A Multicultural Wedding at Domaine de la Fauconnie in Bergerac

Published 3 November 2025 | Photos by Frances Mary Sales

At a Glance

Manoir Nouvelle-Aquitaine Autumn (2025)

A Multicultural Wedding at Domaine de la Fauconnie in Bergerac

Location: Bergerac • DordogneNouvelle Aquitaine

After 11 years of love, laughter, and life together, this couple chose Domaine de la Fauconnie, a private estate nestled near Bergerac, as the setting for their long-awaited wedding day. Their story traveled across the world, beginning at a university birthday celebration in 2013 and spanning travel across South America, culminating in a romantic proposal on a Copacabana rooftop. Life brought them a daughter and a challenging pause through the pandemic, making their final celebration feel even more profound.

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They chose the Dordogne for its relaxed elegance and accessibility, crucial for their international guest list. Domaine de la Fauconnie, a classic destination wedding venue in the Dordogne, perfectly captured the joyful, music-filled vision inspired by Mamma Mia while honoring the need for classic, unfussy touches. The venue’s soft blue shutters provided a perfect, subtle nod to the Greek-inspired theme. This destination choice respected the effort made by their international guests, creating a feeling of communal celebration and ease. The entire day was a tribute to their enduring journey and the simple joy of finally achieving their dream.

Rustic Style Meets Classic Fashion by Eva Lendel

The overall styling drew heavily from the Mamma Mia inspiration, aiming for a day that felt warm, joyful, and full of rustic charm, yet perfectly balanced by the groom’s preference for classic simplicity. The venue’s soft blue shutters served as the primary color accent, creating a naturally picturesque backdrop. The Lika dress by Eva Lendel was a major focal point, providing the bride with the best of both worlds. The design featured a sleek, structured fit for the ceremony, allowing for classic photographs, while the detachable overskirt added an element of dramatic flair.

This crucial piece meant the bride could execute a soft outfit change later in the evening, ensuring comfort and ease when stepping onto the dance floor. The couple also made the thoughtful decision to use Prezola for their gift list, inviting guests to contribute to their honeymoon fund instead of traditional gifts. This decision respected the cost and effort already made by those traveling for the destination wedding. The long-awaited celebration finally unfolded, focusing on warm rustic charm, happy tunes, and the true meaning of the couple’s union after 11 years together.

Emotional Moments Captured by Photographer Frances Mary Sales

Planning an international destination wedding can be daunting, but the couple credit Perfect Day by Karen, an experienced wedding planner in Nouvelle Aquitaine, for managing the process with exceptional care. Karen provided essential patience, encouragement, and a steady hand, turning their broad ideas into a truly meaningful day. She listened closely to their original vision, supporting them through every twist and turn and ensuring all the final details came together seamlessly. Their memories were beautifully captured by Frances Mary Sales, a talented documentary wedding photographer in the Dordogne, whose warm, sincere style brought every quiet detail and genuine emotion to life.

Frances Mary Sales’s focus on a documentary approach ensured that the story of their wedding - from the music-filled atmosphere to the relaxed elegance of the event - was captured authentically. The energy of the day, set against the charming destination of Bergerac, was a reflection of the couple’s journey, which finally culminated in this joyous celebration surrounded by family and friends. The memory of the dance floor, where the bride moved with ease thanks to her outfit change, and the beautiful photos remain a testament to the success of their planning team.

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Getting Ready

The Ceremony

The Bride & Groom

The Reception

The Design & Details

Getting Ready

Groom in white dinner jacket reading notes in front of ivy-covered chateau entrance with stone urns
White bridal bow mules and ankle-strap heels on a wooden windowsill with wrought-iron scrollwork outside
Groomsman adjusts groom's black bow tie while both laugh during getting ready
Bride laughing while descending curved wooden staircase in strapless satin gown as man carries her train behind her

Photography: Frances Mary Sales


Ceremony

Bride and groom hold hands under wooden pavilion with pink peony and greenery floral arch during ceremony
Groom dips bride for a kiss at end of ceremony aisle beneath hanging floral installation
Bride and groom holding hands under rustic pavilion with pink peony and rose floral arch
Bride and groom first kiss under hot pink peony and blush rose arch in covered wooden pavilion

Photography: Frances Mary Sales


Reception

Live wedding artist painting a watercolor portrait of bride and groom during chateau reception
Guests raise glasses in a toast at a long banquet table inside a greenhouse venue with crystal chandeliers and blush florals
Bride and groom make grand entrance through sparkler-lit aisle at indoor reception with arched windows
Man in cream dinner jacket dancing energetically at barn-style reception venue with exposed wooden beams

Photography: Frances Mary Sales


Couple Portraits

Groom in white dinner jacket spins bride in strapless ivory satin gown on stone terrace with pool and cypress trees
Couple from behind walking toward ivy-covered manor at dusk bride in ballgown with bow detail groom in white dinner jacket
Couple in traditional Nigerian attire posing at night in front of illuminated French chateau
Couple walking on gravel, groom in white tuxedo jacket, bride with hydrangea and blush rose bouquet

Photography: Frances Mary Sales


Bridal Portraits

Bridal portrait

Photography: Frances Mary Sales


Design and Details

Seating chart sign on wooden easel with hydrangea and rose arrangements in front of glass-walled venue
Dessert table with sliced layered cake on blue plates, blush and blue floral arrangement, festoon lights behind
Heart-shaped white wedding cake with gold Just Married script beside blue and pink bridal bouquet
Reception table with blush roses and dusty blue napkins, macaron favors, and gold flatware in orangery

Photography: Frances Mary Sales


Bridal Party

Bridal party of nine posed at base of chateau stone staircase with bridesmaids in dusty blue gowns
Bridal party

Photography: Frances Mary Sales


Flat Lays

Passport-style blue invitation with boarding pass RSVP, gold rings, and pearl orchid earrings on wood

Photography: Frances Mary Sales


Venue

Evening courtyard with festoon lights mature tree and modern glass orangerie pavilion
Aerial chateau with slate turrets, pool terrace, octagonal gazebo, and white event marquee in woodland
Interior of
Ivy-covered chateau with slate turrets, blue shutters, glass canopy, and stone pillar entrance on gravel driveway

Photography: Frances Mary Sales

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The Venue

The couple chose Domaine de la Fauconnie, a manoir in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

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