Some love stories begin in the most unexpected places.
For Aude and Matthew, it all started by chance when Aude travelled from France to visit her cousin at university. Matthew happened to be one of her cousin’s housemates, and what began as a chance meeting soon became a relationship that has now lasted almost two decades.
Their wedding day at Kings Chapel in Amersham was a wonderful celebration of that journey, bringing together two families, two cultures and countless happy memories.
A Proposal Nearly Missed… Thanks to Photography!
As a photographer myself, I could not help but smile when I heard Matthew’s proposal story.
Years before proposing, the pair visited a jewellery shop in London just for fun. While looking around, Aude unknowingly found a ring almost identical to one she had dreamed about since childhood. Matthew quietly remembered every detail before secretly buying it later.
He carried the engagement ring around in his camera bag for months, waiting for the perfect moment.
While on holiday in Sintra, Portugal, he nearly proposed at a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the castle. The only problem was that the view was so incredible he became completely absorbed in taking photographs and forgot all about the ring!
Thankfully, the proposal eventually happened somewhere equally meaningful.
The day before Valentine’s Day, they revisited The Saxon Mill in Warwickshire, a place full of happy memories from celebrating Matthew’s university graduation years earlier. After a walk beside the river and the romantic ruins of the old manor house, Matthew asked Aude to spend the rest of her life with him.
As if on cue, the clouds opened and sunshine flooded the landscape.
Sometimes nature gets the timing absolutely right.
Why Kings Chapel Was the Perfect Wedding Venue
Choosing Kings Chapel was an easy decision for Aude and Matthew.
Its beautiful setting in the Chiltern Hills made travelling from France straightforward for family and friends, while also being just twenty minutes from home. It offered everything they wanted, from luxurious accommodation to stunning ceremony and reception spaces where everyone could stay together and truly enjoy the celebrations.
One of their favourite memories was watching Lucas walk into the magnificent main hall and simply say, “Wow.”
That one word probably sums up many guests’ first impression.
Kings Chapel has a wonderful balance of elegance and warmth. The venue feels grand without ever feeling intimidating, making it an ideal place for couples who want beautiful surroundings while still creating a wedding that feels personal and welcoming.
That is exactly the sort of wedding I love photographing.
A Bridgerton-Inspired Celebration
Inspired by the elegance of Bridgerton and Pride & Prejudice, Aude and Matthew created a wedding that felt timeless, romantic and full of character.
Beautiful flowers filled the venue, guests enjoyed an incredible feast and the celebrations continued long into the evening.
It was classic English country house styling with a joyful Anglo-French twist.
Their First Dance
Their first dance was to Life Is Beautiful, a song that perfectly reflects their relationship.
Its lyrics tell the story of a couple who have shared life’s highs and lows together, making it a deeply personal choice after eighteen years together. It is not a song many people recognise, which somehow made the moment feel even more intimate.
Photographing the Day Naturally
When Aude and Matthew told me they chose me because of my portfolio and, more importantly, because they had a good feeling after meeting me, it genuinely meant a lot.
I know that many couples worry about spending their wedding day in front of a camera.
My approach has never been about standing quietly in the corner pretending I am invisible. Instead, I become part of the atmosphere, chatting with guests, keeping things fun, helping people feel comfortable and stepping in when needed while still allowing the day to unfold naturally.
The result is a gallery full of genuine moments rather than forced poses.
It was the perfect fit for Aude and Matthew’s wedding, where family, friendship and enjoying every second together mattered far more than creating endless staged photographs.
Congratulations Aude & Matthew
Thank you both for trusting me to capture such an important chapter of your lives.
It was a privilege to witness your families coming together, to photograph so many wonderful moments and to celebrate alongside you both.
Congratulations once again, and thank you for allowing me to tell your story.
If you’re planning your own wedding at Kings Chapel in Amersham and are looking for a photographer who specialises in helping couples feel completely at ease in front of the camera while capturing genuine moments throughout the day, I’d love to hear all about your plans.