A French Fairytale Wedding at the Abbaye de Morienval, with a pastoral wedding dress

An artist’s outdoor wedding in the Rose Gardens of Morienval in France

Once upon a time, nestled in the forests on the outskirts of Paris, Camille married Vincent in the gardens of the abbaye de Morienval. If I think of a French fairytale wedding, this is the exact thing that would come to mind. A handmade Pastoral wedding gown (made by the incredible costumier Mme Jejette) an abundance of flowers, a medieval abbey, a rose garden overlooking a beautiful lake and guests advised to dress accordingly.

The dress code was ‘the wedding scene between Sam & Rosie in LOTR’ and wanting to eschew traditional timelines and activities, the couple’s friends had arranged a day of activities & displays within the dreamy grounds of the abbey which would conclude with a late afternoon Fakir led hand fasting near the meadow.

A glasshouse wedding venue near Paris

I shall always have a weakness for glasshouse wedding venues. The light is always so perfect and there’s really something about feasting and breaking bread in a place that feels almost outdoors. Even if the weather turns (Which it certainly didn’t on this scorching May day) you can feel connected to nature. Abbaye de Morienval was possibly my favourite venue that I’ve ever photographed at - even if the bright midday sun was a tricky dame to photograph in, the venue had no end of beautiful nooks and crannies for the guests to sunbathe in the shade, drink wine and soak up that French summer whimsy.

Camille wore her mother’s beautiful ring by Nerides - I adore their ethereal and fairytale jewellery. Vincent had a bespoke suit made with a velvet red jacket and forest green waistcoat with a matching suit for their little boy.

An exquisite handmade wedding dress in the french pastoral style

Camille & I used to go to art school together at Falmouth University. She is a fount of creative talent - I always admired her oil paintings, the incredible costumes she’d make and now - her wood turning ventures. When she booked me to photograph her wedding, I knew she wouldn’t wear a traditional white wedding dress. Her favourite colour is green, like her darling paraqueets that you’ll seldom see her without on her shoulders. She had Mme Jejette include an embroidery of her birds who wouldn’t be able to share the day with her.

As all the guests arrived at the Abbey gardens, they were welcomed with fizz and canapes while they basked in the sun. Camille & Vincent had gotten ready together with their parents at the cottage in the grounds and went out to mingle and greet their guests who had travelled from all over the world to celebrate them.

A day of festivities and entertainment

Before the wedding ceremony would begin in the late afternoon, their friends teamed up to arrange an assortment of games and little shows. Their friend who was a Fakir would lead their outdoor ceremony beneath the trees with a series of little rituals. She also commenced the festivities with dancing on glass which would lead to a scavenger hunt in the grounds of the rosarie.

A glasshouse wedding reception in the forests of France

Dinner was served in the beautiful glasshouse followed by dancing. The couple forwent the tradition of speeches and instead, dancing commenced in the afternoon. Everything was building up to the hazy hours when the sun dipped in the sky and the ceremony would begin in the meadow. Fruits and vegetables decorated the tables creating the sensation of a harvest festival and artworks and oil paintings by Camille and her father decorated the pretty glasshouse space.

An alternative wedding maypole of rainbow ribbons in lieu of a confetti train for an alternative to confetti

I really loved how these guys created a human maypole of ribbons with their friends dancing merrily all about them after the ceremony. It was such a whimsical alternative to confetti, especially since it was a May wedding so there was a strong feeling of that may-day, beltane magic that is synonymous with the month. After their ceremony, as the sun was slightly lower in the sky, we headed to the overgrown parts of the rose gardens to take some couples portraits of them. The venue had so many endless opportunities for portraits with little pockets of golden light and the incredible gothic architecture of the abbey itself.

The party continued late into the night and even ended up in the swimming pool at the nearby accommodation that they rented for all their guests. Being May, it didn’t get dark until very late but the atmosphere inside the glasshouse was still twinkly & dusky.

It was so hard to pick which pictures to share from this achingly beautiful day. It was so special to be a part of such a unique wedding - one completely designed around the couple and their friends, untraditional and original from start to finish. Camille & Vincent proved that a wedding can really look however you wish it to, eschewing all traditions such as speeches, aisles, first looks, reveals, group photos - all of it. Just make it about the things you love and for these guys, it was fun and adventure with their friends, games, dancing and frolicking in the beautiful grounds of this ancient abbey.

I still have to pinch myself that I captured this beautiful french wedding - it really was something out of a fairytale. Thank you so much Camille for trusting me with your vision, and for bringing such a wonderful collection of people together to celebrate your love.

Sarah xxx