A dream vacation destination can also be an excellent spot for a wedding or renewal of vows. Tropical locations like Hawaii have long been popular for weddings because of the lush and exotic landscape surrounded by the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean. Ceremonies of all kinds have been held on the Hawaiian Islands, and weddings on small island of Kauai are very popular. Heavenly Kauai wedding sites offer the perfect background for a romantic union. Waterfalls in tropical gardens and secluded tropical beaches attract lovers from around the world. Any setting is desirable in Hawaii for a wedding to remember forever. The beautiful lush mountain terrain full of sweet smelling flowers and velvety vegetation fill the senses as you’re surrounded by the fresh and salty ocean air.

There are many websites that offer customized Hawaiian ceremonies and Kauai weddings at exotic and romantic locations on the island. Services can be personally selected for each unique event, the wedding and honeymoon planned and coordinated flawlessly, so the bride and groom can relax and enjoy a romantic Hawaiian wedding or vow renewal. There is more than one perfect oceanfront beach setting for your Kauai wedding, and many resorts and agencies feature virtual tours of their offerings for their client’s convenience. It’s not always easy to plan an event like a wedding when the location choices can only be seen online or digitally, unless of course you are a frequent traveler to Kauai. In that case, you should have no problem finding the best Hawaiian setting ever. But the rest of us will have to settle for communicating via phone and email and viewing all possible options remotely.

A Kauai wedding captures the true spirit of Aloha, and there are many resorts and private rentals available to accommodate any size affair. Kauai Hyatt Regency, Aloha Beach Resort Kauai, Hanalei Bay Kauai, Poipu Beach Kauai, and Kiahuna Plantation Kauai are just a few of the lodging choices available that offer wedding and honeymoon packages. For more information on planning a Kauai wedding visit any number of websites featured by Kauai wedding planners: www.suite-paradise.com, www.weddingsonkauai.com, www.hawaiiweddings.com, www.kauaialohawed.com, www.kauai-wedding.com, www.rainbowweddings.com, or www.kauaiweddings.com. These are just a few of the professionals that can help plan sunsets to afternoon or sunrise weddings, wedding photography, coordination of the event, and honeymoon planning. If you’re interested in a traditional church wedding, that can also be arranged, just as most any reasonable request. A beautiful Kauai waterfall or beach wedding would be my choice.

In fact, destination weddings are so incredibly popular. Over the past 10 years, destination weddings have increased over 400 percent.

Destination weddings are filling a need among the world's affianced. Amazingly one out of every six couples getting married for the first time choose a destination wedding. Incredibly that number rises to 61% for couples getting remarried. For most couples, destination weddings offer a chance to celebrate in style. Who would not want to get married in a wedding castle?

The trend for marriages, at least in the United States, is that the couples are older and more mature than one generation ago. They are overall, looking for a more relaxed and intimate wedding where they feel they can enjoy themselves more because they are not thinking about making everyone else happy. Today wedding couples focus more on themselves.

For those seeking seclusion, destination weddings are the best way to guarantee privacy on the big day. Wedding crashers will not be a problem.

One of the greatest reasons to consider a destination wedding; much less tension amongst friends and family. They have no idea how to plan this or what you have to do, so if you want to avoid “the family wedding blues,” this type of wedding may just fit the bill perfectly. If you have interfering parents or parents in law a destination wedding in a country with a different language will slow down the interference factor something considerable.

If you want to have an incredible wedding, you can't beat a destination wedding. They are definitely a trend and getting more and more popular every second.

Destination weddings turn a wedding into a longer celebration, one that’s a little bit more intimate because you usually have fewer guests. A destination wedding is more romantic since it takes it out of a ballroom or catering hall to a setting with some spectacular vista.

A disadvantage is that the cost of transportation alone can be too substantial for most of your invited guests. It is advisable to account for extra money which might be needed to pay for close family who cannot afford to travel to your destination, but who you particularly want to attend.

Usually between one third and one half of the people that you invite actually attend.

The average cost of this type of wedding is usually around $15,000 euros for 30 people. Although this seems much less than you probably anticipated, remember, this does not include airfare, accommodations and paying for parents and close friends and family, if they would be unable to attend otherwise. Also, that price tag is usually for about half the amount of guests you would invite to a typical wedding.

