South of France wedding photographer: a planning guide
I have not photographed a wedding on the Riviera yet, and I would rather say so than pretend. I have photographed weddings in France and shoots in Paris, and I plan every wedding abroad the same way. This is what I would want to know if you were planning one down there and thinking of bringing a photographer from the UK.
The honest part first. My French weddings so far have been an hour south of Paris, not on the coast. So this is not a list of my favourite corners of the Riviera. It is the practical side: where couples look, how the legal bit works, what the light and heat do to a timeline, and what it costs to fly me out.
If you want the venues I have actually worked at, they are on my destination wedding photographer page. If you want a straight answer on a Riviera wedding, read on.
Venues couples look at on the Riviera
A few of the best-known venues along the coast. I have not worked at any of them, so I have kept to what each venue says about itself. Check availability and what is allowed directly with them.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
A pink Belle Époque villa between Nice and Monaco, built between 1907 and 1912 for Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, who left it to the Académie des Beaux-Arts. It sits in seven hectares with nine themed gardens, including French, Spanish, Florentine, Japanese and rose gardens, and the villa hosts weddings.
Château de la Chèvre d'Or, Èze
A Relais & Châteaux hotel in the medieval village of Èze, on a rocky peak between Nice and Monaco. It has been open since 1953 and organises ceremonies and receptions. Èze is a village of steep lanes and steps, which is worth remembering when you plan the timings and what everyone wears on their feet.
Château de La Napoule, Mandelieu-La Napoule
A château on the water just west of Cannes, bought in 1918 by the American sculptor Henry Clews and his wife Marie, who remade it in their own style. It is now run by an arts foundation and hosts private functions and weddings.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d'Antibes
One of the most famous hotels on the coast, with gardens running down to the sea and spaces for private events.
Getting married legally in France
A legal wedding in France takes place at the mairie, the town hall, and one of you normally needs to have lived in that commune for around a month beforehand. For most couples coming from the UK that is not practical.
So many marry legally at a register office at home, before or after, and hold a symbolic ceremony at their French venue. It also means the ceremony can be in English, wherever you like. The rules change, so check the current position with your venue, planner or the local mairie before you book anything.
What the South of France does to a timeline
Four things I would build the day around.
The light
Southern France in summer means bright, hard sun in the middle of the day. If you can, put the ceremony later in the afternoon and keep twenty minutes for portraits as the sun drops. Shade matters more than the view at two o'clock.
The heat
July and August are hot. Guests in suits standing in the sun for a long group list is nobody's favourite memory, so keep the family photographs short and in the shade. May, June and September are gentler.
Getting around
Coast roads are slow in summer, and hill villages like Èze are steep and partly car-free. If the ceremony and reception are in different places, build the travel time in properly.
The day before
I always arrive the day before a wedding abroad, walk the venue at the time the ceremony and portraits will happen, and plan the day around the light. That matters even more somewhere I have not worked before, and I will tell you plainly when that is the case.
Weddings I have photographed in France
An hour south of Paris rather than the coast, but the same planning: arrive the day before, walk the venue, build the day around the light.
See Holly and Hammad's wedding at Château des Condé, with a ceremony under a tree in the meadow and fireworks over the château. If you are looking at a château near Paris, my Vaux-le-Vicomte guide may help. I also photograph pre-wedding shoots abroad, including Layla and Richard's post-wedding shoot in Paris. Everywhere else I have worked abroad is on my destination wedding photographer page.
The destination collection
Eight hours on the day, preparations through to the first dance. Flights and a few nights nearby are added at cost, with no markup.
Preparations through to the first dance.
- One collection for every destination
- Planning calls and a timeline for the day
- Venue scouting the day before
- Every image edited, usually 400 to 600
- Extra hours £200 each
For couples who want the pictures without the wedding.
- Paris from £2,000
- Iceland £2,995
- New York £3,995
- Or add a shoot the day before your wedding
- Travel at cost on top
There is a full breakdown in what destination wedding photography costs, and if you are comparing photographers, how to choose a destination wedding photographer.
What couples say
We had Barrie come by and photograph our civil ceremony / wedding registration at Old Marylebone Town Hall. We wanted it shot in an elopement style as it was just one of the many pre- weddings events …
Barrie was fab! He knew Old Marylebone Town Hall really well (even the registrars knew him). He made us feel comfortable and took us to really cute places to get some special shots. Would highly recom…
Barrie was the photographer for our civil wedding ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall and he was great! Professional, friendly and creative throughout the day. The photos are amazing, stylish and ple…
Barrie is incredible! He is a total pro and the best in the business! We love our photos so much. We got married at trading boundaries and he was the perfect photographer. So special. Thank you Barrie
Barrie was such a great photographer for our wedding from start to finish. He was so friendly and make us feel so calm and relaxed on our big day. The photos he took were amazing and we loved all of t…
South of France wedding questions
Have you photographed weddings in the South of France?
Not yet. I have photographed weddings in France, including Holly and Hammad's wedding at Château des Condé, and shoots in Paris. For a Riviera wedding I would plan it the same way I plan every wedding abroad, arriving the day before to walk the venue.
Can we get legally married in the South of France?
A legal wedding in France takes place at the town hall, and one of you normally needs to have lived in that commune for around a month beforehand. Many UK couples marry legally at home and have a symbolic ceremony at their French venue. Check the current rules with your venue or planner.
How much does a South of France wedding photographer cost?
My destination collection is £3,995 for eight hours, with extra hours at £200 each. Travel and accommodation are added at cost, with no markup.
Which airport is closest to the French Riviera?
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is the main airport for the Riviera, with direct flights from London.
How many nights would you need to stay?
For most European weddings, two or three nights. I arrive at least the day before, so there is time to see the venue and allow for delays.
Can we add a second photographer?
Yes, on request. Worth it for bigger weddings, especially when people are getting ready in different places.
When will we get our photographs?
Within a week of the wedding, in a private online gallery.
Planning a wedding in the South of France?
Send me your date and your venue and I will come back to you with a full quote, travel included. I read every enquiry myself.
Rather use the longer form? Head to the contact page
Barrie was the photographer for our late November wedding at the Old Marylebone Town Hall and we are absolutely delighted with the photographs. He was able to capture all the crucial moments before, d…