Category Archives: Wedding

Weddings are often full of emotion and love, and it’s sometimes difficult to show just how happy we are to be sharing such a beautiful moment. Last week we looked at the kinds of gifts the bride and groom can give to thank their guests after their wedding. Here are a few ideas if you are invited to a wedding in Provence.

1. Gifts inspired by Provençal traditions

Provence is full of traditions, and using them as inspiration for a gift is a great way to honour the region and its customs.

The 13 Provençal Desserts

Giving a luxury box containing the 13 desserts typical of Christmas in Provence is an original and meaningful idea. These sweets, which include dried fruit, nougats and calissons d’Aix, are a symbol of sharing and generosity.

An exceptional olive oil

Olive oil is a pillar of Provençal culture. Choose a bottle of artisan olive oil, presented in an attractive engraved wooden box. You can even choose an organic olive oil or one flavoured with basil or truffles, for example.

Santons de Provence

These little clay figurines, representing typical Provençal village characters, can be both a traditional and sentimental gift. You can give a santon representing a married couple or a bucolic scene from the region.

2. Provençal experiences as a gift

The bride and groom will also appreciate memorable experiences that extend their discovery of Provence:

A Night in a Mas Provençal

Treat them to a romantic getaway in a traditional mas, the restored Provençal farmhouses that often offer an idyllic setting with fields of lavender as far as the eye can see.

Wine tasting in Côtes de Provence

Why not organise a private visit to a wine estate? The bride and groom will be able to taste exceptional wines and discover the secrets of the local vineyards, famous for their light, elegant rosés. At the château, we’re also winemakers, so we’d be delighted to welcome you for a tasting.

A Perfume Workshop in Grasse

Grasse, the world capital of perfume, offers workshops where you can create your own perfume. The perfect personalised, sensory souvenir to celebrate love!

3. Original and personalised gifts

To get you off the beaten track, here are some unique, personalised ideas that capture the essence of Provence:

A Lavender or Poppy Painting

Commission a work of art inspired by Provençal landscapes, such as a field of lavender or a sunny village scene. A piece that will brighten their home while reminding them of their special day.

A Gift Set of Handcrafted Marseille Soaps and Cosmetics

Put together a box of authentic Marseille soaps, candles scented with Provençal essential oils, and lavender or sweet almond-based skincare products.

A Book of Provençal Recipes

Food lovers will love a book highlighting the flavours of the region. Accompany it with a few local spices, such as thyme, rosemary, or even a sachet of dried lavender flowers.

4. The Art of the Group Gift

It’s becoming more and more common for several of you to take part in the gift-giving, so why not invest in something special, such as :

– Trip to Provence for their honeymoon: A retreat in the Gorges du Verdon or on the beaches of the Côte d’Azur.
– Personalised mural inspired by their favourite places in Provence.
– Provençal wedding table engraved with their names and the date of their union.

A wedding is a celebration of love under the sign of sun, nature and tradition. By choosing a gift for a wedding in Provence, you’ll be giving much more than a simple object: you’ll be sharing a part of the soul of Provence. Whether it’s an artisanal product, a unique experience or a nod to local traditions, your gift will leave a lasting impression on the hearts of the bride and groom.

A wedding in Provence is an enchanting experience, a blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich traditions and a warm art of living. As the bride and groom, thanking your guests for their presence with a carefully chosen gift is a great way to prolong the magic of your union. Here are some gift for a Provençal wedding that will touch the hearts of your loved ones.

1. Gifts inspired by Provençal traditions

Small Bottles of Artisanal Olive Oil

What could be better than olive oil as a gift for a Provençal wedding ? Olive oil is a veritable institution in Provence. Give your guests small bottles of extra virgin olive oil, personalised with a label showing your name and the date of your wedding. You can even choose scented oils (lemon, truffle, basil) for an original touch.

Lavender sachets

Lavender sachets are a timeless classic. Make small bags from hessian or Provençal fabric, filled with dried lavender from local fields. This simple, fragrant and beautiful gift will remind your guests of the atmosphere of your wedding every time they use it.

Calissons d’Aix

These iconic sweets, made with marzipan and candied fruit, are perfect for a gourmet gift. Present them in elegant personalised boxes or wrapped in ribbons in your wedding colours.

2. Gourmet and local gifts

Small jars of Provençal honey

Lavender or wildflower honey is a typically Provençal product. Offer it in small jars with a personalised label bearing the message: ‘Thank you for sharing our sweetness’. You can also include a mini wooden spoon to complete the package.

Spices and Herbs of Provence

Put together little sachets of Provence herbs or flavoured salts (thyme flower of salt, for example). Your guests will be able to use them to enhance their dishes while remembering your special day.

Mini-bottles of homemade wine or limoncello

If you’re celebrating your wedding at a winery, why not offer mini-bottles of the wine produced there? For a non-alcoholic alternative, opt for homemade lemonades or homemade limoncello in decorative bottles. The chateau is surrounded by vineyards and we would be delighted to help you prepare your bottles with our own wine for an even more personalised gift.

3. Personalised and Artisanal Gifts

Marseille soaps

Give the gift of handmade olive oil soaps, scented with lavender, rose or verbena. Wrapped in refined paper or a kraft cardboard box with a personalised message, they’ll make a lovely keepsake.

Scented candles

Lavender, fig or rosemary scented candles are ideal for an elegant and practical gift. Choose handmade candles in small glass or ceramic jars, which your guests can reuse once the candle has burnt out. You can even make them yourself.

Terracotta coasters

Made by local artisans, these coasters adorned with Provençal motifs or engraved with your initials are a practical and aesthetic gift that will evoke the charm of your wedding.

