Our last wedding of the 2024 season was one of our favourite locations and hosts Chateau du Doux. You may have seen the venue before, as it featured on Channel 4’s Chateau DIY programme.  The Young family are far more organised and successful than the programme would have you believe but then that wouldn’t make for good tv viewing would it?

So it’s mid October Friday evening. Gabby and Zayd have travelled all the way from Baltimore in Maryland, USA and now we’re ready cameras in hand to meet and greet the couple’s guests arriving from various states of USA. We were hired for photography and video – it was super to tell the whole story from the guests arrival through the full celebrations. You can view Gabby & Zayd’s video here. Our weekend all inclusive package is perfect for a destination wedding particularly when your guests are flying in. You get to relive the weekend again and again through your photos and videos. 

Gabby had chosen such a beautiful colour scheme.  How would you describe the colour? Not quite baby blue, not quite violet, nor grey – stunning whatever the description; and what gorgeous wedding rings from James Allen presented in a cute personalised box. Gabby, clearly very talented, designed her own invitations and presented a gift bag for each of her guests.

Gabby and her friends – Faith, Taylor, Alexandra and Grayson – set up in the morning in the Champagne Bridal Suite Salon for hair and make up.  The bridal party’s PJs fit in with the bride’s colour scheme and with Grayson providing music and social media content the friends had great fun.  Another creation by Gabby was their newspaper which presented their programme for the weekend and a few fun items for their guests to enjoy.  You could design your own using Newspaper Club.

Meanwhile Zayd, our Groom and his groomsmen were getting ready in the library.  You could tell this group were really, really good friends.  

They were so helpful to Zayd in both getting ready and celebrating his day. A whisky or two also helped with that.

Back now with Gabby our bride ready in her stunning Betsy Robinson Bridal gown and elegant shoes with beaded ankle strap by Shein, with her bridesmaids wearing Azazie in stunning colour blue.

Now ready for the first look ahead of the ceremony – very traditional in USA.  Gabby and Zayd had wanted to do it outside on the terrace but the weather wasn’t playing ball so we opted to do it on the grand staircase in the chateau (not so bad eh?!). Firstly Gabby met Zayd on the stairs and after walked down to her Gabby’s parents, Kirk and Gwendolyn, waiting in the Hall.

After we took couple’s and close family portraits – all done and dusted ahead of the ceremony.

The music for the procession was played by string trio, Ensemble Obbligato.  The James Bond theme for Zayd and his groomsmen, and Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift for Gabby and her bridal party.

Celebrant was Zayd’s own sister Sana. After exchanging of rings and vows the couple walked back up the aisle to Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish.

Cocktails and canapés, followed by a few more guest photos. Then speeches by dad Kirk, sister Sidra and a welcome wedding feast by Chef Marco , all followed up by the cutting of the cake made by Chloebelle Cakes.

The sun finally came out and gifted the happy couple and their guests with an amazing sunset.

Following an outfit change for Gabby the couple were welcomed back to the party with a confetti throw
and opened the floor with their first dance.  

After the guests lined the walkway with sparklers, Gabby and Zayd leading everyone to a spectacular fireworks display.  
What an amazing way to celebrate their union!