Questions + Answers

When do I need to RSVP by?

The RSVP due date was June 1, 2024.

What is the dress code?

Sept. 9 - Welcome Party: The dress code for the welcome party/rehearsal dinner evening will be Garden Party Attire, which is cocktail, but with a splash of color. For men, that would be a button up shirt (short or long sleeves) and slacks in lighter colors - bow tie is encouraged, but optional. For women, this includes a dress of any length, romper, jumpsuit, or set. However, if you want to dress up more formal, that is welcome. The Welcome Party is a great opportunity to dress in bright colors, pastels, patterns, gingham, floral, and loud prints.

Sept. 10 - Wedding Ceremony & Reception: The dress code will be Black Tie Optional Attire and we hope to see you in your best! For men, a tuxedo is encouraged, but not required - we’re asking for a tux or suit in dark colors (black, navy, charcoal, emerald, etc.). For women, a floor length gown or pants is encouraged. Since it will be an evening in September, we recommend dark and deeper tones. We fully support anyone who wants to wear black, as it will be in our wedding color palette. The event will be on held grass and gravel, so block heels, wedge heels, or flats are encouraged (closed toe or sandals are fine).

Sept. 11 - Post-Wedding Brunch: There will be no dress code for this day, so feel free to wear whatever you like! Definitely bring a swimsuit if you plan to utilize the pool. If you plan to explore later in the evening, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Can I bring my children?

Yes, your children are welcome to stay on the chateau grounds and attend the welcome party dinner on Sept. 9 and post-wedding brunch on Sept. 11. However, we will only be allowing immediate nieces and nephews of the bride and groom at the wedding ceremony and reception in the evening of Sept. 10, and other children will not be permitted to attend.

Our planning team has much experience with hiring childcare during the wedding and reception that they can recommend and organize for you. The cost is approximately €20-30 per hour, and the children will be very close by the festivities during the course of the evening. We will also arrange for boxed dinners for the children to be served with dinner. Please reach out to us if you are interested in this option. We hope that you will be able to enjoy dinner, drinking, and dancing into the night with us! :)

Can I bring a plus one?

If you are permitted to bring a guest, it will be indicated on your personalized invitation by the number of seats we have reserved for you. For example, if the invitation is addressed to one person and 2 seats are reserved, we extended the invite for you to bring a guest. We kindly ask that you please don’t bring anyone by surprise, as there will not be a place for them to stay on the chateau grounds - all rooms will need be reserved ahead of time.

Can I bring pets?

Per our rental agreement, pets are not allowed on the chateau grounds due to the surrounding wildlife. We are devastated that Cali the cat will not be able to join us, but we’re sure we will be in her thoughts.

What will staying on the chateau grounds be like?

Essentially, it will be like staying at a vacation rental (AirBnb or Vrbo) with some hotel amenities. All guests will check in on arrival with a staff member and will be directed to your accommodations from the Orangerie reception house. You will be provided with clean linens and towels, but they will not be changed throughout the 3-night stay. There is a laundry room in the chateau that you can use, as needed. The bungalows and private rooms will not be serviced throughout the stay, but the common areas will be cleaned once per day. A ‘house rules’ document will be provided to all guests upon check in. Please note that smoking/vaping is not permitted in any indoor location on the grounds.

We will be hosting major one major event each day at the chateau, but outside of that, your time is yours to explore and relax. If renting a car, you can visit nearby attractions and villages - there are plenty of vineyards, picturesque towns, authentic restaurants, and grocery stores. If staying on the chateau grounds, there are many places to walk and explore, tennis courts, and a pool.

Does that chateau have parking?

Yes, the chateau has ample parking space. If you choose to rent a car, you can park on the chateau grounds for free. Again since several people have asked, drivers in France drive on the same side of the road as in the United States - so you don’t have to worry about adjusting to that if you choose to rent a car.

Does the chateau or other buildings have an elevator?

Both the chateau and the Sisley apartment do not have an elevator and you’ll need to use stairs. The ceremony space, reception space, and bungalows are all accessible on the ground level. If you need help with a heavy suitcase, staff members that guide you to your room should be able to assist you.

Do I need to speak French?

You don’t need to speak French, but learning some basic French before you go can make your travel easier. We recommend downloading the free Google Translate app to your phone prior to the trip and downloading (saving to your device) the French language. This allows you to use if it you’re out of a Wifi or cell service zone. It will help you immensely if you try to learn a few simple French phrases:

  • Bonjour - “Hello / Good morning.” Say this as a greeting or any time you walk into a business in France, including a store or restaurant. In France, it may be considered rude if you do not greet attendants with this as you enter.

