Wedding related FAQs
PleasereadfirsttheFAQssectionofourwebsitewhichisprovidingawealthofuseful
information:http://chateaudevarennes.net/moreinfo/faq/
OtherFAQsarelistedbelow
1.Accommodation
-Dowehavetobookalltheroomswhenhiringthereceptionvenue?
Wegiveadiscountforbulkbookingofalltheroomsbutyoucansplitbillswithyour
guests(althoughitwillbeslightlymorecostlyforthemtoaccountfortheextralabour).
Justletusknowhowyouwanttoallocatethebedrooms(downloadandreturnthe
spreadsheet:http://chateaudevarennes.net/bedrooms/)andouraccountantwilltake
careofthepaymentprocesswitheachguest.Weacceptcash,transferandbankcards.
Pleasenotethatsplitbillingandpaymentswithbankcardsareappliedanextrafee
SeeGuest-FAQsforotherquestions
2.Outdoors,activities,transport,weather(checkGuest-FAQsforotherquestions)
Pleasedownloadourwelcomebook(passwordisvarennes):
http://chateaudevarennes.net/moreinfo/welcome-book/
-CanIgettemporaryheatingforoutdooreventsincasethedayissunnybutthenightis
morechilly?
Yes,wecanhireportableheaters
-Whathappensifitgetsveryhotontheweddingday?
Yourbottlesarechilledinourcoldstorageroomsandwealsohaveaprofessionalice
cubemakerforchillingsoftdrinks.
-Doyouhaveaircon?
Noneedforaircon,theclimateinourregioniswarmanddrybuttheheatrarelygets
unbearable.Wecanputfansuneverybedroomandthewallsofthebuildingsarevery
thickwhichisagoodprotectionagainstover-heating.Contrarytootherhotcountries,
theheatisdryanditiscooleratnightallowingeveryonetogetarest.Ourcontinental
weatheralsoallowsustohavemuchlessbugsthaninProvence/Italy/Spain
-Whatisthemosteasywaytotraveltotheproperty?
Travelinformationcanbefoundhere:
http://chateaudevarennes.net/moreinfo/transport/
-Whataboutshuttlingserviceforevents?
Aswearelocatedinthecountryside,therearenocabsdrivinginfrontofourgateallthe
timelikeinabigcitybutcabsorshuttlingservicecanbearrangedforyourexternal
Wedding related FAQs
guests.Thisserviceistobebookedinadvance.Dependingonnumberofguests,we
usuallybook1orseveraldriversfor3hours(butcanbeextended).Youcanhireasmall
cab(upto4passengers)amini-vanfor8passengers.Thenthedriverscandoreturn
tripstolocalhotelsandyourguestswillpaythedriversdirectlyasforatraditionalcab
ride.
Youcanalsobookacoachifyouhavebignumbers(above100guests).Itisagood
optionforinboundtriptotheceremonybutforreturntripstolocalhotels,guestswill
prefertheflexibilityofsmallcabsandmini-vansratherthanatimetablewithacoach
everyhour.Fromourexperience,guestsprefertodocar-poolingorcallacabthan
havingtowaitforacoachthereforecoachesareprettyemptyhalfofthetime!
3.Weddingsandevents
-Whatkindoffunctionsdoyoucaterfor?
Thepropertycanberentedonanexclusivebasisforweddings,holidaybreaksand
corporateevents.Thereisnotimelimitforparty
-Whatisyourmaxcapacity?
250guestscanbeseatedintheOrangery(inasingleroom).Thegardenshaveunlimited
capacityforcocktails.Wecanalsohireatentforlargerfunctions.
-WhenistheOrangeryavailablefordecoratingit?
Ifourin-houseteamisnotmanagingthestylingofyourevent,theOrangeryisusually
availablethemorningoftheevent.Ifyourequireanearliercheckintime,pleasecontact
us.
-Doyouorganizelegallybindingweddings?
