Wedding Notes
Updated November 2009
We have now successfully organized 40 wedding celebrations over the last eight years. We have to date 4 scheduled for 2010 and expect more. There are already enquiries for 2011.
Weddings in France
There are significant impediments for a non-French resident being married in France. French marriages are carried out by a local mayor at the town hall, and are sometimes followed by a religious blessing of the vows.
To date all participants have been legally married elsewhere before coming to Detilly to have their vows blessed.
Our Objective
It is our aim to offer the wedding couple the opportunity to plan their celebration in line with their budget. Many venues give the couple a series of options with little opportunity to make changes. At Detilly it is possible to have a grand celebration or a more modest one; 6 or 7 course feast or a barbeque with a roast pig on a spit, or an option of choice. In addition there is a week long holiday.
Wedding Coordinator
We have the services of an English lady who is bilingual and lives nearby who can act on behalf of the couple to organize those items which the owner does not offer. For example the catering, supply of flowers, musicians, hairdresser, beautician, photographer and of course the vicar or priest. The chapel is consecrated so that religious ceremonies can be held there if so desired.
Since certain items are the same for all celebrations the owner offers 4 options for the basic supply of services.
Options
1. A maximum of 27 people sleeping and eating in the Chateau and the Coach House. The wedding dinner will be held in the house. It is strongly recommended that an outside caterer be used. The dining room will be re-arranged to provide a pre-dinner reception room. Chateau staff supplied for general help (not wait staff)
2. A maximum of 40 people on the wedding day (not more than 27 sleeping on the property). The wedding feast will be within the walled Chateau grounds (i.e. not within the main house). The price is inclusive of supply of chairs, bar and dining tables, all linens and glasses together with 3 chateau staff (who are not wait service people). The services of an outside caterer will be necessary. Seating will be under a covered marquee (12mx6m) on the lawn to the West of the Chateau. The pre-dinner reception can be either in the Orangerie if the weather is poor, alternatively on one of the lawns or on the terrace.
3. A maximum of 60 people attending, not more than 27 sleeping on the property, inclusive of chairs etc., otherwise as in option 2
4. A maximum of 80 attending the wedding dinner and dance otherwise the same as option 2, except that a 100 square metre (approximate 1000 square feet) dance floor is included.
Groups greater than 80 can be accommodated by arrangement with the owner who will establish a price dependent upon the services required.
Where there is a desire for sleeping numbers greater than 27 the owner will try and help. We have had 33 sleeping for one week, this required cooperation from those staying as the bathroom facilities are limited, particularly on the top floor of the Chateau. Irrespective of which option is chosen both the Chateau and the Coach House have to be rented..
As an indication the cost of weekly rental in 2010 with option #1 in low season is Euros 11870. In high season with option #4 the cost is Euros 19050. To these prices should be added the meal (55 to 80 Euros per head) wine (remarkably low cost for high quality in the Loire Valley), flowers, photographer, the vicar and the fees £25 per hour 5 hour minimum) of the wedding coordinator. Other options are available by discussion with the owner.
The blessing of the vows can be either in the Chapel, beside the lake or anywhere else on the property the couple desire.
The vicar gives a certificate acknowledging the blessing at Detilly.
From 2008 season onwards we have been able to offer some improved facilities. It has become apparent that on the day there is a crush to iron clothes and change attire at the property. With the Chateau and Coach House fully occupied and with staff generally running around there has been congestion.
We have therefore increased the number of irons and ironing boards available for guests to use. Above the laundry and Orangerie we have installed three further toilets and hand washbasins plus a separate shower room, together with two large rooms for changing. Needless to say these rooms have many mirrors to aid adjustments to appearances.
The owner has been advised by past participants that the inclusive cost of a reception at Detilly, even after including the travel costs is less than 50% for a similar quality reception within the London area.
It is strongly recommended prior to making a decision that a quick visit is made to the Chateau to make an on the spot evaluation and to meet the wedding coordinator to obtain detailed costings for the type of celebration the couple have in mind.
Travel to the Chateau for an inspection visit is relatively simple from the UK, Ryan Air flies direct from Stanstead to Tours at a reasonable cost. Tours airport is about 55 minutes from the Chateau. It is also possible to commute to St Pierre des Corps station in Tours, which again is approximately a 50 minute drive. Car hire is available at both airport and station.