Wedding advice
Simple ideas for a day unlike any other
A unique wedding does not have to be a spectacular one. It is a day where every detail says something about the two of you, from the music you choose to the little favour your guests take home.
Over the receptions I have cooked for, I have seen what really stays with guests, and it is often simple ideas, well thought out and well prepared. Here are ten of them, to pick and choose from according to your wishes and your budget.
Pick and choose according to your wishes, your venue and your budget
A château, a wine estate, a waterside villa, a private beach or a boat: choose the venue for what it says about you. A few ideas in my selection of venues. Just check it has a kitchen.
A song for each key moment: walking down the aisle, leaving the ceremony, the first dance. Ask guests to suggest a track when they reply to the invitation.
Grounds, a terrace, a lawn facing the water: outside, guests mingle and the mood relaxes. At the Château Mader, the grounds are perfect for it. Plan a wet-weather option and some shade.
A magician moving between tables, a fire show after dark, wooden games on the lawn, or live cooking: carving in front of guests, an oyster bar, a plancha station.
Mirrors, candelabras, old trunks, embroidered linen, seasonal flowers such as peonies: vintage pieces give a reception soul. Lanterns and candles will do the rest.
Iceland and its glaciers, Japan, the fjords of Norway or the lagoons of French Polynesia. And why not nod to that destination in your decoration or your menu.
A dish from your region, your roots or the country where you met, made with fresh, seasonal produce. My advice on creating the perfect wedding menu.
A candle made for the occasion, a small plant, an engraving, or a basket of local treats to take home, with a handwritten note: it is often the part people keep.
A backdrop that matches your theme, a vintage photo booth and a few quirky props. Place a guest book next to it so everyone can stick in their photo with a few words.
A routine rehearsed in secret with your best man and bridesmaids, a first dance that joyfully goes off script: these unexpected moments launch the party better than any speech.
There is no need to tick every box: two or three well-chosen ideas are worth more than a pile of effects. What makes a wedding unique is the harmony between venue, music, decoration and food, and the feeling, for your guests, of being welcomed into your home.
If you are planning your wedding around the Bay of Arcachon or in Bordeaux, discover my wedding catering and let us talk about your ideas.
Tell me about your ideas and wishes. I will reply personally, with first menu ideas, within 24 working hours.
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