4. Immersive experiences and gifts

For a more modern approach, offer interactive experiences or souvenirs:

Provençal Postcards

Leave postcards illustrating the landscapes of Provence on the tables and invite your guests to take them away. You can also personalise them with a handwritten note or a cartoon of the two of you.

Small plants or seeds

Giving young olive or lavender plants, or even packets of seeds, is a symbolic way of celebrating the growth of love and memories. This eco-friendly gesture will appeal to your guests while embellishing their garden or home.

The perfect gift for your guests is one that reflects your wedding and the region that hosts it. Whether you choose artisanal products, local delicacies or personalised objects, make sure they embody the warmth and authenticity of Provence. These small, simple but meaningful gestures will ensure that your guests leave with a tangible memory of this magical day that they will cherish for a long time to come.

So let the cicadas, lavender and sunshine inspire you to make your wedding a memorable event, down to the smallest detail! But don’t forget that gifts for a Provençal wedding or just need to be your image.

The year 2025 promises to bring a breath of fresh air to the world of weddings. Tomorrow’s brides and grooms will be spoilt for choice when it comes to organising a unique day that reflects their image. Here are the major wedding trends of 2025 to watch out for, so that you can say ‘I do’ with style and originality.

1. Immersive experiences: more than just a ceremony

Brides and grooms want to offer their guests a unique experience. In 2025, immersive weddings will redefine the festivities with theatrical stagings. Themes such as fairy tales, time travel and fantasy worlds will be on the agenda. Live performances are also on the cards, with dance shows, private concerts and live artists interacting with guests. You can also add multi-sensory experiences with light shows, aroma diffusers and interactive installations.

2. Cutting-edge technology for weddings

Technology will continue to evolve to make weddings even more impressive. You can use drones to capture photos and videos from the air. There are also personalised filters for photos and immersive tours of reception venues. And last but not least, why not use interactive digital invitations with animated videos or QR codes providing practical information.

3. Rethinking bridal fashion: daring and personalised

Wedding dresses and suits are taking a bold turn in 2025. There are now ‘transformable’ dresses to take you from ceremony to evening. You can also choose non-traditional colours such as pastel, gold and even black for the more daring.

4. Micro-Weddings: Intimacy First

Micro-weddings are still a strong trend, favouring quality over quantity. With a smaller invitation list for more authentic moments with close friends and family, you can reorientate your budget because fewer guests means more money for top-of-the-range details. At the Château, the smallest wedding we did was for 17 people and it was just as magical.

5. Unstructured, personalised gastronomy

In 2025, wedding meals will be anything but conventional. Interactive culinary stations are all the rage, with sushi bars, gourmet food trucks and cocktail workshops. You’ll also find alternatives to traditional cakes, such as donuts and macaroons. And, of course, tailor-made events to suit individual tastes and dietary requirements.

6. Decorations inspired by nature

Brides and grooms in 2025 are adopting natural, minimalist styles with organic colour palettes such as sage green, beige or terracotta. Provide natural lighting with candles, string lights or lanterns. And last but not least, use elements gathered locally, such as foliage, driftwood and natural stones.

But don’t forget, even if you have a list of 2025 wedding trends, it’s still your wedding, so follow your desires.

What Budget for My Wedding? This is one of the first questions most couples face shortly after deciding to get married. In this article, we aim to provide you with some insights into how to approach your wedding budget.

What Budget for your Wedding – The Impossible Question

Yes, the title of this section might leave you puzzled… In our opinion, anyone who can tell you precisely how much your wedding will cost is probably a fortune-teller. There are simply too many factors at play when it comes to a wedding budget to accurately determine its exact amount.

Why Do We Say This?

Because a wedding budget is influenced by several important criteria. Here are a few examples:

• The size of the wedding – The number of guests will significantly impact the wedding budget.
• The type of venue chosen – It’s clear that a wedding in a community hall will have a vastly different cost compared to one held in a castle.
• The wedding location – Depending on whether you plan to marry in France or abroad, the budget can vary greatly.
• The season or day selected – The time of year and even the specific day of the week can result in different costs.
• What you include in the wedding budget – Some couples include the wedding dress, the honeymoon, guest accommodation, etc. While these are all matters of definition, they can have a huge impact on the final figures.

It’s therefore essential to compare like with like. For instance, at the Château, we sometimes have couples who primarily choose based on price. However, when it comes to wedding venue rentals, factors like what’s included, the quality of services, and the overall standard make comparing venues based solely on price highly misleading.

How to Budget for Your Wedding

My advice for determining your wedding budget is to start with what you truly want.

To do this, consider the key elements of your wedding:

• Who do you want to invite?
• What style of venue do you envision?
• What services are most important to you?

From there, visit two or three venues and ask them for guidance. For example, we assist our couples extensively. We know the rates of all types of wedding vendors. Based on the couple’s preferences, we can provide an estimate for their dream wedding. Then it’s up to them to decide if it fits their budget or not.

At the same time, you should already have a rough idea of how much money you can allocate to your wedding. This will help you focus your ideas.

Start with Your Dream Wedding

At Château La Beaumetane, we believe it’s important to start with your dream wedding and work from there. Adjustments can always be made to increase or decrease certain expenses.

However, two key points should be emphasized:

1. Unless it’s a very small wedding, the catering will likely be the biggest expense. Therefore, the number of guests is one of the most fundamental factors to consider when budgeting for your wedding.
2. Regardless of what you choose, it’s likely your budget will need to be increased. Couples often aim for a minimal budget, but I always recommend planning generously. That way, if unexpected costs arise, you’re prepared, and if not, you’ll have extra funds for an even more beautiful honeymoon. 😊