Yes,itispossibleundercertainconditions.Pleasecheckouranswerhere:
http://chateaudevarennes.net/weddings-2/wedding-ceremony/
-Doyouhaveababysittingservice?
Yes,itispossibletohirebabysittersandtopaythemdirectly.
-Canyourecommendweddingvendors?
Wecanrecommendreputablevendors(hairstylists,makeupartists,djs,livebands,live
musiciansetc)whohavealreadydoneagoodjobherebutwedonotimposeanyone.
Beforeselectingthem,wemakesurethattheyaregoodprofessionalsandcandoagood
jobfordestinationweddings(eveniftheydonotspeakEnglishwhichhappens
frequently).ContrarytomostFrenchvenues,wedonotrequestanycommissionsnor
kickbacksfromvendorsaswebelieveourclientsdeservethebestqualitypriceratioand
aneutraladvice.
-Whatkindofcelebrantsareavailablefortheceremony?
Ifreligiousceremony:youcanhireourlocalCatholicpriestoravicarfromChurchof
Wedding related FAQs
Englandoryoucanbringyourownofficiant
Ifnonreligiousceremony:wecanrecommendofficiantsforanonreligiousceremony
-Doyouorganizelegallybindingweddings?
AlegallybindingceremonyiscalledacivilweddinginFrance.Thiscanbearrangedfor
foreignersbutpaperworkcanbequitepainfulandcostly(forexamplefortranslating
yourofficialpapersinFrenchandinEnglishoryourlocallanguage).Ifyouwanttoavoid
Frenchbureaucracy,werecommendyouhaveacivilceremonyatyourlocalregistry
officethenasymbolicblessingorareligiousceremonyinFrance.Youcankeepyourcivil
ceremonyconfidentialorinformyourguests.InFrance,allthecouplesaredoingthe
paperworkfirst(withonlytheirparentsandbridalparty)andusuallyafewweekslater,
alltheotherguestsareinvitedtotheactualceremony(blessingofringsandexchangeof
vows)andweddingreceptionwhichisheldinaweddingvenue(usuallyachateau).In
France,itissimilarastheprocessofbuyingahouse:yousignthepaperworkfirstanda
fewdaysorweekslateryouthrowabighousewarmingpartywhereeveryoneisinvited.
Doingthepaperworkbeforehandisallowingcouplestomaketheir"actual"ceremony
morepersonalascivilweddingsarequitedullinFrance(nothingcanbecustomized
whileyourreligiousorsymbolicblessingcanbefullypersonalfromreadingstosongsor
decor).
-Canwebringourownweddingplanners?
Yes,externalplannersaremorethanwelcomeasitismuchlessworkforourinternal
team!
-Isthepoolopenduringevents?
Thepoolwillbeopenuntiltheendofthecocktailhour(providedthatyouhavebaby
sittersorparentstosupervisesmallchildren).Wehavetocloseitaftersunsetto
preventanyaccidentrelatedtoabuseofalcohol.
-Canyousuggestlocalspecialtiestooffertoourguest?
Amongthemostpopularoptions:macarons,blackcurrantliquors,jamjars,mustardjars
etc
-DoIneedaspecialinsuranceforplanninganeventinFrance?
Frenchresidentsdonotneedaspecialinsuranceasitisincludedintheirhousehold
insurancecoverage.
Forforeigners,itisrecommendedtosubscribeaspecialinsuranceevenifthe
probabilityofusingitisactuallyquitelow.Thecostofaninsuranceshouldbearound
€120-150forathoroughcoverage.
4.Catering
-Doyouhavesamplemenus
Samplemenuscanbedownloadedherebutcanbediscussedwithourchefsifyouhave
Wedding related FAQs
otherideas:http://chateaudevarennes.net/moreinfo/menus/
(passwordischateauorvarennes)
-Arebreakfastsincludedintherentalfees?
Cateringisnotincludedintherentalfeesaseachgrouphasdifferentneeds
Youcanrequestb&borhalfboardingorfullboarding.Wecanchargeeachguestsoyou
donothavetofoottheirbillsormanagefinancialmatterswiththem.
