Some weddings are simply photographed. Others are truly experienced alongside the couple. Marine and Brian’s wedding belonged to the second category, and their story began long before the wedding day itself.

Six months before their wedding, the venue they had carefully chosen and booked was destroyed by a fire. It was a place they had fallen in love with, a venue that embodied months of planning and a very clear vision of what their celebration would be. Overnight, everything changed. A new date had to be found, a new venue secured, and an entirely new wedding planned from scratch, all while carrying an emotional burden that few people truly understand.

Throughout those months, we tried to be there for them. Not only as their wedding photographers, but as genuine support. Building a real relationship with our couples is at the heart of our work, and it often makes all the difference on a wedding day. When you’ve already gone through something meaningful together before the wedding, the images become something far more personal.

A Wedding Morning Where Everything Finally Fell Into Place

On the wedding day, some of the tension was still there. Marine and Brian had carried six months of uncertainty on their shoulders, and understandably so.

But as the morning preparations unfolded, something shifted. Gradually, almost imperceptibly, everyone relaxed. The laughter returned. Wedding mornings are often where the day truly begins, those quiet hours before the celebrations take over, surrounded by the people who matter most. This particular morning was incredibly moving to document.

A Mountain Church Ceremony Under the Winter Sun

Their ceremony took place in a charming mountain village church beneath a crisp and beautifully sunny winter sky.

This is exactly the kind of light we love during a Lake Annecy winter wedding. Sharp, directional, and full of character. The low winter sun creates long shadows that sculpt faces and highlight the textures of old stone buildings. There is none of the overwhelming brightness of summer, just a clean, elegant winter light that makes every emotion feel even more visible.

For couples planning a winter wedding in Annecy, this unique atmosphere is one of the region’s greatest treasures.

The Unexpected Interlude We Had Never Seen Before

mmediately after the ceremony, Marine and Brian did something we had never witnessed in years of photographing weddings.

Instead of heading straight to the reception venue, they went to a local bar with their closest friends. They shared drinks, toasted together, and even played a few games of pool before continuing the celebration.

Simple. Spontaneous. Completely true to who they are.

That short break transformed the energy of the entire day.

When they finally arrived at La Croix des Champs, they were relaxed, smiling, and completely free from the stress they had carried for months. Nestled between Lake Annecy and the French Alps in Veyrier-du-Lac, just minutes from Annecy, this authentic 18th-century Savoyard estate welcomed them exactly as they had hoped, with the warmth and intimacy of a family home.

A Celebration Worthy of Everything They Had Overcome

The party lasted long into the night.

And when Marine and Brian celebrate, they celebrate wholeheartedly.

The reception reflected everything they had overcome to get there: generous, emotional, joyful, and completely uninhibited. The vaulted wine cellar of La Croix des Champs echoed with laughter and music well after midnight, while the dark winter waters of Lake Annecy provided the perfect backdrop outside.

These are the weddings we never forget.

Not because they are perfect.

But because they are real.

La Croix des Champs: One of the Best Venues for a Lake Annecy Winter Wedding

If you’re searching for the perfect venue for a Lake Annecy winter wedding, we recommend La Croix des Champs without hesitation.

This beautiful 18th-century estate offers everything that makes a winter wedding feel warm and inviting: historic architecture, a traditional wine press, stunning vaulted reception spaces, and breathtaking views over Lake Annecy. While many wedding venues lose some of their charm during the colder months, La Croix des Champs becomes even more magical in winter.

And if you’re currently facing unexpected challenges while planning your wedding — a venue cancellation, a date change, or the need to completely rethink your plans — we understand how overwhelming that can feel.

We’ve seen it firsthand.

Feel free to reach out. We’d love to hear your story and help you create something beautiful, no matter where you’re starting from.

Émilie & Stéphane