Amanda & Scott’s French Chateau Wedding Was An Ode to Family

We had the pleasure of capturing Amanda & Scott’s stunning destination wedding on location in France. Held at the Château de Courtomer, which dates back to the 18th century, the couple hosted a plein air ceremony and reception with their closest family and friends, including their two adorable little boys.

But let’s take a step back for a second. Amanda & Scott’s French chateau wedding wasn’t the beginning of their love story. Rather, their love story began back in 2017 after a friend convinced Amanda to join a dating app. Although initially resistant, she agreed to try it out for one month, and with just a few days left, she matched with Scott. The pair met for a drink soon after, which was followed by a comedy show. “During the show, I glanced over at Scott and he looked completely mortified by how inappropriate the show was for a first date. Needless to say, I got a good laugh out of that and it sparked the beginning of something special,” shares Amanda.

When it came time to plan their wedding, making France the location was an easy decision. Not only was France the first country that Amanda & Scott travelled to together, but the bride also has fond childhood memories of vacations in Paris and the South of France spent visiting family, indulging in decadent pastries, and exploring quaint villages and beautiful beaches.

After researching the top destination wedding locations in France, the couple settled on Château de Courtomer in Normandy, which is less than two and a half hours from Paris. “We looked at hundreds of venues and found ourselves coming back to Courtomer time and time again. We were captivated by its charm, and the picturesque setting provided the perfect backdrop for our wedding. I’m still dreaming about the luscious rose bushes that are so fragrant and magical,” shares the bride.

Selecting destination wedding photographers was also a breeze. Amanda was already familiar with 515 Photo Co.’s work and knew she wanted them to capture their celebration. The bride shares, “Mike and the entire team are phenomenal to work with. It goes without saying that he is incredibly talented and delivered the most breathtaking photos. We loved his creativity, passion, and ability to storytell through his art. Working with 515 is truly a bride’s dream!”

As an event planner and former wedding cake artist, bride Amanda took charge of planning the rest of their celebration. The couple agreed that they wanted their wedding to be an ode to family with a romantic and ethereal theme. As such, they drew inspiration not only from their own families and heritage but also from the French chateau wedding and the history and art of France more broadly.

For example, Amanda & Scott’s wedding colour palette was a nod to their own birthstones and those of their children (blue and pink for the boys, red for Scott, and white pearls for Amanda). In keeping with the vintage feel of the chateau, they also incorporated antique pinks, dusty blue, and shimmering gold into the day’s decor.

Meanwhile, Rococo, a style of art and architecture that originated in France, inspired the stationery, decor, and wedding cake – which the bride designed and baked herself, we might add (it was a vanilla bean cake with salted caramel cream). Lace was also incorporated into not only the decor but also Amanda’s wedding dress. Alençon is the birthplace of lace, and like Courtomer, is located in Normandy.

Speaking of Normandy, local cider and succulent oysters fresh from the beaches of Normandy were served at the reception, along with mouth-watering French pastries, a traditional croquembouche, and of course, plenty of French wine, cheese, bread, and Champagne.

To highlight the natural beauty of the venue, Amanda & Scott insisted on an outdoor ceremony and an al fresco reception. The intimate ceremony was held on the chateau’s front lawn beneath the trees. This was followed by a Chinese tea ceremony with the couple’s parents, which was a nod to Amanda’s heritage. Next, guests were seated at a long gallery table covered in dusty blue linens, organic pastel floral arrangements, and Rococo-inspired napkins and menus.

While Amanda & Scott worked hard to bring their ethereal French wedding to life, the most important part of the day was bringing their families together – everyone even stayed at the chateau together! “The whole wedding was centred around family,” shares the bride. “It was truly special to unite with everyone, especially with many of our guests coming from abroad. We wanted to incorporate our friends and family into our day as much as possible because we are incredibly grateful for all of their love, support, and guidance throughout our relationship and lives.”

 

Incorporating their family into the wedding is exactly what the couple did! Amanda’s Aunt Nora led the ceremony while Scott’s Aunt Moreen performed a meaningful reading. Meanwhile, there was a special ring warming ceremony that all of the guests participated in, a paint ceremony for the kids, and they had their sons walk down the aisle at the ceremony last so they could watch them. Amanda & Scott even incorporated the boys into their first dance. “Having our kids in the wedding made it truly special. Our first dance as a family will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Every Sunday morning, ever since the boys were little I turn on some music and dance with them around the living room. So we knew having them be a part of our first dance was a must,” says Amanda.

Overall, Amanda & Scott’s destination wedding in France was just what the couple wanted – a true family affair. Not only was Château de Courtomer the perfect spot for their dreamy French chateau wedding, but it also happened to make for a memorable vacation destination. The couple spent an entire week at the French chateau, which was their first vacation to France with their own family. We bet they’ll be back soon!

Planner: Amanda Christine Events/Héra et Lutèce, Venue: Chateau de Courtomer Dress: La Perle by Calla Blanche, Suit: Hugo Boss, Hair & Makeup: Lily Ho Beauty, Florist: Fanny Fleurs Cake: Amanda Foong Cakes, Caterer: Erisay Traiteur