To ensure you get your fairytale wedding it is essential to secure the services of a wedding planner who resides where you have decided to get married. They will know the area far better than you do and will steer you toward the best vendors and resources for the amount of money you want to spend. This is even more essential if you are getting married in a country with a different language that you do not speak fluently.

With nearly 20% of all weddings being in a destination other than where they live, it is becoming an extremely popular alternative. Wedding planners are scrambling to try to cash in on this very popular choice.

Don’t forget, if you decide to tie the knot in an exotic location, you should set up a wedding website with all dates, suggestions for lodging, options for traveling there, directions and pictures of the location so they can make an informed decision.

A french château will enchant you with its fairytale atmosphere and dreamy environment, providing guests with a magical wedding experience. There is nothing quite like a castle wedding to give you beautiful surroundings both inside and outside. The advantages of using a wedding chateau is that you will be able to house a large number of guests in a fabulous location.

Destination weddings are filling a need among the world's affianced. Statistically one out of every six couples getting married for the first time choose a destination wedding. Incredibly that number rises to 61% for couples getting remarried. For most couples, destination weddings offer a chance to celebrate in style.

A destination wedding is more romantic since it takes it out of a ballroom or catering hall to a setting with some spectacular vista.

For those seeking seclusion, destination weddings are the best way to guarantee privacy on the wedding day. If you want to have an incredible wedding, you can't beat a destination wedding. They are definitely a trend and growing every second.

The modern world draws no insurmountable lines. Imagine the appeal of a wedding abroad, with your friends and family re-creating the traditions from home…What a new, amazing perspective– replacing the setting with the sweet oak forest, or sunflower fields, scented by the sweet smell of grapes harvested in late September…
Let your fantasies wander, imagine your wedding with the historical backdrop of significant cultural importance, or in a luxurious wedding castle which has been home to important artists and noble families in France.

The entire wedding experience is about creating an incomparable individual event– a magical and inspiring journey. The Wedding Couples’ intimate wish is cherishing the memory of their Wedding Day, the most important event in their life– making it unforgettable and extraordinary, their families and friends joining the event of a lifetime.

If you do not have $11 000 lying around to fly in your wedding cake from Los Angeles ? No problem just have your dedicated wedding planner research the best caterers, bakers and pastry chefs in France. French chocolate is to die for. Or you could consider atraditional French wedding cake known as a pièce montée, literally “mounted piece,” which is an intricate pyramid of hundreds of individual macaroons, meringues or cream puffs. It is an lovely part of any French celebration.

Your Wedding Planner can recommend a photographer, hair stylist, florist, musicians etc. The entire concept is to try to make planning a wedding as easy, hassle free and fun as possible for you.

If you have a bottomless purse, the top end of the french chateau wedding market is Chateau de Vaux Vicomte which holds about 4 weddings a year. This exquisite property was featured in such films as Marie Antoinette and was the setting for Eva Longoria and Tony Parker's exchange of vows in July 2007. A wedding on this site's 100 hedge-trimmed and landscaped acres will cost a minimum of 39,205 euros ($57,893) for five hours, but depending on your guest list (the site holds between 400 and 800 people) catering will boost your bill up to 144,000 euros ($212,021) more. The only drawback is that the castle offers no overnight packages, but Paris and all it has to offer in excellent lodging is a mere 34 miles away.

You'd think all that money would buy you a headache-free few days. Not so.

These prices don't include a lot of things that to-be-weds would want to also have at their wedding like welcome gift bags for their guests, wedding favours, their own wedding dress and tux.

France is a truly incredible destination for a wedding abroad and you and your guests will be captivated by its charms. In fact if you choose to have your wedding in France one of the most challenging aspects is deciding which of the many beautiful locations and venues will set the scene for your big day.

Unfortunately France has some of the most stringent residency requirements of all the European countries. If you or your affianced can not satisfy the 40 day residency requirement, you can simply have a “secret” civil ceremony in your home country prior to your wedding day and then have a highly personalised wedding ceremony on the day of our wedding. Do not let the residency requirements discourage you from having your castle wedding in France. Consider alternative options such as a blessing or a humanist wedding ceremony before settling on a different location.

Some Advice from couples who had their weddings in France.

Make an effort to learn the language – it is very flattering to the people you will get involved with and it helps a lot. In France a wedding is a community project and it was really important for us to involve as many local people as possible.

Send out a list of potential properties to guests as soon as possible (go and view them if possible first) and get flight details from all your home airports.

