Annelies + Christian // Château de Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet, Saint-Loup-Lamairé, France
A bit about you two! How did you two first meet?
Despite working in the same company for several years, Christian and Annelies finally crossed paths in December 2017 when simultaneously and as if by fate, Christian moved out of finance and into a divisional COO role, and Annelies took a break from law to join Christian's team of business directors. Annelies' aversion to spreadsheets meant that Christian's helping hand was frequently needed, and Christian himself began to invent new reasons to spend the whole week in London and even "accidentally" missed the last train back to Glasgow on a few occasions.
The romance blossomed quickly, with Christian selling his house in Glasgow and moving to London, swapping weekends spent mountain biking down Ben Nevis for strolling the pretty streets of London Fields in search of the perfect coffee and late night cocktails. Those late nights drinking have now been swapped with sleepless nights of another variety looking after Poppy and Arie.
France is a special place for the couple because that's where they spent their first and many subsequent holidays, and the Loire Valley is somewhere they have both spent time with their families. Christian and Annelies are so thrilled to now be able to bring their most cherished and treasured friends and family together to be able to celebrate their love and commitment to each other.
The romance blossomed quickly, with Christian selling his house in Glasgow and moving to London, swapping weekends spent mountain biking down Ben Nevis for strolling the pretty streets of London Fields in search of the perfect coffee and late night cocktails. Those late nights drinking have now been swapped with sleepless nights of another variety looking after Poppy and Arie.
France is a special place for the couple because that's where they spent their first and many subsequent holidays, and the Loire Valley is somewhere they have both spent time with their families. Christian and Annelies are so thrilled to now be able to bring their most cherished and treasured friends and family together to be able to celebrate their love and commitment to each other.
The proposal? ...Tell us everything!
At the hampstead pergola after a series of failed attempts!
You guys? ...What do you do?..How do you spend your days?..What's important in life?
Trying to juggle two very busy jobs with two small children and still have a bit of a social life. We love to travel when we can.
The Venue/s? ... Why this place above anywhere else?
We both love France and went there a lot with our families when we were younger. It was also the first place we went as a couple.
Saint-Loup sur Thouet "Small City of Character" was founded at the end of the 11th century, however signs of human occupation dating back to the Gallo-Roman era have been uncovered. Writings indicate the first known Lord of the area was Drogon in the 13th century. At the end of the Medieval period, the control of the area was assumed by the Dercé family, who were the first individuals to begin building on the site of the chateau. The emblem of the town is still the coat of arms of the Dercé family.
The village has a wonderful interactive map where you can see the Chateau, together with other interesting and historic sites including La Maison Arouet (which we have rented for guests to use (called La Grande Tannerie on the map) and the Gites du Thouet (unmarked but the building on the right hand side of the map near the Chateau).
The village has been elected the most beautiful village of the DEUX-SEVRES.
Buildings on the site date back to the 15th century with the Lords of Dercé. The chateau grounds include the 15th Century medieval keep, the 17th century chateau, parks and gardens built during the 17th and 18th centuries, the orangery, the dovecote, the menagerie, and the canal. During World War II, the chateau was taken over by German soldiers who looted the property. The 50-hectare site has been the subject of a restoration and beautification program supported by the state and local authorities.
Main Chateau - The chateau dates from the 17th century and was built by the Gouffier family , the Marquis de Carabas who inspired Perrault to write the tale "Puss in Boots" (which is why the Chateau is often referred to as the Puss in Boots Chateau). The stone and high slate roofs are characteristic of the Louis XIII style. The building plan for the chateau was designed in the shape of an "H" to honour King Henry IV.
Tower / Keep - The tower is the oldest building of the chateau and its base goes back to the 13th century. During the 13th century, the tower held the King of France John II the Good when he was taken prisoner by the Black Prince after the Battle of Poitiers (1356). On the third level of the tower in the seigniorial room, you can find the coat of arms of the family Dercé on a medallion in the embrasure of a window.
Chateau de Saint-Loup-sur-Thoet is featured on "Escape to the Chateau: DIY" Series 2 Season 2, and you can watch it on BBC 4 or Sky. Escape to the Chateau: Series 2 Episode 20
Historically, the Orangery Court (where the reception will be held) is a representation of the Garden of Eden - a "place of all delights dedicated to the pleasures of the senses". Citrus trees and fragrant plants also allowed the private production of perfumes, liquors, essential oils, jams, crystallised fruit.
The Orangery Court at Chateau de Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet has been lovingly restored with help from the European Commission and the French State. The profusion of documents, the extraordinary detail of numerous plans, inventories, sketches as well as the correspondence between the caretakers and Lords of St loup, stored at the " Archives départementales des Deux sèvres" have allowed the restoration of the gardens to the shape given to them by Jacques de Boyer de la Boissière in the XVIII th century in the great tradition of french formal gardens.
