One of the top destinations for a romantic wedding abroad has to be the South of France. Gorgeous countryside, amazing culinary delights, and an unforgettable weekend at a château. It was our pleasure to photograph this stunning couple in a dreamed up celebration of fairytale nuptials.

From Paris Gare De Lyon station you can take the TGV high speed train to Avignon Station which is under 3 hours direct to the Provence region. There are Standard tickets and 1st Class tickets with a small price difference, so I would recommend the 1st class to have your own power outlet and a more spacious seat. In the summer at the time of writing this, the price was a little under $200 USD. Be sure to book out at least a month ahead for seat options and availability. If you plan on flying in, the two main airports are Avignon and Nimes.

There are no big city conveniences like Uber or Doordash so everything must be planned ahead of time. We recommend pre-booking your private driver or car rental as well as making sure to locate your nearest grocery store or supermarché. Try also looking up local farmer’s markets to support the community and try regional foods and produce.

When it comes to a destination wedding, prepare your guests well. Whether that is putting together an informative wedding website or putting together a fabulous welcome tote bag with local treats, maps, and an itinerary, they will appreciate the forethought. We always recommend including some type of timeline, what activities are optional or have an associated extra cost, water, pain reliever, tissues, and sun protection. If it’s in the middle of summer you might also want to consider bug spray or heat relief like misters or paper fans.

When booking at a château, it is a large estate so likely you will be working with a host to plan your activities, daily meals, and everything in between. One of the things that came up when I was staying at our château, is how they aren’t really familiar with food allergies. You have to be very specific and follow up repeatedly to ensure they have suitable options for vegetarians, vegans, no meat, and dairy free or nut allergies. There were several times I was served options that I couldn’t eat and there were no great alternatives so I was definitely hungrier on the trip than others.

For entertainment I would suggest asking your venue if they have lawn games such as bocce ball or croquet. Live music always adds to the ambience such as a string trio or gypsy jazz set. Another great recreational activity to have on site is a pool for the warmer months for your guests to take a cool dip or read a novel poolside while getting a summer tan.

When it comes to communication, Whatsapp worked best for our group. We also had a group email but the text group was great because we could easily mute as needed, send photos of happenings around the château, and easily reach out to one another.

My last piece of advice is pack what you need. Adapters, sun hats, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, sandals, light cardigans, etc. Find vendors that have experience in the area or a great communication and eye so you know they can get the job done effectively. Another factor is personality. Since it will likely be a weekend or week-long affair, you want someone that is personable and you enjoy spending time with so you feel comfortable throughout your journey. Bon Voyage!

VENDOR TEAM:

Photography – Iann Ivy

Planning- AMV Weddings

Florist – Lettre a’Elise

Rentals – Options Provence

Cake – Erzulie Cakes by Nina K

Stationary – Laura Patrick Elizabeth

Linens – Nuage Designs