A chateau Wedding is about more than just the "Big Day". Many couples find the time leading up to the wedding to be
equally memorable. France the land of over 30,000 thousand castles is a spectacular country to choose to hold your
wedding ceremony. You may choose to visit local public chateaux and their glorious gardens, wineries and chocolatiers, tour villages, shop in local farmer's markets. Your closest friends and family will be thrilled for an excuse to plan their vacations around your festivities.

There is growing type of wedding, namely that of the chateau wedding. Certain European countries have a strong history of offering chateau weddings and for those dreaming of the ultimate "fairytale" wedding in a historic
castle this is the ultimate wedding experience. This is where your personal dreams and wishes are given wings – fulfilled by the personal yet discreet attentions of those who strive to make your destination wedding dreams come true.

The bells will chime to summon the princess to join her prince – some will meet under the hand painted ceiling of the Castle's intimate chapel, others will choose the village church and yet more will whisper their “I do’s” under the graceful oak trees in the sumptuous gardens – but wherever you choice to meet for this wedding day the surroundings will weave a spell upon all that behold them for the rest of their lives.

A french château will enchant you with its fairytale atmosphere and dreamy environment, providing guests with a magical wedding experience. There is nothing quite like a wedding chateau to give you beautiful surroundings both inside and outside. The advantages of using a chateau wedding is that you will be able to house a large number of guests in a fabulous location. The photography can be stunning. Thinking sweeping Louis XV staircases, stained glass windows, sumptuous fabrics and passementerie, fantastic food, fine champagne, antique crystal chandeliers, architectural backdrops to die for and oak forests and wild flowers. You will cherish your castle wedding photos for ever.

One reason to have a destination wedding in France is the food & wine. Picture decadent fine food accompanied by wine from the castles wine cellar full of lavish French wines from the Loire Valley.

Choosing your wedding location can have a great impact on your entire wedding organizing strategy.

Traditionally theweddings were held at the parents' brides home town but today there is such a huge choice of of possible wedding destinations that it is very hard to decide.

And there is also this trend is becoming more popular each day, to have your wedding abroad on holiday away from home. Tom Cruise, Madonna and Eva Longoria all did it and Wayne Rooney and Colleen McLoughlin are about to in June 2008.

As long as you and your fiance see things the same way, it is not really important where the wedding takes place. What is important is that you two are going to be married.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages to help you with your decision:

Home wedding Advantages:

In your home town you can pick a nice reception site:
- you are familiar with the locations
- you can invite as many guests as you wish (if your budget allows that)
- before the wedding you can make appointments with your usual beauty specialist, hairdresser, make-up artist etc
- you don't have to make special trips to book a photographer or wedding florist
- you can make you wedding as formal as you wish.

Home wedding Disadvantages:

- They cost bucket loads of money
- there will be other costs regarding transportation and accommodation for out of town guests, your honeymoon, a
room at the hotel for the wedding night

Away (holiday) wedding Advantages:

- everything will be entirely new and exciting and romantic, not the usual thing like a 16th century chapel - which creats an intimacy seldom found at domestic weddings.
- Bonding happens as your family and friends explore the countryside on the days leading up to the wedding…
- you may also spend your honeymoon there
- your guests may find the idea quite exciting
- you can have a very good deal with the hotel and have the reception there
- your wedding costs will be much lower than expected

Away (holiday) wedding Disadvantages:

- not everybody will be willing to come (which will keep your guest numbers down) maybe it's what we like to call the "Moat of Distance"
- there is nothing like a few thousand miles to deter those "must invite" acquaintances from swelling your guest list
- you may have to visit the location before the wedding to see for yourself how are things there
- some of your family members or friends may not be so happy with your plans

A civil marriage is obligatory in France and religious ceremonies, which are optional, are not legally binding in any way and can only be performed after the civil ceremony. To be legal, a marriage in France needs to be performed by a French civil authority. In practice this means that the mayor or his legally authorized replacement performs the wedding.

A civil wedding in France requires legal procedures and advance planning, as well as a minimum stay of 4 weeks and blood tests to complete the necessary documentation prior to the wedding.

As this is usually difficult to comply with, many couples opt to have a legal wedding in their home country, before flying to France for a religious ceremony held at an amazing location like a fairytale chateau in the Loire Valley or in Paris and they then honeymoon in France. Either a civil or religious ceremony in France will offer you a picturesque and romantic setting for your special day.

