A destination wedding in France – Château d'Arcelot, Dijon
Our very first destination wedding took us to the breathtaking Château d'Arcelot in Dijon, France. And what an adventure it was!
Getting to Château d'Arcelot – a journey to remember
It was the peak of summer, with Europe bathed in sunshine and temperatures soaring around 30°C. Our journey began at Warsaw Airport, as there are no direct flights to Dijon. So, our first stop was Zurich, where we picked up a rental car and hit the road. A 350 km drive isn’t usually a big deal—unless you’re traveling with a six-months-pregnant Kasia and a broken air conditioning system!
Exploring Dijon – meeting Chantal & Simone
Things got much better from there! We stayed in a charming guesthouse on the palace grounds, alongside our couple and their closest family. The day before the wedding, Chantal & Simone took us on a tour of Dijon, the city where they met and built their life together. They wanted us to get to know them, their story, and their home—so we wouldn’t feel like strangers on their big day.
The wedding day – a personal touch
The wedding day started with a relaxed family breakfast, followed by wedding preparations, a quick beer tasting straight from the keg, and setting up the reception tent. Although the wedding was held at a magnificent château, the couple and their family personally handled most of the setup.
One of the sweetest details? Chantal’s parents brought a trailer full of wedding decorations, including beautiful carpets to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere. And to top it off, their journey from Germany to their daughter’s wedding was even longer than ours!
A bit of wedding day drama!
No wedding is complete without a little suspense! Just before the ceremony, dark storm clouds gathered over Dijon and Arcelot, making it impossible to predict if the skies would hold. In true romantic comedy fashion, a downpour hit—but only while traveling from the church to the château!
A surprise carriage ride & a jazz-filled evening!
Simone had a beautiful surprise planned for his bride—halfway through their journey, they switched from a car to a horse-drawn carriage, making a grand entrance at the venue.
The evening kicked off with a live jazz band straight out of a Woody Allen film, setting the perfect mood. After a 5-course dinner, heartfelt speeches, and a stunning vocal performance by Chantal’s mother, the couple officially opened the dance floor with an impressive bachata performance.