16 Tips For Planning A Wedding In A French Chateau

France is known for its romantic charm, awe inspiring scenery, beautiful sunny weather and culinary excellence! It’s no wonder that it is one of the most popular countries for destination weddings.

There’s no better way for you to enjoy all of the above and transform your special day into something right out of a storybook, than having a wedding in a French chateau.

Planning a destination wedding can be quite challenging; however, with the right information and preparation, you can plan the perfect destination wedding in France.

If you have always dreamed of having you wedding in a French chateau, you have come to the right place. Here are 16 simple practical tips on how to plan a wedding in a French chateau.

1. Start Planning Early

The secret to having a great destination wedding is to start planning early. As a rule of thumb, you should always start planning your wedding around 16 months in advance. By planning early, you get the chance to ensure that everything is perfectly set for this special day.

For starters, you need to book your preferred chateau as early as possible. While it might be true that France has no shortage of enchanting chateaus, the best ones are normally booked months in advance for the busy summer wedding season; as such, you need to make your booking as early as possible, if you want to have your pick of the best options available.

Since your guests will be travelling abroad, you also need to inform them as early as possible, so that they can start making the necessary travel plans.

2. Settling On A Date

One of the most important decisions couples need to make when planning their wedding involves setting a date. While it is important for you to pick a date that is most convenient to you and your guests, you also need to consider a variety of factors that are unique to France.

For starters, you should avoid choosing a date that also coincides with any French holidays. For instance, during local public holidays, public transportation may not be available – local airports and train stations may be closed – caterers may be busy and thus hard to come by, and local shops and other outlets may also be closed. All these factors must be considered when settling on your specific wedding date.

3. Get Local Assistance

As previously stated, planning a destination wedding can be quite complicated; fortunately, you can lighten the load on your shoulders by hiring a local wedding planner to help you out.

A local wedding planner can help you with all of the planning work that needs to be handled on the French side. For starters, professional wedding planner can work on securing all of the vendors you need to make your wedding a reality. They can hire caterers, DJs and make-up artists, just to name a few.

A local wedding planner will already have a network of wedding vendors that they can rely on; and considering that chateaus are in the countryside, far away from any suppliers, such connections can be a life saver!

4. Legal Formalities For Getting Married In France

Saying your nuptials in a chateau sounds quite romantic. But getting married in France is quite difficult. In fact, if you are not resident in the country, getting married there is next to impossible. The reason is that legal marriages can only be done at the local town-hall where the marrying couple or their parents reside.

To avoid all the hassle, it is best that you get married in a civil ceremony first, before travelling to France for your chateau wedding.

5. Choosing A Chateau

As a couple planning their dream wedding, it is essential that you get it right when choosing a chateau to host your special event. The right chateau should not only be located in a convenient location, but should also have all the amenities and facilities you need for the wedding.

Before you start looking at the available options, take the time to come up with a list of everything you consider important.

This can be anything from, convenient location from train stations and airports, garden or ballroom reception area, dance floor, spa, swimming pool, wheelchair access etc.

Be sure to look for a chateau with a professional kitchen as French caterers will demand to work in one. You can ask your wedding planner to help you narrow down the list, and identify exactly what you want.

6. Accommodation Options

Accommodation is always an important aspect of any destination wedding. Now, while some chateaus can only accommodate the bride and groom, and about two other couples, some have more bedrooms and even some adjacent cottages for additional guests.

Your choice here depends on the type of experience you are looking to create for your wedding getaway. You may want to look for a chateau with more beds if you want to be close to your friends and family during this period. If not, you can look for something smaller.

7. Privacy

If you decide to put up a sizeable group of different types of people in a chateau, you have to think about their privacy. While a chateau may have the number of beds you might be looking for, the layout of the space might be of concern.

The architecture and layout of chateaus might be different from what you expect, so be sure to check this out before making a final decision.

Chateaus were built with connecting rooms, where the people sleeping in one room had to pass through other bedrooms – affecting the privacy of such spaces. Furthermore, en-suite rooms available in castles may be different from what you are used to.

