleasure to photograph a day that felt calm, thoughtful, and true to Michelle and Casey. If you’re planning an intimate wedding in Normandy, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.

A couple dances in a warmly lit room with a brick fireplace and wooden beams. The woman wears a short white dress; the man wears a white shirt and dark pants. Others are seated in the background. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.
A couple dancing closely in a softly lit room with wooden beams. People are seated in the background, observing. Captured by intimate Normandy wedding photographer.

Normandy wedding feature

Michelle and Casey’s intimate Normandy wedding was also featured on French Wedding Style, a lovely way to see their day shared and celebrated.

wedding vendors

Photographer: Frances Mary Sales
Venue: Le Manoir de Gerville
Florist: The Painted Bouquet
Dress: Jane Hill
Dress Shop: The Bridal Studio Utah
Suit: Bonobos
Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds
Catering: Dine Indulge

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