A Wedding at Prieuré Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac in Southern France
A sunny June wedding, a bright yellow-and-lemon palette, a vintage Méhari, and a couple who knew exactly how to enjoy their day.
There are weddings that start at 8am with a strict schedule, and then there are weddings like Charline and Emmanuel's.
Their day at Prieuré Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac started around midday, with no particular rush. The sun was already high, the weather was warm, and there was plenty of time to get ready, have a drink, enjoy the venue and simply be together before the ceremony.
And honestly, that felt very appropriate for them.
Charline and Emmanuel are a laid-back couple, but not quiet or understated. They have the kind of energy that fills a room without trying too hard. Mature, confident and clearly there to have a good time, they brought an elegant but relaxed atmosphere to their wedding in the South of France.
Getting Ready at Prieuré Saint-Nicolas
The preparations took place directly at the venue, which meant the day could begin slowly.
No rushing from one location to another. No disappearing for hours before the ceremony. Just getting ready, catching up with family and friends, and enjoying the beautiful setting of the Prieuré.
The decoration was already giving us a pretty good idea of what was coming: lemons everywhere.
On tables, around the reception spaces and throughout the details, the yellow-and-blue palette brought a fresh, summery feeling to the day. It was playful without becoming overly themed, and it worked perfectly with the warm architecture and outdoor setting.
By the time everyone was ready, the atmosphere had shifted from quiet preparations to that particular feeling just before a wedding really begins.
A Quick First Look and a Vintage Méhari
Charline and Emmanuel kept their first look simple.
No elaborate setup, no long staged moment. Just a quick meeting, a big hug, and then it was time to go.
Their transportation for the ceremony was also a little more fun than your average wedding car: a vintage Citroën Méhari, perfectly suited to a sunny wedding in the South of France.
The small car became part of the story of the day, taking them from the venue to a nearby church for their religious ceremony.
A Small Church Ceremony
The religious ceremony took place in a small church nearby.
After the relaxed early afternoon, it was a lovely change of pace. The setting was intimate, the ceremony was meaningful, and the couple could simply enjoy the moment with the people closest to them.
Then came the Méhari ride back to the Prieuré.
We happened to be following behind them, and on the way back, we got one of those photographs that you cannot really plan.
Their little white car crossing the bridge, with the landscape opening around them and the venue visible on the right.
It lasted only a few seconds.
But sometimes those are the photographs that tell the story best.
An Outdoor Wedding in the South of France
Back at Prieuré Saint-Nicolas, the evening settled into cocktail hour.
The reception area had the feeling of a small summer neighbourhood: tables and chairs scattered around the outdoor spaces, guests moving between conversations, drinks in hand, music playing, and everyone making the most of the sunshine.
This is one of the things we love about an outdoor wedding in the South of France. The reception doesn't have to feel like a formal transition between parts of the day. People can simply wander, sit down, get back up, find someone they haven't spoken to yet and enjoy the evening.
The setting at the Prieuré made that especially easy.
There was a relaxed, almost holiday-like feeling to the whole cocktail.
And Charline and Emmanuel were right in the middle of it.
Champagne, Sunshades and Golden Light
At some point during the cocktail, we borrowed the couple for a few portraits.
Not for a long disappearance from their guests. Just enough time to make the most of the light and the surroundings.
There were sunshades, champagne and a few very cool poses.
And then, as the sun started dropping, everything changed.
The hard afternoon light softened into that warm golden glow that makes June evenings in the South of France so good for photographs.
We slowed things down for a little while.
The energy became quieter. Charline and Emmanuel had a few minutes together, away from the crowd, with the last warm light of the day around them.
No complicated posing. Just the two of them, enjoying a rare quiet moment in the middle of a very full day.
Straight Into the Party
Back with the guests, Charline and Emmanuel entered together, dancing and laughing as their guests lifted them high into the air.
It was loud, chaotic and completely them.