The layout of the Versailles tubs and Anduze vases is governed by classical rules ( one citrus tree succeeding a decorative or fragrant plant ) around four squares lined with box hedge. The beds are planted with annuals chosen for their fragrance. Citrus trees are clipped in the shape of a bowl, a cone or a Chinese hat following the rule of the three thirds ( 1/3 of the height for the container, 1/3 for the trunk, 1/3 for the foliage ).
What experience do you want to give to your guests?
Hopefully just an incredible time at a gorgeous venue. Want it to be a lot of fun as well as something really special to witness by our friends and families - we have waited a long time for this.
Why do you want your wedding filmed?
Good question. We'd love some beautiful aerial shots of the chateau to capture it's grandeur. Also some shots of the rooms inside would be great. Some nice footage of the happy couple with the gorgeous backdrop of the chateau but would also love to get footage of the guests enjoying the dinner on the banquet table but also the roaming jazz band for the cocktail hour (and of course the ceremony itself!)
You guys? ...What do you do?..How do you spend your days?..What's important in life?
Trying to juggle two very busy jobs with two small children and still have a bit of a social life. We love to travel when we can.
The Venue/s? ... Why this place above anywhere else?
We both love France and went there a lot with our families when we were younger. It was also the first place we went as a couple.
Saint-Loup sur Thouet "Small City of Character" was founded at the end of the 11th century, however signs of human occupation dating back to the Gallo-Roman era have been uncovered. Writings indicate the first known Lord of the area was Drogon in the 13th century. At the end of the Medieval period, the control of the area was assumed by the Dercé family, who were the first individuals to begin building on the site of the chateau. The emblem of the town is still the coat of arms of the Dercé family.
The village has a wonderful interactive map where you can see the Chateau, together with other interesting and historic sites including La Maison Arouet (which we have rented for guests to use (called La Grande Tannerie on the map) and the Gites du Thouet (unmarked but the building on the right hand side of the map near the Chateau).
The village has been elected the most beautiful village of the DEUX-SEVRES.
Buildings on the site date back to the 15th century with the Lords of Dercé. The chateau grounds include the 15th Century medieval keep, the 17th century chateau, parks and gardens built during the 17th and 18th centuries, the orangery, the dovecote, the menagerie, and the canal. During World War II, the chateau was taken over by German soldiers who looted the property. The 50-hectare site has been the subject of a restoration and beautification program supported by the state and local authorities.
Main Chateau - The chateau dates from the 17th century and was built by the Gouffier family , the Marquis de Carabas who inspired Perrault to write the tale "Puss in Boots" (which is why the Chateau is often referred to as the Puss in Boots Chateau). The stone and high slate roofs are characteristic of the Louis XIII style. The building plan for the chateau was designed in the shape of an "H" to honour King Henry IV.
Tower / Keep - The tower is the oldest building of the chateau and its base goes back to the 13th century. During the 13th century, the tower held the King of France John II the Good when he was taken prisoner by the Black Prince after the Battle of Poitiers (1356). On the third level of the tower in the seigniorial room, you can find the coat of arms of the family Dercé on a medallion in the embrasure of a window.
Chateau de Saint-Loup-sur-Thoet is featured on "Escape to the Chateau: DIY" Series 2 Season 2, and you can watch it on BBC 4 or Sky. Escape to the Chateau: Series 2 Episode 20
Historically, the Orangery Court (where the reception will be held) is a representation of the Garden of Eden - a "place of all delights dedicated to the pleasures of the senses". Citrus trees and fragrant plants also allowed the private production of perfumes, liquors, essential oils, jams, crystallised fruit.
The Orangery Court at Chateau de Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet has been lovingly restored with help from the European Commission and the French State. The profusion of documents, the extraordinary detail of numerous plans, inventories, sketches as well as the correspondence between the caretakers and Lords of St loup, stored at the " Archives départementales des Deux sèvres" have allowed the restoration of the gardens to the shape given to them by Jacques de Boyer de la Boissière in the XVIII th century in the great tradition of french formal gardens.
The layout of the Versailles tubs and Anduze vases is governed by classical rules ( one citrus tree succeeding a decorative or fragrant plant ) around four squares lined with box hedge. The beds are planted with annuals chosen for their fragrance. Citrus trees are clipped in the shape of a bowl, a cone or a Chinese hat following the rule of the three thirds ( 1/3 of the height for the container, 1/3 for the trunk, 1/3 for the foliage ).
What experience do you want to give to your guests?
Hopefully just an incredible time at a gorgeous venue. Want it to be a lot of fun as well as something really special to witness by our friends and families - we have waited a long time for this.
Why do you want your wedding filmed?
Good question. We'd love some beautiful aerial shots of the chateau to capture it's grandeur. Also some shots of the rooms inside would be great. Some nice footage of the happy couple with the gorgeous backdrop of the chateau but would also love to get footage of the guests enjoying the dinner on the banquet table but also the roaming jazz band for the cocktail hour (and of course the ceremony itself!)