lames crackling in a majestic fireplace, mellow candlelight reflecting on delicate crystal Champagne flutes, a purple velvet bottle of Claret accompanying savoury meats en- sauce, ornate bone china and heavy silver resting on crisp embroidered amask linen, in short, the most refined and romantic setting to “pop the question”! Then muse away together about when, where, how and with whom to celebrate the memorable event.
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After discarding the usual Country Club wedding with hundreds of “must include” guests and acquaintances, then ruling out the trendy but solitary faraway island found on the cover of every glitzy travel brochure, you come to wish your family owned a stately manor, a Downton Abbey type of place, to which you could convey parents and closest friends for three days of elegant festivities, travelling back into time and stepping into the exclusive world of French aristocracy... Previous guests at this Chateau a private estate less than 2 hours West of Paris, did just this.
Having spent a long weekend at the chateau shortly after meeting each other, the day they became engaged,
they phoned up Comte & Comtesse who had in the meantime become their friends. Could you by any chance host our wedding for us over three days in October? Be a sort of Maggie Smith character as in Downton Abbey? There will be both our parents, our siblings and about twelve very close friends”. Enough to privatise all of the twelve luxurious en-suite rooms and suites, each gilded with sumptuous designer fabrics, fine XVIIIth century antiques, tapestries and paintings.
Invitations bearing the chateau family crest were quickly dispatched, in the style of those sent out for Kate and William’s wedding the same year! some telephone calls later, a menu worthy of “Babette’s Feast was drawn up with the châteaux ’top chef. Bookings were secured for the many onsite activities and the countdown began with house staff busy polishing oak parquet floors, intricate bronze handles, and all the antique silver, while the gardener went into overdrive to ensure the vast flower garden was at its prime.
D day –3, some shopping addicts hit Paris Friday, when all the wedding party met up at the fast speed train station for a 43 minute trip down to Vendôme, a quaint little city along the Loir. Then off to their secret location, The Aristocratic Chateau welcomed by Comte & Comtesse 20th generation in their ancestral home, the walls of which have seen many a family gathering!
Indian Summer was balmy and afternoon tea was served under the centennial elm trees, along with fresh cider from the château orchard. At 4pm the “stag” party head off to the famous 24 hours Le Mans race track for a competition driving eight different Porsches under the mythical Dunlop tire. The “hens” opted for a foie gras cooking course with (much!) wine tasting. At dusk, all congregated for a stroll around the magnificently restored medieval Plantagenet city, followed by a visit to the cathedral where Henri II married Alenore of Aquitaine more than 800 years ago, and finally, a gourmet dinner in XVth century oak beamed Auberge, before the magical light show onto the Gallo roman walls began Saturday, D day, began with a leisurely brunch, then once the hairdresser had arrived, all disappeared into their respective rooms while tables were cleared, deliveries reception and more bouquets set up. At 3 pm saw the most elegant group make their way to the newly renovated family chapel for a blessing. The bride and groom glided down the