For a civil ceremony there is a requirement of residency in France which one of the parties to be married must comply with. One of the parties must reside in the town or the arrondissement if in Paris, for the thirty days prior to the marriage. In addition to these thirty days, French law requires the publication of the marriage banns at City Hall for 10 days which makes a total residency requirement of 40 days before the ceremony can be scheduled to take place at City Hall.

Documents for a civil ceremony are as follows:
1. Birth certificate not from a hospital but from the official government Bureau for recording births like the Bureau of Vital Records in the United States of America.
2. A notarized "Affidavit of Law" (Certificat de Coutume), drawn up by an attorney in law licensed in the State of residence of the party, swearing:
- that this person is free to marry
- that the marriage to be performed in France will be recognized as valid in their home country
- and that publication of marriage banns is not required in their home country, neither under States nor Federal law.

3. In the case of previous marriages, a certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse or a certified copy of the final divorce decree needs to be produced.

4. Prenuptial certificate of health issued not more than 2 months prior to the date of the marriage by a medical doctor after:
- serological tests for syphilis,
- serological tests to determine blood types and possibly the presence of irregular anti-bodies,
- and further for females also serological tests for rubella and toxoplasma.
It is possible to have all these tests done in France.

[spin]Regarding prenuptial agreements, if no special measures are taken by the parties with a French Notary or an attorney at law in the States, prior to the marriage, then the couple are considered married under the communaute reduite aux acquets. This means that what each party owns personally prior to the marriage, or whatever comes to them afterwards through inheritance, remains their own property. Only what is acquired during the marriage is owned equally by both parties.

|[/spin]In all cases, it is recommended that the couple contact the Marriage Bureau of City hall upon arrival in France as extra documents may be required, such as a residence affidavit. All the documents listed above must be translated into French for presentation to French officials. Translations can be done in the United States by a Translating Agency or by a certified translator in France. If the translations are done in America the translations as well as the original of the document must be presented to the French Consulate General for verification.

All foreign documents must be legalized prior to being presented in the French authorities. American documents can be legalized by obtaining the Apostille provided for by the Hague Convention which was signed by the United States on October 15, 1981. The apostille is usually obtained through the office of the Secretary of State of whatever state the document was issued in.

[spin]American citizens holding ordinary American passports are not required to obtain a visa for a trip to France as long as they do not stay longer than three months. The visa exemption does not apply to members of airline crews or to journalists no matter what the length of their stay. American citizens holding diplomatic or official passports must obtain a visa before going to France no matter what the length of their stay. Other foreign nationals must check with the visa section of the Consulate General of France.

|[/spin]As the legal requirements for getting married in France are detailed and may be reviewed or amended at any time, it is recommended that you engage a competent wedding planner if you wish to get married in France. Not only will she advise you on up-to-date legal requirements she can assist you with every little detail for your special day.

A fairytale chateau in France is a magical location for your wedding vows.

If you have never holidayed in a French castle before, here are 5 reasons why you should book one today.

Location

French chateaux were usually constructed in enviable locations, with stunning vistas over rural France. You can take in the countryside from your room in a castle on top of a hill. Historically chateaux were usually built atop hills for obvious strategic defence. They provide a retreat where you can wind down, rest your weary feet and take advantage of the host's outstanding local knowledge. The chateau styles vary depending upon the era in which they were built and the location in France.

Service

Service is all-important in French chateaux. Hosts ensure that guests want for nothing, and yet the service is discreet, so guests don't feel intimidated or hassled. The lower number of guests at a French castle means that the service can be impeccable, and it usually is.

Size

By their nature, chateaux are large pieces of architecture. However the reception rooms on the ground floor are typically huge and wonderful rooms to relax in and soak up the ambience. French chateaux lend themselves perfectly for wedding venues. Sometimes a reception room may house a Michelin-starred restaurant. If it does not then usually there is one not too far away.

The premium bedrooms or suites are normally located on the first floor and are usually palatial built for the original creators of these architectural treasures. Do not be surprised if the ensuite is bigger than a whole floor of your own homeZhouse. The upper floors which usually have a lower ceiling height were reserved for the incredible number of full-time staff required to keep a chateau running like clockwork even at the beginning of the last century.