-Whataretheoptionsformealsoutsideoftheweddingreception?
CouplesareusuallyhostingawelcomeBBQthenightbeforetheweddingandafarewell
brunchthedayafter.Samplemenuscanbedownloadedherebutcanbediscussedwith
ourchefsifyouhaveotherideas:http://chateaudevarennes.net/moreinfo/menus/
Groupsstayingformorethanaweek-endwillallbookafulltimechefserviceasitisa
fulltimejobtofeed15+peopleforseveraldays.
-Areyouflexiblewithdietaryrequirements?
Yesweareusedtocaterforallkindsofdietaryrequirements(gluten-free,fat-free,
dairy-free,allergiesetc)
-AreyouabletoprovideAmericanorBritishspecialtieslikeweddingcakes,cupcakes,cake
popsetc
Yes,wehaveaspecialistpastrychefandcakedesignerwhowastrainedinFranceandin
theUK.Shewasalsotrainedtomakeglutenfreedesserts.
-CanwehaveaFrenchweddingcake?
Yes,fyiaFrenchweddingcakeiscalledcroquemboucheor"piècemontée"
-Canyoucaterfornon-Westernmeals?
Yes,wehavealreadyworkedwithLebanese,AsianandIndiancaterers
-Whataretheoptionsforchildrenmeals?
Menusatdiscountedrateareadaptedforchildrendependingontheirage.
Childrenareusuallyhavetheirmealswithbabysittersinthemainbuildingthenthey
canplayoutdoorsorsleepinthetvlounge.
-Whatarethetimesforthemeals?
Fortheweddingreception,werecommendthefollowingtimeline(itallowsenoughtime
forthepreparationsandthelightwillbegoodforphotographyafter4pm)
• Ceremony:4pm
• Cocktailhour:from5to7.30pm
• Dinner:from7.30to10.30pm
Fortheothermeals
• Breakfast:8.30-10am
• Lunch:12.30-2pm
Wedding related FAQs
•
Dinner:8-10pm
Pleasecontactusifyourequestanothertimeline
-DoyouhavecaterersfromadifferentculturalbackgroundthanFrance?
WehavealreadyworkedwithgoodexternalcaterersfromIndia,Italy,Lebanon&
MadagascarandalsoKoshercaterersforJewishreceptions.Ourchefsweretrainedin
FranceandintheUKandwearealwaysopentodiscovernewculturesandtraditions.
-Doyouhaveothersuggestions?
Yes,wecanprovidethingslikeaburgerfoodtruck,apizzavan,anice-creamvanora
popcornbar.Alwayshappytodiscussnewandcreativeideas
-Canyourecommendoptionsforthemidnightsnacks(tobeservedduringthedancing
party)?Fromcheapesttomostpricey
Savoury:crisps,cheeseplatters,paninis(cheesetoasties),fries,mini-burgers
Sweet:candyjars,macaroons
-Isselfcateringpossible?
Itispossibleoutsideoftheweddingreceptionbutnotrecommendedifyoudonothave
aprofessionalchefamongyourparty.Managingfoodshoppingandpreparationsforbig
numbersisafulltimejobandrequiretime(doyoureallywanttospendyourholidays
workingoraskyourgueststowork)aswellassomegoodskills!Inanycaseacleaning
servicewillbeplannedforasourpreviousexperienceshowedusthatguestswerenot
willingtospendtimecleaningaftertheirselfcateredmeals.
5.Winesandotherbeverages
-Doyouhaveawinelist?
YesmostlywithBurgundywinesbutwecanalsoprovidewinesfromotherregionsupon
request.Burgundyproductionisverysmallcomparedtootherregionsthereforethe
winelistisoftentobeupdated.
-Canwebringourownbottles?
Yesbutthereisacorkfeeforchilling,servinganddisposingthealcoholbottles(andalso
therecyclingtax)
-Isitpossibletohaveacashbar?
