Michele and Rick only wanted a small, intimate wedding with their closest family and friends but they wanted to show off the very best of Bordeaux to create a truly memorable experience and share their love of music and dancing.

Their wedding day encompassed all of that and so much more…

After the fun of the Gatsby night the previous evening, the wedding was pure elegance and sophistication.  It was full of experiences set in small intimate areas around the Historic, Grand Cru Chateau’s immaculate grounds.

Guests were greeted on arrival with champagne and strawberry ice lollies to quench their thirst, before making their way to the lawns in front of the pavilion for Michele and Rick’s blessing, with musical interludes played on the harp.

After a group photo on the steps of the chateau, guests made their way to the cobbled courtyard around which was set lounge seating and sun shades that softly billowed in the breeze, and that were decorated in the soft pinks and whites of Michele’s chosen colour scheme.

There was not to be a sit down dinner but a ‘cocktail dinatoire’ consisting of canapes followed by mini courses of a 5 course menu served at regular intervals from food stations around the courtyard.  On the menu… oysters from the local Arcachon basin, filet of beef with pureed potato in individual cocottes, a platter of fine cheeses and later in the evening a buffet of mini desserts.  All washed down with a selection of wines from the chateau specially selected to go with each course and offered as part of a wine tasting experience throughout the day.

The courses were interspersed with music from a Manouche band and the main entertainment of the day…  3 specially choreographed pieces of ballet accompanied by harp and performed by two dancers from the Royal Ballet, London, we had flown in.  A nod to Michele’s passion for dancing.

The afternoon slowly drifted along as guests mingled, chatted, tried new experiences and enjoyed the sun.

As the sun was setting, one of the horses that had been working the land in the vines, came back from work and made a great photo opportunity.  Sunset also signalled the time for the evening to move into the stunning, stained glass pavilion and things to move up a gear.

Inside, the couple’s monogram shone on the dance floor as they took their choreographed first dance.  The flair barman whipped up cocktails and the DJ and dancing went on into the night.

After a long day and night the day before, Michele and Rick were looking for guests to be able to sit back and relax whilst taking in the sights of Bordeaux before they headed home.

After brunch, we arranged a private boat trip for an hour down the Garonne river.  The local guide pointed out sites of interest and recounted a bit of the history of this UNECSO world heritage city, and a wine guide gave a history of some of the more unique wines from the region and the opportunity to taste them.

A very relaxing way to end four days of fun and experiences before heading home to recount the stories.

A fabulous weekend was had by all and many a memory made.  If you didn’t catch the first two days…

See Part  One – Welcome Drinks and Gatsby Night