SHAE & MAXIM’S WEDDING IN THE CÉVENNES
Three days of celebration at Mas Nouveau in the Cévennes, from the preparations to the first dance.
At Mas Nouveau in Génolhac, Shae and Maxim gathered their loved ones for three days of celebration. They live in Australia, so we planned their wedding remotely, on Sydney time, with their wedding planner Chloé Adgnot of Écrin d’Étoile. From my arrival, Maxim welcomed me with disarming ease, and their loved ones made me feel at home.
Follow Shae and Maxim’s day at Mas Nouveau through the galleries below.
THE PREPARATIONS
Two white jackets wait on their hangers beside the black shoes, bow ties and buttonholes, set aside for the details. Marie Taurines of Maat Makeup handles the makeup, then Shae and Maxim get ready among their loved ones: a collar adjusted, a jacket on the shoulders, an embrace before heading out.
THE OUTDOOR CEREMONY
Chairs are set in Mas Nouveau’s garden, facing the Cévennes hills. Maxim walks forward alongside his grandmother and his godmother. During the readings and the exchange of rings, the emotion is palpable: a few tears from Maxim, from Shae too. I choose my places in advance to see the couple and their guests’ faces without disturbing anything, then wait for their exit beneath the petals.
COUPLE PORTRAITS
The time slot for the couple portraits was chosen for the light. Beforehand, I studied Mas Nouveau with a virtual reality app that simulates the path of the sun, taking the terrain and the buildings into account: the most beautiful light did not fall at the time planned in the schedule. Shae and Maxim wanted that light. We discussed it together, with Mas Nouveau and with Chloé, their wedding planner, who then adjusted the timing with the other suppliers. At the end of the day, Shae and Maxim walk through the garden, kiss against the light and pose beneath Mas Nouveau’s stone porch. One lifts the other; their shadows stretch across the ground. I give them starting points, then adapt my framing to what they offer. The Cévennes hills remain present in the wider portraits.
GROUPS & COCKTAIL
A tower of champagne glasses, a kiss in front of the glasses, the couple lifted for a group photo: the drinks reception unfolds in the garden. The group list had been ready since our video call, set on Sydney time, so the photos flow without keeping anyone waiting. Travelling from several countries, the guests were happy to share the moment, and it shows.
DINNER & EVENING CELEBRATIONS
Long tables fill Mas Nouveau’s courtyard beneath sails and string lights. The speeches end in embraces, then Shae and Maxim speak in turn. Then the flower-decked cake and dancing indoors. On delivery, their reaction fit in a few words: “they’re just gorgeous!” Three weeks later, New Zealand’s Woman’s Day magazine told the story of their wedding with my photos.
FEATURED IN WOMAN’S DAY NEW ZEALAND
For your wedding at Mas Nouveau, tell me your date, the number of days and the moments you would like photographed. Meet Emily and Pierre-Louis in Aix-en-Provence, who travelled from England, and explore Camille and Paul’s winter portraits, from Provence to Samoëns.
PLANNING A WEDDING AT MAS NOUVEAU?