The early Summer heatwave continues with Alex & Sarah’s wedding at Chateau de Barayre.

The venue was new to me as approx 50% of all the weddings I attend and that’s a good thing.

What a rollercoaster of a wedding this one was with 2 brides prep to bounce between, the relentless heat (pushing 40 degrees for this one), over 1.5 hours of speeches with at least 12 people speaking, the brides twice, cowboy hats and barn dancing, - it’s all going to be revealed below…

CHAPTER 01 - VENUE INTRO

Chateau de Baraye is a charming Dutch owned ancient chateau dating from the 12th C run by hosts Rachna and Jaap who live on site with their children Tijko & Enna. Typical French property though, - is it Barayre or Barrayre because both names are visible depending on which sign you look at! (See below).

CHAPTER 02 - THE EVENING PRIOR

It’s very rare for any destination wedding to not have some kind of event happening the evening prior and that is just one of the beauties of a wedding abroad, - they tend to be spread over multiple days and are more relaxed affairs as a result.

What works best, is always something informal such as a buffet, BBQ, mobile pizza van, an open bar and often some live music. Doesn’t start too early, doesn’t finish too late, always outdoors, (ie, indoor restaurant, especially if open to the public = kiss of death!), with endless fresh pizza from host Rachna being the order of the evening.

CHAPTER 03 - THE SEXY BRIDES

(Their words not mine - says so below!)

More often than not, I have 100% bride prep + anything from 10-30% groom prep. Here it was 100% bride prep + 100% bride prep with MUA Kelly Hayman.

CHAPTER 04 - THE CEREMONY

This took place in the shade of an ancient (I think) cedar tree and was conducted by friend Toby and was full of readings, laughter, tears and singing.