Chateaux normally lord over a domaine which historically necessitated wood-cutters, and ground staff on top of house staff. Remember these treasures were built before the invention of lawn mowers and chain-saws. Ten gardeners used to do the work of a gardener today with all of his modern equipment. This ratio is pretty typical of the historical staff numbers required in the kitchen and the laundry too.

Big is not necessarily better. Huge castle hotels often house their guests in converted outbuildings, with the coach-house being a favourite. Some castle owners reduce the number of rooms available so that they can increase the size of the rooms and the public spaces and provide a better service. How many rooms a castleoffers affects the ambience and the service. Do your homework or you could be sharing your lovely intimate chateau experience with 60 other couples all of them as eager as you to experience the grandeur of life living like royalty in a French castle.

Price

The term "chateau" may give the impression that they are incredibly expensive, but that's not the case. In fact, you may be surprised by how affordable many of them are. For the same price or maybe just a little more than you might pay for a very ordinary chain hotel, you could be staying somewhere with real atmosphere and real service.

Design

French chateaux have design running through their heart and it is a pleasure to stay somewhere that's been designed and decorated with an eye for detail and finish. From the fine architectural details, like stunning plaster work, sweeping stone staircases, parquet floors, gorgeous tiling, wrought iron balustrades, beautiful marble and stone fireplaces, trumeau mirrors, trompe l'oeil paintings, magnificent french chandeliers and sconces. Everything in a French castle is typically design-led.

French chateaux were built with a fastidious eye for fine detail. Remember that the French under Louis XIV set the standards of style, sophistication, and glamour that still rule our lives today. Remember that before his reign commenced, his nation had no particular association with elegance, yet by its end the French had become accepted all over the world as the arbiters in matters of taste and style and that France had established a dominance in the luxury trade that still continues today.

We operate an exclusive luxury wedding castle near Blois, for up to 36 people ideal for a castle wedding. It is a perfect holiday rental and wedding castle.

Chateau de Chambord was commissioned by the young King Francois in 1510 definitely an egomaniac when he was only 25 years of age, to help establish his power. He was not content with the amazing royal chateaux of Amboise and Blois.

He wanted a hunting lodge. Francois I spent without caring to realise his masterpiece hunting lodge. He even went so far as to change the natural course of the Loire River. The castle we see today was not completed until 1685, and it is the largest chateau in the Loire by far.

The chateau is in the centre of a thirteen thousand acre wooded park and game reserve with [red deer and wild boar|wild boar and red deer[/spin], surrounded by a 20 mile wall. It is Europe's largest walled forest park.

The Royal Chateau at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France is the most recognisable chateau in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture that combines classical Italian structures with traditional medieval forms and a variety of towers and turrets. The roofline really is amazing.

If you are going to visit one chateau on the Loire, it should be this one.

Obviously, you can't miss this one. This is solid stock. 440 rooms, 420 feet wide, 84 staircases, 365 chimneys, …. Inside the chateau the highlight is the double helix staircase which serves as the axis for the whole castle, and is thought to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

The castle was rarely inhabited. Francois I spent barely seven weeks at Chateau Chambord on short hunting trips. Because the castle had been constructed for the purpose of short visits, it was not practical to stay there on a longer-term basis. The massive rooms, high ceilings and huge windows made heating a logistical nightmare. This was exacerbated by the fact that the castle was not surrounded by a estate or a village. There was no immediate source of food other than game. The end result was that all the food had to be brought in for the hunting parties which typically numbered about 3000 people at a time. This puts catering for the extended family for the holiday season into perspective doesn't it.

When the castle was not inhabited it was left completely devoid of furniture. All of the tapestries, paintings, furniture, eating implements, were brought in especially for each hunting trip. Imagine trying to co-ordinate a party of two thousand odd including the royal family going camping.

This is why much of the furniture from this era was built to be disassembled in order to aid transportation. French armoires and beds all disassemble beautifully. Contrary to popular belief flat-packing was not invented by Ikea.

After King Francois died, Chateau de Chambord remained unoccupied for some 80 years falling into a terrible state of decay. In 1639 Louis XIII gave it to his brother, Gaston d'Orleans who carried restoration work which was greatly needed. Gaston d'Orleans saved the castle.

Louis XIV furnished the royal apartments and added a horse stable for a mere 300 horses to allow him to use the castle as a hunting lodge.