  • Désolé, je ne parle pas français - “Sorry, I don’t speak French.”

  • Parles-vouz anglais? - Do you speak English?

  • Pardon, excusez-moi. - Pardon, excuse me.

  • Merci/Merci beaucoup. - “Thank you/Thank you very much.”

  • Où sont des toilettes? - Where are the toilets?

  • S’il vous plait - Please.

  • Un pain au chocolat - This one is the most important.

There are many people in France that speak some English, but it’s less common in the French countryside than in the major cities. If you initiate a conversation in French first before resorting to English, people will likely be more receptive.

What specific things should I pack?

  • Passport and a photocopy of your passport

  • Driver’s license (if driving a rental car)

  • Formal attire for 9/10

  • Semi-formal attire for 9/9

  • Formal shoes that will work in grass and gravel (fancy sandals are fine)

  • Raincoat or umbrella in case of weather

  • Clothing for hot weather

  • Swimsuit

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • European plug adapter (We recommend something like this which has USB & micro USB with a fold-able plug.)

  • Camera (or phone); film or Polaroid cameras are always welcome!

  • Sunscreen (or better yet, buy some from a French pharmacy)

  • European power converter (if you want to bring hot tools/steamers, but it’s not recommended if it’s irreplaceable or expensive). I had to tell my mom this, but please don’t bring your Dyson air wrap. There’s a chance it could break if you try to use it with a converter.

  • Hair conditioner (this is not one of the provided toiletries at the chateau)

  • Hair dryer - we recommend buying an EU compatible one one in Bordeaux or the market in La Roche Chalais prior to arrival at the chateau. The chateau used to provide these, but had to stop because people kept stealing them :(

What amenities will be provided on the chateau grounds?

  • Rooms equipped with private en-suite bathrooms (toilet, sink, shower/bath)

  • Breakfast supplies in the dining hall

  • Fresh linens (pillows, sheets, bath towels)

  • Basic toiletries (soap and shampoo)

  • Iron and board in the basement for communal use

  • Pool with loungers and a bathroom

  • Tennis court (bring your own racquets)

  • Free parking

What will the weather be like?

Daily highs will range from 75-90 degrees. Daily lows will range from 55-65 degrees. Early to mid September can be the sunniest time of the year in the region, but there is always a possible chance of rain since it’s near the Atlantic coast.

What currency does France use?

In France, the Euro (€) is used for currency. We would recommend bringing a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, a debit card to withdraw Euros from an ATM while traveling (as some smaller businesses will only accept cash), and a stash of Euros in cash for the initial part of the trip to have on hand. You can usually order Euros from your bank for a small fee. The current conversion rate is €1 EUR = $1.06 USD. If bringing cards, make sure to let them know you’re traveling ahead of time so that your transactions don’t get blocked.

Will my cell phone work in France?

Yes, but you’ll likely need speak to your phone provider prior to traveling to discuss your options while abroad. You can always put your phone on airplane mode and utilize the WiFi for free. However, it’s convenient and sometime necessary to have cell service in more remote areas. For example, Verizon offers a plan of unlimited data for $10/day when traveling. Prior to traveling, we highly recommend saving two things to your phone: Google Translate’s French language and a general map area of Bordeaux/the chateau on Google maps. This allows you to access these resources even when you’re offline or outside of a service zone.

Where should we go after the wedding?

You’re already in France, so you might as well see more of it while you’re here.

We will plan to travel to Paris after the wedding from Sept. 12-15 before our honeymoon, and we would love if you joined us! I can recommend the Astotel hotels. They have a range of hotels in different budgets and they are centrally located. We will plan to stay at the Hotel Astra Opera in the 9th arrondissement. I’ve also stayed at Hotel 34B before before, which was affordable and very nice. Most of the Astotel hotels have consistently great reviews on all websites. The rooms are super clean, which is a must in Paris. The staff is very friendly and English-speaking, and they offer an excellent breakfast buffet. If you stay in one, you can eat the snacks/drinks at any of the other hotels during the day, which is nice if you’re walking around.

From Bordeaux or Paris, you can take a plane or a train to other destinations allover Europe. Flying within Europe is super cheap compared to the price to get over here from the US. We hope you’re able to do some exploring while you’re out here, either before or after the wedding …and please send us pictures of your adventures!

Why are you getting married in France?

France is one of the most beautiful and romantic countries in the world. It has some of the best food, wine, art, fashion, and culture. It’s a nice place and we love to travel. Why not make it an adventure?