A Destination Wedding in France: Mariana and Brandon in the French Basque Country
A Destination Wedding in France: Mariana and Brandon in the French Basque Country
Mariana & Brandon · Three days between the Pyrenees, Gabat and Saint-Jean-de-Luz
A destination wedding in the French Basque Country
Mariana and Brandon live in New York. She is from Colombia and he is from England, so for three days their families and friends travelled from all over the world to Gabat, a small village in the French Basque Country where Brandon has a house. It was a destination wedding in France, and it felt more like a family celebration than a wedding with a schedule.
Day one: a picnic in the Pyrenees
We started in Pau and Eaux-Bonnes, two lovely towns in the Atlantic Pyrenees. In Pau, the guests went to the market with wicker baskets the couple had given them, to buy food for a picnic later on. I loved that market: so many cheeses, and so much foie gras.
In Eaux-Bonnes everything was ready for the picnic. The day was a little cold and there was some drizzle, but nobody minded. The couple had thought of everything, umbrellas included.
Day two: a handmade wedding at home
On the wedding day the house was busy from early morning, with family and friends getting everything ready. Everyone had something to do: they took care of the decoration and even part of the food, so it was a very handmade wedding.
The ceremony was held at the end of an avenue of poplars, in a grove of trees Brandon had planted as a child. A neighbour and old friend of Brandon’s led it, and some of the family said a few words. Then Brandon put on Mariana’s finger a ring he had designed himself, and she gave him a book.
Dinner, dancing and a goodbye in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
After the kisses and hugs, each guest wrote a wish for the couple on the tree of wishes. Then came the food of the French Basque Country, with a Colombian touch: champagne, cheeses, foie gras and a lamb stew. The party ended the only way it could, with everyone on the dance floor.
On the third day we went to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, near Biarritz, for a last meal together before saying goodbye to Mariana and Brandon.
Planning a destination wedding?
I’m based in Andalusia, but I travel for weddings like this one: close, relaxed and full of the people who matter. If you’re planning a destination wedding in France, Spain or elsewhere in Europe, tell me about it. You can see more about how I work on my documentary wedding photography page.
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