Location: Saint-Quentin-la-Tour, France
Setting: Chateau
Wedding season: Summer
The number of guests: 90
How long did the couple plan the event: 2 years
Wedding theme/style: Sophisticated, elegant, romantic, and authentically timeless.
Rob, the virtuoso guitarist, and Tara, the enchanting songstress and singing teacher met when Rob sought Tara’s guidance to refine his songwriting skills. The sparks flew, and a harmonious connection was forged. While their initial connection was founded in the realm of music, their love story would soon crescendo into a breathtaking symphony of life and love.
The couple got engaged in Paris. Rob had arranged a trip there as an anniversary gift. He had set up a hotel looking over the Eiffel Tower. On the first day, after a wine-tasting experience, the lovebirds decided not to take a cab back to the hotel; instead, they walked for about an hour and a half along the river, soaking in the city with the Eiffel Tower in the distance. This is the part where we are supposed to tell you that Rob got down on one knee but left the ring at home.
The next day, on their way to a mystery excursion, halfway across the Pont de Bir-Hakeim bridge, Rob stopped putting his arm around Tara, saying how wonderful the past 5 years had been and he was so glad they had met. Before Tara knew it, he was down on one knee, popping the question. She said yes, and a photographer Rob hired appeared out of nowhere and took some pictures for them. After they grabbed a wheel of Brie and some champagne, they returned to the hotel room and napped. It was all very emotional!
For the pièce de résistance, Tara and Rob chose the enchanting South West of France, near the picturesque Carcassonne, as the backdrop for their nuptials. Enter Chateau Queille—a resplendent 16th-century masterpiece with turrets, an infinity pool, sprawling grounds, and an awe-inspiring 11th-century chapel. The moment Tara and Rob laid eyes on this ethereal venue, they knew their fairy tale had found its enchanted castle.
The bride shares: “We were inspired by the location and all the surrounding areas. We wanted to showcase to our friends and family what the region had to offer and that we didn’t pick any old sunny place, so we encapsulated all those little gems and married them with our personalities.”
On the wedding morning, Tara’s room was a sanctuary of preparation and beauty in the magnificent chateau, where festive chaos reigned. Her makeup artist and stylist worked their magic, crafting an exquisite, unique, glam look that would adorn her, last the day, and withstand the heat. For her hairstyle, the bride wore a relaxed updo that could be moved around or let down during the evening. Her hairdresser was one of the guests, Mark Caswell, who has been a family friend since she was 18.
But the most touching moments were yet to come. The first to look Tara in her resplendent bridal attire was her father. In that instant, a flood of emotions overwhelmed them both, and the room was awash with the beauty of their shared love. And then, with a sense of pure wonder, Tara’s bridesmaids entered the room. Their eyes welled up with tears of joy, their smiles radiant as they beheld their dear friend. Tara was a vision of pure, breathtaking beauty.
Tara chose the Helen dress by Milla Nova, a testament to her unique taste. With the expert alterations by Tess at Chalk White Bridal in Birmingham, UK, Tara’s gown transformed into a breathtaking work of art. Tara recalls: “I opted for a dress by Milla Nova (Just incredible dressmakers based in Ukraine who continued to thrive in the face of adversity making dresses and military uniforms amidst the ongoing crisis), which wasn’t what I thought I would go for. Still, when I saw it hanging up in the wedding club, I thought it was incredible. My Mom is Helen, so I thought it was a sparkly sign. I had many alterations from Tess, who was incredibly skilled. Initially, the dress had a LOT of fabric.”
At that very moment, Rob and his friends were putting the finishing touches on the wedding decor, adding those last magical strokes to ensure the wedding would be nothing short of perfect. Afterward, they transformed into their dapper wedding tuxedos. Their morning was a symphony of laughter, camaraderie, and joy, a vibrant crescendo of friendship and lighthearted banter.
Rob’s attire was a masterpiece in itself—a black tuxedo with shawl lapels from Anthony’s London, accented by a delicate white orchid buttonhole. His groomsmen complemented the theme with larger buttonholes, while his Paul Smith Oxford shoes and a Wolf & Badger bowtie added an air of sophistication.
Their wedding day unfurled like a grand overture, with Chateau Queille’s 11th-century chapel serving as the hallowed stage. The ceremony was an enchanting affair, accompanied by a classical string quartet and a virtuoso classical guitarist.