Yes,thiscanbediscussed.
-Doyourecommendvineyards?
Ifyouareshortoftime,werecommendyougototheCooperativeNuiton-Beaunoyin
Beaunewhichwillofferawideselectionofbottlesatproducer'sprice:www.nuitonbeaunoy.com
Otheroptionshere:http://chateaudevarennes.net/moreinfo/burgundy/wines/
Wedding related FAQs
-Canyougiveanestimateoftheamountofbottlestopurchase
Yes,seeadvicehere:http://chateaudevarennes.net/moreinfo/burgundy/wines/
-HowfarinadvancecanwegetourbottlesdeliveredtotheChateau?
Winebottlesusuallygetdelivered3daysbeforeyourarrival(sotheycanrestbeforethe
event).Incaseyourcellarwantstoshipbottlesinadvance,pleasecontactAymericto
planthelogistics:[email protected]
-Isitpossibletogetbeerkegs?
Yesbutwehavetohirethemachine.Pleasegiveyourguestnumbersforeachmealand
thelistofbeersyourequestthenwewillgetaquoteforyou.
-Doyouprovidesoftdrinks?
Yes,weusuallyprovidesoftdrinksforthedurationofyourstayasitwillwasteyour
holidaytimetogotothesupermarketandtransporthundredsofbottlesforyourstay
(quotesaredependingonthevolume/numberofguests/beveragelist,weusually
chargeaflatfeeonaperpersonbasis)
6.Equipmentsandfacilities
-Canweinviteexternalgueststoenjoythepoolorattendourmeals
Yes,externalguestscanusethepoolhousetogetashowerandgetchanged
Theycanalsoattendyourmealsprovidedthattheyoryoupayforthebill.
-Whathappensifaguestwanttodrinkoutsideofthemealhours?
Forsoftdrinks:thereisafridgeforguestuseinthepantryroomandanotheroneinthe
poolhouse.Youcanfillthemwithyourownbottlesorwecanmanagetheprovisionof
softdrinks.
Forhotdrinks:thereisatraditionalcoffeemakerandakettleinthepantryroom.euse
ofthetraditionalcoffeemakeriscomplimentarybuttheNespressopodsarechargedat
theendofthestay.
-Whatkindofequipmentisprovidedforlargeevents?
Adescriptionofthewhitepackageisavailableuponrequest
7.Layoutofthereception
-Ifstandardlay-out
• Ceremony:intheChapelorinthegardensbythestatue
• Cocktailhour:ontheOrangeryterrace
• Dinner:inthebanquethalloftheOrangery
• Dancingparty:intheloungearea/dancefloorareaoftheOrangery
Adividercanbehiredforsplittingthebanquethallformoreintimacy
Wedding related FAQs
-Iffullyoutdoorevent
• Cocktailhour:ontheChateauterrace
• Dinner:ontheOrangeryterrace
• Dancingparty:wecanhireawoodenfloortobesetupontheOrangeryterrace.
Howeverlocalregulationonlyallowsoutdoordancinguntilmidnight
-ForwelcomeBBQandfarewellbrunch
Werecommendtousethepoolarea!
-Canweseepicturesorvideosofyourpreviousevents?
Pleasecheckourfacebookpageforrecentpicturesandfilmsaswellaspressfeatures
8.Weddingplanning
-Ihavebookedthevenue,whatisthenextstepnow?
• Firstplanaviewingtripifyouhavebookedthevenuewithoutseeingit
• Thisviewingtripcanbecombinedwithaweddingplanningsession
Thisweddingplanningsessionisusuallycomprisingthefollowingappointments
• Foodsamplingisheldatthechateauifyourweddingbreakfastismanagedbyour
residentchef.Otherwiseitwillbeatthecaterer'srestaurant
• Hairandmakeuptrial
• Discussionaroundthelogistics(layoutandtimelineoftheevents)
• Stylingtheevent
• Meetingwiththeflorist,dj,photographerandothervendorsiftimeallows
Ifitisnotpossible,skypesessionscanbearranged.
