Julie & Richard : Château de la Motte-Husson

It finally happened….. we got back at 11pm last night and I’ve barely slept since. Everybody wants to see the hero shots. For me, its the story that means the most. So here you go.

Almost two and a half years to the day since Julie landed in my Instagram inbox. I thought it was a piss take message at first ‘I’m hopefully getting married next year (2021) at Dick and Angels Château, how much do you charge for weddings”

Escape to the Château” is one of our favourite TV programmes and we’ve watched it from the very start. So when this message came in on the 28th October 2020 (My son’s first birthday) I thought it was a joke. No way could little old me be actually getting an enquiry for this place. This doesn’t happen to people like me. I was actually booked on her original date and I was bloody gutted. As luck would have it (for me) they postponed to 2023. Yay! First booking in the calendar for 2023.

Rich and I set off on the Thursday evening to drive to Grantham. We decided to drive because Julie had seen Annie my photobooth and absolutely had to have her as part of the wedding. We picked up a lovely friend and amazing videographer Stefan of Lincolnshire videography and started the 11 hour drive to the Château on Friday morning.

If you’ve never seen the TV programme then I’ll explain a little about Château de la Motte-Husson. This historic 19th-century chateau, located in the Pays de la Loire region of France is home to Dick and Angel and their family who have lovingly restored it over the last 8 years and told their story on Channel four, sharing their ups an downs to get to where they are now. It provided the most perfect backdrop for Julie and Richard's wedding. As we drove into the driveway on the Friday evening we let out an excited squeal as it was exactly what you see on the TV. Then in the distance before we’d even parked up Julie is practically running toward to car to give us a hug, Angel with her bright red hair smiling and Dick with his orange Henderson’s relish apron barbecuing a pig, all their guests just sat eating pig and drinking cider. We all just looked at each other in disbelief as they came to give us the warmest welcome, invited us to sit at their table and never once treated us like suppliers. From the second we turned up we felt part of the wedding. That’s Yorkshire people for you. The kindest people ever.

The Château de la Motte-Husson is a truly magnificent venue, with its grand architecture, sprawling gardens, and ornate interior decor lovingly restored by Dick and Angel to the smallest detail. As a photographer, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to capture the beauty of this stunning location and to document all the special details throughout the house that I’d watched over the years being completed. It really was surreal. Those who know me know that details are my thing. As a former graphic designer I appreciate detail shots, love for flat lays and the little important touches that are all present in weddings. This was a playground for me.

Julie's wedding dress was a showstopper, with its textured layered skirt and fitted bodice. The Ian Stuart gown was perfectly complemented by a pair of sparkling Jimmy Choos, which added a touch of fun and suited the interior of the Château perfectly. Angel had hung it up in the famous wallpaper room and I think it’s the first wedding dress I’ve never had to move for a photo. It just belonged in that room hanging from the window.

Julie had three flower girls walked down the aisle with their flower crowns on, their delicate features adding an angelic touch to the already beautiful ceremony. Each wore a white lace and tulle dress, all matched in style and elegance. They looked beautiful. Richard wore a grey blue suit and blush pink tie, matching with his son Joe. They enjoyed a drink in the conservatory bar before the guests arrived.

As the guests began to arrive, a trio of musicians set up their instruments infront of the chateau. The group consisted of a flute, a violinist, and an accordion player, all dressed in traditional French attire. The sound was surreal, it really set the scene. It was so lovely to see how massively involved Dick and Angel are on the day, to pinning on buttonholes, cooking food, serving, suggesting photo locations and so much more.

Angel gifted Julie the most beautiful Kimono as a wedding present the morning of her wedding.

The picturesque steps of Château de la Motte-Husson served as the stunning backdrop for Julie and Richard's wedding ceremony, officiated by the charming Dick Strawbridge himself.

After the ceremony was the drinks reception in the courtyard by the front of the Château. Throughout the day, Dick, Angel and their staff were the perfect hosts, ensuring that every detail was taken care of and that everyone felt welcome. Their attention to detail and warm hospitality added to the magic of the day and made it a truly unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Richard and his friends were fishing in the moat, Julie’s mum was getting drunk off 2% French cider, guests were taking selfies and generally having a fabulous time.

The orangery at Château de la Motte-Husson was the picture of elegance and sophistication as guests gathered to celebrate Julie and Richard's wedding reception waving napkins furiously in the air at Dicks instruction. The delicious six-course meal was followed by heartfelt speeches from Richard and his son Joe, leaving guests a little teary.

The wedding guests were seated at three long tables set up in the orangery of the Château. The sun was shining down, and a light breeze kept them comfortable in the warm weather in between courses. Rich was manning Annie the Photobooth and guests were enjoying using her outside with the beautiful scenery behind.

Dick , a renowned chef, was in the kitchen preparing a six-course meal using the freshest local ingredients. The first course was a basket of freshly baked French baguettes, still warm from the oven.

Next, the guests were served a delicious soup of the day, made with fresh vegetables and herbs. The beetroot-cured salmon followed, served with a light dill dressing and garnished with a slice of lemon.

For the third course, a trou Normand was served - a small shot of apple brandy to cleanse the palate and prepare them for the main course. Some of the guests were really impressed with this judging by the faces on these photos. The main course was a rare filet of beef, cooked to perfection and served with a zesty salad of mixed greens.

Finally, the guests were treated to a selection of French patisseries, Each dessert was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavour.

After the wedding breakfast, Richard and Julie decided to take a stroll around the chateau for some beautiful wedding photographs. The gardens were in full bloom, with vibrant flowers and lush greenery, providing the perfect backdrop for their pictures. The couple walked hand in hand, laughing and chatting as Stef and I captured every moment. As they walked, they felt the warmth of the sun on their skin and the gentle breeze blowing through their hair. They were surrounded by the beauty of the chateau and the love they shared, making it a truly magical moment. The beautiful reflection of the Chateau is one of my favourite photos.

As soon as I knew we were driving to the wedding I made an emergency order of these fireworks. Hands down the best thing ever for weddings and I just knew this was the photo I wanted to get for Richard and Julie once the sun went down. They make the best photos!

I love Julie, in case you hadn’t already realised. Julie is a funeral director and has the best sense of humour I’ve ever seen with a bride. Hilariously funny, warm, caring and honest. I followed her up to the bridal suite where she was topping up her lips and thought it was the perfect opportunity to get some bridal portraits. This is what happened. I bloody love this woman. The quote of the day was during the dancing when she asked for her work colleagues dancefloor song so the other funeral directors could have a boogie. Guess the song…..

Disco inferno, by the Trammps…. took me a while but when you realise the main lyrics are ‘burn baby burn’ I was howling. This is my type of bride.

Annie the photobooth was a huge hit, and I made sure I brought some French themed props. Julies 85 year old mum was hands down the star of the night. Dressed in the closest thing I could find to an Angel hair doo, spliff, gangster glasses and onions around her neck. Rich and I have never laughed so hard. Once I’ve recovered from this weekend I will download Annie’s digitals and get them on her instagram. There’s gonna be some corkers.

I love all my weddings, and 2023 has so far delivered 7 incredibly beautiful and different weddings. I am forever grateful that this is my job, It really is the best job in the world to be able to visit these venues, meet these people, have the experiences I do and just be at complete peace. I cannot wait for the rest of the year and what it has to offer. Julie, Richard from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU. What you’ve given me by asking me to capture your day is more than you’ll ever know. I loved meeting you, dancing with your mums, talking to your family and just having one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Thank you.