A planned elopement is a wonderful way to personalise and celebrate a unique love story. Inspired by Betsy’s French lineage the couple had always dreamed of a wedding in France- an intimate and private ceremony held after a small celebration shared with family at home in the USA. They began the search for a small French village setting- a place with meaning to them.
When Betsy and Zac found me and discovered I could offer an elopement package here in my village, they knew they’d found the place and experience they been seeking. Saint Antonin Noble Val was the magical village they’d been imagining and dreaming of; a charming setting to celebrate the blossoming of love and creation of new friendships in the most beautiful of French village settings.
Staying in our village gîte gave Betsy and Zac time and space to get ready in separate rooms, so they could have a first look reveal in the cobblestone street below.
From America, Betsy and Zac had married during Covid lockdown, but wanted to celebrate their love with an intimate wedding, no less special, thoughtful or momentous than a hometown celebration. The Francophile couple sought to find the perfect destination and location in France – a place with meaning and links to Betsy’s linage.
On researching a French wedding, Betsy and Zac came across my elopement offering, and entrusted me with creating a personalised elopement experience to celebrate the love and commitment they had made to each other. Being able to share my French village and my little black book of contacts to create an unforgettable day, is an incredibly moving experience for me and I cherish sharing this special place with the couples I photograph.
First, I get to know the couple and their story – how they met, what they adore about each other, what are the meaningful and deep connections in their lives, what their aesthetic is, what they imagine their day to be like. Then we collaborate to craft a day that celebrates the uniqueness of their union, bringing all my local knowledge, insights and insider contacts to play to create a day full of memories and moments to cherish for decades to come. The elopement package includes hair, makeup, video, styling, florals, tablescaping, decor, celebrant and a private dining experience. Additional elements and experiences can be added on request.
Betsy and Zac’s package included a week’s stay in my luxurious village gîte- a house rental separate to my own home, a few streets away. Located in the centre of the village in ancient stone building, it offers a chance to live immersed in local village life, whilst also offering privacy, heritage and modern comforts. In the days leading up to the wedding, Betsy and Zac were able to explore the village and picnic by the river- enjoying a week of immersion in French village life.
Getting ready in separate rooms, Betsy and Zac made an entrance – Betsy walking up behind Zac to give him his first glimpse of his bride in her elegant off-the-shoulder cocktail dress. The emotion of the day sweeping over them both as they greeted each other with smiles, laughter and the warmth of a newly weds embrace.
With a relaxed schedule, we meandered down the cobblestone streets to the local French café, Cafe de la Halle for coffee, where we captured natural conversation and the gentle, adoring affection and gazes of a couple in love.
Saint Antonin offers much heritage and charm, so we explored side lanes, cobblestone streets, and meandered past historic facades, village gardens, to the Mairie and Church for photographs.
Our vintage car, a 1973 Karmann Ghia convertible, then swept the couple off for an hour-long classic car ride to explore the history and culture of the area, in vintage style.
Whilst Betsy and Zac enjoyed the scenery, my team sprung into action – the intimate ceremony preparations and reception styling were finished (preparations had begun earlier in the day), bringing the dining experience to life with china, flowers and linen in vintage blues, greens and pink, with gold cutlery, a vintage gramophone, vases, urns and stunning flower arrangements turning my village dining room into an intimate French wedding reception room.
While these finishing touches were completed on the day, much planning and preparation had already been done in advance – a four course menu, wedding cake and creative direction had all been planned, styled and directed by me, in consultation with the couple and my team of contributors.
Betsy and Zac returned to the banks of the Aveyron river for their golden hour ceremony, the late afternoon sun bathing the tranquil River Aveyron in a magical ambient light. Surrounded by the picturesque stone village, lush trees and riverside lawns with towering cliffs in the distance, the couple once again exchanged vows, realising their vision of creating romantic moments and special memories to cherish for years to come. After the ceremony was over, we captured a series of golden hour images, for the couple to enjoy for years to come.
Happiness and love is infectious, and as the couple walked the short minutes to my village home – the location for the four course reception menu, we all felt warmth and happiness exude from within. More than just a job, elopements and weddings as intimate as this, offer a chance to get to know the couple, and we all celebrated as friends.
As I photographed the couple in our village house dining room, they were surprised and elated to take in the romance of the setting, gazing at the beautiful styling, with an invitation to linger and enjoy champagne and canapés looking beyond the balcony to the mountains beyond, music wafting from the vintage gramophone inside.
As dusk fell the gentle light bathed the blues, greens and pinks inside with a gentle ambient glow, and as the four courses were served, night descended and the candle light, champagne, and French jazz blended with joyful laughter and conversation as we all celebrated the love and occasion we’d shared with Betsy and Zac in the charm of our home village Saint Antonin Noble Val.
Celebrating love is a wonderful thing, and I can also share special places and experiences in my home town with couples who love French culture and village life as much as I do, it’s a pure joy to craft, capture and share a day, moments and memories that they will enjoy forever…
With much love.
Bisous. Corrina. xx
Special thanks to Betsy & Zac for entrusting me with the planning and photography of their intimate French celebration of love in Saint Antonin Noble Val.
Photography, Wedding Planning, Styling, Creative Direction, Catering & Classic Car: Corrina Tough Photography
Styling, Flowers, Hair, Makeup, Celebrant & Videography: My favourite suppliers from my own Little Black Book of favourite suppliers and creatives. Contact me for details.
Elopements are highly customised for each couple. Please get in touch to discuss your dream elopement so we can tailor an experience to bring your ideal wedding day come to life.
