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25/04/2008, 16:08 makelifehappen Joined on 25/04/2008 Toronto, ON Canada Posts 18 Wedding in Carcassonne Hi there, So pleased to have found this forum, really. My fiance James likes to joke about the cyber trail I am leading with all of my online discussion accounts, but this is definitely my way;) So, to begin, I am planning my wedding ceremony in the South of France on August 23rd, 2008. We have hired a Humanist Officiant to fly over from Ireland to "marry" us. We are a couple that met online (he lived in England, I lived in Canada and well, it was one of those "accidental" meetings that you hear about, but never see...) He has since moved to Canada and we are still wrapping up the immigration issues on this end of things.  We wanted to have a fairly intimate wedding without alot of fuss and will be travelling wi th just our 2 children and a friend that will be caring for the children for our 2 weeks in Europe. I have very little interest in all the typical/traditional wedding plans and we lead a fairly "free-to-be-me" lifestyle. So that said, we are just taking our thoughts and gut instincts and running with them. Having our dresses (50's style prom dresses) made in Canada and working on the groom's attire. Still on the hunt for something suitable for summer weather in France. Our first thoughts were something mod-suit like, but it may turn out to be too hot for this sort of attire. Any thoughts on August weather? We have been looking for information on Photographers in the South of France and were in touch with a couple, but as far as we can tell alot of what we were looking for is nowhere to be found online. I have noticed alot of Photojournalists in France, but we were looking for ALOT less, since it is a much smaller scale than the average wedding and have little need for 12-15 hours worth of photography. I have looked at this place as an alternative to the wedding photographer: http://www.thisisventure.co.uk/images.aspx?cat=4 This is more our style of things. We like the creativity and individuality of this studio, but sadly it will have to be done in a studio and not outdoors in front of the medieval wall lined city of Carcassonne or little french village :( Any suggestions? Also, I have had some difficulty locating both hairdresser/florist. I know that the expectation is that I will cave and hire a wedding planner to take care of these details, but the reality is, I would sooner do without. (I have also opted out of wearing shoes because we couldn't find what we wanted)  ;) The holiday home we booked is actually about an hour out of Carcassonne, so we are ok to drive somewhere for either of these...the only one website I found that listed anything about a hairdresser was on a "gay friendly France" site and well, I am not sure if that means they are a "men's" stylist or not. Anyone know anything about El Salon? I quite like orchids/ Calla Lillies and my children's dresses are mauve coloured... anyone know if either of these are accessible in local french markets? I'd be just as happy with fresh cut flowers, as I would a proper floral arrangement....and would be completely fine knowing that I had a typical France arrangement, if that was my only option. ok, so down to my final thoughts... We have been tossing around thoughts about where to have a wedding ceremony. We hoped for something earthy and fun. We are often pushed in the direction of "booking" a spot, which I would be more inclined to do if I had guests, etc to contend with, but since I do not...I am not bothered. We contacted the "city hall" for France and Carcassonne...both of which thought we were a little insane with our questions, but here in Canada you must get approval for outdoor weddings, photography etc. However France seems not to care whether I choose to stand outside of the medieval wall lined city and get married on the grassy bits and take photo's....has anyone any thoughts on this issue? I was trying to locate a local vineyard that would back onto Carcassonne to see if we could get their approval to wed on their land, in order to have the Carcassonne scenery off in the distance, but have had little luck with finding something like this. Perhaps someone here has some suggestions? To be completely honest, Europe is so completely different to Canada that I would be happy stood on a street corner in a small french village, so long as it was picturesque:) Thanks for reading, if you got this far...looking forward to any input:) Cheers! Melissa   "Wanna-be" (Aspergian) Artist Living the Dream....    Report

25/04/2008, 16:46 Pickles Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 197 Re: Wedding in Carcassonne I don't wish to pour cold water on your plans, but having investigated this in the past for friends, I am not sure that what you have in mind is very straightforward in France. According to the British Embassy website: "Three important points: A religious ceremony cannot be performed until AFTER the civil marriage. A French civil authority (Mairie, adjoint, or conseiller municipal) performs the civil ceremony in the town in which one of the parties to be married has resided for at least (40) days immediately preceding the marriage. Publication of the banns in the town hall (Mairie) where marriage will take place is compulsory in France. Most Mairies take approximately 4 –6 weeks to process an application. Requirements will vary for each Mairie, therefore, it is essential that you first meet with them in order to determine their exact documentary requirements and terms of validity (documents may need to be issued less than 3 months prior to date of marriage or publication of banns). A marriage performed in France under French law is recognised in the UK." If you are planning to effectively "fly in, get married and fly out" then the above would indicate that you need to actually reside where you want the civil ceremony (ie the official ceremony) to take place for 40 days for it to be a valid marriage under French law. If you just have a "humanist" ceremony in France without the official ceremony then your marriage will not be legal in France and I can't see how it could be recognised elsewhere. Pickles    Report

25/04/2008, 16:53 makelifehappen Joined on 25/04/2008 Toronto, ON Canada Posts 18 Re: Wedding in Carcassonne Thank you, but yes...we already know this. This is why we are opting for a Humanist Ceremony (after a quiet civil/signing in Canada). We are not interested in a religious ceremony and realize that our ceremony will not be an official recognition of our marriage, but instead a celebration of our union. This is indeed what we want and would appreciate some information about the other queries:) Thanks. Melissa "Wanna-be" (Aspergian) Artist Living the Dream....    Report

26/04/2008, 10:22 Lilly Joined on 23/08/2004 Dordogne Posts 102 Re: Wedding in Carcassonne Hi, Have you tried the Office de tourisme in Carcassone they may be able to link you with a local vinyard and help with locating hairdressers, local Markets etc. What about looking at a Farm auberge for a meal after? I saw a beautiful  wedding very earthy with the only decoration being bunches of ears of wheat/corn and Vine leaves, bridesmaids carring corn dollys I think it is likely to be very hot in August in that area and or rainy, what about a white linen Mod suit ( if it exists!) Outside of the Walls of the city is usually a large Carousel, of course you may already have tried or know of these suggestions but its a start.   Lilly    Report

26/04/2008, 13:31 TravelPhil Joined on 28/08/2007 Luc sur Aude (11) Posts 12 Re: Wedding in Carcassonne Hi Melissa For a fantastic restaurant in the middle of a vineyard what about this place (its on the Carcassonne side of Limoux).. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEUiwSMwExs http://www.maisongayda.com/ Bonne Chance!   Phil         www.swiss-apartment.com    Report

26/04/2008, 14:03 JSA Aude Joined on 30/06/2005 Posts 204 Re: Wedding in Carcassonne Would second Phil's suggestion - fabulous terrace with views of the pyrennees.    Report

28/04/2008, 8:18 Mpprh Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 1,073 Re: Wedding in Carcassonne Hi Might be worth contacting this place : http://www.chateaulasserre.com They are close to Carcassonne and can help with your various questions. Peter www.the-languedoc-page.com    Report

28/04/2008, 9:41 Pads Joined on 24/05/2006 Cornwall/ Montage Noir Posts 3,244 Re: Wedding in Carcassonne Peter I dont know if this is just me , but your link only takes you to a pic of a swimming pool ? Dirty Tom =^..^= Where ever I lay my paw thats my home    Report

28/04/2008, 10:07 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot (46) Posts 7,240 Re: Wedding in Carcassonne I think this is the place Peter means: http://www.chateaulasserre.com/ Clair, a Real Virtual French Person    Report

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