There is a magical time of year in the South of France, when the bright purple and pink lavender fields explode with color. I love this region so much and was so excited to capture a gorgeous summer Provence lavender elopement photoshoot for a beautiful couple.
Planning the Elopement Photoshoot
Stuart met Hannah 10 years’ ago at a watering hole in Madison, Wisconsin, where they were both living at the time. It wasn’t love at first sight, at least for Hannah, but it was for Stuart. He became smitten with this lovely lady and before long they began dating, and have been together ever since. Now residing in Houston, Texas, they are both young professionals and have a cutie dog named Atlas.
Stuart contacted me a long time ago to express his desire to plan a French elopement. He and Hannah planned a European trip, as soon as Covid-19 restrictions eased, and it was their desire to have a small, intimate ceremony between them, perhaps in the lavender fields of Provence in the summer of 2022.
So we planned, and we talked, and we planned some more. It was decided we’d plan a day not only in the lavender fields, but also exploring one of the most beautiful villages in all of France, in the town of Gordes, where Stuart and Hannah were staying. They selected the gorgeous Domaine Les Martins for their stay in Gordes, and I couldn’t let the day go by without photographing them in the town. Hannah also enlisted the makeup services of Alwine, who is a fantastic makeup artist, speaks English and is super friendly.
I contacted an amazing tour operator from Avignon, ProVans Tours, who I’ve toured with before, to help plan our day. Veronica, one of the owners of ProVans, even helped to coordinate a picnic. She is a wonderfully helpful and caring individual who puts her clients first. She would drive us to the lavender fields in style.
The Beginning of the Lavender Elopement Photoshoot in Gordes
We picked up Stuart and Hannah at their bed and breakfast, and then started in Gordes. In mid-July, it is very hot, there’s really no way around that. We stopped first at the famous overlook of Gordes, because, well, it’s so beautiful. From there, I chose a shady path for the rest of our Gordes photography and we walked all the way down to one of my favorite spots, one of the lavoirs in Gordes. The lavoirs are the old spots where the townspeople washed their clothes. Now, they are there beautiful reminders of a simpler time.
I like the lavoir at the bottom of the hill in Gordes because it’s cool and shady and the sound of the water is calming. It’s important to bring plenty of water on these hot days in Gordes, but the village is so worth it.
The Drive to the Lavender Fields
From Gordes, we drove a scenic route going up, up and up, over 1,000 meters to the village of Sault (pronounced, “soooo”). This is an often overlooked region for lavender fields but it has many advantages. Here are just a few:
- Lots and lots of lavender, sometimes as far as the eye can see, it’s really impressive
- Because there are mountains, it’s very scenic and a bit cooler than lower elevations
- Because of the elevation, the lavender typically blooms later than elsewhere (mid-July)
- Most people skip Sault and go to the more popular Valensole. Valensole is beautiful, but it’s so popular that it’s not calm, quiet, or easy to photograph there. My client experience is so important to me, so I prefer Sault, where there are way fewer visitors.
- There are wonderful lavender farms who open their distilleries to visit in Sault, and you can also buy wonderful lavender products directly from the farm.
- It’s so pretty!
We arrived to Sault in the late afternoon, where I photographed Stuart and Hannah in a charming lavender field, and then they had their picnic.
Please be aware that because these are lavender fields, they do attract bees, who pollinate the lavender. They are “friendly” bees, though, and do not bother you and they do not sting, because they’re too busy pollinating the lavender. If you’re wary of bees, you just need to know this, but I’ve never had any trouble with these friendly bees.
It’s hard to describe the lavender fields without being there to smell them. The smell is not overpowering, but intoxicating nevertheless. The colors and the scent is just something so difficult to describe, but a sensory pleasure that everyone should experience at least once. With the backdrop of the forest and the mountains of Sault, it was just, such a treat!
An Elopement Picnic in the Lavender Fields
After the picnic, we went into the town of Sault (which is a little village and shuts down after afternoon time), to find an open restaurant where Stuart and Hannah could change into their wedding clothes. They wanted to do a simple elopement ceremony, just the two of them, private, and personal to complement the legal wedding they had at the court in the US before their arrival in France.
The Elopement Ceremony in the Lavender Fields
We made it back to the lavender fields, this time a different one, just in time to catch the sun before it slipped behind the mountain. In mid-July, it’s roughly about 9:15 pm. I created beautiful images for them at sunset in another lavender field, then they went off to have their private vow exchange, and returned for a celebratory champagne toast.
Then, after the celebration, we headed back to Gordes and this magical day was complete!
I cannot even express how magical this day was (yes, that word is over-used, but it’s so true!). Stuart and Hannah were a delight, and with the beauty of Provence–it was a wonderful way to spend a day.
Congratulations to Stuart and Hannah on their marriage, may you live a wonderful, joyful life together and thank you so much for choosing me to capture these touching moments to treasure forever.
Félicitations!
Karina Leigh Photography
Do you dream of being married in a lavender field in Provence? I photograph elopements and intimate weddings in Provence and throughout the South of France. If you’re thinking of a beautiful adventure for your elopement, I’d love to hear from you!
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