We know the perfect cure for those Monday blues: let’s all take a much-needed mental vacay to France + live vicariously through Hildegunn + Samuel as we pour through these photos from their gorgeous Château le Mont Epinguet wedding! We’re going to let Hildegunn share the sweet story of how she + Samuel met, but let us just tell you, she planned their entire wedding in France from the Philippines with a fiancé that was living in Finland at the time. And with VERY little internet to boot. We’re impressed to say the least. Goes to show that sometimes all you need is a little bit of time, some ingenuity, and the help of awesome friends + fam to pull together an epic celebration!
We first met at a wedding in Hawaii the summer of 2012 and from there I moved to Paris to study French. Samuel pursued my heart in Paris and that is one of the biggest reason why we chose to get married in France. It is so special to us! Since we also come from two different countries, one side of the guests would have needed to travel anyways. so why not meet up in France?! We both love the French culture and we thought it would be perfect with a laid back, yet classy chateau wedding.
Thanks so much to Logan Cole Photography for sharing these images with us – seriously, every photo is so, so dreamy – and big congrats to the newlyweds on a BEAUTIFUL day!
The first look was definitely the highlight for both of us, but the whole week in Normandy was almost equally incredible. It was honestly just a big reunion. That week Samuel and I were officially done with 2 years of long distance and we were reunited with our closest friends from all over the world, some of them we hadn't seen for years. From beach volley and swimming in the ocean to game nights, spontaneous dance off's under the stars, exploring Normandy, big dinners and wine tastings, good talks and just lots of laughter. This made the wedding day even more relaxed and fun since everyone already knew each other! The night before the wedding we also had a worship night with all our guests. We both love the Lord and it was important to us to praise The One who made all this happen and to lay the wedding day in His hands.
The silhouette and lace sleeves on Hildegunn’s Jun Escario dress are to die for! She looks amazing…
We love that these two spent lots of time with Logan pre-ceremony capturing gorgeous portraits. We can’t recommend this enough if you are able to work it into your timeline. Imagine looking back on these images forty years from now! Le’Swoon.
^^ OMG! ^^
The flowers were ordered just the week before the wedding, but you’d never know it! Hildegunn’s good friend, Elena Goetzinger, crafted the dreamiest installments, including that crazy-good ceremony arch.
Processional: River Flows in You – Yiruma (Part of «She» by Elvis Costello)
Recessional: Happy – Pharrell Williams
First Dance: Stay With You – John Legend
Bottom line we just wanted our guests to have FUN in our wedding. I love weddings where people can feel free to walk around and find different things to do in between the program. We had organized a photobooth corner, a polaroid photo challenge, a ping pong table, a guestbook table and a lounge area for people to sit down and chill. Often times weddings are quite long and you have to sit for a long time. This allows guests to have fun and mingle with different people, not just the ones you’re sitting next to. :)
H + S are officially the coolest!
Fun fact: Norwegians love cake and by tradition you always have a big cake table. Our super-moms baked about 20 different cakes!
See more in the beautiful film below by Matti Haapoja from Heartvisuals:
Delegate work to your friends, they want to help! We could never have pulled this wedding off without the help of our amazing friends and family.
photography: Logan Cole Photography // venue name: Chateau le Mont Epinguet, Normandy, France // florals: bride's good friend, Elena Goetzinger // wedding dress: Jun Escario // bride's shoes: Vic // bridesmaid dresses: Etsy // hair stylist: Bride // makeup artist: Bride // groom attire: Turo Tailor // videography: Matti Haapoja from Heartvisuals // catering: La Ferme des Mares // cake: Gift from a friend // music: Erik Klintenberg // officiant: John Gillespie // rentals: La Ferme des Mares
This. Is. STUNNING!! LOVE!!
I love every inch of this French wedding – from the stylish yet fun photography to the Chateau and the outdoor decoration! Unique and fantastic!
Love that simple wedding arch and nice photos !
I am so enamoured with this wedding!! So impressed by all the little details and the impeccable styling!! Also, particularly loved reading the extra info, like about the 20 cakes! So sweet!!
best of 2014!!
Wowzer! Gorgeous work!!!
This may be one of my favorite weddings ever. These photos are stunning! And I am totally blown away with that video!
What is the name of the wedding dress? I love it!!!!
My heart swells when I watch that video!
This wedding is to die for! Every detail is just fabulous! Blown away!
What a beautiful location and wedding. The details were so gorgeous. I love seeing the genuine emotion and joy in their video.
This is a great, romantic, and very intimate French wedding. You’ve captured the event so beautifully, and the bride and groom are both having a wonderful time. They are such a beautiful couple, and their love of life and simple pleasures just reflect in every single way throughout the wedding.
Amazing work Logan :)
Beautiful wedding and very nice job !
Amazing photos, and such a gorgeous wedding! How dreamy!
Does anyone know what the name of the dress was, or if you can purchase anywhere!? It’s so stunning!
Absolutely amazing! I loved everything about this wedding and this couple and the videography and photography absolutely outstanding. LOVE!
I love everything about this wedding! Like can I be her? This was so fun, youthful, and just beautiful. And that is so awesome to me that they had a worship night with their guests to. I love that. They made such a cool experience for themeselves and their guests. And I want their photographer!
LOVE every single thing about this wedding!
Hello there! I am searching for a dress and keep coming back to this one. I live in Richmond, VA and can’t find any information on where you can get this Jun Escario dress. I have emailed the designer (internationally). Any info would be so appreciated!
Stunning wedding venue! The photos were lovely! ;)
http://www.tagaytayweddingcafe.com
How stunning! Soppy me is crying right now haha! That comment about committing it to God was so beautiful! Love love love. X
I love this wedding! congrats to couple and the wedding professionals
Very good list and pictures. Looks very professional!!
What a fantastic wedding and the photos are stunning. The bride and groom clearly put a lot of thought in to their planning
WOW what a beautiful wedding.
I still can’t get over how gorgeous this couple and this day were. Definitely putting “photograph wedding in France” on the dream list.
There is so much love in every little detail of your celebration. The choice of a venue is stunning. The way you designed a setting for a wedding dinner is so creative. And the bride planned all of this miles away from the venue – bravo!
Oh my gosh! One of the best wedding I’ve ever seen. This is such a gorgeous couple. The guest, the location. Everything is perfect!
Oh Dios! Una boda espectacular!!! Y las fotos increibles