Vicky and Tom’s Dreamy Chateau Wedding in France

When you think of a dream wedding, what comes to mind? A beautiful couple, a breathtaking location, and a day filled with joy, laughter, and a few happy tears. Well, Vicky and Tom’s chateau wedding at the stunning Château Saint-Martory in the foothills of the French Pyrenees was exactly that – and so much more!

I don’t think there could have been a better setting for these two. Vicky, a self-confessed Francophile, had spent years visiting France with her family, and she always had this romantic idea of getting married there. So when she and Tom decided to tie the knot, it was only natural that their love story would be celebrated in the country that’s famous for romance, wine, and good times.

And what a place to do it – Château Saint-Martory! Built in 1530, this chateau has seen centuries of love stories, and on a beautiful July day, it was ready to welcome Vicky and Tom’s. With the sun shining, and the charming French countryside providing the perfect backdrop, you could feel the excitement in the air as family and friends from all over the world arrived to witness this special moment.


A Chateau Wedding with Heart and Heritage

Knowing that July’s warmth would be in full swing, Vicky and Tom chose a rustic, open-sided barn on the chateau grounds for their ceremony—providing shade from the sun while embracing the venue’s charming, atmospheric feel. The space, framed by large hay bales and adorned with oak beams, was beautifully transformed with cascading sunflowers by the incredibly talented Kim at Pigpen Flowers.

Before the ceremony, Tom gathered with his father and groomsmen for a pre-ceremony huddle, surrounded by a circle of supportive friends cheering him on as he prepared to walk ‘down the aisle.’ It was a moment full of camaraderie and anticipation.

Vicky, looking every inch the radiant bride, walked down the aisle on the arm of her beaming father, Mel. Her approach was met with a visibly emotional Tom—truly one of the proudest grooms I’ve ever seen!

Vicky and Tom’s vision was to blend tradition with a modern twist, and I was delighted to help them strike that perfect balance. They wove in hymns that held special meaning for their rugby-loving families and set the scene with a live string quartet, adding an elegant touch. Yet, they also ensured the celebration was lighthearted, personal, and fun—just like them.

If you know Vicky and Tom, you know they’re anything but ordinary. They’re the perfect combination of down-to-earth and fun-loving, with a touch of Yorkshire charm thrown in. When I asked them what they loved most about each other, their responses were sincere, funny, and full of affection.

Vicky described Tom as spontaneous, outgoing, and full of fun—yet also incredibly kind, dependable, and intelligent. She playfully admitted that she can be a bit of a “demanding diva” (her words!), and that Tom’s laid-back nature perfectly complements her fiery spirit. Tom, on the other hand, expressed his admiration for Vicky’s huge heart and the way she always goes above and beyond to make those around her feel cherished and pampered. Hearing their heartfelt words, it was clear the day would be filled with love, laughter, and plenty of joy.

What stood out about this wedding was how deeply personal it was—every detail was a reflection of Vicky and Tom’s unique connection. This is the beauty of working with an independent celebrant: you have the freedom to craft a ceremony that is as individual as your love story. Whether you want to incorporate religious traditions, cultural elements, or something completely outside the box, a celebrant allows you to make it truly your own.


Château Saint-Martory: The Dreamiest French Venue

Château Saint-Martory is an absolute dream. With its grand 16th-century architecture, surrounded by lush greenery and picture-perfect views, it felt like something out of a fairytale. And for Vicky, who’d spent so many years visiting France, it was the perfect place to say “I do.”

After the ceremony, Vicky and Tom hopped into a classic Citroën 2CV (because what’s more French than that?) and took a scenic drive back to the chateau’s front lawn, where a fabulous champagne reception awaited. 

Guests were treated to a traditional champagne tower – and yes, it was a total success! You could just feel the love and excitement bubbling over as corks popped and glasses clinked in celebration.


A Feast of French Delights

Being in France, of course, the food and wine were out of this world. Vicky and Tom made sure their guests were treated to an unforgettable feast, filled with the best of French cuisine. From the delicious hors d’oeuvres to local duck confit with perfectly paired wines, every bite was a taste of French indulgence. It was the kind of meal that left everyone happily full and ready to hit the dance floor!

And dance they did! After the heartfelt speeches, it was time to let loose and party. Vicky and Tom had everyone up on their feet, celebrating in style. With a mix of classic tunes and a few surprises, the dance floor stayed packed all night. It was one of those weddings where you couldn’t help but feel the love, joy, and pure happiness radiating from every corner of the courtyard.

Love, Laughter, and the Perfect French Wedding

Looking back on Vicky and Tom’s wedding, it’s hard not to feel inspired by the love, laughter, and sheer joy that filled the day. From the beautiful ceremony to the epic party and everything in between, it was a wedding that truly reflected who they are as a couple – fun, genuine, and full of heart.

So, if you’re dreaming of a destination wedding, let Vicky and Tom’s celebration be your inspiration. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of a French chateau, the flexibility of an independent celebrant, or simply the idea of a wedding that’s 100% you, there’s no limit to what you can create.

Feedback

“Miranda acted as celebrant for our wedding this summer at Chateau de Saint Martory, France. Throughout the whole planning process, Miranda was very enthusiastic and generous with her time. Ahead of the wedding, she travelled to London to meet with us in person, we had video calls, she joined us for the rehearsal in France, and we had lots of back and forth over email.

Miranda’s attention to detail, helpfulness and thoughtfulness in the lead up to the event, on the day itself, and even afterwards can’t be faulted. She wrote the order of service for us, helped us choose the readings, wrote a personalised ceremony script, designed a bespoke marriage certificate, posted a lovely video/summary of the day on socials, and even sent us a Christmas present! She has tons of experience in weddings of all varieties, which was evident from some of the unique ideas and hints/tips she gave us, as well as her flexible, accommodating attitude.

Miranda exudes warmth, confidence and energy, and brought all of this to our ceremony. Although we aren’t particularly religious, we wanted to keep the “sermon” fairly traditional, and Miranda achieved this with the eloquent script she wrote for us. However, she also managed to weave in some personal anecdotes and give it a heartfelt quality that resonated with friends/family. There were certainly a few tears shed that day!

Miranda also helped enormously with the logistics, liaising with our wedding planner, florist, bridal party and string trio to ensure the ceremony went smoothly. Whilst very nervous, on the day we knew that everything was well and truly in hand!

Our wedding day was very special, and we are delighted with how it went; the beautiful ceremony was a huge part of that. We couldn’t have done it without Miranda, and would thoroughly recommend her services to anyone planning a wedding!”

Supplier Team

Venue: Chateau de Saint-Martory

Planner: Peaches + Cream Weddings

Celebrant: Miranda the Celebrant

Photographer: Laura Gjuzi Italian Wedding Photographer

Flowers: Pigpen Flowers

String Quartet: Louise Grevin

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