Magical & Whimsical Escape To The Chateau Wedding

Are you a fan of Channel 4’s Escape To The Chateau series just like me? Well you are in for such a treat today as we have the lovely Amy and Mark with us to share their whimsical and magical wedding held at Chateau de la Motte Husson in France on the 1st June 2019. Oh yes!

Following a very special proposal Amy and Mark set about planning their dream wedding day. After initially considering a Vegas wedding, they instead contacted Dick and Angel after becoming obsessed with Escape to The Chateau. As it turns out they had June 2019 free and as Amy told me, it was meant to be.

They firstly married outdoors in front of the Chateau, which looked just spectacular, before heading to the breathtaking orangery to celebrate. They had the most beautiful touches throughout, from the pretty natural style florals, to delicious afternoon tea and personalised stationery. I also just love their chosen outfits too. Amy looked incredible in her halter-neck gown by Sottero and Midgley, while Mark was suited and booted in Marc Darcy, very dashing!

Amy and Mark described their day to me as “magical, relaxed, inclusive, exciting, whimsical, boozy!” and you will certainly get all of those vibes and more from the simply amazing images by The Springles, which we are ever so thankful to be sharing with you. PS. You can catch Amy and Mark’s wedding on tomorrow’s episode (Series 6, Episode 3) of Escape To The Chateau, I for one am so so excited to watch it!

The Proposal

After 9 years together we knew marriage was on the cards and had spoken about it. One night just sat on our sofa, Mark turned the TV off turned to look at me and looked absolutely petrified. I thought “Oh My God, what is happening here, what has he done?”

Mark took my hands in his and said that he has been thinking about it for so long but just couldn’t decide how or where to ask me and that the most important thing is our lives together, would I marry him? Of course, I said yes, and we decided that a month later in September 2017 we would take my parents to Crete where he would ask my dad for my hand in marriage. This was actually very special, and Mark asked my dad after they kayaked together and walked back along the beach in Crete. There were tears (of happiness!).

The Vision

Initially we were to go to Vegas in 2018 with some friends and come back hitched. I turned 40 then and we were planning a trip of the states anyway. However the fact that we have large families and we both have our children (that are actually young adults) the need to have them all with us on our big day grew and we decided we would make it an inclusive affair of all those we love.

After several trips to France and dreaming of buying property there, we found ourselves obsessed with Escape to The Chateau and what a girl crush I had on Angel! I joked about being able to get married there and Mark being Mark, insisted we contact them and find out availability and cost. Angel got back to us and while there was no space for 2018, June 2019 was available. We went for it. We reached out, even if it was just out of curiosity initially, but it was meant to be! I had never dreamed of a big wedding and I am not good being the one at the centre of what is going on. However, while petrified, it was to be with my love, Angel and in the CHATEAU!

The Planning Process

Angel took all the organising and the worry from us and who wouldn’t trust this remarkable, beautiful, creative perfectionist to organise their wedding? We had calls where Angel went through the process and asked lots of questions. It was so exciting to actually chat with her and to really feel that we were the only ones in her world for the time we were speaking with her. She just wanted to understand everything we wanted our day to be.

All we had to do is create a pinterest page with our style and ideas on and Angel bought it all to life. We were invited to the Chateau in November 2018 for the tasting and to meet them and see and feel the magic. It was one of the most exciting days of my life to date and Dick and Angel were the best hosts. We were there for hours eating and chatting and it was fair to say we did not want to leave!

The Venue

Chateau de la Motte Husson

The Flowers

Having seen a picture on pinterest from insta @amandadumouchelle we went for white anemones (silk), peonies, gypsophila, roses and eucalyptus. All that Angel ordered in and one of her amazing staff members that put it together. Simple floristry in white and green, and a rambling, trailing bouquet in purple and mauve.

Your Outfits & Accessories

My dress was from Proposals of Chichester and was the only one they had in the shop and I chose it because of the shape (I love a halter) and the fact that the material was embroidery anglaise which seemed quite apt. I had been to a few shops and had the ‘experience’ but I think I wasn’t quite ready then to really think about what I wanted. Once I had, I googled it, my dress came up and it was right on my doorstep! It was called ‘Nicole’ by Sottero and Midgley.

Mark initially wanted a Peaky Binders style with brown tweed. However with the wedding being in June and the fact that brown did not seem to be favoured by the Best men, he went for a blue suit to match his big blue eyes! He went for the ‘Harry’ Indigo Tweed Suit from Marc Darcy.

Beauty

I was very lucky to have my sister @wovengemdesigns Chloe Owens doing my make up for me and my cousin Matthew Cross @matthewcrosshairdressing doing my hair.

Bridesmaids

After a last minute change and a refund for dresses that didn’t go quite to plan we went for matching dresses from Oasis. Oasis Ruffle Stain Maxi. Actually very reasonably priced and loved the dresses on my sisters.

The Readings & Music

We had After the Storm by Mumford and Sons to walk down the aisle to and You Are the Best Thing by Ray Lamontagne for straight after. Both very special songs to us.

The Details & Décor

Invites done via Withjoy.com all online.

We then had cards made so we could send out something tangible by a very clever lady @stephaniebdesigner with us dressed in French attire and I wrote a poem to go on the back of the cards. Stephanie also did our table numbers and table plan cards.

Your Photographer

The Springles – loved them both. Really added and contributed to our day while making us feel so at home. My review:

Kat & Ash of The Springles – what a wonderful couple doing exactly what they are meant to be doing! From the minute they arrived, having never met them before, bought calm to a somewhat chaotic and stressful honeymoon suite! I, the bride was so looked after by Kat who knew just what was needed from music in a cup(!) to having a little drink to calm the nerves. It was like having a long lost mate come in and just sort stuff out! I hate my picture being taken but was put so at ease by her. Ash fit right in with the boys and got some wonderful shots without anyone really knowing he was there! So respectful to the event and the people. The shots of our day are something we will love and cherish for the rest of our lives. Ash told me they are just geeks really but I say these two are super cool, super creative, lovely humans that are not just amazing photographers but wonderful people that enhance the whole day just by being there. Big love and thanks to you both ?

Your Filmmaker

Springles put photos to music for us.

The Honeymoon

We travelled through France staying at Chateaus along the way including Chateau de la lande of Escape to the Chateau DIY fame and flew home two weeks later from Nice.

The Cake

Angel organised – simple Victoria and a chocolate sponge, barley there icing and flowers to match the day. Simple.

Memorable Moments

So many! Siting under the stars with Dick and Angel at one in the morning after all our guests had gone, chatting over the day and seeing a shooting star!

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Angel really did source most things for us.

How very special indeed. And I just love that Amy and Mark saw a shooting star at the end of their romantic nuptials, wow.

Amy and Mark, thank you both so so much for sharing your beautiful wedding day with us xo Lou