Getting Married In a French Chateau Is More Affordable Than You Might Think.
Are you dreaming of celebrating your wedding in a romantic French chateau? Filled with charm, romance, and character, a French chateau offers the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. But naturally, there is one question that immediately comes to mind: how much does a wedding in a French chateau cost?
Here is our cost breakdown for destination weddings in a French chateau. We cover three wedding categories: the large-scale luxury wedding, the traditional wedding and the small destination wedding for you and your closest friends. We also give tips for finding the chateau of your dreams.
French Chateaus: The Ideal Place to Celebrate Your Dream Wedding
France is home to what many consider the most romantic city in the world: Paris (a great honeymoon destination too!). In addition, France is dotted with gorgeous chateaus, which are the epitome of romance, character, and charm.
From the moment that you set foot into one of France’s many picture-perfect chateaus, you are transported into an exquisite, fairytale-like setting. Think Bridgerton, just without the drama (and the wigs).
Typically surrounded by immaculate gardens, a French chateau provides the perfect backdrop for the most special day of your life. Their timeless architecture, historic grandeur, and lush surroundings add more than just a touch of elegance and charm to a wedding.
How Much Does a Wedding in a French Chateau Cost?
Now, let’s speak about cost: how much is a wedding in a French chateau?
The cost for a destination wedding in a French chateau can range from US$20,000 to US$150,000 or higher, depending on the number of guests, wedding venue, catering, and wedding vendors.
The precise cost also depends on the type of destination wedding you would like to have. Destination weddings can be as simple as single-day affairs, or elaborate multi-day events that consisting of welcome dinners, the ceremony, an after-party, and a wedding brunch.
Before we dig into hard numbers, let’s first understand the major cost drivers for a destination wedding in a French chateau.
Wedding Cost Factors: General Tips
1. Wedding Venue Selection
Your wedding venue is one of the most significant costs in your wedding budget.
France offers a wide range of venues, from opulent chateaus in the Loire Valley to charming, smaller castles in the South of France.
For those seeking luxury, chateaus like Chateau Saint Martin, Chateau de Tourreau, or Chateau les Carrasses provide an exquisite setting with high-end amenities, but come with a premium price tag.
On the other hand, more intimate and lesser-known venues in Provence or along the French Riviera offer equally romantic backdrops at a fraction of the cost.
Whichever venue you select, it is essential to visit venues beforehand and to understand the inclusions of the rental fee to make an informed decision.
2. Wedding Vendor Services
Hiring top-notch vendors is key to ensuring a seamless and stress-free wedding experience. Costs can vary significantly based on the quality and reputation of the vendors you choose.
High-end wedding planners, photographers, florists, and caterers are readily available in the South of France, but their services come at a premium.
For those on a tighter budget, consider local vendors who may offer competitive rates without compromising on quality. Always review portfolios and conduct thorough interviews to find vendors who align with your vision and budget.
3. Accommodation for Guests
The South of France’s popularity as a tourist destination means there are numerous accommodation options for your guests.
Luxury hotels such as Chateau St. Martin, Chateau Eza, or Hotel Crillon offer an unforgettable stay but at a higher price. Alternatively, charming bed and breakfasts or vacation rentals can provide comfortable lodging at more affordable rates.
Booking accommodations well in advance and negotiating group rates can also help manage costs. Additionally, consider arranging transportation for your guests to ensure convenience and enhance their overall experience.
4. Legal and Symbolic Ceremonies
When planning a wedding in a French chateau, it’s important to understand the distinction between legal and symbolic ceremonies.
Legal ceremonies require specific paperwork, translations, and potentially a local interpreter, which can add to the overall cost and complexity.
Many couples opt for a symbolic ceremony in France after completing the legal formalities in their home country. This approach simplifies the process and allows for more flexibility in choosing the ceremony location and format.
5. Being Clear About the Size of Your Destination Wedding
Most French chateaus cater to those who would like to celebrate a multi-day destination wedding.
They charge a fixed fee for exclusive use of the venue for 3 to 4 nights. The rental fee often includes onsite accommodation as well. Some chateaus can sleep 30 guests or more, making them an ideal venue for those who would like to spend quality time with their guests in the same venue.
Other chateaus charge a fixed fee per guest, which typically covers catering and rental. Per-guest pricing is usually only offered by wedding venues with onsite catering, such as restaurants or hotels. These venues are more likely to be available for day rental and do not impose a minimum number of nights.
Option 1: Renting a French Chateau For Exclusive Use
Some French chateaus can be rented for as little as US$5,000 to US$8,000. This usually gets you a smaller chateau in a less well-known location.
In the South of France, options in this price range are Château Saint Hilaire, Le Moulin de la Récense or Château Maïme. These chateaus are less opulent than those in the Loire Valley, and don’t have the classic elegance of larger chateaus.
Chateaus that are closer to the typical idea of a mini-Versaille are Chateau de Garde near Bordeaux, Château de Beauregard, a Renaissance château in the Loire Valley, Château de Picomtal in the Southern Alps, or Château des Barrenques in the South of France which offers accommodation for 42 people. These range in price from US$8,000 to US$12,500 or more for the exclusive use of the venue.
On the high end, chateaus such as Château St Pierre de Serjac, which serves as a hotel and event venue, can cost US$43,000 or more during peak season.
The amounts stated here are typically for the exclusive use of the venue for a multi-day event. The rental fee usually also includes a certain number of rooms for you and your guests but excludes catering, music, photos or videos, decoration, or an officiant.
