About Us

Lauren

Founder and Director

Lauren has worked in the wedding industry for 11 years both in the UK and France. In the UK Lauren had a wedding cake company, but in 2017 she moved to France with her husband and young son for a change in lifestyle and to enjoy all that France has to offer, however she still very much wanted to work in the wedding industry!

It wasn’t until the summer of 2018 after much planning that French Wedding Venues was born! It has rapidly grown into the largest wedding venue directory in France for the English speaking market. Lauren has always had a love of France and is passionate about helping couples find their dream wedding venue in this beautiful country!

When not talking about weddings in France Lauren loves spending time with her family, travelling and running. 

INFO@FRENCHWEDDINGVENUES.CO.UK

Oliver

Director

Oliver moved to France in 2017, something which he had dreamed of doing for a long while whilst working in the city for many years. After setting up their first business in France, Luxury Loos France in 2015 and working in the wedding industry Oliver and Lauren started French Wedding Venues (FWV) in 2018. Since then FWV has grown to be the largest English speaking wedding venues directory in France. Oliver is primarily focussed on developing new relationships within the industry and promoting FWV to new partners. 

When not working Oliver loves spending time with his family, motor racing and rugby.

OLIVER@FRENCHWEDDINGVENUES.CO.UK

Josie

Wedding Consultant and Sales Executive

Josie got married in the Dordogne after she and her now-husband decided they wanted a romantic wedding abroad which could be combined with a wonderful holiday with their friends and family. Finding a venue was a real challenge and this is partly why she was interested to start working with FWV! Josie's role with FWV is to market the platform to venues looking for more exposure and to help them with any queries they may have. 

Josie also currently manages a Chateau in the Dordogne, meaning that she is able to view things from the venue owners/managers perspective, meaning she knows what they are looking for in terms of marketing.

She also has a lot of experience in marketing in the wedding industry, having worked at two premium wedding destinations in the UK over the past six years to promote the venues and all that they can offer.

She loves travel and languages - having studied Spanish at university in the UK and French while studying at la Universidad de Granada in Spain. She has lived in South America (Argentina) and is currently based n the UK with her young family.

JOSIE@FRENCHWEDDINGVENUES.CO.UK

Sam

Wedding Consultant

Sam lives with her partner and two girls in the Dordogne, having moved there in 2014 when her first born was just 4 months old.

With her mum having owned property in the area since 1998, and having lived there since 2003, Sam is very familiar with the local surrounds having visited many times before taking the plunge herself.

Having graduated in Business Studies & Marketing in 1997, Sam has had many years’ experience working in the creative and marketing sectors, working in private business, public sector, and the publishing sector. Her experience includes, corporate communications, community engagement, event planning and coordination, and digital and social media.

Whilst in France, Sam has worked as a translator and facilitator to English speaking people trying to navigate French bureaucratic processes, and as head of social media communications for a local magazine and website targeted at English speakers in the Southwest of France.

Sam loves working at FWV as she says there is nothing more satisfying than helping someone find the perfect venue, for what is one of the biggest and most enjoyable days of their life.

Sam is renowned amongst friends for her creative kids’ birthday parties, and home-made fancy dress costumes! And when she’s not running around a hockey pitch with the Hockey Lovers of Aquitaine team that she founded, she likes nothing more than to relax at home in front of her favourite Australian Soap with a cup of Yorkshire Tea (…or a G&T!) in her hand.

SAM@FRENCHWEDDINGVENUES.CO.UK

Karen

Wedding Consultant

Having fallen in love with France during summer holidays there as a child, Karen moved to Paris after graduating in French from Lancaster University.

She spent 8 years working as an English teacher both in schools and with adults before moving to the South West to work for a group of international estate agencies.

Karen is passionate about all things weddings and loves helping couples to find their perfect wedding venue in France.

Having worked as a translator and handholder for people making the move to France it has given her a good insight into understanding people's needs and trying to find the best possible outcome for them. This in turn now enables her to understand exactly what people are looking for in a venue and tailor her suggestions accordingly!

Karen also organised her own wedding to her French husband in the Dordogne so has experienced first-hand the magical moments our clients are looking for.

Karen loves spending time with her two young sons and making every effort to bring them up to be bilingual.

Karen also loves walking, cooking (and eating!), football and VW Beetles!

KAREN@FRENCHWEDDINGVENUES.CO.UK

Hannah

Wedding Consultant

Originally from Scotland, Hannah moved to rural South West France in 2002. Previously, she worked in London coordinating large scale live events and design projects, as well as organising corporate days out and parties. In 2013, she set up her own wedding and event planning business, which she still runs. Having organised wedding events in a wide variety of locations, she now offers a venue consultancy service for those interested in having an At-Home wedding or looking to set up as a registered venue. All of this experience enables Hannah to understand exactly what couples are looking for in a venue and allow her to make tailored suggestions to them.

She has a passion for all things French, most especially fresh croissants, raspberry macarons and Champagne. When not planning events she likes to play the Irish low D whistle, accordion and sing opera.

HANNAH@FRENCHWEDDINGVEUNES.CO.UK

Harriet

Social Media Manager

Harriet lives and works in London and is our resident social media guru!

Harriet graduated from Loughborough University with a 2:1 in Business and Marketing and has worked for the past three years in the social media industry specialising in the entertainment sector.

When she is not at work she loves travelling, good food and an accompanying G&T (or two). 

Rafferty

Office Dog

Rafferty is our minature wired haired daschund and has been part of the team since the very beginning! Having attended numerous weddings himself he is somewhat of an expert when it comes to sniffing out the perfect venue for our clients. When he is not busy venue hunting he likes nothing more than to sunbathe in the summer or lie in front of the fire during the colder months.