As the ceremony approached, Tara’s father, her steady pillar of support, led her toward her eagerly waiting groom. And when Tara and Rob stood before one another, exchanging their heartfelt vows, the room was filled with a poignant beauty that moved even the guests to tears. Their love, promises, and union—each word, each moment- were a testament to the profound emotion that had brought them to this day.
Tara’s bandmates and her father added their voices to the harmonious chorus, making it an unforgettable moment.
As the guests filed out of the chapel, a lively Gypsy Jazz Band played outside, guiding everyone down the path to the meadow where drinks and canapés awaited. They had arranged for a local microbrewery’s beer van to supply refreshments and set up a traditional French champagne tower. Additionally, drinks were generously provided by the local vineyard at Domaine Gayda to ensure everyone had a delightful time.
Let’s celebrate the remarkable work of photographer Sam Docker, the visionary behind the lens at this wedding. Sam’s artistry and keen eye for detail beautifully captured the essence of the day. With each click of the shutter, he masterfully preserved not only the visuals but also the emotions, creating a timeless record of this special occasion.
Tara reminisces about the preparations they made for the wedding: “The vision for our wedding was mainly conceptualized by my now husband Rob, a former Art Director turned wedding photographer, so this was most certainly his domain, from florals to table plans, decor, and beyond. Our allotted budget for those above wasn’t huge. This was on purpose, given I am more of a people person. Between the two of us, I understood the importance of good food and great wine, especially in France. This meant my husband and Sandra, our wedding planner, had their work cut out, having to DIY lots of the details with help from our friends.”
A heartwarming moment unfolded after Rob and Tara made their entrance at the wedding dinner. Their closest family and friends came forward to offer their heartfelt congratulations, accompanied by words of love and support. Tears flowed, joyous laughter filled the air, and all of this created a truly enchanting atmosphere.
At the couple’s wedding, a stunning rustic-themed cake seamlessly blended with the surrounding atmosphere and wedding decor.
It was truly a beautiful evening filled with genuine happiness and love. And it was the talented photographer, Sam Docker, who skillfully captured every emotion, every touching and joyful moment of this wedding, leaving no detail unnoticed. His photographs are not just pictures; they are windows into the heartfelt moments, the laughter, the tears, and the unbridled joy that filled Tara and Rob’s wedding day.
At the wedding dinner, the food played a pivotal role in making the day truly splendid. A talented chef named Anders was entrusted with crafting the entire weekend’s menu, from the delectable canapés to the sumptuous wedding breakfast, late-night bites, and Sunday BBQ. His culinary philosophy harmonized perfectly with the couple’s values, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients from St Giron. The commitment to eco-conscious choices extended across all their suppliers, including a florist ELK Creations who exclusively used her homegrown blooms and a visionary wedding planner who artfully upcycled, recycled, and reimagined props, leaving an indelible mark on the event.
Tara changed into a lighter dress from Berta, and she and Rob shared their first dance as husband and wife. Then came another touching moment: the father-daughter dance.
Afterward, the dance floor opened up, and the party began! The air was filled with lively music, and the energetic dancing showed no signs of stopping.
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t sweat the small things. Your guests aren’t going to remember how big your flower arch was (no offense to epic flower arches!) or if you had a dozen confetti canons choreographed to go off with military precision. They’ll remember excellent food, wine, music, and guests. It’s your day, so invite people who will bring something special to your day, people who want to celebrate your love with you. My husband always said, “When we get married, I want everyone there to think, why didn’t they do this sooner?” It’s a lot easier when your backdrop is idyllic as ours was, so choosing a venue you don’t even have to dress up to look perfect helps.
We are so glad that we went with Sam Docker. He’d shot a wedding at our venue a few years back and knew how to capture the day beautifully. Looking back at the photos, I see that they retell a story almost as if you were there reliving it.
PHOTOGRAPHER Sam Docker | PLANNING Rubijoy | VENUE Chateau de Queille | FLORAL ELK Creations | MAKEUP Kate Glanfield | HAIR Mark Caswell | GROOM’S SUIT Anthony’s London | BRIDAL DRESS Milla Nova via The Wedding Club | SHOES Jimmy Choo | EARRINGS Gucci | EVENING GOWN Berta bridal