In 1930 the chateau became the property of the French Government but restoration work was not begun until a few years after World War II ended in 1945.

Next time you are thinking about complaining about packing for a camping trip remember Chateau Chambord and King Francois' seven weeks of hunting.

We run a luxury french wedding castle in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to 36 people ideal for a fantastic destination wedding or vacation with friends and family and for visiting vineyards, historic chateaux and unwinding. The castle is also perfect for a fairytale french castle wedding, party or any event. Go ahead and spoil yourself with a castle wedding

The Loire Valley in France has the largest choice of fifteenth and 16th century chateaux. With around 60 "must see" chateaux scattered on both sides of a 100-mile sweep of the Loire River, the first-time visitor can feel overwhelmed.

Details of 5 of the best-known chateaux are below.

Chateau Chenonceau

Chenonceau Chateau amazes you with its two-story, 260-foot Great Gallery spanning across the River Cher. Originally "acquired" by King Francois I, it passed to his successor, Henri II, who gave it to Diane de Poitiers his mistress. Diane expanded the castle and constructed a bridge over the river.

When Henri II died, his bittered wife, Catherine de Medici, took revenge on her rival by forcing Diane to exchange Chateau Chenonceau for nearby Chateau Chaumont. Catherine then commissioned the construction of the bridge gallery. Unbelievably extravagant galas were hosted here until Catherine's son, Henry III, was murdered. His wife, Louise de Savoie, placed the castle in mourning, furnishing it entirely in black and white.

History leaps out as you tour the rooms and the gardens. In world war I the Great Gallery was converted to a hospital. In WWII the castle marked the boundary between free and Nazi-occupied France and became the site of prisoner exchanges. Today the castle and grounds are maintained at their height as if they were at under Catherine de Medici.

Chateau Clos Luce

Not more than a half mile from the village centre is Chateau Le Clos Luce, a castle built and designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Under the generous sponsorship of Francois I' he lived the last three years of his life here. The rooms are filled with 40 models of Leonardo's inventions so you can marvel at his impressive mental powers and foresight five hundred years earlier.

Chateau Amboise

The narrow cobbled streets of Amboise wind at the base of the huge Chateau Amboise. Although only 25% of the original castle survives, the fortress walls with flying banners look down river and the village at its feet. It was here that King Francois I hit his head on a low arch, bringing an early end to his life.

Chateau Chambord

King Francois I was not content with just the castles at Amboise and Chenonceau. He acquired over 10,000 acres of hunting land and decided to build the world's most incredible "hunting lodge." Chambord was constructed over many decades by Francois and his successors, Henri II and Charles IX in the 16th century.

Fully restored now, Chambord stands as the most extravagant of all the Loire chateaux - 500 feet wide with 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces. The central grand staircase was supposedly designed by the great Italian, Leonardo da Vinci. It has double spirals which enable two parties of people to descend and climb simultaneously on foot or horseback without meeting. Chambord will reward any visit with its grandeur and extravagance.

Chateau Chaumont-sur-Loire

Built in the fifteenth century by Lord Amboise on the site of a tenth century feudal fortress, Chaumont commands incredible views of the Loire Valley. It was later the home of both Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici of Castle Chenonceau fame. Enjoy this castle for its furnishings, drawbridge, fortress feeling, tapestry, and incredible vistas.

Rememer whilst castle hopping to take the time to happen upon some local wine cellars, for tasting or "degustation". Take the time to relax and soak up the atmosphere and enjoy your vacation.

We run a luxury castle in the Loire Valley, perfect for a wedding castle and for visiting vineyards, castles and relaxing with family and friends. A french wedding castle is a wonderful location for a wedding.

Go ahead and spoil yourself with a wedding chateau

You can be like Eva Longoria star of "Desperate Housewives" and Tony Parker NBA basketball champion and hold your destination wedding in France.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be able to sell your wedding photos for 2 million to have a fairytale french castle wedding.

A castle wedding is becoming incredibly fashionable and they are now all the rage following the weddings of Madonna, Tom Cruise, David Beckham and Eva Longoria and Tony Parker. But you do not need to be a celebrity to get married in France. Anyone can rent a chateau and get married in France and have a fairytale french wedding.