Bearinmindthatgoodphotographersandvideographershavetobebookedearlyso
youshouldshortlist(andpossiblybook)yourpreferredonesbeforethewedding
planningsessionifitdoesnothappenshortlyafterbookingthevenue.
-Whatarethepossibledatesforweddingplanningsessions?
Aswearefullybookedonweek-endsandsometimesmid-weeksfrommid-ApriltomidOctober,wpsessionsusuallyhappeninlowseason.Pleasecontactusforbookingdates.
-Howmuchisaweddingplanningsession?
Theb&b+food/winesamplingsarechargedatcost(pleasecontactusforcurrent
costings)
-Canweinviteguestsforweddingplanningsessions?
Indeedyoucaninviteyourparentsorsiblingsorbridesmaids/bridalparty.Pleasenote
thattheirb&bandmealswillalsobecharged.
-Canwedothingsourselves?
Yes,ifyouarecraftyandhavetimetomanageadiyproject,youarewelcome.
Wedding related FAQs
9.Financialmatters
-Whoisincharge?
AllfinancerelatedquestionswillbepassedonAymericwhoisourfinancemanager
Wealsohaveanaccountantforprocessinginvoicesandreceipts
-Whatistheprocessforbookingthevenue?
*Foradirectbooking:33%depositisrequireduponbooking.Anotherpaymentof33%
willberequiredmid-wayor6monthbeforearrivalandthebalanceisduetwomonths
beforearrival.Forsplitbilling,weusuallyrequest50%deposituponroombookingand
thebalance1monthbeforearrival(moreflexibletermscanbeagreedifnecessary).
Regardingcatering:a33%depositisrequireduponbookingthecaterer,another33%
paymentisrequiredmid-wayor6monthbeforearrival,a3rddepositisrequired2
monthsbeforearrivalandthebalanceisusuallysettledbeforearrivaltoavoidhavingto
managefinancialissuesduringyourstaywithus(variablethingslikecorkfeeor
bartendershourswillbechargedthedayafterthewedding).
-Whenareweexpectedtogivefinalnumbers?
Finalnumbersforallthemealsandactivitieshavetobeprovided1monthbeforearrival
andthefinalbalancewillbeadjustedaccordingly.Pleasenotethatthecateringquote
willbebasedonyourestimatenumbersandmaychangeforexampleifnumbersdrop
bymorethan10%.Weacceptcash,transfersandcredit/debitcards(thelatterare
subjecttoabankchargeiffromforeignbanks)
*Forabookingthroughanagent:theirownpaymenttermsapplyfortherentalfeesbut
thewedding/cateringrelatedcostsarealwayssettleddirectlywiththeChateauasper
theaboveT&Cs.Theymayaddtheirownbillingchargesontopoftherentalfees,thisis
notsomethingthatwemanageorhavecontrolupon.
-Dowehavetotipthechateaustaff?
Tipsarenotcompulsorybutarealwayswelcometoshowyourappreciationofthestaff's
effortstomakeyouhappy.Mostcoupleswillleave€20-30perstaffmemberand€100150fortheresidentchefbutafewofthemaremuchmoregenerousthusleavingalong
lastingimpression.Theeventplanningteamisgenerallyreceivinga10%bonusontop
oftheirregularcompensation.
-Dowehavetotipvendors?
Ifyouarehappyofthevendors'work,itiscommontoshowyourappreciationby
leavingatip.Indicativeamountsaregivenhere:
http://preciousoccasions.blogspot.fr/2013/08/tipping-your-event-vendors.html
-Doyouhaveadviceonhowtooptimizeourweddingbudget?
Indeed,wehavemanyideasbasedonguestfeedback(whatwaspriorityforthemand
whatwasmoreminordetailsthatyoucanskipeasily).Thiscanbediscussedduring
yourweddingpreparations.