8. Dressing/Preparation Facilities

It goes without saying that the bride, groom and their guests need to look amazing on the wedding day! With that said, you need to think about how you and your guests will get ready for the wedding.

If you and your guests will be staying at the chateau, find out whether everyone will have access to a shower with hot water. This way, can avoid a situation where everyone is rushing to the showers at the same time just to avoid waiting in line.

Furthermore, you need to find out whether your chateau of choice comes with properly furnished preparation/dressing areas/rooms for guests and the marrying couple.

Still on the same subject, you will need to decide whether everyone gets their own make-up artist, or not.

9. Prepare For The Countryside

Most chateaus are normally located in the countryside. Over the years they have blended in well with nature, and you can be sure of encountering a few insects and small animals, especially around gardens and water features.

More importantly, the oldest castles normally do not have modern heating or air conditioning systems.

If you are planning a summer wedding in the south of France, where temperatures are warmer, come prepared. The same goes if you are planning a winter wedding, when temperatures dip.

10. Secure Transportation For Guests

As mentioned above, chateaus are located deep in the countryside; after arriving in the country, by air or train, your guests will most likely have to travel over quite a distance by road to the chateau.

To ensure that everyone finds their way and arrives on time, in a convenient fashion, it is best that you hire a van to ferry them around.

11. Plan For Unexpected Weather Changes

Most chateaus are known for their beautiful gardens; one of the reasons why many couples choose to have outdoor ceremonies.

If this is you, then remember to have a backup plan, to cater for any unexpected changes in weather. Don’t give strong winds and rain any chance of ruining your special day!

12. Fun Activities And Games

A destination wedding that lasts a few days, or a weekend, can leave guests with a lot of time to kill. Similarly, there are times during the wedding day when guests are left waiting, with nothing to do.

To keep things lively, throughout, and prevent boredom from setting in, consider adding some fun activities and games to your wedding itinerary.

These can be anything from interesting activities in the surrounding area or some traditional French games. Such activities and games are not only great ice breakers, but will also help break any monotony during your wedding getaway in France.

13. Food And Beverages

When planning a destination wedding in France, you need to plan for the food and drinks your guests will consume during the day(s) before and after the wedding day – including the traditional brunch after the day; in addition to what you have planned for the wedding reception.

Most importantly, cake and pastries are an important part of any traditional French chateau wedding; don’t forget about this part of your wedding day dining options.

14. The Setting For The Wedding Ceremony

The best way for everyone to remember your chateau wedding in France is by capturing every single moment with the best wedding photos.

French chateaus with their rustic appearance, impressive architecture and enchanting natural scenery give you all the ingredients you need for the best wedding photos.

Choosing the right setting for the wedding ceremony is a must if you are going to capture all of the beautiful aspects and moments of your special day.

For the best lighting, be sure to factor in the time of the ceremony and position of the sun when choosing the right setting.

Your photographer and wedding planner should also be able to help you with this important decision.

15. Keep A Close Eye On Your Bridal Party

If you are planning on having all of the bride’s maids and groomsmen sleep over at the chateau the night before the wedding, it is important that you keep a close eye on things. You don’t want anyone partying or drinking the night away.

Hangover bride’s maids and groomsmen, or even worse bride or groom, won’t be a good look! So, it’s upon you to make sure everyone gets their beauty sleep.

16. Have A Few Days For The Final Touches

Last but not least, with the big day fast approaching, it is recommended that you arrive to the wedding location a few days earlier.

For starters, this gives you time to rest and recover from any jet lag, if you are traveling from abroad; thus ensuring that you will be looking your best come wedding day.

Furthermore, you will have time to smooth things out if things are not to your liking, and put in some final touches where necessary.

If you are going to have the perfect destination wedding in France, proper planning is essential. And, with the above tips for planning a chateau wedding in mind and in practice, you will have an easier time putting everything together.