Eva and Tony held their wedding reception at 17th Century Chateau Vaux-le- Vicomte one hour south east of Paris. This luxury privately-owned chateau near the village of Maincy is said to have inspired Versaille. Louis XIV had its creator Nicolas Fouquet imprisoned for the rest of his life, because he did not like the guests applauding someone else, or visiting a home more luxurious than his old palaces. This envy fuelled his desire to destroy his then finance minister who wound up spending the rest of his life imprisoned.

There is a famous saying about Nicolas Fouquet by Voltaire regarding the opening of Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte in 1661: "On 17 August, at six in the evening Fouquet was the King of France: at two in the morning he was nobody.”

OK! secured the exclusive deal for the wedding at a reputed cost of 2 million dollars.

The civil ceremony was conducted by non-other than the mayor of Paris on the Friday. The couple held their religious ceremony on the 7th July 2007 at a 16th century cathedral opposite the Louvre.

The privately owned chateau was shielded from prying eyes by 8 miles of high stone walls. A small troupe of guards were called in to lock down the sprawling, 1,235-acre grounds, and a public road leading to the chateau was sealed off for the wedding reception.

After the ceremony there was a fountain show within the French style gardens. When darkness fell guests admired the spectacular views of the Chateau and the surrounding grounds by candlelight. More than 2,000 candles were lit throughout the Chateau and gardens to create the romantic effect.

Tony booked Eva's favourite singers, Lionel Richie and Jamie Foxx, to perform at the ceremony as a surprise It's the second time this month that Lionel has filled the role as wedding singer having sung at the wedding of English captain John Terry last weekend. Other guests at their big day included Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones and Eva's Desperate Housewives co-stars and Tony’s Spurs team mates.

Saying "I do" in a castle wedding is as fashionable as carrying the latest Louis Vuitton handbag for Hollywood celebrities today.

Destination weddings are a thriving business with 16% of U.S. brides choosing them last year, up 400% ten years ago.

Marrying in a castle means "becoming part of a fairytale," says Mindy Weiss, Eva Longoria’s wedding planner “You're walking into a chapter of a romance novel."

Apparently the Material Girl Madonna (Skibo Castle in 2000) and Spice Girl Victoria Adams (Irish castle wedding in 1999) are credited with heightening interest in "castle weddings" with pomp and circumstance.

Last autumn, the castle wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes inspired many a bride to put a castle wedding on her wish list.

Interest in the Odescalchi Castle has soared since Tom and Katie held their wedding there. Skibo Castle has a waiting list with hopeful brides paying a $40,000 initiation fee prior to a wedding booking.

Eva Longoria and Tony Park's wedding on the auspicious 7th July 2007 at Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte has only fueled the trend. When a celebrity wedding in an exotic location makes headlines people see it and want to copy it.

While the price tag for a celebrity castle wedding often runs well over a $1 million your typical chateau wedding can be done for far less. European chateaux are being booked by non-celebrities in hoardes.

According to Brides editor in chief Millie Martini Bratten, “The average U.S. wedding costs $27,850”. The 2006 average price tag of a destination wedding was $25,800, plus travel and hotel costs. Away-from-home weddings can be cheaper, because there are typically are fewer guests to wine and dine. The guests for a hometown event average 165 and 47 for an overseas location. However, a destination wedding at a luxury lodging attended by 30-40 people might run to $30,000-$40,000 a day, not including airfare.

Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte was created by Nicolas Fouquet, then finance minister to Louis XIV and opened on August 17, 1661. For the King to witness such applause going to someone else, to visit a home more luxurious than his old palaces and a magical garden, were trials for his self-esteem that were hard to endure, and they fuelled Louis XIV’s desire to destroy Fouquet. He was arrested two weeks later and never left prison.

Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte is said to have inspired Versailles and is no stranger to over-the-top festivities. The chateau hosted the wedding of Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal's daughter, claimed to be the most expensive nuptials of all time at a reported $55 million.

Typically only three weddings a year are held at the chateau. Renting the facilities for five hours will set you back upwards of $47,596. Eva and Tony have contracted a two-day rental so that the massive crew of construction workers, decorators and security guards could get everything perfect for the big day. Eva’s lavish wedding will be splashed on the pages of OK! magazine for a reported 2 million dollar exclusive deal which will help cover the costs of their nuptials. You do not need to be able to sell your wedding photos for 2 million to have a French fairytale wedding.

Anyone, especially non-celebrities can rent a chateau and get married in France and have a fairytale castle wedding of their dreams.