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