When comparing prices, always ask about the exact inclusions. Unfortunately, there are no standardized wedding packages. Each chateau applies their pricing calculations depending on the number of guests, season, and length of stay.
Option 2: French Chateaus With Per Person Wedding Packages
As with option 1, wedding packages range in price. Here are just a few examples of wedding package prices in France.
Château de la Roque Forcade, located in the heart of Provence, near Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, offers catering from US$200 per person. For chateaus offering catering, there is usually a minimum number of guests required.
More premium options are, for example, fairytale-like Château Bouffémont. The chateau sits on three hectares of land, making it the perfect destination for those seeking an intimate wedding, away from prying eyes.
It offers bespoke (you are in charge of planning) weddings or all-inclusive wedding packages. Rates for an all-inclusive wedding package start from approx. US$330 per guest, and a minimum budget of US$50,000 applies. A minimum number of guests of 45 applies to these rates.
The Chateau de Vallery, just 100km from Paris, offers off-season packages starting from US$17,000. For packages during the main wedding season, which runs from May to September, expect to pay at least 20% to 30% more.
A wedding package gives you a rough idea of the full cost of celebrating a wedding in France but still does not include everything required for a wedding. Must-haves, such as photographers, florists, or party entertainers (DJs and bands) are not included, for example.
To better understand the full cost of a wedding in the South of France, visit our blog post on “How to plan a destination wedding in France”.
Inspiration: Examples of French Chateau Weddings
Let’s look at a few examples of French chateau weddings and their estimated cost.
Example 1: The French Chateau Luxury Wedding
This stunning wedding took place at Chateau Saint-Martin, a 5-star luxury hotel in Côte d’Azur, near Nice. Featured in Vogue, this Chateau is a high-end luxury wedding destination in the South of France.
The entire Chateau, including its 51 rooms and suites, can be privatized as an exclusive wedding venue on the French Riviera.
For a large-scale, luxurious ceremony like this budget at least US$150,000 or more. As a rule of thumb, expect to spend US$3,000 to US$4,000 (all-in) per guest.
Example 2: The Traditional Wedding
A more traditional, non-luxury wedding in the South of France will cost approx. US$1,500 to US$2,500 per guest on average.
For a full cost breakdown of a US$100,000 (total budget) wedding in the Loire Valley, visit our blog post here.
To give some ballpark figures, expect to spend:
Venue Rental: $10,000 to $30,000
Catering: $250 to $350 per person
Photography and Videography: $5,000 to $10,000
Floral Arrangements: $3,000 to $7,000
Entertainment (Band or DJ): $2,000 to $5,000
Wedding Attire: $5,000 to $15,000
Miscellaneous (Transportation, Favors, etc.): $5,000 to $10,000
Option 3: Elopement Packages at a French Chateau
Last but not least, you can also elope in a French chateau. Elope used to mean “to run away and secretly get married”. Nowadays, it is more frequently used to mean a very small destination wedding.
Expect to spend US$10,000 to US$15,000 for an elopement at a French chateau, provided your guest list does not exceed 10 to 15.
An elopement has a smaller overall cost than a wedding. Some elopements such as the one shown in the video below, have no guests at all. Only the groom and bride (and a photographer and videographer) “witness” the event.
This is a beautiful idea for all those who want to tie the knot without the hassle of managing guests, having to fulfill other people’s expectations, or being bound by tradition. An elopement is solely about you and the very few people that matter most to you.
One word of advice for those who wish to elope. Do not get legally married in Italy. Celebrate your civil wedding at home and marry symbolically in Italy. Even though a French marriage certificate is recognized outside of France, you will require translations, apostilles, etc. to register your marriage in your home country.
French Chateau Weddings: Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Get Married at the Chateau in France?
Yes, you can! Many French chateaus have been converted into wedding venues, offering just the right in- and outdoor space to celebrate your big day!
What Is the Best Season to Celebrate a Wedding in a French Chateau?
The wedding season runs from late spring to early fall or from late April to early October. Expect to pay a premium during July and August when many French couples choose to celebrate their wedding.
How Much Does It Cost to Celebrate a Wedding at a Chateau in France?
On average, expect to spend upwards of US$20,000 for a small wedding in a French chateau. This includes the venue, basic catering, a photographer, and a DJ. The price can go as high as US$150,000 for larger ceremonies held at more exclusive wedding venues.
What is the Cost Breakdown of a Wedding at a Chateau in France?
Find a full cost breakdown for an all-inclusive wedding at French chateau in our blog post here.
The Cost of Celebrating a Wedding in a French Chateau
France has so many beautiful chateaus that you are spoilt for choice. There is a wedding venue for almost everyone and every budget!
As you start to explore venues, pick the ones that align with your budget. Bear in mind that in addition to the venue, there are other costs, such as a photographer, catering, a wedding dress, or a DJ and live music.
In our opinion, a destination wedding on a shoestring budget is best held at owner-led locations that are further away from France’s most pricy areas (Paris, Nice, French Riviera) and that have on-site accommodation included in the price. Find wedding vendors in neighboring towns, which offer quality services at rates lower than those of larger cities, or go DYI.
If, on the other hand, budget is not your main concern, our recommendation is to pick a 4* or 5* chateau-cum-hotel that offers everything to make your dream wedding come true, including professional planning services.
To find the perfect French chateau, visit our wedding venue finder, which lists dozens of wedding venues in the South of France, including dozens of chateaus, catering to every budget, wedding party size, and wedding style.
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