French Chateau Wedding Inspiration
Are you considering a Destination Wedding set against the backdrop of lush vineyards and historic architecture? If so, I’d recommend considering a French Chateau wedding. With its rich cultural heritage, incredible food and picturesque landscapes, France offers a truly spectacular setting for your Wedding Day. As a Wedding Photographer based in the South of France, I thought I’d share some inspiration to help you plan your dream wedding at a French chateau.
1. Choose the Perfect Chateau
France is famous for its breathtaking chateaux and there’s thousands to choose from for your Destination Wedding. The first thing to consider when choosing a Chateau is the region in France. Below are the most famous areas to look at:
Loire Valley
With a diverse range of wedding venues, the Loire Valley is the perfect region in France to look at for your Chateau Wedding. Nicknamed the Garden of France, it’s a beautiful region for couples looking to immerse themselves in the splendor of the Renaissance. It’s also known as a culinary paradise, so you and your wedding guests can indulge in the region’s gastronomic delights paired with exceptional wines produced in vineyards that dot the landscape. My favourite wedding venues in the Loire Valley are:
Provence
Undoubtably my favourite area in France for a Chateau wedding! Ok, I’m slightly biased as I live here but the weather is glorious, it’s littered with wild flowers, lavender and sunflowers. Oh and did I mention the light?! The famous Provençal light that captivated all the famous artists makes for the most beautiful wedding photos! So, heres a few of my favourite chateau wedding venues in the Provence:
Villa Beaulieu
Chateau Robernier
You can take a look at a couple of weddings that I’ve shot at the wedding venues above below:
Bordeaux
Famous for its wine, this Southwestern France region offers stunning chateaux nestled among vineyards and mesmorising waterfronts. My suggestions for the best wedding venues in Bordeaux are below:
Chateau de la Valouze
No 3 The Chateau
2. Plan for the Perfect Season
Now it’s time to think about the perfect time of year for your French Chateau Wedding! Each season in France offers its own advantages. My favourite season is spring because the flowers are blooming, the temperature isn’t too hot and the greenery is still lush. Plus you avoid all the peak summer tourists and prices!
My next favourite season is Summer. This time of year offers much warmer temperatures, which is perfect for long outdoors ceremonies and receptions. If you’re planning a summer wedding then make sure to have your ceremony a little later in the day to avoid that peak daytime heat. It’s also much better for the photography when the later light is softer and more flattering.
These periods in France are very popular, so it’s importrant to book your main suppliers such as venue, caterer, DJ and photographer at least 12 months in advance. If you’re looking for a Wedding Photographer in France then don’t hesitate to send me an email.
Happy planning! Abbi
