Simply put, winter brings the promise of reflection, peace and new beginnings. New beginnings are traditionally the sentiments of Spring, as nature nurtures new growth and flowers begin to blossom. However, it is the blank canvas of the wintertime that truly brings this about. But rather than the swift and lively new beginnings of Spring, the Winter is a time of peaceful dawns…
Snowflakes softly falling create the landscape anew and the warmth and love of being surrounded by family during the festive season and celebrations of the New Year. Indeed, as the year’s threshold crosses to another the past let’s go to gently unlock the future. Naturally then, it is unsurprising that amongst this change that we are also drawn to reflect on the past and our wishes for the future ahead.
It was with these thoughts, that Erica and Edmund reached out to us to kindly ask if the Château could be the host of their intimate winter wedding in January, a romantic escape for their closest friends and family, set amidst roaring fires in the bleak snow-capped Pyrenees.
They requested a magical winter wedding filled with candles, fairy lights, found foliage and an overflowing culinary and bar menu made from local, seasonal products. And so, without further ado we began preparing the Château for this most special occasion…
Allan and Stephanie from our wonderful Château Team began by creating structures to suspend wintery branches and foliage from the doors and ceilings of the rooms. Over the next months, together we journeyed into the Château Gardens collecting branches filled with golden and green leaves and slowly filled the structures until they were overflowing. Trees were transported from the cold outside to decorate the halls and salons and create a wintry garden inside the Château…
Over the months, Allan and Stephanie continued building and creating a perfect garden scene, complete with a little old fashioned crepe cart!
Until the date of the wedding drew closer and we began preparing the bedrooms and setting the final touches of the garden scene for Erica and Edmund’s grand arrival with their guests. Amongst the busyness, long, grand tables were set with a mix match of antique porcelain and flowers and potted plants were arranged upon them with a natural quality and sense….
The Château’s grand iron gates opened on a chilly Friday afternoon as guests arrived with much excitement and anticipation. Once everyone had gathered together guests were welcomed with a sparkling arrival toast in the Grand Vestibule accompanied by traditional French canelés. A grand surprise awaited as we then requested everyone to each take a candelabra from the staircase and follow in a procession to the Château’s ancient Renaissance kitchen, which had been set for an old Masters inspired l'heure de l'apéro…
The starting course was followed by an informal dinner in the Salon de Rose and Salon de Musique, where guests made themselves at home, enjoyed warm cocktails and played and sang along to traditional songs on the Chateau’s grand piano.
Saturday morning came and went with much excitement and emotion as Erica & Edmund readied themselves for their intimate ceremony. In advance of the ceremony, guests were warmly welcomed to our create your own corsage station in the Château Flower Room. The beautiful and heartfelt ceremony, which took place upon the grand staircase, was followed by sparkling salutations in Erica & Edmund’s honour and accompanied by Château style canapés. During this time, guests enjoyed a historical tour of the Château as our culinary team were meanwhile preparing an exquisite wedding banquet.
Throughout our months planning together with Erica & Edmund, the Château Culinary Team prepared menus, and accompanying refreshments, personally tailored to their tastes for each event throughout the weekend. The wedding dinner was a series of several delicious courses with both carefully, individually plated and family style plates à partager, tables and place settings decorated by beautiful dried flowers from the Chateau garden gathered and preserved with care months earlier.. The doors to the dining opening were soon opened for an intimate dinner by candlelight with their closest family and friends…
Following dinner a surprise announcement was made by our pastry chefs requesting that everyone join them in a separate, adjoining room for the presentation of desserts. The room was lit with candles and lanterns, with the wedding cake set atop a table filled with flowers. And in true fairytale, Château style the grand walnut doors to an old armoire were opened to unveil a presentation of desserts….
Fireworks amongst the twinkling stars then marked the beginning of the party and soon enough everyone was dancing the night away! Stopping only briefly for midnight snack! Until the early hours of the morning, guests remained on the dance-floor, or huddled on sofas around a roaring fire at the Chateau’s facade, sharing laughter, stories and furs under the stars…
The next day a farewell brunch was held before we sadly sad bid Erica, Edmund and their guests au revoir. And although this declared the ending to a most happy occasion, it was also yet another beginning as Erica & Edmund set off for their new life together.
We wish to warmly thank Erica & Edmund for trusting in us and our team to fulfil all their dearest wishes for their union together. It is our sincerest hope that you will be blessed with a most beautiful life shared together. We would further like to dearly thank the Château Team, Allan, Anine, Cheryl, Jennifer, Stephanie & Tracy, for all of their love, support and work that you put in over many months to create such a beautiful event.
With lots of love,
Karina & Jasmine x
