LUCY & BEN - A CHATEAU SAINT MARTORY WEDDING
THE VENUE
Chateau de Saint Martory is genuinely one of my three favourite venues in France that I visit on a regular basis.
Why/what makes it so? Well just look at the place. Looking for ‘fairytale castle/chateau’? Check and with genuine facilities as in there are plenty of of other ‘fairytale castles/chateaux’ on paper as in they look great in pictures, but the reality of having a wedding there is often very difficult including often not even having access to the main building, ie, it’s just a backdrop. Or has limited facilities. Not so Chateau de Saint Martory which has both the looks and the facilities including wet weather options which far too many places simply do not have. Or care about.
This was my 6th wedding at this fabulous venue, approx 1 hour South of the international airport at Toulouse and situated in. the foothills of the Pyrenees.
GROOM MORNING & PREP
The morning started a little grey but reasonably warm so what better way for the boys to start getting ready than a poolside kickabout with penalties and beers? Sounds about right… But plenty of time for the more serious stuff that followed! Florist on this one was Le Pouvoir Des Fleurs by Andrea
BRIDE PREP
Chateau de Saint Martory’s bridal suite is one of THE best rooms for bridal prep that I have worked in. Light, spacious with neutral decor and with real character. HMUA = Holly Fraser
CEREMONY
DIY as in a friend or family member as celebrant or use a pro? That’s only a question you can answer but approx 65-75% of my couples seem to prefer DIY.
My best advice when it comes to ceremonies is simple; allow the person(s) responsible for capturing your wedding, part of the ceremony planning and set up and ideally, with a rehearsal as close to 24 hours prior as you can. It can and WILL make all the difference!
RECEPTION
‘Reception’, the catch all term for everything that takes place after the ceremony and prior to the meal/speeches.
Unless it’s a really small wedding, shorter than 2 hours and you will probably feel after the fact it was too short. Longer than 3 hours and it will probably drag a bit. Therefore, 2.5 hours is the sweetspot!
LUCY & BEN
Do they look good together or what?
The couple session is one of those parts of the day that many couples dread and some even skip totally. I feel that the former is not necessary and the second would be a mistake, but your wedding not mine. It really only needs to take up 15-20 minutes out of a typical 2.5 hour drinks reception so really does not take you away from guests for any length of time that you’d notice, but would probably regret not taking the time to do.
TABLESCAPES, MEAL & SPEECHES
Eat indoors or out? OUT, EVERY SINGLE TIME! Not just from a capture perspective which is huge compared with the usually limited options indoors, but just from an ambience perspective. The way it starts in sunshine, moves through sunset and into dark and artificial overhead illumination. Just beautiful.
Catering by Cooking4U
CAKE & DANCING
Wedding cakes in France (and Europe) tend to be more exciting than cake cutting in the UK due to the addition of fireworks (or at least sparklers) and really kicks off the rest of the evening and night. Band = Captain Star
THE DAY AFTER
Hmmm, the weather did not play ball, but then the forecast was accurate for once and said it would not be great. This meant the pool party was off, but the indoor barn BBQ still took place, plus between a few showers, some outdoor courtyard games.
Thanks to everyone who made this whole wedding the utter banger that it was!