After all the elegant details, the beautiful setting and the golden portraits, this was the part where everyone stopped caring about looking composed.
Which is usually when the best photographs happen.
Dinner Under the Summer Sky
The outdoor dinner continued the same atmosphere as the rest of the day: warm, relaxed and full of character.
The lemon details brought colour to the tables, while the summer evening slowly settled around the Prieuré.
There was no need to manufacture atmosphere. The venue, the weather and the people were already doing the work.
And then came the cake.
Not a small, polite wedding cake.
A very large cake covered with berries of all kinds.
The final move was even better: rather than simply cutting it, berries sauce was poured over the whole thing.
A suitably excessive ending to a day that had managed to be elegant without taking itself too seriously.
Getting Married at Prieuré Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac
Located in the Gard, between Nîmes, Uzès and the Pont du Gard, Prieuré Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac is a beautiful setting for couples looking for a South of France wedding venue with character.
The historic architecture, gardens and outdoor spaces give the venue a strong sense of place, while the surrounding landscape creates plenty of opportunities for an outdoor celebration and natural wedding photography.
For couples planning a destination wedding in the South of France, it also offers something particularly valuable: the feeling of being somewhere special without needing to overcomplicate the day.
You can get ready at the venue, have your ceremony on site, cocktails and dinner outdoors, and let the day move naturally from one moment to the next.
And if you happen to experience a Méhari, even better.
→ See a full wedding gallery of Charline & Emmanuel at Prieuré Saint-Nicolas
FAQ – Prieuré Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac Weddings
Where is Prieuré Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac?
Prieuré Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac is located in the Gard department of southern France, near Sainte-Anastasie and within easy reach of Nîmes, Uzès and the Pont du Gard. Its location makes it an interesting option for couples looking for a South of France wedding venue surrounded by nature while still being relatively accessible from larger towns and airports.
Is Prieuré Saint-Nicolas suitable for an outdoor wedding?
Yes. The venue's gardens and outdoor spaces are particularly well suited to a relaxed summer celebration. From cocktails in the sunshine to an outdoor dinner as the evening cools down, the setting works naturally for couples who want their wedding to feel connected to the surrounding landscape.
Is Prieuré Saint-Nicolas a good venue for a destination wedding?
It can be a great choice for a destination wedding in the South of France, especially for couples who want a historic venue with plenty of character rather than a traditional hotel or large event space. The surrounding area also gives guests plenty of opportunities to explore the Gard, Nîmes, Uzès and the Pont du Gard before or after the wedding.
What is the best time for wedding photos at Prieuré Saint-Nicolas?
For couple portraits, we particularly love the evening and the hour before sunset. In June and during the summer months, the afternoon sun can be quite strong, while the light becomes softer and warmer later in the day. Keeping even 15–20 minutes around golden hour can make a noticeable difference without taking the couple away from their guests for too long.
How much time should we allow for wedding portraits?
You don't need a long photo session to get beautiful portraits. For a relaxed wedding like Charline and Emmanuel's, we prefer a few short moments throughout the day rather than taking the couple away from their guests for an hour. Around 15–30 minutes during the softer evening light is often more than enough, especially when the venue itself provides such a strong backdrop.
Planning a Wedding at Prieuré Saint-Nicolas?
If you're considering Prieuré Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac for your wedding, give yourselves enough time to actually enjoy the day. Starting preparations around midday worked beautifully for Charline and Emmanuel, leaving room for the ceremony, cocktail, time with guests and a few relaxed portraits around golden hour.
You don't need to disappear for hours for beautiful wedding photographs. A short walk, a little champagne and 15–30 minutes in the softer evening light can be more than enough. The rest of the story is happening around you.
If you're planning a wedding at Prieuré Saint-Nicolas and want photographs that feel natural, colourful and full of the atmosphere of the day, we'd love to hear what you're planning. We'll give you enough direction to feel comfortable, then step back and let the day unfold naturally.