hand of the bride behind her veil
Bride and groom in a chateau staircase in Dordogne
wedding ring in a box surrounded by white flowers
Wedding photos in Dordogne

Dordogne Wedding Photographer

Elegant & timeless images
with a poetic touch

Bonjour, I’m Clémence!

Specializing in destination weddings in South West France, I capture your celebration with a modern and poetic eye.

Whether you are planning an intimate elopement near Sarlat or a grand celebration in a Dordogne château, my goal is to document the unique atmosphere of this region; the laughter, the tears, and that incomparable French country light.

Bride walking on the beach
Bride and groom in a garden in Dordogne
Wedding ring on blue flowers

Get in touch

To talk about your Dordogne wedding and receive a bespoke proposal.

Let’s talk about your wedding
Discover Dordogne weddings

My approach
as a wedding photographer

Clémence Aresu portrait

Modern, timeless and natural images

My approach blends artistic, elegant photography and a documentary style to capture your day. I focus on genuine moments and natural emotions, then gently guide you at key times to create strong, timeless portraits that flatter you and feel like “you”. From time to time, I also like to add a poetic touch and more artistic compositions.

Making you feel comfortable is my priority
Even during the more guided moments, the images remain soft and natural. My goal is for you to feel relaxed, for the photographs to reflect your personalities and your connection, while showing you at your best. I help you choose flattering locations and suggest simple, easy actions so you never feel awkward in front of the camera and can truly enjoy the experience.

In the Dordogne, I particularly love working with old stone walls, leafy gardens, soft evening light and the rolling hills of the Périgord.

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A glimpse
of Dordogne weddings

Discover more weddings

How I photograph
your wedding day in Dordogne

Getting ready


I often start with photographing your accessories: your dress, stationery, jewellery, and then the atmosphere with your closest friends and family when you are getting dressed. It’s a gentle way to ease into the day and capture the anticipation.

Ceremony


Whether you’re having a civil ceremony, a church wedding or an outdoor ceremony at a château, I focus on the key moments: your entrance, vows, reactions, and all the little gestures between you and your guests.

Cocktail hour


During the cocktail hour, I alternate between candid moments with your guests and a few family and couple portraits, often in the gardens or vineyards depending on your venue.

Evening


I stay for the dinner, speeches, first dance and the beginning of the party, so you can remember not only how everything looked, but how it felt.

Dordogne wedding venue castle

Why Dordogne is a Photographer’s Dream

The Dordogne (or Périgord) has a unique visual signature that I deeply cherish as a photographer. It’s not just about the châteaux; it’s about the warmth of the limestone walls and the rolling green hills that provide texture and depth to your images.

My experience in the region helps me anticipate how the light shifts across these valleys. Whether we are shooting in the lush gardens of a Castle or against the rustic stones of a renovated barn, I know how to use these natural elements to frame your story with elegance and authenticity.

Collections & pricing


Bride and groom kissing in front of a white door
From 2800 €

My Dordogne wedding collections start at €2,800.
Every wedding is different: guest numbers, venues, timing, multi-day events, albums or engagement sessions… I create a bespoke proposal tailored to your celebration.

Get a quote

Response within 24–48 hours

Let’s talk about your wedding

Tell me more about your plans, your venues and your wedding date,
and I’ll be happy to come back to you within 24–48 hours with more information.

Jardins d'Eyrignac

Getting married in Dordogne
some favorite venues

The Dordogne and the Périgord region offer a beautiful variety of settings for a destination wedding in France: family-owned châteaux, historic estates, renovated barns and countryside manors surrounded by nature.

Here are a few examples of venues I particularly love for their atmosphere and light:

Château la Durantie

Château la Durantie

Beyond its elegant gardens, what I love most about shooting at Château la Durantie is the late afternoon light. The beautiful stoned facade catches the golden hour perfectly, creating a warm, cinematic glow for your couple portraits. It’s an ideal venue if you envision a dinner al fresco, as the lighting remains soft and flattering throughout the evening.

> Discover Nikki & Will’s wedding at La Durantie

Domaine d'Essendieras

Domaine d’Essendieras

This venue offers an incredible variety of backdrops within a single location. I particularly enjoy using the contrast between the historic stone architecture of the two castles and the vast, open views of the Dordogne countryside. It allows us to create a diverse gallery, mixing intimate, structured shots with wide, breathing landscapes, without ever leaving the wedding party.

