At a Glance

Autumn (2015)

A Rustic Summer Wedding at Domaine du Beyssac Near Toulouse

Laura and James, an Irish couple living in Melbourne, travelled to the South West of France to celebrate their wedding in the quiet village of Cintegabelle, south of Toulouse. Drawn by the region’s charm and Laura’s family memories of holidays in France, they found their perfect venue in Domaine du Beyssac an old abbey nestled within a historic château estate near Toulouse. Hidden at the end of a tree-lined lane, the property offered the serenity and sweeping Pyrenees views they had imagined. With family and friends arriving from around the world, their wedding became a warm, authentic celebration of travel, culture and connection.

From Village Church to Vineyard Views

The day began with preparations in the village, followed by a heartfelt ceremony at the Church of Cintegabelle, renowned for its historic organ. English and French priests officiated, and the local organist’s music filled the vaulted space. After the ceremony, guests climbed a nearby hill for portraits framed by the church, a windmill and the rolling Pyrenean landscape. The couple then slipped away for photographs in nearby fields before joining guests at Domaine du Beyssac for cocktails by the pool. Jazz music, local wines and the scent of lavender set the mood for an evening of relaxed celebration under the summer sky.

Rustic Design, Local Flavours and Late-Night Dancing

The celebration came together through the guidance of Clémentine Ward, one of France’s trusted bilingual wedding planners, who ensured a smooth experience for the couple planning from abroad. Styling by Catherine, Awardweddings’ in-house decorator, highlighted the abbey’s rustic beauty with natural materials and soft light: burlap runners, log centerpieces, lavender napkins and fairy-lit beams. Photographer Mark Ward, among the top wedding photographers in Southwest France, captured the atmosphere with warmth and precision - from golden-hour portraits in the fields to the laughter-filled dinner that carried late into the night. The couple’s story closed in true French style: music, wine and a traditional croquembouche shared beneath the stars.