Good Morning and it is a great day as we get to catch up with real Belle Bride Tracey on setting the wedding date and the exciting developments, as she plans her 2017 wedding in France.

Tracey:" My last blog was about our trip to France and featured our photography session with Purewhite photography. Well, believe it or not, we did do a bit more than eat!

I'm proud to say that we found the perfect place for our cocktail and reception as well, and thus set our wedding date in August! I must admit, we looked at a few other places to say we did, but we had a large bias towards one in particular. It was the first we visited and the one we had the best feeling about. None captured our love more than le Château du Guérinet and its owner Monsieur Saillard. The château and its grounds are so charming: it has that warmth, character, and French country-style that makes it feel more like a loving home.

Source: Facebook of le Chateau du Guérinet

It was important to us, being so far away, that the owner was involved in helping us with the planning. Mr. Saillard is no stranger, he made it clear that he knows what works best where and helped us actually envision our wedding taking place there. We could tell he loves what he does and he has this character that makes you laugh and feel comfortable. We know the guests will love him and his charming personality!

When we signed the contract, he provided us with a list of suppliers local to the area that he has worked with before and recommends. I shared it with my beaux-parents since we handed them the responsibility of finding a great caterer. As of now, my beaux-parents have been knocking out the most important tasks: finding the perfect église and a priest that will marry us in holy union!

Source: Allier-hotel-restaurants.com

It was interesting to learn that there is a shortage of priests, therefore one priest covers several churches. We had to find the church first, and then find a priest that will cover that church. Well, my beaux-parents first found a church just next to le Chateau du Guerinet that is a beauty and is filled with natural light. They also found a priest that is willing to work with us using a local parish in Denver. They're magical!

I'm ecstatic that we have set a time and place for the wedding and reception, now I can start on the invitations! I plan to tackle DIY invitations in my next blog. I'll also tell you about the website I created for guests to send their address, RSVP, collaborate together, and access information and recommendations on the region, travel, and of course the details of the wedding itself.

Accomplished: The most beautiful nature in Auvergne, or in the world maybe? -Hiking with friends in la Vallée de Chaudefour, May 2016. In process:

1. Church
2. Priest
3. Cocktail/Reception,
4. Fancy Vintage Car (courtesy of our Uncle)
5. Photographer
6. Website
7. Wedding dress (literally as I was writing this I received a call that it is expected to arrive April 2017!)

Still to do:

Invitations: collecting addresses, sampling paper and envelopes, mocking up designs

Wedding Vendors

If you are looking for ideas and inspiration on planning your wedding in France, don't forget you can catch up with Belle Bride Tracey and you can find all the Belle Brides past and present here.

Reception Venue: Château du Guérinet
Engagement images by Purewhite Photography