Weddings abroad: Italy, France?...

ladypike

dingdongavoncalling wrote: »

I'm really interested in this, and like the fact that people wouldn't have to fly. Are you hiring the chateau out for all your guests? Is it self catering? Is there staff at the chateau? Sorry for all the questions! Off to read your links now!...

We are paying for the parents, bridesmaids, bestmen. The other guests who are staying are paying for themselves. Then my nan etc are staying in the local hotel and then I have found gites and other accom for everyone else. Its self catering. The idea is that everyone will sort out food for themselves apart from what we are arranging, that way, people can come and go as they please and go out for meals etc . We have a rough timetable for the week

Monday 4:00pm - We arrive at Château du Grand Val
Tuesday 5:30pm - French evening with cheese, wine and a boules tournament.
Wednesday 11:00am - Sand Yachting in St Malo
Thursday 6:30pm - Bring nibbles and a bottle to share. Bouncy castle for the children
Friday 12:30pm - Pool Party with B.Y.O meat for the BBQ.
Saturday 1:30pm - Our Wedding Ceremony
2:30pm - Pimms on the lawn
5:00pm - 3 Course Dinner followed by speeches
7:00pm - Music and dancing until late
Sunday 2:00pm - Le Retour de Mariage - Hog Roast, Crepes and games on the lawn
Monday 10:00am - Boo Hoo, its time to go home:-(

We have told people these are our plans but its their holiday too so they dont need to feel as though they must join in with everything. It will be very relaxed. The chateau doesnt have staff but the owner can arrange everything for a small fee. I will do most of the organising as I like to be in control and also get the best deals on everything.

unimaginative_user_name

angelil wrote: »

I got married in France last year, but I've lived here since 2008. Frankly it's difficult enough with all the paperwork etc even when you do live here The other posters are correct - you need to have lived in France for at least 40 days before the marriage, and the marriage is only legal if conducted in a registry office. You would also have to be married in French; I don't think you'd find anybody who would do the ceremony in English for you. Any other ceremonies (e.g. religious) are not at all legally binding and you have to have had the legal ceremony done elsewhere first for it to 'mean' anything in the eyes of the law. So you could potentially "get married"/have a blessing in a church or chateau or something, but you'd still need to actually get married elsewhere.

There are a lot of Anglican churches in France and throughout the continent which do wedding blessings in English though as you have said the only legal ceremony is the civil one. You could find details on the Anglican Diocese of Europe website. I've not been on the forums long enough to post links. Sorry.

spiritus

I know a few of our friends went to Poland to get married. It's only 2 hours away and the standard of hotels and hospitality are second to none.

The also have an extensive array of castles and palazzo-type buildings

joho

dingdongavoncalling wrote: »

Thanks for your help, can I ask how long the flights are? Is it about 4 hours? One of our close family doesn't like flying so the shorter the flight the better.

Sorry, I've been away for the weekend. But I see Fawny has comprehensively covered Lindos for you!

Catty212

Im getting married in Cyprus next May x

lucyfrancinetaylor

ladypike, how did your wedding go? I have just been looking at Château du Grand Val and it looks beautiful. I am hoping to get married this summer abroad, would you recommend Château du Grand Val? Sorry if it is a bit cheeky to ask, but how much did yo spend on the whole week? I hope you had an amazing week and look forward to your reply x

Scotsbride

just a word of caution when marrying abroad check that your marriage will be valid in uk

ladypike

lucyfrancinetaylor wrote: »

ladypike, how did your wedding go? I have just been looking at Château du Grand Val and it looks beautiful. I am hoping to get married this summer abroad, would you recommend Château du Grand Val? Sorry if it is a bit cheeky to ask, but how much did yo spend on the whole week? I hope you had an amazing week and look forward to your reply x

Hi Lucy

Its in August 2013 so just over 8 months left to wait. eeeekkk! We did visit the chateau but it was the recommendations from the other brides that had stayed that that really did it for us. I couldnt envisage how it would all work but after emailing previous brides that had their weddings there I decided it was exactly what we wanted:-) If you want any more info just pm me xxx