Destination weddings in France are a dream. With so many gorgeous locations to choose from, it can be quite difficult to narrow it down. But as a Provence wedding and elopement photographer, I know the most amazing spots for a destination wedding in France and I love capturing the wedding days of couples all over the world as a wedding photographer who prides herself not only on capturing gorgeous images, but in helping to make the entire day one to never forget.
Elopements in Gordes, Provence, France
There is a village in the Provence region of southern France that is so enchanting, so beautiful, and so scenic that its known as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Despite it’s tiny size, it absolutely deserves this honor. Gordes has been drawing tourists for many years, and has even been featured in films, such as A Good Year, with Russell Crowe, a story about a man who inherits his uncle’s estate. The reason I love Gordes for elopements and destination weddings is because as a Gordes wedding photographer, it ticks all the boxes. Gorgeous vistas, nestled in the Luberon mountains, olive groves, vineyards, amazing old stone buildings. It’s a dream for any couple!
Meeting the Couple Online
I met Kendall and her love, Clay, online. They live in Indiana in the United States, and dreamed of having an elopement, just the two of them, somewhere gorgeous in the south of France, with beautiful photos. I presented Gordes to them, and they loved the idea. Originally, they thought of having a ceremony just the two of them, but then decided to extend an invitation to their close family to attend. They also were thinking about the end-of-November timeframe, and wondered about the weather. November in Provence can be warm and sunny, or at least mild, or it can be cloudy with a bit of rain and quite windy. After discussing it a bit, it seemed a better bet would be to schedule the wedding for early November. Not that the weather could be counted on, but a better chance of good weather earlier in the month.
Planning an Elopement from Afar
I’m a wedding photographer, but I’m also very knowledgeable about Provence, and Gordes in particular, because I’ve worked here a great deal. I’ve also walked around the village of Gordes as well as the countryside, so I have a really good idea of the natural beauty surrounding it.
Gordes is not a big city with a lot of amenities. It’s a village and yes, a tourist attraction. Most visitors visit in the summer months. With a population of around 1500, many attractions and hotels close at the end of October for the winter season. A few restaurants stay open, but not many. This isn’t a problem, though, because just 45-minutes away is the larger town of Avignon. Avignon is by no means a large town, but it’s not seasonal, open year-round, and therefore offers many transportation options (traveling from Paris, for example by train is really fast and efficient), as well as accommodation and dining. It’s the perfect place to base for a Gordes elopement in the off-season.
The beauty of traveling in the off-season, of course, is that there are fewer crowds, and prices can tend to be a bit lower. Although the concept of off-season in the travel industry is shifting, with many people waiting until autumn to travel (or spring) to travel, it’s a good bet that you’ll have more of Gordes to yourselves in the off-season.
When you think about planning a destination wedding or elopement in a foreign country, this can bring out the anxiety in even the calmest person. There’s so much to think about–where to elope, where to stay, what about flowers, what about a makeup artist, and an officiant or celebrant.
Kendall and Clay wanted to go really low-key on their elopement. They would say their vows to each other, in the presence of their families, so they did not require an officiant. Kendall applied her own makeup and did her own wedding hairstyle, and she told me that the photos were the most important thing to her, she wanted to remember this special day for years to come. They selected a gorgeous 5-star hotel in Avignon for them and their families, the Hotel d’Europe. It’s in a great location near the ramparts of Avignon, and ancient, intact wall that surrounds the town.
I also arranged transportation for Kendall and Clay and their families with the incredible Provans Tours, based in Avignon. Nicholas and his wife Veronica are experts on Gordes and the region, and provided safe and comfortable transportation to Gordes from Avignon.
No wedding would be complete without a floral bouquet. Kendall a small bouquet with white roses and some greenery, created by Emilie, a florist in Arles, where I live when I’m in Provence. It was a perfect compliment to Kendall’s gown.
Meeting the Couple and Family on the Big Day
I’d been worried about rain, it can rain a lot in Provence in autumn and winter, but this day turned out to be one of the most beautiful all year long. With elevated temperatures in the 60sF, higher than normal, and copious sunshine, it was set to be an incredible wedding day! I met the couple and their families at the hotel, and then our transportation arrived.
Kendall and Clay wanted to do a traditional “First Look”. A First Look is a moment and a photo opportunity before the wedding ceremony when the couple sees each other for the first time. It’s a newer tradition, started because many couples love to have that special, private moment of seeing each other first before their guests do. It’s particularly lovely for an elopement or small destination wedding,
In this case, one van would take Clay and his family to Gordes, to the scenic overlook, before the bride. This would give him an opportunity to wait for Kendall on the rocky scenic overlook and have a private moment together before their ceremony.
Clay’s van left, and then I met the bride and her lovely family. Kendall was absolutely beaming positive light and energy, it was such a joy to finally meet her!
Arriving in Gordes
The morning could not have been any more beautiful! WIth nearly no wind, and copious sunshine, it was so exciting arriving to the panoramic overview with the village of Gordes in the background. Clay stood on the rock, facing the village, while Kendall approached him and gently tapped on his shoulder. He turned around and was delighted to see her! She looked like an angel, wearing a white stole over her wedding gown, which featured beautiful beadwork, covered in tulle.
They embraced and it was so touching, a wonderful way to start the morning! After the First Look, I photographed Kendall and Clay with the village in the background and also with the countryside. The light was bright and exquisite. Capturing the love story of a bride and groom on their wedding day is an honor!
Time for the Ceremony in Gordes
The family had now gathered, and it was time to head to the bottom of Gordes for a short wedding ceremony. There aren’t too many spots in Gordes out in nature for larger groups. We didn’t have a huge group, but too big for most spots, as Gordes is literally perched on a rock. Luckily, there is a spot at the bottom of Gordes with a beautiful wall of greenery next to an old lavoir, which is where villagers used to wash their clothes. I love this area, it’s quiet and fairly private, and I love to hear the trickling of water too, it’s so relaxing.
The group gathered on the old cobblestone, and Kendall’s father walked her “down the cobblestone” to Clay, where they embraced and she joined Clay for their ceremony. They sweetly exchanged their vows to each other and exchanged rings. I photographed the ceremony and found it so touching, the vows get me every time. It’s so incredibly lovely!
The whole short ceremony was touching and joyful, a stone niche with old cobblestone, green plants, and the pretty lavoir with its calming water sound.
Wedding Photoshoot in Gordes
With the ceremony now completed, there was only one thing left to do, roam around this gorgeous village of Gordes for wedding photos! The family joined us as we stopped in some of the most beautiful spots for wedding photos, and it was so incredibly fun. Kendall’s happiness was just so delightful, she beamed as bright as the sun in the sky, and it was such a joy to photograph her and her husband. Their families were also delightful and it was fun to get to spend some time with them,
We went up, up and up, stopping from time to time, admiring the views, and this fairytale village. I was so happy that Clay loved the village too, he said that it looked even more spectacular in person than it had in the photographs. I would agree!
We finally made it to the top of Gordes, to the area near the castle, and we finished our beautiful wedding photoshoot. In early November, the village had even started to get their holiday lights started, hanging them on the castle and surrounding the fountain in the town square. It was now time to head back to Avignon so the couple and their family could relax a bit before lunch.
It was an incredible day with this beautiful couple, so in love, and so joyful. It was an absolute honor to be invited as the wedding photographer in Gordes, I wish Kendall and Clay an incredible life together!
If you’re thinking of having a destination wedding or elopement in Provence, I’d be so pleased to be your wedding photographer! Not only will I beautifully photograph your special day, but I’ll help you plan too, and offer my advice for all kinds of wonderful vendors that can make your day exactly what you dream of!