> Discover Eloise & James’ wedding at Essendieras

Château de Rouffillac

Château de Rouffillac

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Dordogne valley, this medieval fortress offers a spectacular, majestic setting. From a photography perspective, Rouffillac is full of contrasts: the interiors and suites are exquisite for getting-ready shots, while the intimate inner courtyard creates a cozy, secluded atmosphere for a candlelit dinner. I particularly love taking couples into the gardens at sunset; the classical statues and the panoramic views over the hills provide a timeless backdrop. If we are lucky, the mist rolling through the valley below adds a breathtaking, ethereal quality to your cinematic portraits.

> Discover Liz & Julien’s wedding at Rouffillac

Kind words

Bride and groom in front of the Château at Domaine d'Essendieras

Eloise & James

Wedding at Château d’Essendieras

“From the first moment we laid eyes on Clemence’s stunning portfolio, we knew she was the perfect photographer to capture our special day. Her ability to transform ordinary moments into something truly magical through her photography is nothing short of extraordinary. The soft pastel hues she uses, combined with her meticulous attention to detail, created a visual narrative that we will cherish forever.

Clemence’s organisation and foresight leading up to our wedding were invaluable. Her keen eye for design and beauty ensured that every shot was not just a photograph, but a work of art. We are immensely grateful that she was there to document such an important day for us.

Beyond her remarkable talent, it is Clemence’s kindness that truly touched our hearts. Her patience and genuine interest in getting to know us made the entire experience feel personal and special.”

Séance couple le jour du mariage dans un jardin

Lydia & Mitch

Wedding at Château de Thauvenay

Clemence was absolutely amazing! I would recommend her to anyone. She took time to understand what we wanted and executed it beautifully.

She is kind, gracious and very passionate about her work. Not to mention that the photos turned out perfect. We are very appreciative of her capturing such a special day so wonderfully.”

Olivia & Joe

Wedding at Château de la Borderie

“Wow, what can I say about Clémence’s talent? My husband and I recently had the wedding of our dreams in France, where we were so luckily accompanied by Clémence, who captured our day perfectly. From the moment we met, she made everyone feel comfortable with her warm and welcoming smile, and calm approach.

We put all of our trust into Clémence and it certainly paid off because our photos (which we received after only 2 weeks!) helped us relive our perfect day from start to finish. The photos were well organised, from the ‘getting ready’ process, to the ceremony and party. The files were easily accessible which made it straightforward for us to send to our guests, whom were all in tears again!

We can only recommend everyone to use Clémence for their big day, you won’t regret it!”

Bride in an abbey in Dordogne

FAQs
about Dordogne destination weddings


Do you work with international couples?

Yes, I regularly photograph destination weddings for couples travelling from abroad to get married in France. We can easily plan everything by email and video calls.

How many hours of coverage do you offer?

Most collections start with around 8 hours of coverage and can go up to 12 hours or more for full-day celebrations. We’ll decide together what suits your plans best.

What is the easiest way to travel to Dordogne for a destination wedding?

Most of my international couples fly into Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD), which is about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from the main wedding venues in Dordogne. For those staying closer to Sarlat or Bergerac, Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (EGC) is a great option with direct flights from the UK.

Can you recommend other wedding vendors in the region?

Yes! Over the years, I have built strong relationships with talented wedding planners, florists, and makeup artists specialized in Dordogne weddings. Whether you are looking for a live band for your reception or a floral designer who knows the local venues well, I would be happy to share my trusted address book with you after booking.

What happens if it rains on our wedding day?

Weather in the Dordogne can be changeable, but it’s never a problem: I always have backup options, from covered locations to indoor spaces and elegant umbrellas. Beautiful images are still very possible, even with rain.

How do we book from abroad?

After an initial email or video call, I’ll send you a detailed proposal. Your date is confirmed once the contract is signed and the booking retainer has been paid.

What is the best time for couple photos in Dordogne during summer?

Summers in South West France can be warm and bright. To avoid harsh shadows and heat, I always recommend scheduling the couple session during the Golden Hour, roughly an hour or two before sunset. In June and July, the sun sets quite late (around 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM), allowing us to capture soft, romantic portraits in the gardens or vineyards while your guests are enjoying dinner or the end of the cocktail hour.

Ready to plan your Dordogne wedding photos?

 

If you haven’t filled in the form yet, this is the perfect time: tell me about your day, your venue and what matters most to you, and I’ll get back to you with a personalised response.

Let’s talk about your wedding

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clémence aresu

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

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clémence aresu

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Contact me

Destinations

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